5 minute read
A Fine Arts Community
Performance and juried shows add quality of life
STORY BY LONNA UPTON PHOTOS BY JAKE ARTHUR, KENNETH BOONE & COURTESY OF PARSONS LONGINEAU
The arts scene around Lake Martin is thriving. Advocates and patrons of the arts have prioritized creativity and expressive arts, creating a greater quality of life for residents. The arts educate, broaden horizons and provide endless hours of entertainment for both children and adults. Passionate about making a creative difference in the lives of Lake Martin area residents, many of the same advocates work together from different arenas to bring cultural events to the area.
Since the incorporation of the Alexander City Arts in 1968, the goal of ACA has been to bring in professional talent to entertain the community. With one season each year, running from fall to spring, programs through the years have included music, dance, visual arts and theatre. Mary Perry, president of the ACA, believes the arts are important not just for entertainment and education but also for economic impact.
“Having exposure to the arts broadens the education and enhances the quality of life of community members, but having artistic performances actually impacts economic development as well. Before a performance, many attendees go out to dinner locally. If they live out of town and come to Alexander City for a performance or a play, they may stay overnight. Families moving into the area always consider schools and the lake, but they also investigate quality of life, and that’s where the arts come in,” Perry said.
Perry serves on the board of Alexander City Theatre II as well, alongside Karen Kison, president of ACT II and past-president Betsy Iler.
“ACT II showcases the talents and abilities of our local townspeople through quality theatrical productions, offering another unique entertainment option for residents and lake area visitors. Theater expands our horizons and prompts conversation among friends and family. Our goal is to create fun, lively experiences for our audiences in front of the stage, as well as the cast and crew backstage,” Iler said.
Iler believes being a part of the cast or crew for an ACT II production opens opportunities for creativity, whether on stage, designing and building sets, making costumes or creating period hairstyles for the actors. Fast friendships
are formed when plays are in production, and ACT II volunteers are eager to share their skills with others and learn new ones.
Like so many other Lake Martin events, most ACT II productions are free, thanks to the generous support of sponsors. Several arts and crafts shows on Lake Martin are available for free as well.
Local artisans, as well as many from around the state of Alabama, present their pottery, folk art, fine art, paintings, metal and woodcraft at events that draw hundreds of art lovers to browse the booths. Russell Crossroads hosts the Arti Gras juried arts show over July 4th weekend and the Holiday Bazaar during the Thanksgiving weekend. In June, Chuck’s Marina sponsors Lil’ Calypso Art Fest.
In addition to exhibition and sales, local artists are offered many avenues to showcase and develop their talents. The Arts Association of Central Alabama meets monthly to promote art appreciation in the Lake Martin area. AACA meets twice monthly in both Dadeville and Alexander City for workshops and demonstrations. The network of artists has proven invaluable for creative support and encouragement.
The Sarah Carlisle Towery Art Colony on Lake Martin was established by the children of the late Towery in 1992. Five artists participated in a workshop the first year. In the last few years, enrollment has grown to more than 50 participants who hail from all over the United States,
France, Canada and Australia. Lessons range from oneday to weeklong workshops. Artists and art advocates from Alexander City and Dadeville carry on the legacy of the art colony. Another opportunity for artists to gather is the Tallapoosa School of Art, owned and operated by artist Dorothy Wells Littleton. Located near Dadeville and on the shores of Lake Martin, the school offers a studio, catered meals and accommodations on site at the ACT II showcases Blue Heron, a family-owned lake house, an idyllic hideaway nestled into the talents and a hillside on the lake. The school offers abilities of our local fall and spring studio workshops, artist retreats and artist demonstrations. townspeople through The unique setting provides peaceful mountain views and recreation on the quality theatrical waters of the lake while allowing time for creative expression. productions, offering Creativity in the Lake Martin area is another unique celebrated in the annual Lake Martin Living Art and Photography Contest. entertinment option The magazine welcomes all levels of experience from amateur to profesfor residents and lake sional. Submissions are displayed in a downtown exhibit and showcased area visitors.” in the October issue of Lake Martin Living magazine. The winning submisBetsy Iler sion is featured on the cover of the magazine, and monetary prizes are awarded. With no shortage of artists and artisans in the Lake Martin area, creativity among residents is encouraged and bolstered by the groups that organize opportunities to learn, grow and showcase art, music, dance and drama.
ACA hosted award-winning trumpter Longineau Parsons earlier this year
Mary Timberlake’s Fishing Boy Scouts took first place in the Lake Martin Living magazine Art & Photography contest last fall