The Selma-Dallas County Public Library welcomed Alabama State Arts Council Executive Director Elliot Knight to Selma on Thursday afternoon.

Elliot stopped by the library to discuss the new book he edited, “Alabama Creates: 200 Years of Art and Artists” as part of the library’s ongoing Lunch at the Library series.

According to Selma-Dallas County Public Library Director Becky Nichols, each Lunch at the Library is a way to showcase another Selma organization doing good within the community.

Thursday’s Lunch at the Library was all about ArtsRevive.

ArtsRevive Executive Director Becky Youngblood was at the library to introduce Knight on Thursday, before he spoke to a crow of around 40 people about “Alabama Creates”.

“[Knight] is the Executive Director of the Alabama State Arts Council and they’ve always been kind to ArtsRevive over the years,” said Youngblood. “He (Knight) is great.”

“Alabama Creates” is a coffee table book containing 200 years worth of Alabama’s artists and their works.

“‘Alabama Creates’ is just a wonderful, beautiful compendium of artists,” said Nichols.

Knight and his team worked for five years to compile the volume, making sure artists from as many of the state’s regions and eras were represented.

Though proud of the final product, Knight says the books is by no means the definitive collection of Alabama art.

“There’s no way to capture all of the people who are worthy of being recognized in this way,” said Knight. “There are a lot of great artists who were not included.”

Knight referred to the collection as a “sampler” of “all the great art to come out of Alabama over the last 200 years.”

According to Knight, the volume features over 100 artists, and displays their works in chronological order.

Though Knight says the book is certainly educational, he doesn’t want anyone thinking it’s some dull, art history textbook.

“We designed it to be really accessible so everyone could appreciate it,” he said. “Anyone can pick it up and thumb through it and appreciate it.”

After working on the book for five years, Knight was proud to see it completed.

As the compendium’s editor, Knight’s favorite part of the process was experiencing all of the works featured in the book.

“I’m a lifelong Alabamian and I’ve worked in the visual arts for years,” said Knight. “I learned a whole lot through this process. It’s been really rewarding visiting all these places and learning about all of this art.”