Greenville is a city known for its fascinating history, natural beauty and friendly citizens.

All this plus abundant local talent will be showcased at Whitney Bank’s 100 Commerce St. location as the Greenville Area Fine Arts League (FAL) presents its Holiday Art Show and Sale December 2-14.

FAL President Tom Braxton is excited about the upcoming show that offers paintings, sculpture, crafts and much more.

The location itself is a work of art, Braxton noted, when he recently gave a tour of the turn-of-the-century building, once the home of the old First National Bank.

&uot;This is a beautiful structure…so rich in architectural detail.

That’s the original cornice work around the ceiling…this wonderful space truly gives you the feeling of an art gallery, doesn’t it?&uot; Braxton said as he walked through the graciously appointed interior.

The generous space will be used to showcase artwork by a number of FAL members—all well-known local artists and photographers—including Shirley Roberson, Jean Cook, Juanita Carter, Mary Croley, P.S. Davis, Nina McGuire and Megan Scofield along with guest artists and craftspeople.

There will be a variety of paintings, drawings, prints, sculptures, crafts, notecards and more for show and sale just in time for holiday shopping.

Visitors will also have the opportunity to tour the original 1902 bank vault and learn more about the unique history of downtown Greenville. Braxton, a noted local historian, is assembling a special exhibit showcasing the history of the bank and several other landmark structures in the Camellia City.

&uot;We also have a ‘first’—the public debut of the ‘Design Alabama’ exhibit will be here in the bank’s original boardroom.

This exhibit was first seen in the RSA Tower in Montgomery this fall and we’re so proud to have it here in Greenville before it goes on tour around the state,&uot; noted Braxton.

Design Alabama is a non-profit, citizen-led organization providing resources and assistance to Alabama’s cities in areas such as interior design, landscape design and graphic design.

Natural beauty will be also be abloom in the boardroom with a camellia show slated for Saturday, December 14 (to coincide with the City Sidewalks Tour that day).

&uot;We invite anyone who has camellia blooms to exhibit to bring them to the 100 Commerce St. location between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. on the morning of the 14th…this won’t be a large-scale show.

However, it will allow our out-of-town visitors to see why we are famed as the Camellia City,&uot; explained Braxton.

The hours for the art show and exhibits are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily (closed on Wednesdays and Saturdays) with friendly FAL members on hand to assist visitors.

The show will be open all day on Saturday, December 14.

&uot;This show is an integral part of the Main Street tour that day, which also features the Ritz Theater, four homes and two churches here in Greenville…tickets for that tour are available at the Main Street office and the Pineapple,&uot; noted Braxton.

"We want to extend our deepest thanks to Whitney Bank for allowing us use of this wonderful facilityit's going to be an outstanding show," he added.