Want to be the first to look at all the amazing art at River Clay? River Clay kicks off Friday night with River Clay Rendezvous, an arts patron preview party. It’s a festive night of food and drink, and attendees get the FIRST opportunity to browse the River Clay Artist Market… which means the first chance to purchase as well!
River Clay Fine Arts Festival
Lillie Beth Warner • August 10, 2022
Mark your calendars! The 7th annual River Clay Fine Arts Festival returns to downtown Decatur, AL, on October 22-23, 2022!
The River Clay Fine Arts Festival started in Decatur, Alabama in 2015 as a juried art festival, featuring local and national artists exhibiting original works of art for sale to the public. The festival is a family-friendly two-day event held in Downtown Decatur. It is located in front of the beautiful City Hall campus! The festival costs $5 for a weekend pass, children under the age of 12 can enter for free. (Children must be accompanied by an adult). River Clay offers many opportunities to get immersed in art! There will be an artist market where guests can view and purchase art, some may even have a chance to interact with artists themselves. The festival will include activities for the kids, a student gallery of artwork from local schools, and so much more.
Learn about the art and artists!
Local and national artist will share their talents at the artist market. The River Clay Artist Market will offer many different mediums of art. The following mediums are expected to be at the festival:
Ceramics Drawing Fiber Glass Jewelry Metalwork Mixed Media Painting Photography Sculpture Wood
This year's River Clay Fine Arts Festival is a fantastic opportunity to find unique and original art from talented artists! You may be lucky enough to discuss your favorite pieces with the artist themselves which makes the experience even more special! There are so many fantastic artists attending this year's festival! Make sure to check out the full list of artists who will be attending the festival on River Clay Festival's official website below!
Check out the impressive chalk art!
River Clay added chalk art to the festival lineup in 2019! These amazing art pieces light up the sidewalks all over Downtown Decatur. Leading up to River Clay, local art students work to create pieces of art around town as a prelude to a professional chalk art competition during the festival. Artists work on-site during the festival, allowing patrons to watch them while they create chalk masterpieces. Make sure to come watch as they create beautiful large-scale masterpieces throughout the day!
Let the kids get creative with children's activities!
You may wonder what there is for the kids to do? River Clay offers a variety of children's activities coordinated by a fun group of artists and art teachers. These activities will let the kids be creative and create some of their own masterpieces. As seen in the photo above, children may get their face painted or enjoy trying on different temporary tattoos! Your little artist will have a wonderful time!
Discover Decatur's talented young artist at the student gallery!
Take a minute to explore the next generations of artists artwork at the student gallery! Student artwork will be on display from both public and private schools across Decatur, Hartselle, and Morgan County! These talented kids work very hard during the school year and River Clay gives them the opportunity to share their hard work with the community!
Grab a bite to eat at the Food Trucks!
Food trucks will be on-site offering festival patrons a chance to refuel before going back through the artist market to pick up the perfect piece of art! Beer and wine will also be available. Grab a bite and picnic in “the grove” or get a beverage and keep shopping!
Want a preview of the art?
In the heart of Old Town Decatur, Alabama, First Missionary Baptist Church stands as a beacon of resilience, faith, and history. Established in 1866 by 21 formerly enslaved individuals, the church has not only served as a spiritual home for its congregation but also as a significant symbol of African American perseverance and architectural heritage. The church's beginnings trace back to the home of Jane Young, where its founding members gathered under the leadership of Rev. Alfred Peters, the first pastor. Initially, services were held in a modest storefront along the Tennessee River, embodying the dedication and commitment of its members despite limited resources. In 1873, the congregation took a significant step forward by purchasing a building from a white Methodist congregation, establishing a more permanent place of worship.First Missionary Baptist Church's current home, constructed in 1921, is a masterpiece of Neoclassical Romanesque architecture, designed by the renowned Wallace Augustus Rayfield. Rayfield, a trailblazing African American architect, is best known for designing the historic 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, which became a tragic yet powerful symbol of the Civil Rights Movement following the 1963 bombing. His influence is evident in the thick brick walls, rounded arches, towering structures, and striking stained-glass windows of First Missionary Baptist Church, which shares design elements with its Birmingham counterpart. Throughout its history, First Missionary Baptist Church has been more than a place of worship; it has been a pillar of the African American community in Decatur. During the era of segregation and Jim Crow laws, the church became a hub of resistance and advocacy. Notably, during the infamous Scottsboro Boys trials of the 1930s, the church provided a safe space for meetings between defense attorneys and prospective jurors, demonstrating its commitment to justice and equality. While the church remains a cornerstone of Decatur's African American community, it has faced its share of struggles as years have gone by. Despite these challenges, the congregation remains steadfast in preserving this historic landmark. Efforts are underway to restore and maintain the building, with hopes of transforming it into a destination for Civil Rights education, historical tours, architectural enthusiasts and more. First Missionary Baptist Church is more than just a structure; it is a living testament to faith, endurance, and cultural heritage. Its story, interwoven with the broader narrative of African American history in the South, deserves recognition and preservation for future generations. With ongoing community support, this historic church can continue to serve as an enduring symbol of resilience and progress.
Decatur Now and Then
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