| Quick Links |
|
Visit our Website and Blog
|
| Join our list |
 |
|
|
|
Happy Holidays From Arts in McNairy!
As the holiday season approaches, we can't help reflecting on the amazing year that was 2008. Despite a floundering economy, AiM had a strong fund raising year, picked up several new corporate partners and individual members, forged strong alliances with other organizations and was awarded a Tennessee Arts Commission ABC grant all while continuing to expand programming in several areas. And the year is not over yet!
All of this was made possible by an outstanding board of directors, committed slate of officers, and a wonderfully creative group of committee chairs who continue to insure the viability of the original AiM vision. We thank you one and all! You are Arts in McNairy!
We would also be remiss if we left out the always generous patrons and partners, many who have financially supported AiM programs, year in and year out, since 2000. How could we ever completely express our gratitude? We wouldn't be hear without you! And to our new partners and member supporters, we welcome you aboard with our sincerest appreciation for your commitment to AiM's community arts efforts. |
| A Christmas Carol - November 21-23 |
|
 Charles Dickens' immortal classic, A Christmas Carol will take the stage November 21-23 for three public performances at the MCHS Little Theatre. Friday and Saturday shows are at 7:30 PM and there will be one matinee, Sunday at 2:00 PM. The show, which features more than forty local actors, is the second of the, ever popular, AiM theatre season. Tickets for all performances will be available at the door for $8.00 (adults) and $5.00 (students). There will also be two exclusive performances for McNairy County School students on Thursday and Friday. See individual school administrators for more details.
A Christmas Carol is one the most beloved Christmas stories ever written in the English language and has become a popular holiday stage offering for many theatre groups. Audiences of all ages will delight in the familiar characters, Scrooge ("Bah! Humbug!"), Tiny Tim ("God bless us everyone!") and the colorful cast of Christmas ghosts. It is a heart warming tale of love, redemption and the power of the Christmas spirit. Don't miss the show! |
| First Book Club Meets November 20 |
|
|
The restructured Literary Arts Committee will host the first meeting to organize a new book club Thursday, November 20, at 7:00 PM in the McNairy Regional Hospital's conference room. The club will meet regularly on the third Thursday of each month. You do not have to be an AiM member to participate. Everyone is invited and there are no fees for participation beyond book purchase and these may be bulk ordered at group rates.
The first two book club selections and the moderator will be announced at the November meeting. The group then plans to take a holiday break and meet again in January for the first discussion. More information about a possible poetry reading and the spring 2009 creative writing contest will also be available at the meetings. All readers, writers and literary buffs mark your calendars now and make plans to attend! |
| Annual Holiday Singers and Community Band Concert December 4th at Lakeview Baptist |
|
If getting in the holiday spirit is a challenge for you, Arts in McNairy has the answer! The AiM Holiday Singers and Community Band Concert is sure to do the trick. This annual event is one of the highlights of the holiday season for many local residents not to mention the community band and chorus participants.
The holiday concert in being held 7:00 PM, December 4th at Lakeview Baptist Church in Selmer. The Holiday Singers, children's bell choir, community band and several soloists and ensembles are scheduled to perform. Admission is free and as Music Committee Chair Pam Stackhouse says, "The concert is AiM's Christmas gift to the community."
|
| Rockabilly Mural Celebrates McNairy County's Rich Musical Heritage |
|
Downtown Selmer will soon be getting a facelift. Arts in McNairy has been awarded an Arts Builds Communities Grant to undertake a public art project calling attention to one facet, of McNairy County's incredible musical heritage. The grant was awarded in October by the Tennessee Arts Commission and West Tennessee's Designated Arts Agency, the Jackson Arts Council. Additionally, a local partnership between Arts in McNairy, the Selmer Business Alliance and the McNairy County Chamber of Commerce will make the project financially feasible.
The Rockabilly Highway Mural, as the project is informally called, will begin shortly after the first of the year. The Visual Expressions building at the corner of 2nd and Court Ave. in Downtown Selmer will be the site of a mural celebrating the area's contribution to the history and development of Rockabilly Music. The western most wall, facing 2nd Avenue, which formerly bore the large advertisement for Boot World, is where the mural will be painted. When completed the project will add beauty and interest to downtown while calling attention to a fascinating and much undervalued part of McNairy County's cultural heritage. While the obvious
connection can be seen with Carl Perkins calling Jackson, TN home and Tupelo's notoriety as the birth place and boyhood home of Elvis Presley, McNairy County also has plenty to boast about. Many locals are aware that Presley and Perkins first met at Bethel Springs where Elvis was performing a show there in September 1953. That meeting lead to Perkins signing a contract with Sun Records and recording the Rockabilly classic, "Blue Suede Shoes." It is also known that other Rockabilly artists such as Jerry Lee Lewis honed their signature sounds at clubs and honky tonks in the area.
Last year, the state passed legislation designating Highway 45 from Jackson, TN to the Mississippi state line "Rockabilly Highway." Mississippi is considering a similar measure from the Tennessee line to Tupelo, MS. Legislators hoped that the initiative would shine the spotlight on the music that grew up in West Tennessee and North Mississippi, thereby improving tourism and economic development opportunities in the area. For this to actually happen, communities would need to explore their Rockabilly heritage and look for ways to promote their contribution to this uniquely American art form. McNairy County is the first to embrace this identity with a high profile public art project of this type.
Nashville artist and McNairy County native, Brian Tull, has been commissioned to paint the original art work that will commemorate this part of McNairy County's musical history. Brian is a gifted painter with an affinity for mid 20th century design and photo realism which makes him the perfect choice for this project. He is represented by contemporary fine art dealers, Gallery One in Nashville. An example of his work is shown above. More examples and information about Brian are available at his website: www.briantull.com
Work on the mural is slated to begin early in 2009 and an unveiling ceremony is being planned for May or June. The participating organizations will also stage a street festival with Rockabilly concert and dance in conjunction with the unveiling festivities. Organizers hope that this portion of the project will become an annual event. |
| Cultural Heritage Study Continues in 2009 |
|
|
Do you have information about the cultural heritage of McNairy County? How about newspaper clippings, flyers or posters about concerts, dances or singings held in the county? Do you have, or know someone who has pictures of the old time Bluegrass and string music pickers, the Elvis show in Bethel Springs, or square dances at Finger? Do you own old broom making, weaving and spinning equipment or items used in any of the other folk and heritage crafts? If so we want to hear from you!
In 2009 the Arts in McNairy Heritage and Culture Committee will renew the cultural assessment efforts that began in 2006 with the groundbreaking Community, Culture and Commerce project. The goal is to gain a deeper understand of the cultural legacy of McNairy County and Southwest Tennessee. To be successful we will need everyone's help. We would like to document the various folk art traditions and musical heritage through pictures, print, local publications and those wonderful family stories passed down through the generations.
Several ways to approach the assessment are being considered but we wanted to get the word out early. Dust off the old scrap books and take a turn through the attic. You never know what you might find. There will be a meeting and call for information sometime in the spring of 2009. Until then, pass this story along to the family historian or anyone interested in such a project.
Please direct all inquires and information to the AiM Heritage and Culture Committee at:
|
| AiM Artist Spotlight - Constance Beck |
|
|
Constance Beck (Connie to her friends) operates one of the most unique businesses in McNairy County. Appalachian Threads in downtown Adamsville is part spinning and weaving studio, part art gallery, part teaching facility, and all fun.
Connie masterfully spins and weaves natural fibers into wearable works of art. She raises her own agora rabbits and goats and purchases alpaca and llama fleece from local farmers. Her hats, shawls, scarves and throws are both beautiful and functional, not to mention one of a kind originals. Her products are available in her shop at 134 E. Main in Adamsville or online at: www.appalachianthreads.com Appalachian Threads is a featured stop on the biannual AiM Artisan Trail but they are open year around. Call ahead for hours of operation at: 731-632-2102
Ms. Beck has more than 20 years experience as a weaver. She is a member of Tennessee Association of Craft Artists (TACA) and has exhibited at their annual show in Nashville. She was recently elected president of the West Tennessee Chapter of that organization. Connie is also a regular at Dollywood in East Tennessee, where she uses her skill to demonstrate traditional craft techniques for appreciative audiences.
Maiden Tennessee Gallery, also located at Connie's Adamsville shop, showcases more than 20 other local artists and artisans including beautiful stoneware from 2B Pottery, whimsical metal sculpture from Eco-Art by Tim Pace, fine hand-sewn garments by Sarah Norris as well as many other handmade items from around the region. It is a great place to shop for unique gifts on all occasions.
As if this were not enough, Appalachian Threads also sells high quality spinning and weaving equipment. Connie offers regular classes where she shares more than 20 years of experience with beginning and intermediate textile artists. Call or inquire at the studio about scheduling a lesson.
Stop by Appalachian Threads and let Connie know how much we appreciate her contribution to McNairy County's art community. |
|
Thank You for a Great 2008! |
|
|
The board and officers of Arts in McNairy wish to gratefully acknowledge the following groups, individuals and Corporate Partners for their many generous contributions to cultural development in our community:
- Tennessee Arts Commission
- Jackson Arts Council
- The Selmer Mayor and Board of Aldermen
- Selmer Parks and Recreation
- McNairy County Mayor and Commissioners
- Bethel Springs Mayor and Commissioners
- McNairy County Chamber and EDC
- Selmer Business Alliance
- The Adamsville Partnership
- 2B Pottery
- UT Martin McNairy/Selmer
- McNairy Central High School
- Selmer First Baptist Church
- Hockaday Handmade Brooms
- Lakeview Baptist Church
- Eastside Church of Christ
- Aqua Glass
- Eco-Art
- Digital Canvas Productions
- Bancorp South
- Barton Chase, MD
- The Independent Appeal
- Rose Creek Village Arts
- Fischer Oil Company
- Community South Bank
- Appalachian Threads
- Busy Bee Quilters
- Regions Bank
- Lawton Neighborhood Club
- G&P Printing
- Spectrum Corporation
- Henco Furniture
- Firehouse Studio
- Cancer Care Centers
- McNairy Regional Hospital
- Selmer Chiropractic Center
- MaxTech Computer Services
- Shackelford Funeral Directors
- South Bank
- Selmer Wal-Mart
- Primecare Medical Center
- Chambers Insurance
- Concepts For Today
- Home Banking Company
- Knight Enterprises
- Terry Abernathy
- Deusner & Kennedy
- Action Realty
- H.J. Maxedon
- Ron Bell, DDS
- AllCity Radio Shack
...and the hundreds of volunteers, individual and family members for their unwavering support of Arts in McNairy. Happy Holidays to you!
| |
|
