A total of 110 citizens turned out to peruse locally produced artwork and learn about some of the history of Ansonville at the same time, during the Anson County Arts Council's Second Sunday Artist Reception held Sunday, Aug. 8, at the Ansonville Historical Society.

The historical society bought the building in 2006, and has been working on renovations ever since. The society's members worked hard to get the building ready for Sunday's reception, arts council secretary/treasurer Catherine Crandell said.

The Second Sunday Artist Reception featured displays from local artists Dave Arey, Clarice Martin, Ruth Ann Pope and the Red Hill Basket Makers, as well as displays on some of Ansonville's rich history, including the Gaddy Wild Goose Pond, Ansonville Lumber Company, the Ansonville Fire Department and the schools that were once located in the town.

When all the high schools in the county were centralized in to Anson High School, historical society president Priscilla Randall said, the building in which the Ansonville Historical Society is now housed became part of Ansonville Community College. It was later used as a residence and for another school before becoming home to the historical society. The Ansonville Historical Society was founded in 2003 by Carey Edwards and Holly Brewer, both now deceased.

Painter Clarice Martin was the first of the artists featured during the reception, with about a dozen of her works on display. Martin said she's been in Ansonville for 52 years now and was raised in Lilesville. She said she paints acrylics and oils "when I have the time."

Her work is on display in galleries in both Anson and Richmond counties.

Next up was Dave Arey and his wooden creations. Arey has been doing wood working for about 10 years. Originally from Portland, Maine, he moved to Ansonville six years ago because he was "tired of shoveling snow," he said, and to be closer to his son, who lived in the area at the time.

"I needed a hobby for my spare time," he recalled. "I spied a picture in a magazine of a wooden spoon and said, 'I could do that.'"

And he did. He uses a variety of tools to create shapes in wood, including a band saw and "a lot of sanding."

"I like natural finishes," he added. "Whatever brings out the natural grain of the wood."

Ruth Ann Pope, who works with Anson County Cooperative Extension, also had her pottery works on display at the event. Like Martin and Arey, she said her pottery is a hobby.

"I took [pottery] classes back in 1990 and have done it ever since then," she said. "Of course, now I just do it at home. I usually have a show at home once a year to sell some pieces, but most of the time, I just give pottery pieces as nice gifts."

Betty Thompson and other members of the Red Hill Basket Makers were also on hand, demonstrating how to make various types of baskets.

Next up for the Anson County Arts Council is the third Bach's Lunch of the summer, featuring pianist Kate Cabrera, on Wednesday, Aug. 11, at the First Presbyterian Church fellowship hall in Wadesboro from noon to 1 p.m. Tickets are available for $10 at Lacy's, Fancy Crafts and the arts council. For more information, call 704 694-4950.