Arts Center Fall Social Honors Sennetts; Debbie Bonds Brings Blues to Mentone

Fall Social

Dr. Charles and Barbara Sennett

Autumn is just around the corner, and we have several upcoming events to match the season’s excitement. Each quarter for the past year-and-a-half, we have honored artists by hosting a social. Our Fall Social on Thursday, Sept. 12, will be a little different, as we honor two of our most beloved supporters. We will pay tribute to Dr. Charles O. “Soc” and Barbara Sennett, who have shown their generosity and devotion to the arts center since its inception. The Chuck Sennett Center for the Arts is named for their late son, a talented aerial photographer. The Sennetts have been part-time Mentone residents for decades.

We invite the public as well as all friends of the Sennetts to join us from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. There will be a presentation at 6:15 p.m. followed by Brett Sennett performing songs he has written on guitar. Drinks and heavy hors d’oeuvres will be available.

The Blues Come to Town

On Friday, Sept. 27, we welcome Debbie Bond and “Radiator” Rick back to Mentone for a thrilling two-hour show.

American singer-songwriter Debbie Bond has been performing for decades in the Alabama backwoods and is now a regular on the Southern U.S. and European club and festival circuits. Influenced by raw juke joint blues and the famed sounds of Muscle Shoals, Bond’s impressive story includes years of performing with traditional Alabama blues musicians, such as Johnny Shines, Eddie Kirkland, Willie King, Shar Baby, Little Jimmy Reed, and more. Immersion in Alabama roots music has deeply flavored her guitar playing, soulful singing style, and original songwriting, giving her a contemporary and original sound, with soul, blues, and jazz influences.

Debbie Bond and “Radiator” Rick

Bond’s collaboration with British-born keyboard and harmonica player “Radiator” Rick has added a swampy New Orleans edge to her sound. She is a blues activist and founder of the award-winning Alabama Blues Project, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting and preserving the state’s blues heritage. She is also the recipient of numerous awards, including a Keeping the Blues Alive Award from the Blues Foundation and a prestigious Coming Up Taller Award for her blues education work with the Alabama Blues Project. She has been recognized by the Alabama Music Hall of Fame as a Blues Achiever and the national Blues Hall of Fame as a Great Blues Artist.

Admission is $25 per person. Seating is limited, so we recommend making advance reservations.

Capture Autumn Magic with Painting Class

Our next art class, Painting Fall Leaves in Watercolor Pencil, is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 26. This one-day workshop taught by returning artist/instructor Redenta Soprano might be just what you have been looking for!

Learn to capture the color of autumn leaves in watercolor pencil

Using glorious autumn leaves as subject matter, come and explore the versatility of these wonderful pencils that can be employed as both a wet and dry medium. You will fall in love with their saturated colors, wide range of applications, and creative potential! Prior drawing experience is helpful but not necessary; just bring a willingness to experiment and have some fun!

Tuition is $100 and class is limited to 10 students. A supply list will be emailed to registered students.

Redenta Soprano is an artist as well as a gardener and holds degrees in both natural sciences and art. For over 30 years, she has taught various techniques of botanical illustration at different venues, including: the New York Botanical Garden, Harry P. Leu Gardens in Orlando, and the John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, North Carolina.

For more information on any of the events at the arts center, please see contact info below.