NATCHEZ &045; A new exhibit of works by nine Natchez artists will open 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday at Mostly African Market, 125 St. Catherine St.

&uot;This is our third year to do the exhibit of all Natchez artists,&uot; said Thelma Williams, director of the market. The exhibit will continue through May 28 during regular market hours, Wednesday through Saturday, 1 to 5 p.m.

Williams opened the market in conjunction with her summer enrichment program for teens, Project Southern Cross. Using the building for the teens in the summer and opening it for sales and exhibits of arts during the rest of the year seemed a good fit, she said.

Natchez artists and out-of-town guest artists representing all media have agreed. Williams said it is important for artists to have places to show their works and, until recently, there were few places to do so.

&uot;It’s hard for artists anywhere to find venues for their work, and Natchez artists more than most because there have been no galleries here,&uot; she said. &uot;Now there are a few.&uot;

The market benefits from the local exhibitions, as well. More people attend such shows. And the attendance is inspiring for the artists.

Artist Tony Lucas said he had decided to give up art until Williams encouraged him to continue. &uot;She provided a new avenue for me. So I kept going.&uot;

Williams said too many artists do not show their work.

Lucas was one of those. &uot;He does wonderful work and was sitting on it. He wasn’t even showing it.&uot;

Lucas has sold some of his works but now goes more slowly with sales. &uot;I really don’t like to get rid of my babies so quickly,&uot; he said. &uot;I’ve grown more attached to them.&uot;

Leon Hollins is curator of the new exhibit. An artist, photographer and graphics designer, he lived in Southern California and worked in commercial photography before moving to Natchez.

&uot;I have been just drenched in art. I love it and can’t produce enough of it,&uot; he said. His multi-media approach to art inspires him to branch out in many directions, he said. &uot;If I could afford to, I would do something of everything.&uot;

The works in the new exhibit include water colors, acrylics, oil, pastels and textiles, among other media.

In addition to Lucas and Hollins, other artists whose works will be shown are Catina Bernard, Ray Brown, Loraine Griffin, Edris Van Johnson, Joseph Johnson, Deborah McNeal and Evans Ardella Rucker.