Poetry and art will be in bloom during Bay Minette Art Week, April 28 through May 4. It will be a time to celebrate in grand fashion with an event to mark the occasion and display the wonderful talent we have in our community and surrounding areas.

The Bay Minette Public Library will be the place to be from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. on Wednesday, May 1. A Spring Art Show, the kickoff and ribbon-cutting for the American Heart Association Art Trail, and the official unveiling of the library’s fabulous new coffee machine will be just a few happenings set to cultivate community appreciation.

The Spring Art Show will be held in the library courtyard and follow the theme “Backyard Bliss”. It will feature two categories – adult and student art. The Old Town Bay Minette Arts Council (OTMBAC) is sponsoring the show and has worked in conjunction with art teachers from our local schools to provide art created by their talented students from the elementary level through high school. A People’s Choice winner will be selected from both categories, so come out, find and vote for your favorite!

The OTBMAC will also have a flower canvas and invite those attending the event to paint a flower of their own, creating a community art project. Don’t be shy, pick up a brush and add your special touch. Another attraction will be the chime tree in the library courtyard. The tree will be filled with wind chimes and everyone is invited to contribute a chime making it another artful addition. Poetry cards will bloom among our crepe myrtles and you are welcome to pick a poem to keep.

The ribbon-cutting for the American Heart Association Art Trail will be at 5 p.m. The OTBMAC has been working closely with the North Baldwin Chamber of Commerce to provide artwork for the trail which will begin at the library and meander through Old Town Bay Minette, eventually making its way back to the library. The route will feature artwork in business storefronts along the way. NBCC Director Rebecca Cheshire was inspired to create the art trail after a visit to Dauphin Street in downtown Mobile. She spotted an American Heart Association walking path sign there, did a little investigating and the seed for our own art trial was planted. Rebecca quickly garnered support from city and county officials to make it a reality in Bay Minette. You can get exercise and look at all the beauty Old Town Bay Minette and the surrounding neighborhoods have to offer. You may be surprised to see never noticed nooks and crannies and the natural beauty of tree-lined streets. So put on your walking shoes and prepare for a lovely trek that won’t even seem like exercise!

“This art trail will be a symbol of cooperation and the spirit of progress in Bay Minette,” Cheshire said. “We have had overwhelming support from all of the business owners who are allowing art to be displayed in their windows, the mayor of Bay Minette and City Council and all of the Baldwin County Commissioners.

She added, “We are so proud of this project and our partnership with the Old Town Bay Minette Arts Council, who have worked so hard to put together the spring event and source art for the trail. This art trail is just the beginning of all of the amazing things that we have planned to rejuvenate our historic downtown area.”

Another symbol of cooperation is the new Keurig coffee machine which will give the library an added dimension. The coffee machine, made possible by the NBCC and the city of Bay Minette, will make cappuccinos, lattes and even hot chocolate. Coffee pods will be sold at the circulation desk for $2 and the coffee bar will be available for our patrons to make their own cup of deliciousness. Lids must be used to ensure nothing gets spilled, and we ask that you sit in the stacks and not at the computers to enjoy your coffee.

I almost forgot to mention that we will have light refreshment and yummy cupcakes made by Kandies by Karen and door prizes will be awarded at the event. These will include gift cards to the Shrimp Basket, artwork by local artist Judy Pimperl, spa passes from Planet Beach and a gift certificate for a free massage from Infinity Massage. You will not want to miss it. An artful experience is waiting for you to enjoy. Spring is here and Bay Minette is flowering! So come out and be a part of the celebration and don’t forget those walking shoes!

Joanna Bailey is the director of the Bay Minette Public Library. She can be reached at baileyvolumes@gmail.com