Change Brings Exciting Opportunities

We can all look forward to the construction of the new Hitching Post, a cherished cornerstone of Mentone’s history and culture, and to the exciting expansion of Elevation Bistro at that location. These are exciting times for the Mentone Arts Center organization as well. For the past six years, our gallery — and the restaurant that has called our facility home — has been an important part of the heartbeat of our community.

While everyone associated with the arts center is certainly sad to see owner/chef Kevin Dunlap and his amazing staff leave our facility, our board of directors is already looking ahead with enthusiasm and making plans for the opportunities this change will bring. We are exploring a number of possibilities for the restaurant space. The facility (which carries the memorialized name of Chuck Sennett Center for the Arts on the building itself) has much to offer: a terrific location in the very heart of a vibrant Mentone, an abundance of convenient parking, and a strong reputation for working collaboratively with people throughout our community to make Mentone an even better place to live, work, visit, and enjoy.

The Mentone Arts Center will continue its mission of showcasing outstanding work by more than 60 talented artists while bringing high-quality entertainment, educational programs, and workshops to the people of Mentone and the surrounding area. Change brings opportunity, and this is an exciting new chapter for both Mentone and the arts center.

Speaking of high-quality entertainment, don’t miss Wyatt Espalin’s show on Friday, Oct. 2, from 7 to 9 p.m. Tickets are $25 a person. There is a link on our Facebook page to order online, or see contact information below. Espalin is an award-winning singer-songwriter, fiddler, and storyteller whose music captures the raw beauty of his Appalachian roots. Raised on a rustic campground in North Georgia by his maternal grandparents, he began his musical journey with his championship-winning clogging and Appalachian buck dancing before he developed his passion for songwriting and performance.

His artistry has been recognized through numerous accolades, including the 2014 L.E.A.F. Festival New Song Singer-Songwriter Competition and finalist honors in prestigious events such as the Chris Austin Songwriting Contest at Merlefest, the Rocky Mountain Folks Festival Songwriter Showcase, and the Songwriter Serenade. Espalin has also shared the stage with an impressive lineup of artists, including the Indigo Girls, Jim Lauderdale, Patty Loveless, Shawn Mullins, Lorrie Morgan, and Sam Bush, among many others.

This year he releases his debut full-length album, “Lies From a Lonesome Valley,” featuring his band, The Riverstones, and special guest appearances by Amy Ray of Indigo Girls and singer-songwriter Grace Pettis. This collection of songs reflects Espalin’s deep introspection on identity, belonging, and the search for home. Blending haunting melodies, evocative storytelling, and rich instrumentation, the album presents his songwriting through a new lens, equally suited to intimate duo performances or full-band arrangements.

Espalin’s personal history informs his music in profound ways. Born in Los Angeles to parents serving in the U.S. Navy, his early years were marked by instability, moving between homes and enduring family struggles. After years of upheaval, he and his brother found stability with their grandparents in the North Georgia mountains. It was here that Wyatt discovered his love for performing, first as a clogger alongside his brother, then as a self-taught fiddler inspired by the traditional sounds of Appalachian music.

His journey into songwriting began in high school, influenced by a youth minister who composed songs for church gatherings. Over time, Espalin honed his craft, using music as a form of healing and self-expression. In recent years, Espalin has brought that healing to veterans as a writer with the Warrior Week and Music Therapy of the Rockies Songwriting projects, as well as Beyond Bars, a prison songwriting program sponsored by the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County, Florida. His songs, rich with vivid storytelling and emotional depth, resonate with audiences across the country, whether performed in a small listening room or on a festival stage.

Beyond music, Espalin embraces his Appalachian heritage, enjoying camping, hiking, rafting, and kayaking. His connection to nature and his past continues to shape his artistry, making him a standout voice in contemporary folk and Americana music. As he prepares for the release of “Lies From a Lonesome Valley,” Espalin remains a compelling performer, weaving together the threads of his past into music that is both deeply personal and universally moving.