NATCHEZ &045; Everything from Styrofoam and fabric to acrylics and pen and ink have become works of art at the hands of eight local artists.

The exhibit at the Mostly African Market will be open to the public every Wednesday through Saturday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. until the end of May.

The market has held at least two prior exhibits, Exhibits Coordinator Thelma Williams said. Williams said she likes to exhibit local artists whenever possible.

&uot;We asked around for artists and this is the group that responded,&uot; Williams said. &uot;And they’ve stuck with us.&uot;

Artists include Leon Hollins, Clarence Robson Sr., Joseph Johnson,

Ben Hillyer

, Tony Lucas, Evans Ardella Rucker, Deborah McNeal and Ray Brown.

Lucas said he has been working with acrylics for about 35 years.

&uot;I started at 15 when I didn’t even know I could paint,&uot; he said. &uot;I was painting with my mom’s old sheet and painted a landscape when a guy walked up behind me and asked me to sell it to him.&uot;

Lucas sold his first piece for $5 and has been an artist ever since.

He said he usually gets pieces together when asked by places like the Mostly African Market or the Visitor’s Center. All of his art relates to black history in some way.

&uot;I love rural black art,&uot; he said.

One of the most eye-catching pieces in the exhibit is probably McNeal’s life-sized woman made from Styrofoam, fabric and tubes.

&uot;I like primitive art,&uot; she said. &uot;I wanted to make her look like she was from back in the days.&uot;

McNeal said she got her start by making dolls and clothes in the eighth grade and eventually hopes to start a business selling life-sized creations.

Rucker uses fabric to make her art.

&uot;I really wanted to make some money using what is at hand,&uot; she said. &uot;I love fabric.

&uot;I would work every day all day long if I could,&uot; she said. &uot;I love doing that.&uot;