The Marble City of Sylacauga just completed its fourth annual Marble Festival, which had a great variety of events held to showcase the city and its natural resources. There was a marble “scavenger hunt” calling attention to marble used in different places in the city, displays of marble products, tours and more, highlighted by 18 sculptors coming to town to demonstrate their skills in turning white stone into incredible art.

There were activities designed to appeal to a broad cross-section of residents and visitors alike over the 10 days of the festival.

At least two pieces of marble sculpture from this year’s event will remain in the city, Craigger Browne’s sculpture of a man chiseling himself out of marble, and Renzo Maggi’s double-sided, rotatable bas-relief of Penelope and Ulysses. Browne called Maggi, a master Italian artist, “a renaissance man and a true sculptor.” Canadian sculptor David Perrett was excited about the opportunity for sculptors to come together and learn from each other, and especially Maggi.

Quarry tours were so popular more were added to accommodate the interest, and an observation area being constructed to overlook the Imerys quarry off of U.S. 280 will be marketed by the state as a tourist destination.

Festival director Ted Spears explained that the festival continues to evolve and seek new opportunities to improve, and thanked the city of Sylacauga for helping to make it possible.

The Marble Festival is a great way to put a spotlight on the city, to celebrate its heritage and to look toward the future with more appreciation for the area’s potential. Our hats are off to all who conceived the celebration and worked to make it happen.