By: Dan Click
Grayson Gallery & Art Center
The Grayson Gallery & Art Center (GGAC), a 501c3 nonprofit organization, will present their annual Halloween Art Show & Costume Contest on Halloween night, October 31 from 6 – 9 p.m. This monthly Final Fridays Art Walk event has been a regional favorite for artists and visitors alike as shown by the number of creatives involved, the work represented, and large attendance. In addition, this event is free to the public, with donations at the door and tips for the musicians much appreciated. Over 75 seasonally themed pieces, which include both the traditionally scary holiday and beautiful fall scenery from the region were submitted; all works will be on display through mid-November. Nearly 40 artists from dozens of cities across the Tri-State and Eastern Kentucky area participated in the call for work.
According to Dan Click, GGAC director, “Pieces on exhibit have titles as diverse as ‘Reflections in the Dark’ to ‘Autumn at Grandma’s’, which illustrate the wide range of subject matter that should appeal to all art lovers”.
Catering By Sheila Marie will provide refreshments.
The band From the Hills will provide entertainment throughout the evening. Performances from the band have become a tradition at the gallery for Halloween, which is one of the Gallery’s biggest shows each year. The musicians, who hail from Russell, Catlettsburg and the Ashland, Kentucky area consist of Bill Byerly, Jamie Cain, George Mayo and Jason Webb; performing classic and southern rock. They have opened for bands such as Skid Row, Buck Cherry and Zakk Wylde among other large audiences and, per their Facebook page, they “…bring energy to the stage that is just contagious”.
An Announcements & Awards portion of the evening will take place at approximately 7:45 p.m. During this time (which may be extended for the Costume Contest), cash awards for winning artworks will be given for the People’s Choice Award, GGAC Board Choice Award, Brandon Click Art Memorial Award and the Pen Lady Award. A blue ribbon and $50 cash will be presented to these winners. Guests for the show are encouraged to show up in a creative, unique costume to be eligible for prizes as well. The costume contest will have up to three special awards, which will be handed out for various categories and will include a $25 gift card from Smith Dungeon Hobby, Toy & Collectible Shop in Grayson, along with other prizes.
Coming up in November will be the GGAC’s annual “Thankful for the Arts” event, set for the day after Thanksgiving from 6 to 9 on November 28. The gallery is currently working on a couple of important projects, both a membership drive and efforts to increase volunteerism. For more information, contact Dan Click, GGAC director via email: graysongallery@gmail.com and look for them on Facebook and Instagram. In addition, the organization has recently set up the GGAC Info Line with recorded announcements about what’s happening, which can be reached by calling 606-474-7651 (outgoing announcements only, incoming messages are not recorded).
Contact us at news@cartercountytimes.com to share your events.
