Mary Ann Casey, “a Trojan at heart,” will be one of the featured artists at the Shelby County Art Council’s Fine Folk Art Show, which opens with a party Friday night, at the art gallery in Columbiana.

The Fine Folk Art Show will be Casey’s second show at Columbiana.

“Last year was a great show and I’m looking forward to being back,” Casey said. “The Shelby County Arts Council has something going on all the time. It is very community driven and they know how to celebrate the arts.” Casey will have all new artwork in the Fine Folk Art Show, but no three dimen- sional pieces.

“This is a new body of work for me but it’s still what I enjoy doing most – Southern scenes,” she said. “Some of the pieces are on tin and others are on canvas. One of the paintings is of a baptism and another of washday. ‘The Catch’ is a little girl with a fish. There’s one I call ‘Loaded Wagon and Hills to Go.’ At times, we all have our wagons loaded with hills to go. People can relate to that. All pieces will be new but they will all be rooted in the South.”

Maurice Cook, Dianna Hiott, Scott McQueen and Teresa Wamble, all familiar faces at TroyFest, will also be a featured artist at the Gallery along with Anthony Tavis.

“These artists are all outstanding and I’m honor to be among them,” Casey said. “The show will be filled with rural scenes captured on canvas, old car tag art and gourd art so good that it’s fine art.”

The opening party from 6 until 8:30 p.m. Friday will feature the bluegrass band, No Longer Strangers.

“And, people will be up and dancing,” Casey said. “Even if you don’t a have a partner, you can still dance. It will be a wonderful opening party and a wonderful gallery exhibit.”

Casey has several shows scheduled including the Selma Jubilee, which she will do with Charlie Lucas and Maurice Cook.

“That’s a big thing and I’m hoping to be back in Montgomery for Alabama Makers,” she said. “I show at The Perch Gallery in Auburn and The Heritage Gallery in Opelika.”

And, to venture a little wider into the arts, Casey is illustrating a book for children.

“I’m just blessed to be able to do something I love,” she said. “I’m blessed that I have the freedom to do what I feel – in my gut and in my heart.”