CASSOPOLIS — Sitting inside a Dowagiac coffee shop, Tom Rose and Allie Farkas, of the Cass Area Artists, poured over glossy photographs of paintings and sculptures.

“Some of these are just amazing,” Farkas, treasurer of the group, said. “We have a lot of talent here.”

Soon, the photographs will come to life, as the artworks depicted on them will be on display in Cass County during an upcoming art show.

The Cass Area Artists, an artist group consisting of artists from all over Cass County, will host its summer art show from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 14, at the Cass County Council on Aging Lowe Center, 60525 Decatur Road, Cassopolis. The art show will feature 21 juried artists from Cass County and Indiana, who will be displaying and selling their art work. The show will feature a number of medias and techniques including oil, water paintings, woodwork, potter and metal work. Live music will also be played at the event.

Currently, the art show is being sponsored by KB Village, Fisher Printing, K&M Engineering, Porky’s Party Place and Niles Federal Credit Union.

“This is our fourth year, which is amazing,” Farkas said. “We are very excited.”

In the four years that the art show has been going on, Rose, the director of the Cass Area Artists, said the group has learned a lot, and that he is hoping this year will be more successful than ever.

“We are hopeful this will bring people into Cass County,” he said.

“This is a dual-purpose show,” Farkas chimed in. “Part of it is to provide a showing for our members and give them that opportunity. … We are freaking artists, we need to show.  But the other part of it is that we are bringing people in to see the artwork.”

Both Farkas and Rose said the art show was just one aspect of the Cass Area Artists, saying that they believe their group has added to the Cass County community.

“When we started this, I wanted to create an arts community in Cass County, and I think we have achieved that,” Rose said. “Art adds to the inner lives of everyone, and that is incredibly important.”

As representatives for the Cass Area Artists, Farkas and Rose said they would encourage anyone to visit the event.

“It’s a great weekend event,” Rose said. “It’s local. It’s close. It’s fun.”

Farkas echoed Rose’s sentiment.

“It’s really, really fun,” she said. “Plus, you get the chance to interact with artists, which you couldn’t get in a gallery setting. … It’s a unique experience.”