From Broadway to Rock & Roll: August with LRAC

Music for the People: Summer Music Series

The Little River Arts Council’s Summer Music Series concludes Saturday, Aug. 15, from 6–9 p.m. at the Mentone Inn’s Linger Longer Pavilion with a little Broadway and a lot of rock & roll! The NACC Theatre Department will take the stage from 6–7:30 p.m. If you haven’t experienced this talented group, you are in for a special treat. Where else can you enjoy a little Broadway on the mountain?

From 7:30–9 p.m., Fort Payne’s own The Locals will close out the evening with a lively mix of rock & roll favorites. Bring a camp chair, bring a friend, and settle in for a wonderful evening under the stars. Scout Troop 4178 will be serving hot dog dinners as a fundraiser, so come hungry! As always, the concert is free and open to everyone. Be sure to stop by the LRAC tent for a complimentary art activity for kids of all ages. Browse our new T-shirts and pick up a 2026 events card. The Summer Music Series is made possible through support from the Alabama State Council on the Arts and LRAC members.

Annual Members’ Social

LRAC members are invited to our Annual Members’ Social on Friday, Sept. 11, from 5:30–7 p.m. at Deedee Morrison’s studio. This yearly gathering is an opportunity to meet our board members, catch up on the latest LRAC news, and spend time with fellow supporters of the arts, all while enjoying refreshments in a wonderfully creative setting. If you’ve been thinking about joining LRAC, now is a great time. Membership information is available at littleriverartscouncil.org.

Moon Lake Arts Collective Receives $40,000 Grant

We are delighted to announce that the Moon Lake Arts Collective has received a $40,000 grant from the Daniel Foundation of Alabama. This generous award brings the total raised for the project to more than $325,000. Of that amount, approximately $108,000 has come from grants, with the remaining $217,000 contributed by 71 individuals and families. When we first imagined the Moon Lake Arts Collective, we had no idea our community would embrace the vision so wholeheartedly. It is by far the largest and most ambitious project the arts council has ever undertaken — and one that calls for careful planning and responsible stewardship of every dollar entrusted to us.

Our research into successful community arts spaces has strengthened our belief that the Moon Lake Arts Collective can become much more than a place to take a class. We envision a creative gathering place for residents and visitors, artists and beginners, children and adults. We see it as a place that enriches life in Mentone while supporting cultural tourism and our local creative economy. Important planning is underway, and we look forward to sharing more as soon as the next steps are finalized. We are deeply grateful to everyone who has helped bring this vision so far.

Little River Art Gallery

With work from more than 50 member artists, there is always something new to discover at Little River Art Gallery, located inside the historic Moon Lake School building. In addition to one-of-a-kind artwork, the gallery is the only place to find Make Your Mark on Mentone notecards and LRAC T-shirts in a variety of colors. The gallery is powered entirely by volunteer enthusiasm. Without our volunteers, there simply wouldn’t be a gallery! Volunteering is a lovely way to spend a little time surrounded by art, meet interesting people, welcome visitors, and give back to the creative community we all love. No art experience is required — just a friendly smile and a little time to share.

To learn more, click the Volunteer! tab at littleriverartscouncil.org.

Gallery Hours: Thursday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., and by appointment

Location: Moon Lake Campus, 5866 E. River Road

Upcoming Art Classes at DeSoto State Park

LRAC partners with DeSoto State Park to offer art classes inspired by creativity and the natural beauty around us. Coming up:

• August 22: Color the Great Outdoors: Create Beautiful Landscapes with Oil Pastels
• August 29: Watercolors for Beginners: Native Mushrooms

Class descriptions, registration information, and the complete schedule can be found at littleriverartscouncil.org.

Who Is LRAC?

Little River Arts Council is a community of artists, volunteers, neighbors, and supporters who believe creativity belongs to everyone. Since 2006, LRAC has brought people together through free concerts, art classes, public art, exhibitions, festivals, and opportunities to create. Everything we do is made possible by people who participate, volunteer, and become members.

Learn more — and find your place in our creative community — at littleriverartscouncil.org.

Juli Jordan is president of the Little River Arts Council.