It’s Official: A New Home for the Arts Collective

A New Home for Moon Lake Arts Collective

At last, we can share the news! Moon Lake Arts Collective is coming to the former Moon Lake School gymnasium. Those who have followed Little River Arts Council’s plans know that we originally envisioned constructing a new building on the Moon Lake Campus. As the project developed, an unexpected opportunity emerged: transforming the underused gym into an arts space with more room to grow, greater visibility, and new possibilities for the entire campus.

On September 1, LRAC and the Town of Mentone signed the lease agreement.

Our purpose remains the same: to create a welcoming, public-access place where residents and visitors of all ages can learn, make art, and connect. The gym gives that vision room to flourish, with a spacious ceramics studio; a larger flexible studio and gathering space for classes, workshops, exhibitions, community events; and a welcoming, front-facing home for Little River Art Gallery. Choosing to renovate an existing building allows us to make the most of the remarkable support entrusted to this project while bringing fresh energy to the Moon Lake Campus. More than a new address, this is an opportunity to expand what we can offer our community.

Anticipated Opening 2027

To our donors, grant partners, members, volunteers, and advisors: your generosity and encouragement have brought us to this moment. We are grateful to the Town of Mentone for helping make this next chapter possible. Renovations have already begun, with an anticipated opening in 2027. We look forward to sharing our progress as the old gym takes on its new purpose — and, best of all, welcoming you inside.

Little River Art Gallery

With work from more than 50 member artists, there’s always something to discover at Little River Art Gallery, inside the historic Moon Lake School building. It’s also the only place to find Make Your Mark on Mentone notecards and Mentone: Little Town-Big Art T-shirts. The gallery will be open during Mentone Fall Festival, Saturday, Oct. 17, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Our gallery runs entirely on volunteer enthusiasm, and we’d love to have you join us! Spend a little time surrounded by art, meet interesting people, and welcome visitors. No art experience is needed — just a friendly smile and a little time to share. Visit the Volunteer! tab at littleriverartscouncil.org to learn more.
Regular hours: Thursday–Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and by appointment
Location: Moon Lake Campus, 5866 E. River Road.

Creative Spirit Market:
November 14–15 | 10 a.m.–3 p.m. DeSoto State Park

Creative Spirit Market celebrates its 11th year! With around 50 artists and makers offering pottery, jewelry, traditional crafts, and more, it’s a wonderful place to find one-of-a-kind holiday gifts. Enjoy live craft demonstrations, hands-on art projects for all ages, local musicians, and food trucks in the park’s picnic area. Stop by the LRAC tent for a new Creative Spirit long sleeve T-shirt. Don’t worry, Scott Thomas’ turtle is still the star!

Call for Artists: Make Your Mark on Mentone

The 6- by 8-foot chalkboard on the grounds of the Mentone Inn has featured 15 distinct murals, including one by Northeast Alabama Community College’s Spectrum Art Club. Most participating artists had never worked in chalk — or at this scale — before! Each artist receives a stipend and an opportunity to try something new, share their work, and connect with the community. Schools, art clubs, and organizations are also welcome to participate in this creative team experience. Visit the Make Your Mark on Mentone tab at littleriverartscouncil.org to learn more. We’d love to feature your work!

Get to Know LRAC

Little River Arts Council is a nonprofit organization supporting the arts and artists in our community since 2006. If you’ve enjoyed our free Summer Music Series, browsed Little River Art Gallery, or watched a new chalk mural take shape at the Mentone Inn, you’ve seen LRAC at work! Moon Lake Arts Collective is our next chapter — all guided by our belief that Art is for Everyone.