On Thursday, October 2, 2025, Black Belt Treasures Cultural Arts Center (BBTCAC) will begin celebrating its 20thAnniversary Year of service in the Black Belt region. The theme of the 20th Anniversary Celebration is “Rooted in Traditions … Cultivating the Arts of Tomorrow.”
While BBTCAC began in October 2005 with 75 artists, over 600 artists have been served, with approximately 300 artists currently actively represented in the Gallery. Individuals from all 50 states and 34 countries have visited BBTCAC since opening day, purchasing one-of-a-kind artwork and experiencing hands-on cultural activities. Sales of artists’ work now exceeds $2,300,000, with seventy percent of the sales returned to the artists and the remaining thirty percent used to help sustain programs and operations.
BBTCAC continues to emphasize economic development through arts and cultural heritage tourism, as well as arts education, with an average of 14,000 visitors and students participating in on-site and off-site events each year. These events and programs include art shows, art camps, festivals, ongoing art classes for children and adults, a book club and textile circle, lectures, exhibitions, and professional development for artist-entrepreneurs and educators throughout the Black Belt region.
The 20th Anniversary Celebration on October 2, will begin at 4:30 p.m. with entertainment by musicians Toney Nixon (Marengo County), TaDarius Dukes (Wilcox County), and The Dallas County BBQ Ensemble, culinary delicacies, a celebratory program recognizing those who have contributed to BBTCAC’s success, the unveiling of a commemorative portrait by Johnna Bush interpreting the theme “Rooted in Traditions … Cultivating the Arts of Tomorrow,” and will conclude with Mrs. Bush and the artists represented in the painting available to sign commemorative prints of the artwork.
The year-long programming series “Rooted in Tradition… Cultivating the Arts of Tomorrow” will begin in October 2025 and conclude in September 2026. Event dates include: October 2, 2025, 20th Anniversary Celebration Dinner and Program with the Unveiling of Signature Portrait: “Rooted in Tradition… Cultivating the Arts of Tomorrow” with signing by artists; November 2025, Holiday Open House featuring Black Belt artists; December 2025, BBTCAC at Auburn University’s Caroline Draughon Center of Arts and Humanities at Pebble Hill featuring artists from across the Black Belt; January 2026, BBTCAC hosts Professional Development Workshops for Teaching Artists and BBTCAC artists; February 2026, BBTCAC hosts “Rooted in Tradition…Cultivating the Arts of Tomorrow” Luncheon highlighting Black Belt artists; April 2026, Cultivating the Arts of Tomorrow Program: Connecting Black Belt Place and the Arts; May/June 2026, Cultivating the Arts of Tomorrow Program: Community Building/Creative Placemaking through the Arts; June/July Cultivating the Arts through summer camps for youth and adults; and September 2026, Cultivating the Arts of Tomorrow Program: Stitching Our Stories through Arts, Tourism, and Economic Impact with a focus on Black Belt Heritage Arts. Throughout this series, emphasis will be placed on BBTCAC’s influence on the arts economy and education, as well as the future of the arts and creative economy in Alabama’s Black Belt.
Tickets are available for purchase to the October 2nd Celebration for $65 individual, $120 couple. In addition, Sponsorship Opportunities are available to support the Celebration, and the year of cultural programming. For more information, please visit www.blackbelttreasures.com or contact info@blackbelttreasures.com.
