By: Dan Click
Grayson Gallery & Art Center
The Grayson Gallery & Art Center (GGAC) volunteers and GGAC Board will host an opening reception for artists and the public on April 24, for the annual Celebrate the Earth 2026 art show and sale. This themed art exhibition will feature works in recognition of Earth Day for the non-profit arts organization’s monthly Final Fridays event, which is free to visitors (donations at the door and tips for the musicians are encouraged) from 6 to 9 pm. Located at 301 East Third Street in Grayson, KY, original artwork by creatives from across the region will include all the various usual mediums, with a focus on the handmade – from sculpture to wood carving – and much more. In addition, the Greenup County Homeschool Co-op will have artwork on display by young artists with children aged five to 12 participating. This will be the finale of the group’s 2026 Art Series, which included a four lesson learning experience about four different artists using four unique mediums, led by artist/instructor Sammi Vanhorn.
Live music will be presented by Kentucky Memories and the GGAC is proud to help these musicians celebrate their 20 year anniversary as a band, with members Keith Garvin, Phillip Litteral and Michael Garvin. See their website for more information at https//kentuckymemories.com, which states: “Kentucky Memories hopes to accurately represent old time fiddle styles from Eastern Kentucky, providing a foundation to honor the many great fiddle players and other musicians from the Tri-State area”. An old-time string band from EKY, they focus on traditional fiddle tunes and musical folklore in a regional style that goes back many generations. Trevor Litteral will be handling sound and stage.
An Announcements & Awards ceremony will take place approximately midway through the festivities and then the band will be back on the GGAC stage right up until closing time. During this portion of the evening, four $50 cash awards (or equivalent purchase) along with individual blue ribbons will be handed out for People’s Choice, a GGAC Board Choice, the Pen Lady Choice and the Brandon Click Memorial Art Award. Refreshments, provided by Catering by Laura, will be available after 6:30 pm.
Coming up in May there will be several arts and other community activities at the gallery. On Saturday, May 2, the GGAC will be part of the “Appalachia KY Herb & Handcraft Heritage Festival” with crafts, demonstrations, vendors and much more. Park Street will be closed from the gallery building (301 E Third St @ Park St. &Carol Malone Blvd) to the Grayson City Building; all along the City Park area for live music, food trucks and other special presentations. See their Facebook event page for more details: https://www.facebook.com/share/1GE29ncTcK/.
Then, on Thursday, May 21 from 6 to 8 pm, as part of the Grayson Gallery’s 15th year anniversary which will take place during Grayson Memory Days weekend, the East Carter High School Art Students of Arts Educator Heather Berry will have their works on display.
Next up will be the monthly Final Fridays event as always on Friday, May 29 from 6 to 9 pm, featuring various artworks and a special live music presentation by the newly-branded Tri-State Rock Academy – the region’s premier performance-based music education program for young musicians. See their Facebook page for more: https://www.facebook.com/tristaterockacademy.
For information on art exhibits, volunteering, classes/workshops and other activities, contact Dan Click, GGAC Executive Director at graysongallery@gmail.com, call the Info Line for 24/7 pre-recorded announcements at 606-474-7651 and visit them on Facebook and Instagram.
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