First Friday Art Nights Begin May 2

Mark your calendars for the first-ever First Friday Art Night, a monthly celebration of art, music, and community in Mentone every first Friday from May through November! We kick off May 2 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The shops at Moon Lake Village will come alive with:

• Pop-up artists – The Vintage Sunflower, Sheila Johnson, The Cat’s Pyjamas, Pamela Atkins and Lookout Mountain Goat Ranch Originals
• Live music by Judy Nicole Kirby!
• Refreshments – LRAC is going with a Cinco de Mayo theme, with Margarita Mocktails!
• Interactive art activity: Air Dry Clay Tacos!
• All shops & galleries open for strolling
• Other World Gifts will create something special on their 3D printer.

Make the evening even more special by dining at Moon Lake Kitchen! Be sure to stop by Mentone Arts Center for art and music, featuring the Porch Pickers performing live from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. At Brow Park, enjoy Fairy Tales by Debbie Happy Cohen: Kids of all ages will love the imaginative tales read by the author. Bring your own crayons! NEW fairy tale coloring pages each month!

Big Art Pop-Up!

Pop-Up festivities kick off on Friday, May 16, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., with live music by Will Dooley & Parker Thomas on the grounds of the Mentone Inn. Bring your camp chairs and blankets for an evening of downhome tunes. Amy’s Catering will be on site, offering delicious dining options during the concert. This concert is the first of four free community concerts, one each month, May – August.

The celebration continues Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with the Big Art Pop-Up art market at the same location. Browse and shop unique creations from talented local and regional artists.

Top L to R: Mattie Welch, Carmella Cisneros, Carley Zmolek, Savannah Holcomb, Emma Herrin. Bottom from L to R: Kimberly Calderon-Diaz, Jaia Chen, Lee Smith, Susana Gomez

Make Your Mark on Mentone (MyMoM)

Make Your Mark on Mentone art by the NACC Spectrum Art Club

Now on display: “Tale of Two Mountains” by the Northeast Alabama Community College Spectrum Art Club. Led by Jaia Chen, the art club’s vibrant chalk mural came to life in a colorful and imaginative tribute to the connection between Mentone and NACC. The composition features Sand Mountain and Lookout Mountain rising from the pages of an open book. The NACC Tom Bevill Lyceum and Mentone’s Wildflower Café add an architectural flair. The heart of the mural is Mustang, NACC’s mascot, and Roscoe, the beloved campus dog, symbolizing friendship and shared community.

Last year, many members of the art club met professional chalk artist Jessi Queen while she was creating her own mural. Students had the opportunity to ask questions about technique and tips for achieving a polished, professional look. As a participatory element, viewers are invited to sign the open book at the bottom of the mural. Stop by and leave your mark on this creative collaboration! This mural is “Otis Approved”! Otis, Mentone’s dog-about-town, stopped by to thank the art club (see photo).

MyMoM is located at the corner of Alabama Highway 117 & CR 89 on the grounds of Mentone Inn. It was made possible by a grant from the Alabama State Council on the Arts, Lesa & David Cummings, Dixie Salvage, Builder’s Supply, Lowe’s, and Pat Martin.

Upcoming MyMoM Artists:

• Valley Head School (June–July)
• Lisa Sulkosky (October–November)
• Brande Arno (December–January)

Want to Make Your Mark on Mentone? We are looking for an artist for August 2025! This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase your work, promote yourself as an artist, or even highlight your organization. Visit our website and click the “Make Your Mark on Mentone” link to learn more and submit your application!

Little River Art Gallery featured artists David and Lesa Cummings

May-June Featured Artists at Little River Art Gallery: Lesa & David Cummings

Lesa and David Cummings are lifelong Alabama residents who moved to Mentone in 2023. After 43 years in Anniston, it was time to slow down and enjoy the mountain. Their antidote to years of hectic dental practice was to leave the country three to four times a year and see something entirely new. In the 70s, David realized that photography was a way to “see” life without wading in and trying to take over, and Lesa got in gear with photography after Craig and Lori left home and started adulting. They enjoy their trips of visual discovery in 73 countries and all seven continents so far.

They have given talks to civic groups and camera clubs about how they travel with the same gear and come home with two totally different bodies of work. Lesa sees the beauty and humanistic sides of a country, and David goes for architecture and city street scenes. They are the shooters for the popular series of “Hidden Mentone” books on sale locally. That project  has been a great way to meet colorful locals and learn about their new home community.

Membership in Little River Arts Council has helped them enjoy the company of the many local artists that make Mentone so special. They are thrilled that they “got bit” by the community and had to make a life here.

Juli Jordan is president of the Little River Arts Council.