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In this issue of Taking AiM we are pleased to continue our look back at the accomplishments of the last ten years. As we celebrate Arts in McNairy's tenth anniversary, we are including small bits of our history to remind us just how far we've come. At the bottom of this newsletter, you will see a page from our fourth print edition of Taking AiM released in October 2001. It lists all the artists (more than a dozen) who had just taken part in the organization's first-ever members group show at the UTM McNairy Center in Selmer. There are photo's of several participants with their work taken at the opening reception. We think you will agree that it was quite an achievement for an organization that was only six month old. George Souders who chaired the Visual Arts Committee for the majority of the organization's first ten years should receive most of the credit. More importantly, though, the quality and quantity of artists who participated in the show was a clear indication to emerging arts leaders that the community was hungry for the sorts of programming the young organization was just beginning to provide. It was an important, early, confirmation that we were on the right track - one of many watershed moments to come.
As a way of measuring AiM's success, we have also asked several key people who have assisted with the organization's development or been in a position to closely observe it, to give their insights on how Arts in McNairy has impacted this community in our first ten years. This month, we are honored to have Tennessee Arts Commission Director of Community Arts Development, Leigh Patton, share some thoughts. Arts in McNairy has had no better friend, fan, mentor and cheerleader than Leigh Patton. She truly recognizes that rural cultural development is a different game and has committed a great deal of time, energy and resources to understanding how a state agency can positively impact the arts in small communities. She will be sorely missed as she takes on a new adventure at Metro Nashville Arts Commission this year.
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"Arts in McNairy is a model rural arts agency with a very smart focus on partnerships, artist support, heritage preservation, and arts-based economic development. From the AiM Artisan Trail to membership in the McNairy Regional Alliance, from community theater to public art projects, AiM's first ten years have been a solid success. Here's hoping for many more decades of AiM and that other rural Tennessee communities will follow in your footsteps."
Leigh Patton
Director of Community Arts Development
Tennessee Arts Commission |
| Tull Selected for 2011 Mural Project | |
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Artist Brian Tull and wife Laura Beth |
The Rockabilly Highway Mural in downtown Selmer, may soon be overshadowed by a more high profile public art project. While this may seem improbable, if there is one artist who could attempt such a feat, it would certainly be Brian Tull himself.
Last fall, Arts in McNairy issued a call to artists for a companion piece to the wildly popular 2009 mural. Tull's proposal for a second, musical heritage theme, mural was selected in January but not without some stiff competition. "The selection committee felt that Brian's experience with large scale public art projects, like this one, gave him an edge," said AiM Visual Arts Chair, Vicki Cowan, "but in the end, it was the creativity of his proposal that won us over."
Plans call for the mural to be installed on a wall in the new downtown green space, adjacent to the farmers market pavilion. The art will be visible for a quarter mile or more when approaching downtown Selmer from the southeast. Work is expected to begin this summer and be completed by fall 2011.
The proposed mural is Arts in McNairy's contribution to ongoing efforts from several groups to help revitalize the old commercial district in the county seat. In addition to the Rockabilly Highway Mural, two whimsical metal sculptures were added to the above mentioned green space in 2010. Local metal artists, Tim Pace and Bob Brooks were commissioned for these project. If all goes as planned, 2011 will witness the addition of Tull's new mural as well as a third sculpture, this time in wood. AiM and the city of Selmer are cooperating to convert the last remaining tree from the original courthouse lawn into a woodcarving to compliment the growing collection of downtown public art. A call to artists should be issued this spring to save what is left of the rapidly decaying oak.
Arts in McNairy has committed to a significant portion of the funding for these two pieces applying for a Rural Arts Project Support grant from the Tennessee Arts Commission to defray expenses on the mural. Funding will also come from some other local sources and smaller regional grants will be used to offset the cost of the carving but additional financial help may be needed. "We believe there is great community support for this public art initiative," said Dr. Shawn Pitts, AiM Heritage and Culture Chair. "It is common to see locals making photographs of their family and friends with the current installations and we know they are attracting a great deal of tourist traffic. It shouldn't be hard to raise the additional funds with that kind of popularity." Community and corporate fundraising for the projects will begin in the spring. |
| "Big Bad" Auditions! One Day Only (Feb. 17) | |
 Open auditions for the children's production of Big Bad have been scheduled for 6:00 PM, February 17 at the Selmer Community Center. Production dates are April 1-3 at the MCHS Little Theatre. Children and teens age 5-18 are invited to audition and no theatre experience is required. Teen audition participants may be asked to read from the script. Younger actors may be asked to act out simple characters at the directors request. There are more than a dozen speaking parts available as well as many smaller roles and extras. Technical crew positions will also be available for those who like behind the scenes work. Set painting and construction, lighting and sound technicians, costumers, prop and stage managers will all be needed. Inquire at the auditions about how to get involved with the stage or technical crew. We welcome parental help and involvement! Big Bad is a whimsical, comedic, farce involving many familiar characters from well known works of children's literature. The perennial villain, the Big Bad Wolf, is on trial for his many crimes against the fairy tale characters. Hilarity ensues as prosecutor, Little Red Riding Hood, presents her case with supporting testimony by the likes of the Three Little Pigs et al. The surprise verdict will delight audiences of all ages. Big Bad is being directed by AiM theatre veteran Joanna Pitts. Joanna last directed the original script A Tale of Two Tailors in 2010. |
| "Art in Motion" Continues at Courthouse in February | |
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Adamsville painter Vesela Baker is one of many gifted artists participating in "Art in Motion" |
A well attended reception for "Art in Motion" artists was held January 18 in the Selmer Middle School library. Several school officials, students, artists, AiM Directors and community members were present for the event, sponsored by the Visual Arts Committee.
The show has been on display at the school since the first of the year. SMS administrators requested the show visit the library some time during it's run and the committee was able to move them to the front of the line. Committee members felt the inherent educational opportunities in the partnership warrented bumping other potential hosts back a month, or so, to insure the exhibit was able to visit while school was still in session. "We've loved hosting the show," said SMS librarian, Simms Rhea. "It's been a wonderful opportunity for our students to see a variety of pieces created by local artists. It's really inspiring for them and our teachers have also enjoyed it."
The show was scheduled to be at the McNairy County courthouse by the first of February but excessive snow and ice delayed the move. The exhibit is, however, now installed and ready for viewing! Some of the exhibiting artists you can expect to see are: Vesela Baker, Lyn Barchett, Elaine Chaney, Vicki Cowan, Linda Craig, Gordon Hester, Dixie Decker, Lisa Engle, Dennis Fischer, Patricia Fischer, Jan Huddelson, Amber Kiddy, Bob Hester and Sheila Treece.
If you are interested in exhibiting artwork or hosting an exhibition, please contact Vicki Cowan, Visual Arts Chair @ 646-1815, or Leanne Emmons, AiM President @ 646-3851. We want to thank everyone for their warm response to the exhibit and look forward to adding more art in the coming months. |
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Community Band Gears Up for Spring Concert | |
 | | THE AIM COMMUNITY BAND WANTS YOU! |
Dust off the hold horn or drum and get ready to join the AiM Community Band! The band will soon be in rehearsal for the first ever, spring concert tentatively scheduled for 2:00 PM Saturday April 16 at the new farmers market and musical heritage park in downtown Selmer. Formed in 2007 the band is under the direction AiM Board Member and Music Committee Chair, Ronnie Brooks. As a former music educator, Brooks knew that many student musicians put down their instruments after graduation never to pick them up again. He also knew that this was not entirely by choice. He always felt that many amateur musicians would jump at the opportunity to play in a organized setting again if only one were available. Thus was born the AiM Community Band. The band is composed of musicians of all skill levels and ages. Retirees and students mix and mingle with ease in an informal and fun setting where the focus is always on the joy of playing music together. The band usually has about 30 players at each public performance. There are no participation fees but musicians must supply their own instrument. There are typically 6-8 rehearsals before each performance and the music selections are challenging enough to be interesting for most amateurs and audiences but not too hard to be frustrating for those who are not exactly at the top of their musical game. Rehearsal at the Selmer Middle School Band Hall last from an hour and a half to two hours. Just show up ready to play! Over the last few years, the Community Band has been performing a patriotic summer concert in conjunction with Selmer Parks and Recreation's Independence Day festivities and participating in a Christmas concert along with the AiM Community Chorus. The spring concert will mark the bands solo debut. Several rehearsals have been scheduled to prepare for the concert: 6:30 PM Tuesday, March 8th 6:30 PM Tuesday, March 15th 6:30 PM Tuesday, March 29th 6:30 PM Tuesday, April 5th 6:30 PM Tuesday, April 12th 2:00 PM Saturday, April 16th (Performance Date) |
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Annual Photography Contest Nears Entry Deadline | |
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Previous Best in Show Entry by Ashley Pennington |
The AiM Visual Arts Committee begins accepting entries for the annual amateur photography contest and show this month. The contest is open to everyone regardless of age. Only the panel of judges and professional photographers are ineligible for participation. There is a $10 fee for each of the first three entries and $5 fee for every entry thereafter. Contestants can enter as many photos as they like. Please pay by check or money order payable to Arts in McNairy.
Deadline for submissions is 4:00 PM March 11, 2011 at the UTM McNairy Center in Selmer. Mail in entries must be postmarked by March 7 to be considered. An opening reception and awards ceremony for all artists and their guests will take place 2:00 PM-4:00 PM Sunday March 13 at the UTM Center. Participants must agree to have their work on display as part of the photography show at the Center through April 13 and possibly published in local news media, this newsletter or other AiM publications.
There will be a $100 prize for one Best in Show entry. $50 first place, $25 second place and third place and honorable mention ribbons will be awarded in the following seven categories: natural landscape; architectural landscape; people; pets, animals or wildlife; black and white (any subject); digitally enhanced, edited or manipulated images; McNairy County (taken inside the county). Winners will be contacted by phone prior to the awards reception.
Entries should be mailed to the attention of contest/show coordinator, George Souders, c/o AiM Photo Contest, U.T. Martin Selmer, 1269 Tennessee Ave., Selmer, TN 38375. Entry forms (or equivalent information) should be affixed to the back of each photo. Entry forms are available at UTM Selmer, Village Coffee House, Selmer Chiropractic Center and Wal-Mart in Selmer or they may be downloaded at:
www.artsinmcnairy.blogspot.com
. Name, address, phone number, photo title, date and location of photo, category of entry (listed above) and applicable fees must accompany all entries. Include the price only if you want to sell the photo. All entries must be picked up at the UTM Center at the conclusion of the show on April 13, 2011.
Further photo submission requirements:
- Photos must have been taken since the year 2007
- Photos can be taken anywhere except those entered in the McNairy County category
- Photos must be submitted in 8x10 or 5x7 format
- Photos must be matted (preferably in white)
- Photos must be unframed
- Photos can be digital or film, black and white or color
- Photos can not be previously published
- Photos that have received awards in past AiM contests are not eligible for the 2011 contest
- Photos are the responsibility of the individual artists and Arts in McNairy will accept no liability for loss or damage to photos during the contest and show
Please contact George Souders at (731) 645-5441 with further questions about the AiM photography show and contests. Good luck shutterbugs!
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| Combined Jan./Feb. Book Club This Week | |
The 2011 Arts in McNairy Book Club got off to a slow (or should we say snow?) start as inclement weather forced the postponment of the regular January meeting. That only means double the fun at the February meeting as the group discusses the first two book club selections. The Great Divorce which was slated for the first meeting of the year will be discussed alongside the February selection, Jane Smiley's A Thousand Acres. See the January newsletter archive for an overview of The Great Divorce.
A Thousand Acres is a riveting, family drama that was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for fiction in 1992. It is loosely based on Shakespeare's, King Lear. Larry Cook is an aging farmer who decides to incorporate his farm, handing complete and joint ownership to his three daughters, Ginny, Rose, and Caroline. When the youngest daughter objects, she is removed from the agreement. This sets off a chain of events that brings dark truths to light and explodes long-suppressed emotions, as the story eventually reveals the long-term sexual abuse of the two eldest daughters. The plot also focuses on Ginny's troubled marriage, her difficulties in bearing a child and her relationship with her family.
Future Book Club selections include:
March 17 - The Way West - A.B. Guthrie, Jr.
April 21 - The Help - Kathryn Stockett
May 19 - The Persian Pickle Club - Sandra Dallas
June 16 - Their Eyes Were Watching God - Zora Neale Hurston
July 21 - Three Cups of Tea - Greg Mortenson & David O. Relin
Aug. 18 - The Sun Also Rises - Ernest Hemingway
Sept. 15 - The Blind Side - Michael Lewis
Oct. 20 - The Late George Apley - John P. Marquand
Nov. 17 - The Christmas Box - Richard Paul Evans
The Arts in McNairy Book Club meets on the third Thursday each month at 7:00 PM in the conference room of the Jack McConnico Public Library in Selmer. There is no meeting the month of December. There are no membership or participation fees. Everyone is welcome! |
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New Book/Exhibit Features Broom Maker, Jack Martin |
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 If there ever was any doubt, a new publication and companion exhibit, just out by the Tennessee Arts Commission, confirms that Jack Martin is numbered among the state's most valued cultural treasures. Tradition - Tennessee Lives and Legacies, traces the heritage and lasting legacy of 25 Tennesseans who preserve a diverse group of our state's cultural traditions. The inspiration for the project draws on 25 years of field work experience by Dr. Robert Cogswell, Director of the Tennessee Arts Commission Folklife Program. Nashville photographer Dean Dixon was contracted to provide images that compliment Cogwell's expressive essays. Dixon traveled across the state photographing the subjects in their homes and communities for the project.
The exhibit opened last fall at the Hunter Museum in Chattanooga and will be traveling the state on a thirteen stop tour over the next three years. West Tennessee locations readily accessible to McNairy County will include West Tennessee Regional Arts Center in Humboldt and Germantown Performing Arts Center. The hardcover book is now available for purchase at the Tennesseans for the Arts online store. Click on the image above to access the TFTA website.
The book is a stunning achievement both easy to ready and beautiful to behold. It will be valued by anyone with even a remote interest in folk art or Tennessee heritage and culture. The essay on Jack Martin gives a brief history of the family business, Hockaday Handmade Brooms, and the photo's picture him in a familiar setting at his shop on the family farm in Selmer. Those who have been privileged to see Jack at work will immediately appreciate how the words and images capture the spirit and substance of Jack's efforts to preserve his family's time-honored craft of broom making. Twenty four other essays about Tennesseans who preserve various cultural traditions are just as illuminating. |
| Cultural Assessment Continues in 2011 | | |
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J.P. Robins, 2nd Generation Finger, TN Broom Maker |
In 2005 Arts in McNairy appointed the first heritage and culture committee to inventory and assess local cultural attributes and make recommendations to the board of directors about the feasibility of local cultural preservation efforts. The committee developed a concise survey and polled hundreds of respondents around the area about cultural features, past and present, that were valued most. The result was a stunning list of assets in musical history, material culture, foodways, community activities, etc.
Since that time, the committee has continued to compile information in several areas of interest. Many families and individuals have graciously shared their oral histories, photos, newspaper clippings, etc.. The above photo of J.P. Robins was taken at Finger, TN about 1975. The Robins family has been making brooms in McNairy County for at least three generations. We are indebted to J.P. Robins' son James (also a broom maker) for the photos and information about his family's tradition.
More than a mere academic enterprise, the information gathered over the last few years has actually lead to a shift in the organization's programming. The AiM Artisan Trail and Rockabilly Highway Revival projects are a direct result of information gathered through the committee's efforts. Just this year, Arts in McNairy received a Commission Initiative grant from the Tennessee Arts Commission to preserve the recordings of Stanton Littlejohn. These will be used for educational purposes as well as local music programming.
In 2011 the asset inventory will continue with a revised and focused questionnaire to obtain information about a variety of cultural assets. Of special interest are musical heritage, broom making traditions, agricultural and foodways, but all information is welcome. Arts in McNairy is now seeking organizations like churches, Ruritan Clubs, lodges and other community groups to host community survey sessions. The process if fun and easy and involves having a representative from the committee go over a list of questions with your group that often sparks lively and nostalgic discussion about the area's cultural past. If you are interested in participating in or hosting a session in 2011, contact heritage and culture committee chair, Shawn Pitts at: drpitts3@att.net or call (731) 645-3850.
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| Spring Artisan Trail March 19 | |  The spring 2011 version of the AiM Artisan Trail is just around the corner. Now entering its fifth year, the semiannual tour of artisan studios involves a number of stops that include some of the county's best known artists and artisans. It is a great way to learn more about the traditional culture of Southwest Tennessee and purchase one-of-a-kind, handmade McNairy County items. A complete list of participating artists and a link to downloadable maps will appear in the March edition of Taking AiM. Get ready to hit the trail! |
| Page 2, Volume 1, Issue 4 of "Taking AiM" - Oct. 2001 Selected Scenes for AiM's First Member's Group Show | |  |
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