Newton Citizen

COVINGTON - An art show celebrating all things Newton County will open Monday at the Newton County Historic Courthouse located at 1124 Clark St.

"Scenes of Newton County" will feature about 40 works of art depicting subjects recognizable as part of Newton County's past and present.

The art show is intended to raise awareness about the proposed Newton County History Center, which will be located in the old jail on Stallings Street. However, it is not a fundraiser, said Sheryl Christian, chair of Friends of Newton History Center, a group operating under the auspices of the Newton County Historical Society to promote and raise funds for the project.

"There's going to be a display there of the plans for the jail and also hopefully we can get people to sign on to help with that and be Friends of the History Center," Christian said.

The exhibit will be on the main level of the courthouse through April 23 during regular business hours, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Submissions will be judged by Greensboro artist Cameron Hampton on Wednesday, with prizes awarded at a reception that will take place from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. that night.

Both the reception and exhibit are free and open to the public.

Back in January, Friends of Newton History Center put out a call to local artists to submit photographs, drawings, paintings, sculptures and other works of art for the event. Some of the artwork will be for sale and there will also be private collection pieces on display.

"We've got some real good local artists here," Christian said.

Crystal Tatum can be reached at crystal.tatum@newtoncitizen.com.