Alabama Flora and Fauna Arts Festival

The weather was beautiful for the 10th Annual Alabama Flora and Fauna Arts Festival at the historic Lanark Estate in Millbrook, Alabama. Lanark was host to around 700 guests over the course of the April 11-12 weekend events; a true celebration of Alabama’s magnificent abundance of plant life and wildlife, showcased in art and nature.

The weekend kicked off on Friday night with a VIP reception recognizing eleven artists for their exceptional talents.

Jim Denney of Alexander City won Best of Show this year with his beautiful acrylic painting of wood ducks called, “Last Light”. Other winners include; Best of Flora: Mobile’s Joseph Formwalt, who used oil to create “Pitcher Plants,” a beautiful display of pitcher plants; Best of Fauna: Sue Key of Birmingham with her acrylic painting, “B’rer Rabbit,” of a cottontail rabbit; Best of Ornamental: Richard A. Hurst of Daphne used watercolors and colored pencils for “Daisies of Daphne,” a lovely composition of daisies.

Awards of Excellence went to John Denney of Alexander City for “Great Horned Owl” and Walter Howell of Henagar for “Gunnar’s Bog”.

Awards of Merit went to Taylor White of Gardendale for “Sandhill Cranes”, Mike Handley of Montgomery for “Hard Knocks”, Bethany Windham Engle of Buhl for “Views of a Wax Myrtle”, Karen Baggett of Millbrook for “Perfect 10” and Everett Hatcher of Birmingham for “Squirrel Stew”.

Historic Lanark was the setting for approximately 40 pieces of original artwork depicting nature themes of Alabama wildlife and plants from talented artists all over the state. On Saturday, featured artists also showcased their artwork for sale under the pavilion. At the Lanark Gardens, there were plant sales with quality plants from the Lanark grounds, plus, Eagle’s Roost Herb Farm, delicious honey from Dancing Bee Apiary, Donny Tomlin’s grafted Japanese maples, speakers, face painting and other activities from the Autauga County and Elmore County Master Gardeners.

The Alabama Wildlife Federation would like to thank the following sponsors, without whom the art festival would not be possible. The William R. Ireland Sr. Family; City of Millbrook; Sonny and Florence Cauthen; Anne Gunderson; The J.K. Lowder Family Foundation; David and Kelly Thomas; First South Farm Credit; David and Neal Ann Kell and Dixon and Carolyn Mitchell.

CLICK HERE to view photos from the event.