Black Belt

Black Belt Treasures Cultural Arts Center is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization based in Camden, Alabama. The organization was started with the objective to stimulate the economy in Alabama's Black Belt region through the sale and promotion of fine arts and heritage crafts, as well as the provision of arts education opportunities. It was developed... as an outgrowth of a tourism initiative launched by the Alabama Tombigbee Regional Commission, Ala-Tom RC& D, and the University of Alabama Center for Economic Development. During the work to catalog assets that would be of interest to tourists throughout the region, a wealth of artistic talent was discovered these talented men and women helped inspire the creation of the organization. Since opening in 2005, Black Belt Treasures has grown from representing 75 artists to over 450. These artists are comprised of talented painters, sculptors, potters, basket-weavers, quilters, woodworkers, plus more. Visitors from all fifty states and over 26 countries have visited our gallery in the heart of Alabama's Black Belt region. The BBTCAC service area includes the traditional Black Belt counties of Bullock, Choctaw, Dallas, Greene, Hale, Lowndes, Macon, Marengo, Perry, Pickens, Sumter, and Wilcox, along with Bibb, Butler, Clarke, Conecuh, Monroe, Montgomery, and Washington, with a total population of 541,489. Each of these counties has high levels of unemployment and poverty. Strategically located in Wilcox County, the heart of Alabama's Black Belt, BBTCAC serves as the centerpiece of an arts economy revitalization involving artist development and arts education - encouraging residents and visitors to experience arts, culture and place. BBTCAC has a satellite gallery located in the Greenville Chamber of Commerce (Butler County). This site draws tourist traffic from Interstate 65 and encourages travel to other points of interest in the region. Through partnerships with arts organizations, other non-profits, schools, and community organizations, BBTCAC presents arts and ...Read More