The Valley Arts Council is hosting its Autumn Leaves Art Show Saturday and Sunday at the Valley Community Center.

Admission and refreshments are free, and art and crafts will be for sale. Visitors will sign in and receive a free ticket at the door, which will be used in a drawing for door prizes. Many of the artists have donated one of their creations as a door prize. Entrants do not have to be present to win.   

Valley Arts Council President Suzie Britt said the show offers the work of 54 creators. Judges will award first, second and third-place ribbons to artists in 15 categories, including oil, watercolor and acrylic painting. 

Two new categories debut this year — floral design, and writing. Authors will be on-hand with books they have written. 

The remaining categories are abstract, jewelry, woodturning, fine woodcraft, fine craft, mixed media, photography, drawing, sculpture and fiber arts.

Show Judge Vee Brown is a retired art professor from LaGrange College, and Judge Charlie Warner is a retired art teacher from Troup County Schools. 

Judges will also award ribbons for Best in Show, Most Original, and Most Creative Display, according to Britt. Awards will be given before the doors open Saturday, so visitors will see the awards throughout the show. 

Some of the entrants include professional painters. 

“We have so many artists we’re proud of,” Britt said. “There will be extraordinary painters and photographers, also sculptors and woodturners.” 

One sculptor, Ron Cannon, will be taking bids on a piece. Proceeds will go to the foster system of Chambers County.

“Most of the artists in the show are members of the Valley Arts Council,” Britt said. “Many have been around since the beginning 20 years ago,” she said. 

Britt will also be able to show off her work throughout the weekend.

“I have some of my drawings, watercolors and jewelry I’ve made,” she said. “I like to dabble in everything.”

Available works are in all price ranges, for those shopping for holiday gifts. 

“There should be something affordable for everyone,” Britt said. “All artists have special prices.” 

Local artist Rosa Ann Crowder will participate in the show.

“This is my first show of this kind,” Crowder said. “I have only recently caught the art ‘bug’ and have already had moderate success selling my paintings using online retailers.”

Rosa has also written several books, both fiction and non-nonfiction. Her non-fiction works cover a broad array of topics, including business, hospitality, spirituality and politics. A selection of her books will be available for purchase at the show, along with many original paintings, and she plans to autograph each book purchased over the weekend.

“I write and paint what I feel. I translate my thoughts and feelings, through those mediums, and the result is something that is uniquely me — good, bad, or indifferent,” she said. “I pick up a brush, or fire up my laptop, and go to work. I’m not always sure how it will turn out, but that is why it is so satisfying and fun.”

During the same hours as the Autumn Leaves Show, the Valley Arts Council will host a youth show in the Crowder Room across the hall. Britt said the youth show is chaired by Lacey Sutherland, a professor at Point. The youth artists will be eligible to win ribbons, too, and some will have items for sale. 

The show’s hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Sunday.