BAY MINETTE, Alabama — Cultural anthropologist Margaret Mead once said, “a small group of thoughtful people could change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”

 That is the idea behind the newly formed Old Town Bay Minette Arts Council. The small, private group came together with a common interest in the arts, and a desire to work together on projects that promote are education and appreciate in Bay Minette.

Members of this small but enthusiastic group are Debbie McMickle and Judy Pimperl, both co-owners of Best Friends Gallery; Pete Pedersen with the North Baldwin Chamber of Commerce; Marilyn Waters, Director of the North Baldwin Literacy Council; Becca Horne with Artists in Communities South; and Joanna Bailey, Director of the Bay Minette Public Library.

 The group adopted the butterfly as their symbol. The butterfly represents positive change — something the council is working to bring to the arts community in Bay Minette. 

Several wooden butterflies were crafted by students at the North Baldwin Center for Technology under the guidance of carpentry teacher Scott Larson. The butterflies were then painted by area school children and distributed to businesses around the downtown area in order to generate interest in the council and their projects.

The supplies and materials for the butterflies were donated by local businesses. The butterflies can be seen decorating store fronts throughout downtown Bay Minette.

 Mayor Jamie Tillery declared the week of April 30 through May 5 as Art Week in Bay Minette which culminated with the “… And All That Jazz” art event at Rex Park and Best Friends Gallery on May 4. Artists from around the southeast submitted artwork for the event, which was judged by Southern Living Magazine’s Creative Director Bob Perino, local artist Bill Harrison of the Garage Studio located in Point Clear, and owner of Pensacola’s Gumbo Gallery Sonja Griffin Evans.

 The night also featured live jazz performed by Chip Herrigton’s big band of the Mobile Big Band Society and spoken word poetry by the Barefoot Poet Dolores Gibson. Members of the arts council have also been busy planning their next event — Market Days at Blackburn Park.

 The market will be from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 9 and 23 at Blackburn Park on Hoyle Avenue. Items for sale will be handmade, homemade or home grown.

The offerings include fruits, vegetables, fresh flowers and plants, fresh baked goods, fresh eggs, soaps, lotions, pottery, artwork, woodcrafts and more. No yard sale items will be permitted.

The wooden butterflies seen throughout town will also be sold at the June 23 market. Booth spaces are still available at $15 each.

 Please call Best Friends Gallery at 251-937-8090 for more information and to reserve your space.