On Saturday, April 9, the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts offered a tour of the Black Belt that stopped in several local spots along the way. During the weekend event, many locals shared experiences and skills with visitors about living in the Black Belt.
After stopping in Selma for beignets and coffee, the group made their way to Newbern to tour the Rural Studio’s “Green Warehouse.” The “Green Warehouse” is a sprawling triangular greenhouse that faces a garden, maintained by the Rural Studio.
Following the tour, Aaron Head, Greensborobased textile artist, demonstrated various dye methods and techniques. Namely, Head focused on indigodyeing, complete with live indigo plants and a clothesline of dyed fabrics.
The Hale County Extension Office hosted a Spring Vegetable Planting Workshop at the Newbern Library in Newbern. Regional Extension Agent, Olivia Fuller, offered a presentation on sowing seeds, variegated vegetable planting, and succession planting. Along with the information shared, participants sowed their own vegetable seeds to then transplant, choosing from a variety of seeds offered. The Newbern Library also provided participants with tomato and hot pepper plants to transplant in their own gardens.
Finally, participants were treated to lunch at The Oaks, the estate of Greensboro resident, Ian Crawford. After lunch, dessert was provided by Greensboro resident, Sarah Cole, and her bakery, Abadir’s.
