Black Belt Treasures Cultural Arts Center celebrating 20th anniversary

The Black Belt Treasures Cultural Arts Center (BBTCAC) in Camden has showcased the works of more than 600 Black Belt artists of all mediums of paint, pottery, wood work, basket weaving, one-of-a-kind jewelry and much more since its creation in 2005. They have welcomed visitors from all 50 states and 36 countries.

BBTCAC officials will celebrate the organization’s commitment to economic development through arts, arts education and cultural heritage tourism on Thursday, Oct. 2, at its 20th Anniversary Celebration. The event will be at BBTCAC headquarters at 209 Claiborne Street in Camden.

“We appreciate the incredible support we’ve received for the last 20 years, and our 20th Anniversary Celebration gives us a chance to honor our first two decades and renew our dedication to helping the Black Belt prosper,” BBTCAC Executive Director Sulynn Creswell said. “We hope people will join us on Oct. 2 and enjoy an incredible evening filled with music, food and fellowship – all in the heart of Alabama’s Black Belt.”

Tickets for the 20th Anniversary Celebration can be purchased online on the BBTCAC website or in person at BBTCAC in downtown Camden. Cost is $65 for individuals and $120 per couple. Sponsorship opportunities are also available.

Only 250 tickets are available, so organizers encourage people to purchase their tickets in advance through BBTCAC’s website.

The 20th Anniversary Celebration features the unveiling of a commemorative portrait by Johnna Bush, a work that interprets the theme “Rooted in Traditions … Cultivating the Arts of Tomorrow.” Bush and the artists represented in the painting will be available to sign commemorative prints of the artwork at the 20th Anniversary Celebration.

In addition, musical entertainment begins at 4:30 p.m., with Marengo County musician Toney Nixon, Wilcox County musician TaDarius Dukes and The Dallas County BBQ Ensemble, a local bluegrass band, scheduled to perform. There will also be a silent auction, and the menu includes pre-event appetizers and a dinner buffet. The formal program starts at 6:30 p.m., and Bush’s artwork will be unveiled at 7 p.m.

“The Black Belt Treasures Cultural Arts Center does amazing work to help promote the artistic talent found throughout the Black Belt while also strengthening tourism development by preserving the region’s rich cultural heritage,” said Alabama Black Belt Adventures Association director Pam Swanner, whose organization is supporting the 20th Anniversary Celebration. “We are proud to be a part of this event that promises to be an amazing and memorable night in the Black Belt.”

BBTCAC programs, including art shows, art camps, festivals, exhibitions, lectures and art classes, draw an average of 14,000 visitors and students annually. Since the organization’s inception in October 2005, more than 600 artists have been served and the sale of artists’ work has generated more than $2.3 million (70 percent is returned to the artist and 30 percent supports BBTCAC programming and operations).

The “Rooted in Traditions … Cultivating the Arts of Tomorrow” theme will continue through September 2026 in an effort to promote arts economy, arts education and the future of the arts in Alabama’s Black Belt.

“We’re extremely proud of the work we’ve done, and we look forward to a wonderful evening to celebrate our 20th anniversary,” Creswell said.

The Alabama Black Belt Adventures Association is committed to promoting and enhancing outdoor recreation and tourism opportunities in the Black Belt in a manner that provides economic and ecological benefits to the region and its citizens. For information, go to https://alabamablackbeltadventures.org.

Black Belt Treasures Cultural Arts Center is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization based in Camden. The organization started with the objective to stimulate the economy in Alabama’s Black Belt through the sale and promotion of fine arts and heritage crafts, as well as the provision of arts education opportunities. Strategically located in Wilcox County, the heart of Alabama’s Black Belt, BBTCAC serves as the centerpiece of an arts economy revitalization involving artist development and arts education, which encourages residents and visitors to experience arts, culture and place. For information, go to https://www.blackbelttreasures.com.