First Friday, Festivals, and Fall Fun at Moon Lake Campus

First Friday

Oct. 3 at Moon Lake Campus •
4 to 6 p.m. (new fall hours)

Shopping is more fun after hours! If you haven’t explored Moon Lake Campus yet, this is the perfect opportunity. The evening has an open-house feel, with shops offering seasonal finds. Coming Up Violets has hand-painted Halloween magnets with witty sayings, while Faith & Mustard Seed is featuring new socks and other fresh arrivals. Stroll through these shops, plus Cloudland Framing, Otherworld Gifts, The Gallery by Andiamo, Moon Lake Kitchen (serving up delicious eats and specialty cocktails), and the Little River Art Gallery. Just next door, the Moon Lake Public Library will be shaking up gourmet mocktails. Pop-Up Artists: Sarah Mills-Bailey, Absolutely Creations, The Vintage Sunflower, EclectArts Studio, and Blooming Potentials.

Beautiful pottery by LRAC’s featured artist Erika Prater.

Little River Art Gallery: Fall Featured Artist – Erika Prater

Erika Prater creates wheel-thrown pottery that is both functional and decorative. Her work speaks to seasoned collectors and anyone who appreciates the beauty of handmade craft.

Make Your Mark on Mentone

Chalk Mural October–November: Lisa Sulkosky will step out of her comfort zone at Sunflower Studios in Log Cabin Village, trading in watercolor paper for a chalkboard. Her mural will highlight the small treasures that surround us — if we take the time to look closely. Lisa says, “Creating the mural is the least I can do for Mentone; it feeds my soul.” Next up: Brande Arno! The Make Your Mark on Mentone mural project is located on the grounds of the Mentone Inn, at the corner of Alabama Hwy 117 & County Road 89, right at the flashing light. This project is made possible by a grant from the Alabama State Council on the Arts.

Kids’ Corner & Student Art Show at Mentone Fall Festival Oct 18

LRAC is proud to sponsor this year’s Kids’ Corner at the Mentone Fall Festival, featuring a variety of hands-on art activities for children. In the Moon Lake Gym, festival-goers can also enjoy the 4th–6th Grade Valley Head and Homeschool Student Art Show, highlighting the creativity and talent of our local young artists.

Monster Mash Members Social! October 30 • 5–7 p.m. at Moon Lake Campus

You’re invited to a spooktacular evening with a new twist on LRAC’s Annual Members Social! Costumes encouraged: spooky, silly, or inspired by the masters — anything from ghouls to Gauguin. Prizes will be awarded for the best dressed, so let your imagination run wild. Expect good food, good friends, and good ghouls as we celebrate art, community, and connection.

This gathering is the perfect time to hear LRAC updates, renew or start your membership, and connect with fellow art lovers. Memberships make events and projects like the Summer Concert Series, Creative Spirit Market, art classes, scholarships, and mural projects possible — providing both matching funds for grants and strong community support for the arts. Open to the public. Come join the fun!

9th Annual Creative Spirit Market November 9–10 at DeSoto State Park
(across from the Country Store)

Hosted by DeSoto State Park and LRAC, and supported by the Alabama State Council on the Arts, this open-air showcase brings together the best of regional creativity. Explore artist demonstrations, fine and folk art, premium handcrafted goods, and live acoustic music. Families can also enjoy the free interactive art area, where market-goers of all ages can create their own art to take home.

Moon Lake Arts Collective Update

There’s a lot of buzz about the Arts Collective! With $60,250 in grants from the Alabama State Council on the Arts, the Lyndhurst Foundation, and Alabama Arts Tag, along with $45,075 in individual donations, the vision is becoming a reality. Mentone’s first public-access pottery studio will also feature a flexible space for a variety of art classes. Visitors can enjoy “Make Your Own” workshops and leave with a one-of-a-kind Mentone memory, while local artists will benefit from pottery guild memberships, giving them a creative home without the heavy cost of equipment. The collective will be a vibrant hub for creativity, learning, and connection, bringing together artists, residents, and visitors alike.

Want to make your mark on Mentone in a big way? Visit the Moon Lake Arts Collective tab at www.littleriverartscouncil.org to learn more and become a recognized contributor to this inspiring project.