Little River Arts Council has exciting things in store for the summer

Summer is in full swing, and the Fourth of July will be filled with art & music on the grounds of the Mentone Inn. From noon to 5 p.m., artists will showcase their work at the Big Art Pop Up, followed by the Summer Music Series concert. This month’s band is The Locals, a DeKalb County favorite rocking cover band. Curtis Strange, Dr. Rob Bouchard, Paul Crawford, and Brian Hechler bring hits from the 70s to today! St. Joseph’s will serve barbecue and fixings from 5-7 p.m. as a fundraiser for their Episcopal disaster relief outreach. Children can get creative at the Kids’ Art Table. Bring your camp chair and enjoy music under the stars from 6-9 p.m. behind the Mentone Inn at the Linger Longer Pavilion. This event is free to the public.

Lacy Dobbs will make her mark on Mentone in July.

Make Your Mark on Mentone’s July artist is Lacy Dobbs. Lacy is known for her groovy art and murals at Blueberry Falls Farm, the Groovy Goat, and Lookout Mountain Creamery in Fort Payne. Her subject is Tinker Hollow, an enchanting home that served as a mountain residence. The home also provided accommodations for guests considering the purchase of surrounding properties in a community planned to cultivate and nurture artists and artisans. As Lacy describes her concept, “In the mural, I will fill out the landscape around the home with trees, plants, flowers, and mushrooms, including local species. In the yard, I will draw artists painting and playing instruments, etc. Tiny fairies will be hidden around the scene in a ‘Where’s Waldo’ fashion. How many fairies can you find?”

• August Artist: Caroline Moore

• September Artist: Jessi Queen

Visit Moon Lake Village’s new Sculpture Garden, “Firmly Planted, Forward Moving.” The sculpture, by Moon Lake graduate Deedee Morrison, is a totem to the grand old oak and its pollinators. During installation of the sculpture, as if on cue, butterflies became increasingly animated and plentiful. Having pollinator approval is a very big deal. We believe art is for everyone, and that includes bees and butterflies!

Having fun at the Kid’s Art Table

The June ribbon cutting began with entertainment by the Mentone Ukes and was attended by House Speaker Nathaniel Leadbetter; representatives from the Lyndhurst Foundation; NAAC President Dr. David Campbell; representatives from Farmers Telecommunications Cooperative and Sand Mountain Electric Cooperative; Mayor Rob Hammond; the Mentone Town Council; and many supportive community members.

While you are visiting the Sculpture Garden, stop by Little River Art Gallery in the old schoolhouse and pick up our latest t-shirt featuring the oak leaf sculpture, plus other LRAC merchandise, and enjoy the member artists’ work. The gallery is open Thursday through Saturday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. and by appointment.

4th Annual Follow Your Art returns to the MERF Community Walking Trail Saturday, Aug. 31. Mentone’s Sweetest Little Art Festival includes a judged art market with $900 in awards, Emerging Artists Exhibit from Northeast Alabama Community College, Storytelling by Debbie Happy Cohen with special helpers Hannah & Havannah Barber, local musicians, and the Sidewalk Chalk Art Contest!

The Artlady, Sonya Clemons, working on her June chalk mural.

Artists: Deadline for submission is July 31. Booth cost: $35 for nonmembers, $20 members.

Remember to register for the Chalk Art Contest! This is fun for all ages and all skill levels and is a great way to promote your organization. It’s also a fun family or team building project. We want to see your chalk masterpiece! Some lucky chalk artists may win the opportunity to create a mural on the Make Your Mark on Mentone chalkboard!