The Visual Arts Society hosted an art exhibition and demonstration in affiliation with the Soybean Festival in downtown Martin Tuesday evening. UTM students set up artwork for display and for sale.

Les MacDiarmid, a UTM student, had paintings of famous celebrities and personal friends displayed. “The reason I paint celebrities is that they mean something to others while the paintings of my friends mean something to me,” said MacDiarmid, who was also selling charcoal sketches of customers.

Award-winning student Justin Lyons displayed and sold some of his pottery. He sat on the potter’s wheel and threw clay while entertaining small children.

Other students participating in the arts fair were Bret Simmons, Brian Williamson and Trey Prewitt.

Dr. Bill Ahlschwede, a UTM English professor, demonstrated his hobby of wood turning and assistant rifle coach Mary Beard exhibited stained glass works.

Other local talent included James Newton with basketweaving and Nell Rachels with cornhusk art.