Valley Head Art Students’ Work to be Showcased; End-of-Season Songwriters’ Event in December

We want to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving as we begin the holiday season! We are thankful for all of you who have supported the arts in Mentone. We also are thankful to the Community Foundation of Northeast Alabama for an Open Spaces, Sacred Places grant that will allow us to host a special event from 4 – 6 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 16. Partnering with the Mentone Educational Resources Foundation (MERF), the arts center will feature an exhibit by young artists from Valley Head art instructor Caroline Moore’s classes: “Nature and Native Americans: A Valley Head Art Exhibit.”

Valley Head art students’ collaborative mural, created under the guidance of art instructor Caroline Moore, is part of the exhibit ‘Nature and Native Americans: A Valley Head Art Exhibit.’ This project explores Native American art and philosophy while connecting students to nature and local heritage

According to Moore, the exhibit and recent class exploration reflect a connection to the open-space sculpture garden outside the arts center building, with its beautiful sculpture of Sequoyah, who created the Cherokee syllabary.

Valley Head students have been learning about and creating art around the natural world and Native American philosophy and art. The project is a way to help kids connect with nature and understand some of the practices and beliefs of those who lived here before us. They have studied flora and fauna identification, medicine wheels, totem animals, native woven blankets, and much more. The exhibit will also include a collaborative mural in which each student contributes to the beauty of the whole.

Their art will be displayed throughout the arts center, with awards and celebrations for some of the outstanding work created through this project. All are encouraged to view the art and enjoy food and refreshments. Come out and support the arts!

Our next Music on the Mountain Songwriters Series takes place Tuesday, Dec. 3, from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. The hosts welcome all the singer/songwriters who have been part of the past series to share an original Christmas song with the audience. Guests are also invited to participate in a traditional sing-along of seasonal tunes. The organizers of the event are asking attendees to consider bringing non-perishable items that will be donated to the local food pantry at St. Joseph’s Episcopal Church.