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| Call for Art - Traveling Exhibit Begins this Fall! | |
 The Arts in McNairy Visual Arts Committee is issuing a call for art for a traveling show to begin this fall. A number of McNairy County businesses who offer excellent display space have offered to host the exhibit to help develop local appreciation for visual arts. The traveling show is open to all artists but AiM membership is encouraged. Yearly student, individual and family memberships begin as low as $10. There are no other exhibit fees. All pieces should be suitable for general public viewing and final decisions as to appropriateness rests with the Visual Arts Committee. If an artist has an interest in selling the piece/pieces, a 3 X 5 card should be attached containing price, artist name, and contact information. Artists may also place a NFS (not for sale) tag on work. All purchase agreements will be negotiated by the individual artists and potential buyers. Ownership of piece will rest with exhibiting artist until such time as all arrangements are made.
Arts in McNairy has purchased several new easels and pedestals to be used in the traveling display and later in the gallery at the visitors and cultural center (Latta Building). More will be added as the need arises. Patrons of the arts are being offered the opportunity to sponsor an easel or pedestal (in memoriam, donated by, in honor of, etc.). The cost is $25 for each easel and $50 for each pedestal. A bronze plate will be affixed to the easel or pedestal to serve as a lasting legacy.
Please contact AiM Visual Arts Chair, Vicki Cowan, at 646-1815 or President, Leanne Emmons at 646-3851, if you are interested in exhibiting/selling artwork or sponsoring easels an pedestals. All other inquiriew regarding AiM's Visual Arts Committee are also welcome.
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Nunsense October 8-12 | |
 What happens when a handful of wacky nuns stage a variety show to raise enough money to pay for the funerals of their dearly departed sisters who were accidentally killed off by a pot of sister Julia's tainted soup? The question can only be answered October 8-12 at the Selmer Community Center! Arts in McNairy proudly presents five hilarious performances of Nunsense under the direction of Tom Cook. Cast members include Patty Cook as Mother Superior/Sister Mary Regina, Christy Carmack as Sister Mary Hubert, Melaine Murray as Sister Robert Anne, April Riley as Sister Mary Amnesia and Sarah Lemons as Sister Mary Leo. Nicole Feeney and Shelby Fox contribute supporting roles. The show is a, laugh-a-minute, musical comedy that involves audience input and participation. Since the variety show takes place in Mount Saint Helen's school auditorium, the performing arts committed elected to use the gym and stage at the community center to lend the set an air of authenticity. It works! This is the first AiM show to be staged in a venue other than the little theatre in almost eight years. Show times are 7:30 pm, nightly with a Sunday matinee at 2:00 pm on Sunday. Tickets are $8.00 for adults and $5.00 for students, available at the door. Open seating will be available in the old school gynasium. Come join the fun! |
| The Arts in McNairy Community Band Wants You! | |
 The Arts in McNairy Community Band is now rehearsing at the Selmer Middle School Band Hall. To accomdate current members and new comers alike, the weekly rehearsals have recently been changed to every other Tuesday night. October rehearsals are scheduled for the 5th, 19th and 21st. Check the community band website or Facebook group for updates.
The band is directed by Music Committee Chair, Ronnie Brooks and open to musicians of all skill levels. It is not unusual to see retirees sitting next to student musicians at community band. You must furnish your own instrument and purchase a community band shirt for performances but there are no other fees associated with participation. The band performs 2-3 shows a year for the public. The next show will be a fall concert possibly at the new farmers market in downtown Selmer.
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| October 21 Book Club - Crime Novel Classic | | |
You are invited to attend the Arts in McNairy Book Club 7:00 PM, Thursday October 21 in the conference room of Selmer's Jack McConnico Public Library. There are no fees to join the discussion and participants are encouraged to check out available titles at county libraries or purchase their own. The library also has information about free online titles.
This months selection is Truman Capote's classic c"In Cold Blood," widely considered the best non-fiction crime novel of the genre. A book club member will moderate the discussion and light refreshments will be served. Come out and join the book club. You'll be glad you did!
Remaining 2010 Book Club Selections
10/21 In Cold Blood -Truman Capote
11/18 Skipping Christmas - John Grisham
Contact Arts in McNairy, Literary Arts Chair, Leanne Emmons at (731) 646-3851 for further details.
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Quilt Show Celebrates 30 Years - October 15 & 16 |
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 Fall is a great time to visit McNairy County with a festival or cultural event of some description taking place virtually every weekend between September and Thanksgiving. Last month, the Broomcorn celebrated a landmark 15th year with more artists and a larger audience than ever before. This month, it is the annual Quilt show's turn.
The McNairy County Quilt Show, "All For the Love of Quilting," began in Adamsville in 1980 and within a few years was adopted by the Busy Bee Quilters who moved it to Bethel Springs where it has remained ever since. Visitors to Bethel Springs will notice that the welcome signs label the town, "The Quilting Capital of Tennessee." This is no bluff! Bethel Springs has a long and rich quilting tradition with two active quilting groups working in the area. The Busy Bees have primarily sponsored the quilt show as an outreach for the The Springs UPC while continuing to quilt and promote the craft as a part of the County's cultural legacy. The Needles-n-Pins Quilters who work weekly at the Bethel Springs Community Center have been more engaged in education, participating in area cultural festivals and selling quilts to help support civic activities. The annual quilt show and sale is the town's biggest annual draw.
As the show has grown, so too have the entrants and the variety of quilts on display. The show offers theme rooms with quilts connected by technique, family tradition and various other categories. Traditional and antique quilts as well as more contemporary forms and art quilts are all included. This year Arts in McNairy is honored to have a room dedicated to the organization's mission to preserve and promote the culture of McNairy County. Additionally, an antique tractor show will take place in the parking area and the Needles-n-Pins Quilters will be demonstrating and selling quilts along with several other types of locally made crafts in the gymnasium. Lunch is also available.
The 30th Annual McNairy County Quilt Show and Sale will be held at the Springs United Pentecostal Church, 3591 Main Street, Bethel Springs, Tennessee. The show is open 8:00 am - 6:00 pm Friday October 15 and 8:00 am - 3:00 pm Saturday October 16. Viewers choice award is announced at the conclusion of the show on Saturday. There is no admission charge for the quilt and craft sale and the quilt show in the main building is only $5.00. Those interested in entering quilts may bring them by the church on Saturday October 10 at 3:00 pm. There is no entry fee. Call: (731) 645-9243 for more details. |
| Fall Artisan Trail November 20 | |
 The Arts in McNairy Artisan Trail fall studio tour is just around the corner. The trail provides visitors a unique opportunity to sample some the finest of McNairy County's local culture while picking up those one-of-a-kind gifts to complete the holiday shopping list. The tour will be 10:00-5:00 Saturday, November 20, 2010. The AiM Fine Craft Committee who coordinates the event will be meeting 6:00 PM Thursday, October 14 at the The Springs United Pentecostal Church in Bethel Springs. The Busy Bee Quilters are hosting the meeting and generously providing dinner. Attendees will also get the opportunity to have an advance viewing of the Bethel Springs Quilt Show which opens the following day. All AiM board and committee members, participating artisans and newcomers to the Artisan Trail are encouraged to attend. Final plans for the November 20 event will be discussed and jury selection for the fall 2010 AAT will take place at the October meeting. Past participants do not have to jury in. The Artisan Trail is open to all McNairy County Artists and Artisans. New trail participants must be prepared to submit representative samples to the AAT jury at the meeting and all work must meet the following standards set forth by the Fine Craft Committee:
- Contemporary, traditional, fine or folk art and crafts are eligible.
- All arts and crafts must be deemed suitable for a general audience.
- All work must exhibit a high level of artistic achievement or elements of cultural significance/ preservation.
- Mass produced items such as stamped tees or caps, work produced from craft kits, etc. will be deemed unacceptable. (exceptions might include reprints from original works, castings, etc.)
- Artists must agree to exhibit or demonstrate in their own studio/gallery or at another location designated by the committee during the advertised trail hours. Photos of proposed new gallery or studio locations must be submitted for panel consideration.
- Final determination for participation will rest solely with the jury panel or Fine Craft Committee.
For more information about the AiM Artisan Trail call (731) 645-3850. A complete list of participating artists and updated maps will be available in the November edition of Taking AiM, on the AiM blog and the AiM Facebook page one week prior to the event.
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| Pickin at Pat's Debuts in October | | |
 | | Bo Jack and the Originals Christened the "Pickin at Pat's" Stage, October 2. |
Pat's Cafe is already a McNairy County cultural institution or as some would say, "The International Home of the Slugburger." No matter what you call it, generations of McNairy Countians have cut their teeth on Pat's blend of delicious homegrown food and unparalleled hometown hospitality. Now they can add live music to the many reasons to visit Pat's.
Many will have noticed the construction taking place through the late summer months adjacent to the famous downtown Selmer eatery. What looks like the front porch of an old cabin is actually designed as a "pickin' porch." A handmade sign affixed to the roof reads, "Pickin' at Pats." Though it was incomplete at the time, the small stage got it's first taste of action during Selmer's June Rockabilly Revival.
Last weekend, Pickin' at Pat's got off to an official start with local music icons Bo Jack (Killingsworth) and the Originals sponsored by Pat's Cafe, Knight Media and Selmer Parks and Recreation. Pickin' at Pat's is scheduled to take place throughout the spring and fall months, weather permitting, with a variety of live music on Friday nights. The next event is scheduled for 6:00 PM, October 8 when John Few and friends will play Bluegrass Gospel. Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy the music. There is no admission charge. Check out the Pat's Cafe Facebook page for updates and scheduled performers. |
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Ocotber is National Arts & Humanities Month | |  Arts in McNairy joins thousands of arts organizations and communities across the nation in celebrating National Arts and Humanities Month throughout October. AiM will carry this message to the people of McNairy and surrounding counties through several activities that honor the efforts of artists, historians, teachers, and cultural groups working to make the arts and humanities a part of everyone's life.
Robert L. Lynch, president and CEO of Americans for the Arts and national coordinator of Arts and Humanities month, says, "Everyone recognizes the creative and cultural value of the arts and humanities. National Arts and Humanities Month offers us a chance to celebrate the often overlooked economic, educational, and civic engagement values that the arts impart in our daily lives."
Everyone in the community is encouraged to participate in what has become this country's largest annual collective celebration of the arts and humanities. This newsletter gives details about several events taking place in the community in the visual arts, music, folklife and literacy. Take the opportunity to observe National Arts and Humanites Month by pariticpating in one of these great AiM sponsored events.
National Arts and Humanities Month is coordinated by Americans for the Arts, the national organization working to empower communities with the resources and support necessary to provide access to all of the arts for all of the people. This month-long celebration grew out of National Arts Week, which was begun in 1985 by the National Endowment for the Arts and Americans for the Arts. With 49 years of service, Americans for the Arts is dedicated to representing and serving local communities and creating opportunities for every American to participate in and appreciate all forms of the arts. More information about National Arts and Humanities Month is available online at www.AmericansForTheArts.org/nahm. |
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