Art on the River

10/21/2026

🎨✨ TWO DAYS UNTIL ART ON THE RIVER!

The artwork is arriving, the gallery is coming together, and we’re getting ready to transform the Historic Elba Theatre into a celebration of original art!

This Friday and Saturday, downtown Elba will welcome 49 exhibiting artists and hundreds of original artworks. From paintings and photography to sculpture, mixed media, and miniature ACEOs, there’s so much to discover!

🥂 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23 | COLLECTOR PREVIEW GALA
6–9 PM | Historic Elba Theatre
🎟️ $35 admission

Be among the first to explore the exhibition, purchase original artwork, and celebrate our award winners!

✨ Special Gala experiences include:
🎨 First access to the artwork
🏆 Artist awards
🔎 Our special ACEO Hunt
🎁 Mystery boxes and art basket silent auction
🍸 Signature cocktails and mocktails

🎟️ Reserve your tickets:
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/collector-preview-gala

🎨 SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24 | FREE GALLERY DAY
10 AM–5 PM | The Elba Theatre

Explore the exhibition, discover collectible ACEOs, and find original artwork to bring home!

🖼️ BROOKE CHAPMAN MEMORIAL YOUNG ARTISTS GALLERY
Saturday, October 24 | 10 AM–5 PM
Elba Public Library | FREE

Celebrate our talented young artists, enjoy hands-on art activities, and help select the Young Artist People’s Choice Award!

🏆 TWO PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARDS — YOUR VOTES MATTER!

❤️ MAIN EXHIBITION PEOPLE’S CHOICE

Help select the People’s Choice Award winner from our exhibiting artists!

Every $10 voting purchase gives your selected artist 10 votes and enters you into a drawing for a two-night stay at Auburn Marriott Opelika Resort & Spa at Grand National!

The winning artist will also receive a special feature in our May 2027 Art on the River Magazine.

⏰ Voting closes Thursday, October 22, at 11:55 PM Central. The winner will be announced at Friday’s Gala!

🗳️ Vote for your favorite exhibiting artist:
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/viewers-choice-voting

🎨 YOUNG ARTIST PEOPLE’S CHOICE

Our young artists need your votes, too!

Every $10 voting purchase gives your selected young artist 10 votes AND enters you into a drawing for a two-night stay at Renaissance Shoals Resort & Spa in Florence, Alabama!

This wonderful prize was generously donated by the Retirement Systems of Alabama.

⏰ Voting continues through Saturday, October 24, including in-person voting at the Elba Public Library. The winner will be announced the following week!

🗳️ Vote for your favorite young artist:
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/young-artist-peoples-choice-award-voting

💌 ARTIST ENCOURAGEMENT PROJECT

You can also leave FREE messages of encouragement for our young artists through the links in their artwork listings. No purchase necessary!

🎨 TODAY IS SETUP DAY!

We’re bringing together months of planning, creativity, and collaboration to create something special for our artists and community.

Whether you’re an experienced collector, a first-time art buyer, or simply someone who enjoys discovering beautiful things, we hope you’ll join us this weekend!

You know when we’re coming. You never know what you’ll discover.

Every May. Every October. Always Original.™

10/21/2026

🎨✨ ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: MARICELA GONZALEZ!

From the colorful landscapes of Puerto Rico to the miniature world of ACEOs, Maricela Gonzalez (The Starry-Eyed Reader) creates artwork filled with nature, imagination, and storytelling!

A self-taught artist based in Puerto Rico, Maricela works primarily in acrylic on canvas, bringing birds, natural beauty, and vibrant colors to life through her paintings.

🐦 NATURE, COLOR & IMAGINATION

Inspired by the expressive brushwork of Vincent van Gogh and the luminous landscapes of Claude Monet, Maricela combines her love of nature with the magic of storytelling.

The animated films of her childhood also continue to influence her work, inspiring whimsical details, rich colors, and a sense of wonder.

🖼️ A PASSION FOR ACEOs

Alongside her larger paintings, Maricela enjoys creating ACEOs (Art Cards, Editions & Originals), miniature artworks measuring just 2.5 × 3.5 inches.

She embraces the small format as an artistic challenge, experimenting with mixed media, literature, pop culture, and intricate details.

For Maricela, every piece is an opportunity to spark joy, curiosity, and a connection with the viewer.

✨ DISCOVER MARICELA AT ART ON THE RIVER!

We're excited to introduce her artwork to our Alabama audience as part of our October exhibition featuring 49 artists and hundreds of original works.

🥂 COLLECTOR PREVIEW GALA
Friday, October 23 | 6–9 PM
The Elba Theatre | $35

🎟️ Reserve your tickets:
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/collector-preview-gala

🎨 FREE GALLERY DAY
Saturday, October 24 | 10 AM–5 PM
The Elba Theatre | Elba, Alabama

🖼️ BROOKE CHAPMAN MEMORIAL YOUNG ARTISTS GALLERY
Saturday, October 24 | 10 AM–5 PM
Elba Public Library | FREE

❤️ We love bringing artists from different places and backgrounds together through original art. Maricela's colorful birds and imaginative creations are a wonderful addition to this month's exhibition!

Every May. Every October. Always Original.™

10/20/2026

🎨✨ ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: DEBRA TUCKER!

Small art. Big imagination. A growing world of collectors.

Today we're introducing Debra Tucker, an Alabama-based artist whose whimsical ACEO paintings have captured the attention of miniature art collectors online.

And we're excited to share that Debra is also featured in our inaugural Art on the River Magazine, where she brings her expertise in creating, collecting, and selling ACEOs to our readers.

🎨 A WORLD OF IMAGINATION IN JUST 2.5 × 3.5 INCHES

Working in watercolor, gouache, acrylic, and mixed media, Debra creates miniature artworks filled with expressive characters, playful humor, fantasy, and storytelling.

Her ACEOs often feature exaggerated eyes, bold colors, dimensional resin details, and imaginative creatures that seem to have personalities all their own.

Each tiny painting offers something unexpected, proving that original artwork doesn't need to be large to leave a lasting impression.

🏆 FROM ARTIST TO ACEO EXPERT

Although Debra has created art throughout her life, she began pursuing it professionally in 2010.

More recently, her themed ACEO collections have attracted a growing audience through eBay and social media, with some collections selling out quickly.

Her success inspired her to share what she's learned with other artists.

📖 THE ACEO PLAYBOOK

Debra is the author of "The ACEO Playbook," a practical guide to creating, presenting, marketing, and selling miniature artwork online.

Drawing on her experience with collectors, the book explores how artists can develop successful ACEO collections, build an audience, and turn their creativity into opportunities.

📚 WE HAVE A FEW COPIES AVAILABLE!

We'll have a limited number of Debra's ACEO Playbooks available for purchase at Art on the River.

Whether you're an artist curious about selling miniature work or a collector interested in the fascinating world of ACEOs, this is a wonderful opportunity to learn from someone actively working in the field.

📰 FEATURED IN ART ON THE RIVER MAGAZINE

Debra also shares her ACEO expertise in our inaugural October 2026 issue of Art on the River Magazine.

We're delighted to include her perspective as we introduce visitors to the history, creativity, and collecting culture surrounding these miniature works of art.

🔎 DISCOVER OUR ACEO COLLECTIONS

ACEOs are original or limited-edition miniature artworks measuring 2.5 × 3.5 inches.

At this month's exhibition, visitors will discover an exciting variety of ACEOs alongside our larger original artworks, plus a special educational display exploring miniature art and collecting.

🥂 COLLECTOR PREVIEW GALA
Friday, October 23 | 6–9 PM
Historic Elba Theatre | $35

🎟️ Tickets:
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/collector-preview-gala

🎨 FREE GALLERY DAY
Saturday, October 24 | 10 AM–5 PM
The Elba Theatre

🖼️ BROOKE CHAPMAN MEMORIAL YOUNG ARTISTS GALLERY
Saturday, October 24 | 10 AM–5 PM
Elba Public Library | FREE

✨ From whimsical miniature paintings to helping other artists build their creative businesses, Debra Tucker is showing just how much possibility can fit into a tiny work of art.

We look forward to sharing her work, her book, and her expertise with our Art on the River community.

Every May. Every October. Always Original.™

10/19/2026

🏆🎨 THE FINAL TOP 5 PEOPLE'S CHOICE RANKINGS ARE HERE!

For another week, our Top 5 artists have held their positions! But with just a few days of voting remaining, the competition is far from over.

❤️ ART ON THE RIVER PEOPLE'S CHOICE — FINAL PUBLIC LEADERBOARD

🥇 1st Place: Emma Petree

🥈 2nd Place: Layne Peters

🥉 3rd Place (TIE): Brennan Ellis & Schoen Heier Bonura

🎨 4th Place: Cody Webb

🎨 5th Place: Evelyn Haggerty

📊 NO CHANGES FROM LAST WEEK!

Our leaders have maintained their positions, but that doesn't mean the votes have stopped coming in!

And now, things are about to get interesting...

🤫 THE LEADERBOARD OFFICIALLY GOES SILENT!

This is the LAST time we'll reveal the rankings before the winner is announced!

No more standings.
No more updates.
No hints about who's ahead.

The votes will continue coming in, but the results will remain a mystery until our Collector Preview Gala on October 23!

❤️ THERE'S STILL TIME TO CHANGE THE OUTCOME!

🗳️ Every $10 voting purchase gives your favorite exhibiting artist 10 votes.

🎟️ Each $10 purchase also gives you one entry into our drawing for a two-night getaway at Auburn Marriott Opelika Resort & Spa at Grand National!

🏆 The People's Choice Award winner will receive a special feature in the May 2027 Art on the River Magazine!

⏰ VOTING CLOSES THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22 AT 11:55 PM CENTRAL!**

❤️ CAST YOUR VOTES NOW:
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/viewers-choice-voting

🥂 BE THERE WHEN WE REVEAL THE WINNER!

COLLECTOR PREVIEW GALA
📅 Friday, October 23 | 6–9 PM
📍 Historic Elba Theatre | Elba, Alabama
🎟️ $35 admission

Reserve your tickets:
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/collector-preview-gala

🎨 FREE GALLERY DAY
Saturday, October 24 | 10 AM–5 PM
The Elba Theatre

🖼️ BROOKE CHAPMAN MEMORIAL YOUNG ARTISTS GALLERY
Saturday, October 24 | 10 AM–5 PM
Elba Public Library | FREE

✨ Will Emma Petree hold onto first place? Could Layne Peters close the gap? Will Brennan Ellis or Schoen Heier Bonura break their tie? Or will Cody Webb, Evelyn Haggerty, or another artist make a surprise move?

The rankings are frozen for the public, but the competition is NOT!

The next time we reveal the standings, we'll be announcing the WINNER! 🏆

Every May. Every October. Always Original.™

10/18/2026

🎨🌻 ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: KITTY SMOTHERS!

Some artists capture a landscape. Others capture the feeling of belonging to a place.

Today, we're introducing Kitty Smothers, an accomplished Southern artist whose paintings celebrate the beauty, character, and familiar landscapes of the rural South.

With more than 27 years of professional painting experience, Kitty brings an extraordinary depth of artistic knowledge and a lifelong connection to the places and people that inspire her work.

🌻 THE BEAUTY OF HOME

Sunflower fields glowing in the afternoon light. Weathered farmhouses surrounded by wildflowers. Country roads, quiet creeks, and familiar faces.

Kitty finds inspiration in the landscapes and everyday scenes that make the South feel like home.

Her paintings capture more than what we see. They evoke the memories, traditions, and sense of place that connect us to the world around us.

And as you can see in the artwork featured here, her expressive use of color, light, and texture brings these familiar subjects to life.

🎨 AN ARTISTIC JOURNEY SPANNING 27 YEARS

Kitty earned her Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art from Troy University and later completed a Master of Science in Counseling and Psychology.

Early in her artistic career, she apprenticed under internationally recognized artist Nall Hollis, an experience that helped shape her development as a professional artist.

Her work encompasses portraiture, commissioned paintings, live wedding painting, and landscapes inspired by the rural South.

Whether capturing a meaningful moment for a family or painting a quiet Southern landscape, Kitty approaches her subjects with an appreciation for the stories they hold.

🏛️ WILD AND HOLY THINGS

In 2026, Kitty's landscape paintings were featured in her solo exhibition, Wild and Holy Things, at Troy University's International Arts Center.

The exhibition celebrated the natural beauty and character of the Southern landscape, reflecting her enduring connection to the fields, creeks, wildflowers, and changing light that inspire her work.

Through both her commissioned and personal paintings, Kitty seeks to create art that feels timeless, familiar, and deeply connected to place.

🖼️ DISCOVER KITTY'S ART AT ART ON THE RIVER

We're delighted to welcome Kitty Smothers to our October exhibition at the Historic Elba Theatre.

Her work joins hundreds of original pieces by 49 exhibiting artists, each bringing a distinctive perspective to this curated celebration of art.

Whether you're a collector drawn to Southern landscapes or someone who simply loves paintings that tell a story, Kitty's artwork is worth discovering in person.

🥂 COLLECTOR PREVIEW GALA

📅 Friday, October 23, 2026
⏰ 6–9 PM
📍 The Elba Theatre | Elba, Alabama
🎟️ $35

Be among the first to explore the complete exhibition, discover original artwork available for purchase, and celebrate our exhibition award winners.

Reserve your Gala tickets:
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/collector-preview-gala

🎨 FREE GALLERY DAY

📅 Saturday, October 24
⏰ 10 AM–5 PM
📍 The Elba Theatre
🎟️ FREE ADMISSION

Bring a friend, explore the artwork, and discover the artists whose creations speak to you.

🖼️ BROOKE CHAPMAN MEMORIAL YOUNG ARTISTS GALLERY

📅 Saturday, October 24
⏰ 10 AM–5 PM
📍 Elba Public Library
🎟️ FREE ADMISSION

🏆❤️ PEOPLE'S CHOICE: THE FINAL TOP 5 RANKINGS ARE COMING TOMORROW!

The competition is heating up, and tomorrow we'll reveal our final public Top 5 leaderboard for the Art on the River People's Choice Award.

After that, the leaderboard goes silent. 🤫

No more rankings. No more updates on who's leading. The final results will remain a mystery until the winner is announced at our Collector Preview Gala on October 23.

And remember, the rankings can still change.

🗳️ Every $10 voting purchase gives your favorite exhibiting artist 10 votes.

🎟️ Each $10 purchase also enters you into our drawing for a two-night stay at Auburn Marriott Opelika Resort & Spa at Grand National.

🏆 The winning artist will receive a special feature in the May 2027 Art on the River Magazine.

Voting closes October 22 at 11:55 PM Central.

❤️ CAST YOUR VOTES NOW:
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/viewers-choice-voting

Will tomorrow's leaders hold their positions, or will another artist make a last-minute move?

Support your favorites while there's still time. The next time we reveal the results, we'll be announcing the winner at the Gala.

CAST YOUR VOTES FOR OUR YOUNG ARTISTS!
Celebrate our young artists, enjoy hands-on activities, and cast your People's Choice votes.

❤️ Vote for your favorite young artist:
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/young-artist-peoples-choice-award-voting

Every $10 voting purchase gives your selected artist 10 votes and one entry into our drawing for a two-night stay at Renaissance Shoals Resort & Spa, generously donated by the Retirement Systems of Alabama.

🛍️ EXPLORE THE ART PRESALE

Discover select original works from participating artists before the exhibition opens:

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/art-on-the-river-gallery-art-pre-sale

✨ From the golden glow of sunflower fields to the quiet beauty of an old Southern farmhouse, Kitty Smothers reminds us that some of the most meaningful subjects are the places we've known all our lives.

We look forward to sharing her artwork with you at Art on the River.

You know when we're coming. You never know what you'll discover.

Every May. Every October. Always Original.™

❤️ Support Art on the River and help us celebrate artists, inspire young creatives, and keep this exhibition growing for years to come. Donate here with a tax-deductible donation:
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/support-art-on-the-river-october--2026

10/17/2026

🎨✨ ONE WEEK UNTIL ART ON THE RIVER, AND OUR YOUNG ARTISTS NEED YOUR VOTES!

The countdown is on. In just seven days, the Historic Elba Theatre will open its doors for our October Collector Preview Gala, followed by a full day of art on Saturday, October 24.

With 49 exhibiting artists, hundreds of original artworks, special awards, and two galleries to explore, we're looking forward to an exciting weekend in downtown Elba.

And this year, we're inviting everyone to help us celebrate the next generation of artists.

❤️🗳️ VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE YOUNG ARTIST!

Our Brooke Chapman Memorial Young Artists Gallery features original artwork created by talented young artists exploring this year's theme, Creative Use of Color.

Judging has been completed, and our Judge's Choice, Most Memorable Work, and Curator's Choice recipients have been selected.

But there's one award YOU get to help decide.

🏆 THE YOUNG ARTIST PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD

We want to give these young artists an opportunity to experience the excitement of having their artwork recognized and celebrated by the community.

Here's how voting works:

🎨 Browse the participating young artists' artwork.

❤️ Choose the artist whose work you'd like to support.

🗳️ Every $10 voting purchase gives your selected artist 10 People's Choice votes.

🎟️ Each $10 voting purchase also gives you one entry into our special resort getaway drawing.

You can purchase additional votes to support your favorite artists and receive additional entries into the drawing.

Voting will continue throughout Gallery Day on Saturday, October 24.

📍 We'll also have People's Choice voting available in person at the Elba Public Library during the Young Artists Gallery, so visitors can explore the artwork before choosing their favorites.

The People's Choice Award winner will be announced the following week.

🏖️✨ AND YOU COULD WIN A TWO-NIGHT LUXURY GETAWAY!

One lucky voting supporter will win a TWO-NIGHT STAY at the beautiful Renaissance Shoals Resort & Spa in Florence, Alabama.

Located along the Tennessee River, this newly renovated resort offers beautiful waterfront views, indoor and outdoor pools, and a wonderful setting for a relaxing weekend.

Guests can also explore the resort's full-service spa and enjoy dining at the spectacular 360 Grille, Alabama's only revolving restaurant.

This exceptional getaway has been generously donated by the Retirement Systems of Alabama

We're grateful for their generosity and support of our young artists.

Explore the resort:
https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/mslbr-renaissance-shoals-resort-and-spa/overview/

🎨 YOUR VOTE HELPS CELEBRATE A YOUNG ARTIST

Beyond the excitement of the competition, we want these children to experience the encouragement that comes from sharing their creativity with others.

Our Artist Encouragement Project will also allow professional artists, art educators, and art lovers to leave FREE messages of encouragement for participating young artists.

No voting purchase is necessary to participate in the encouragement project.

Participage here: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/young-artist-peoples-choice-award-voting

📰 A SPECIAL MAGAZINE FEATURE

Our People's Choice competition is another way we're recognizing artists through Art on the River, including opportunities for magazine features.

The adult exhibition's People's Choice Award winner will receive a special feature in our May 2027 Art on the River Magazine.

We're excited to continue sharing the stories and artwork of the artists who make these exhibitions possible.

🥂 ONE WEEK UNTIL THE COLLECTOR PREVIEW GALA!

Friday, October 23 | 6–9 PM
The Elba Theatre | $35

Be among the first to explore hundreds of original artworks by 49 exhibiting artists.

🏆 Celebrate the announcement of our exhibition awards.

🔎 Experience our special ACEO Hunt created by exhibiting artist Angela Sciaroni-Rogers

🍸 Enjoy our signature Gala cocktail and mocktail.

🖼️ Discover and purchase original artwork before the public opening.

Reserve your Gala tickets:
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/collector-preview-gala

🛍️ EXPLORE OUR ART PRESALE

Select original artworks are already available to explore and purchase online.

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/art-on-the-river-gallery-art-pre-sale

🎨 SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24: TWO FREE GALLERIES!

ART ON THE RIVER GALLERY DAY
📅 Saturday, October 24
⏰ 10 AM–5 PM
📍 The Elba Theatre
🎟️ FREE ADMISSION

Explore hundreds of original works and discover artists from across the country.

🖼️ BROOKE CHAPMAN MEMORIAL YOUNG ARTISTS GALLERY
📅 Saturday, October 24
⏰ 10 AM–5 PM
📍 Elba Public Library
🎟️ FREE ADMISSION

Explore the children's artwork, enjoy hands-on art activities, and cast your People's Choice votes.

Young artists may also pick up their awards and participation certificates at the library during the exhibition.

❤️ HELP US CELEBRATE THESE YOUNG ARTISTS

Whether you purchase People's Choice votes, leave a message through the Artist Encouragement Project, or visit the gallery in person, your participation helps show these children that their creativity matters.

And with every $10 voting purchase, you'll also have a chance to win a beautiful two-night getaway at Renaissance Shoals Resort & Spa.

We're looking forward to seeing everyone next weekend.

You know when we're coming. You never know what you'll discover.

Every May. Every October. Always Original.™

❤️ Support Art on the River and help us celebrate artists, inspire young creatives, and keep this exhibition growing for years to come. Donate here with a tax-deductible donation:
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/support-art-on-the-river-october--2026



*The resort prize includes a two-night stay. Spa treatments, dining, and other amenities may involve additional charges.*

10/15/2026

🎨✨ ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: ANGELA SCIARONI!

What happens when an artist sees possibility in something the rest of us might throw away?

For Angela Sciaroni-Rogers, discarded objects become the beginning of something extraordinary.

Today, we're introducing another of our talented Art on the River exhibiting artists, and Angela has a special role in this month's exhibition. She's also the creator of our ACEO Hunt for the Collector Preview Gala.

♻️ THE ART OF TRANSFORMATION

Based in the St. Louis area, Angela is an emerging artist specializing in assemblage, found objects, and mixed media.

Her work begins with materials that have been discarded, forgotten, or overlooked. Through creative experimentation, she transforms these objects into original artworks filled with meaning, texture, and unexpected connections.

Her artistic practice explores renewal, storytelling, sustainability, and the possibilities hidden within everyday materials.

Angela invites viewers to reconsider what makes something valuable and discover beauty in places they might never have thought to look.

🏆 AN AWARD-WINNING ARTIST

Angela's artwork has been exhibited at Soulard Art Gallery, Artisans in the Loop, and the Missouri History Museum.

She received the People's Choice Award at Soulard Art Gallery's Art of Assemblage exhibition, recognizing her ability to connect with viewers through her distinctive artistic approach.

Beyond her studio practice, Angela has organized and participated in successful fundraising art auctions supporting community causes.

She's also developing a found-art project featuring ACEOs, continuing her exploration of miniature artwork and creative reuse.

🛍️ SEE ANGELA'S ARTWORK IN OUR PRESALE!

You don't have to wait until October 23 to discover Angela's work.

She has an original artwork available to explore in our Art on the River online presale.

Take a closer look at her creative approach, discover the details, and consider adding an original piece to your collection before the exhibition opens.

🎨 EXPLORE THE ART PRESALE:
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/art-on-the-river-gallery-art-pre-sale

🔎 A SPECIAL SURPRISE AT THE COLLECTOR PREVIEW GALA: THE ACEO HUNT!

Angela isn't just exhibiting with us. She's also the creative artist behind our ACEO Hunt for the Gala.

ACEOs, or Art Cards, Editions and Originals, are miniature works of art measuring just 2.5 × 3.5 inches, the size of a traditional trading card.

These tiny artworks have become a fascinating part of the collecting world, offering an accessible way to discover original art and build a collection.

Angela's ACEO Hunt will bring an additional element of discovery to our Collector Preview Gala, inviting guests to experience miniature art in a fun and unexpected way.

We're keeping some of the details under wraps for now, but it's another reason to join us on October 23.

🥂 THE COLLECTOR PREVIEW GALA

📅 Friday, October 23, 2026
⏰ 6–9 PM
📍 Historic Elba Theatre | Elba, Alabama
🎟️ Tickets: $35

Be among the first to explore hundreds of original artworks by 49 exhibiting artists, discover pieces available for purchase, celebrate our exhibition award winners, and enjoy an evening dedicated to creativity.

And don't miss Angela's ACEO Hunt.

🎟️ RESERVE YOUR GALA TICKETS:
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/collector-preview-gala

🎨 FREE GALLERY DAY
Saturday, October 24 | 10 AM–5 PM
The Elba Theatre | FREE

🖼️ BROOKE CHAPMAN MEMORIAL YOUNG ARTISTS GALLERY
Saturday, October 24 | 10 AM–5 PM
Elba Public Library | FREE

Come explore the creativity of our youngest artists and enjoy hands-on art activities for the whole family.

❤️ SUPPORT ART ON THE RIVER

Help us celebrate artists, inspire young creatives, and continue bringing original art to our community.

Make a tax-deductible donation:
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/support-art-on-the-river-october--2026

✨ Angela's work reminds us that art doesn't always begin with a blank canvas. Sometimes it begins with something forgotten, waiting for an artist to recognize its possibilities.

We're excited to share her work with our collectors and introduce her ACEO Hunt at the Gala.

You know when we're coming. You never know what you'll discover.

Every May. Every October. Always Original.™

10/14/2026

🎨🏆YOUNG ARTISTS PEOPLE'S CHOICE VOTING IS NOW OPEN!🏆🎨

Our 36 talented young artists, ages 2–17, have created 48 wonderful works of art for the Brooke Chapman Memorial Young Artists Gallery, and now it's your turn to celebrate their creativity!

Not only can you vote for your favorite young artist and enter to win a luxury resort getaway, but you can also leave a FREE personal message of encouragement for any of our young artists!

🗳️ HERE'S HOW VOTING WORKS:

🎨 Browse the participating young artists' artwork.

❤️ Choose the artist whose work you'd like to support.

🗳️ Every $10 voting purchase gives your selected artist 10 People's Choice votes.

🎟️ Each $10 voting purchase also gives you one entry into our resort getaway drawing!

You can purchase additional votes to support your favorite artists and receive additional drawing entries.

⏰ Voting remains open through Saturday, October 24, at 5 PM, so visitors can see the artwork in person before casting their votes.

🏆 The winning young artist will have their artwork featured in the May 2027 Art on the River Magazine!

The Young Artist People's Choice Award winner will be announced the following week, after all votes have been counted.

👉 BROWSE THE ARTWORK & VOTE HERE:
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/young-artist-peoples-choice-award-voting

🏖️✨ WIN A TWO-NIGHT LUXURY GETAWAY AT RENAISSANCE SHOALS RESORT & SPA!

One lucky People's Choice supporter will win a TWO-NIGHT STAY at the newly renovated Renaissance Shoals Resort & Spa in Florence, Alabama!

Nestled along the Tennessee River, this beautiful resort offers the perfect setting for a relaxing weekend or memorable getaway.

🌅 Breathtaking River Views: Enjoy the beautiful Tennessee River and peaceful waterfront surroundings.

💆 Full-Service Spa: The Spa at the Shoals offers massages, facials, and relaxing wellness experiences.

🍽️ Dining with a View: Experience the resort's signature 360 Grille, a revolving restaurant offering panoramic views of the Shoals.

🏊 Resort-Style Relaxation: Enjoy indoor and outdoor swimming pools and beautifully renovated accommodations.

🎶 Explore the Legendary Shoals: Discover the area's rich musical heritage, charming downtown destinations, and scenic riverfront.
https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/mslbr-renaissance-shoals-resort-and-spa/overview/

❤️ A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO Retirement Systems of Alabama!

This exceptional two-night getaway has been generously donated by the **Retirement Systems of Alabama (RSA)**.

Their generosity allows us to celebrate young artistic talent while offering one lucky supporter a memorable resort experience. We are grateful for their support of the arts and the next generation of Alabama's creative talent!

💌🎨 INTRODUCING THE ARTIST ENCOURAGEMENT PROJECT: COMPLETELY FREE!

We believe every young artist deserves to know that their creativity matters!

Alongside People's Choice voting, we're inviting professional artists, art educators, art lovers, and supporters from around the country to leave personal messages of encouragement for our young artists.

Here's how to participate:

🎨 Click the voting link above and browse the artwork.

❤️ Open an individual artwork entry. Inside EACH artwork description, you'll find a FREE link to our Artist Encouragement Project form.

💌 Click that link and leave a personal message for the young artist.

Rather than simply saying "Great job!" tell them what caught your eye, what you love about their artistic choices, or how their artwork made you feel.

Your words could inspire a young artist to keep creating for years to come!

❤️ The Artist Encouragement Project is completely FREE! You do NOT have to purchase votes to leave an encouraging message.

All messages will be reviewed and shared with our young artists.

We want every child who participates to know that their artistic expression matters, regardless of whether they receive an award.

📍 BROOKE CHAPMAN MEMORIAL YOUNG ARTISTS GALLERY
Elba Public Library
📅 Saturday, October 24, 2026
🕙 10 AM–5 PM

Come see the artwork in person, celebrate our young artists, and help us encourage the next generation of creative talent!

🗳️ VOTE, EXPLORE & ENCOURAGE:
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/young-artist-peoples-choice-award-voting

❤️ Support Art on the River and help us celebrate artists, inspire young creatives, and keep this exhibition growing for years to come. Donate here with a tax-deductible donation: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/support-art-on-the-river-october--2026

🎨 Celebrate Young Artists. Inspire Creativity. Make a Difference!The Brooke Chapman Memorial Young Artists Gallery, presented by Art on the River, celebrates…