THE IMPACT OF BROADBAND: MAKERS EDITION Macon County Arts Council Chairwoman Evelyn White stands besides the building’s original front door. She used an alcohol technique to create the floral design.
Arts for all
Macon County Arts Council unveils Gallery 102 BY JEN CALHOUN
W
hen local attorney Russell Brown offered up a refurbished gallery space to the Macon County Arts Council, the group answered with a surprised and emphatic “Yes!” “It wasn’t something we’d even thought of doing before,” says MCAC President Evelyn White. “There was just no way we could have. It was Mr. Brown’s dream, and we were just fortunate enough to be part of that reality.” In February, the arts council hosted the Gallery 102 grand opening. The facility takes its name from its location at 102 Public Square in Lafayette. Now, it offers a display of artwork by local artists as well as classes on painting, photography, jewelry making and more. “The classes have been a very big hit,” White says. “It also helps promote and share all these different talents we have in the community.” Brown, who is a member of the MCAC, says he offered the space because he knew how much the group benefited the community. “They’re so active,” he says. “They hold workshops for children, and they host so many community events. Now, they can
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offer all these art classes. We are so lucky to have them.” White, a retired industrial engineer and an artist herself, says the arts council’s offerings reflect the community itself. “We’re a very rural community,” she says. “I think a lot of people have been creating for themselves out of necessity. The things they were doing probably didn’t seem like an art form to them. Now, so many of them have a venue to promote and even sell their art. It makes for a well-balanced life and a well-balanced community.”
Multicolored ceramics by Benny Maggert.
Art attack!
Each year, the Macon County Arts Council holds several events to promote local artists and bring awareness of the arts to the community. Arts in Bloom, a weeklong exhibition of local art, takes place in April. Art in the Park, a two-day art workshop for children takes place in June, and MCAC also hosted the Nashville Symphony in June. Gallery 102 offers various art classes throughout the year as well, including painting, photography, jewelry making and more. For information on classes or upcoming events, visit MCAC’s Facebook page or Gallery 102’s Facebook page. Gallery 102 is at 102 Public Square in Lafayette. It is open and free to the public Wednesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Upcoming MCAC events include: Art In Real Life, Nov. 7-13, Citizens Bank, 400 Highway 52 Bypass West in Lafayette. This is a juried photo competition and show. A reception and the critique session takes place at 5 p.m. on Nov. 7.
A musical sculpture by Linda Johnson.
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