The Cass Area Artists had the inaugural Diamond in the Rough fine arts and craft show at the Cass County COA Saturday. (Leader photos/SCOTT NOVAK)

The first annual Cass Area Artists Art show started with a bang Saturday.

More than 20 artists from the Michiana area participated in the fine art and fine craft show, called Diamond in the Rough, that was held on the spacious grounds of the Lowe Center on M-60 North of Cassopolis.

The theme of the Cass Area Artists is “have fun and feel better with art,” and the more than 200 people who attended the event were doing just that.

“One couple from Three Rivers stopped on their way home from South Bend and said they saw the activity and wanted to stop,” Tom Rose, director of the Cass Area Artists said. “They said they were surprised by the quality of hand made and original art and the selection of so many art items to choose from.”

For the first show, artists reported that they were pleased with their sales and most said that they hope to repeat the event again next year.

Their art included photography, jewelry, ceramics, themed rosaries, turned bowls, digital art, oils, wooden toys and oils.

Cass Area Artists meet the third Thursday of the month at Lowe Center, and as a non-profit organization, appreciated the sponsorship of KB Village Express/Subway and Porky’s Party Place.

The group meets at 3:30 p.m. and invites anyone interested in art in the Michiana area to attend.