Watch Art Come to Life at River Clay Fine Arts Festival
There’s something special about finding a piece of art you love, but what if you could go a step further and watch the artist bring it to life?
Watch the Creative Process in Action
This October, visitors to downtown Decatur can watch artists’ creativity come to life at the River Clay Fine Arts Festival, where more than 70 juried artists will gather for a weekend celebrating creativity, craftsmanship and the arts.
One of the key attractions of the art festival is meeting the person behind the artwork. At River Clay, visitors have the unique opportunity to see their creative process firsthand.
Rather than simply browsing pieces of artwork, festival goers can watch artists work, ask questions and see how an idea transforms into a finished work of art in real time.
Taking place October 24th& 25th, 2026, River Clay brings artists, makers, musicians, food and visitors together in the heart of downtown Decatur. This year, two artists will give festival goers a behind-the-scenes look at their creative process through live demonstrations.
Saturday: Watch Jamey Grimes Create
On Saturday, Jamey Grimes will demonstrate his unique sculptural process using an unexpected material: corrugated plastic.
Best known as the material used for yard signs, corrugated plastic takes on a completely different form in Grimes' hands. Through cutting and melting, he transforms the manufactured material into layered, translucent sculptures inspired by patterns that can be found in nature. His work draws inspiration from everything from cloud formations and water to erosion and the natural world.
Grimes studied both painting and marine biology at Birmingham-Southern College before combining those interests into his artistic practice. Today, he teaches sculpture at the University of Alabama, and his work can be found in collections and installations throughout the Southeast and beyond.
Grimes will be showcasing his artistic ability throughout the festival on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., giving visitors plenty of opportunities to stop by, watch his process and ask questions.
Keep an eye out for the 2026 River Clay festival T-shirt! It is inspired by Grimes' piece Confluence, making this the first year a River Clay artist has directly inspired the festival shirt.
Sunday: See Chandler Hayes in Action
On Sunday, Chandler Hayes' live art showcases an entirely new way to view art.
Chandler Hayes will bring his spray-paint techniques to River Clay, creating artwork live throughout the day.
Hayes is known for his murals and spray-paint work, including the Miss Baker mural on Pratt Avenue in Huntsville. The mural celebrates Miss Baker, the squirrel monkey who became the first living creature launched by the United States to successfully return from space.
Hayes also has strong roots connecting him to the River Clay Festival and Decatur. He was part of the planning committee for the very first River Clay Fine Arts Festival. At the time, he was living and working in a downtown Decatur warehouse and helped bring spray-paint demonstrations to the festival. He brought artists from Birmingham and Atlanta to create artwork on construction panels surrounding what would become the Cook Museum of Natural Science.
Now, Hayes is continuing his education at the Alabama Center for the Arts, bringing his artistic and teaching experience back to the community where his River Clay story began.
You can view his demonstration on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
More Than an Art Festival
While the live demonstrations are a great reason to visit, they're only one part of the River Clay experience!
Throughout the weekend, more than 70 juried artists will fill downtown Decatur with paintings, sculptures, photography, ceramics, jewelry, fiber art and other handmade works.
River Clay is the perfect place to ask artists to share the inspiration and stories behind their work. It's an opportunity to connect with artists from across the region, learn more about their work, and find something special to take home.
Explore Downtown Decatur
River Clay takes place on the lawn of Decatur City Hall, placing visitors right in the middle of downtown Decatur.
Between browsing artist booths and watching demonstrations, take some time to explore all Downtown Decatur has to offer! Grab a bite to eat, visit a local shop, admire downtown murals, and enjoy the atmosphere as Decatur’s art culture comes alive for the weekend.
With live music, food, and activities happening throughout the festival, it's easy to turn a visit to River Clay into a full weekend of fun in downtown.
For more information on where to eat, drink, & shop check out our Downtown page.
Plan Your River Clay Weekend
Whether you're an avid art collector, a fan of handmade goods, or simply looking for something different to do in Decatur, River Clay offers a chance to experience the arts from a whole new perspective.
River Clay Fine Arts Festival Schedule 2026
· Saturday, October 24 & Sunday, October 25
· Downtown Decatur, Alabama – Decatur City Hall lawn
· Saturday: 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
· Sunday: 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
· Rain or shine
· More than 70 juried artists
· Live demonstrations: Jamey Grimes on Saturday; Chandler Hayes on Sunday
The weekend kicks off with Rendezvous, River Clay's Friday evening preview party on October 23. Admission is $60 & includes a weekend pass. Weekend passes are $5.
Whether you're coming to discover a new artist, shop for a one-of-a-kind piece, or simply spend a fall weekend exploring Downtown Decatur, River Clay is an experience worth adding to your weekend.
For the full artist line-up, event details, and weekend planning information visit riverclay.org.
To learn more about Decatur & Morgan County check out our socials @visitdecatural & our website www.visitdecatural.org.
