By By Vikki Day
My utmost thanks to Becca Horne (Artists in Communities South) for helping promote the first Evening With the Arts in Atmore at Day Gallery on March 13. Thanks to “The Critique Group” from Fairhope. Six artists that really made the gallery shine were, Maurine Shorkey, collages; Jo Patton, miyid media; Linda Lee Smith, oils; Marie Nickerson, acrylics and miyid media; Mary Rich, fiber art weavings and handmade paper collages and Carol Hagerman, acrylics and Konstantyn Sylin, world-known watercolorist from Pensacola, (these artists will be showing their work through March and it’s also for sale).
Thanks to my friend Todd Allen (The Crayon Man) that showed his fabulous paintings done by using children’s crayons (take a look at some of his work now hanging at the Grand Hotel in Point Clear). Special thanks to Delores Gibson, “The Barefoot Poet,” which brought tears to the eyes of everyone that was there to hear her poems. Super thanks to country music star Grayson Capps, who took time off his busy schedule to be at the event and made us clap our hands and tap our toes! Special thanks to Heath Needham to entertain us with his musical talent! Thanks to folk artist Sonja Griffith Evans, a Mobile artist, Fairn Whatley from Mobile-oils, Nancy Prati-her unique clay sculptures and vessels with American Indian inspirations.
Many thanks to all the terrific Atmore Visual Art Association members that showed their works in the studio area (you were great). We now have over 50 members in A.V.A.A. (our next meeting is on April 1 from 5 p.m. until 6 p.m. at Day Gallery and Art Walk follows from 6 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.). The community is invited to come and see what’s new in the gallery. A very special thank you to Jessie, Nick, Lester, Jeremy and Beth for giving your time and muscles with behind the scenes hard work. Thanks to my other right hand, Zandy Briggs. Thanks to Joey and Deedra Kelley for the use of their building beside Day Gallery, because we couldn’t have made it happen without your generous help!
Thank you to Shannon at Shannon’s Florist for the beautiful spring flower arrangements on our serving table (they were perfect) and to Bub’s hand scraping and water gardens for wonderful designs inside and out. A special gratitude and thank you to my friend Foster Kizer of Royal Oaks Bed and Breakfast for being our sponsor and patron of the arts. Thanks to Webb Nall and Dale Ash for Pepsi’s ad signs. Juanita Smith for always being there for me! Mega thanks to our own Perdido Vineyards Jim Eddins and Maryann for supplying all the great wines for the evening to go along with the wonderful foods from Naimans Catering out of Mobile.
Thanks to all the Chamber members that come to the Chamber After Hours event (you made it extra special) and such wonderful words were said of the Chamber Ambassador’s (young people that are involved with the Chamber) on how polite they were to the guests and what gracious manners they showed to everyone!
An extra big thanks for all the wonderful newspaper coverage from all the papers, including the “Tri-City News,” “Mobile Press Register” and the “Pensacola News Journal” and Channel 5 TV, you definitely made us stand out and be special! And a final thanks to all the wonderful people that came out for and made An Evening With the Arts special!!