By: Dan Click
Grayson Gallery & Art Center
There will be something for everyone in November at the Grayson Gallery & Art Center, Inc.
For their F!nal Fr!day event this Friday, November 25, the organization will host a duo-show of original pieces by life partners and artists Tina Howard Ousley and Tim Smith, with over 50 pieces of their works on exhibit and for sale.
Ousley resides in Prestonsburg and studied Biology at Morehead State University. She is Professor of Biology at Big Sandy Community and Technical College. Smith, also a resident of Prestonsburg, is an Art Professor at BSCTC. He studied Sculpture for his BFA from Eastern Kentucky University and has a Master of Fine Arts in Sculpture from UNC Greensboro.
In addition, ”Postcards for Eastern Kentucky,” will feature art from Morehead Art Students, in the form of postcards and prose on display via the Eastern Kentucky Arts Project. This project aims to send words of encouragement and support for those who are still in need due to flooding across the region.
Entertainment for the evening will feature the Huntington Blues Society All Stars & Friends. This will also be an opportunity to help build regional membership and raise funds for sending local winners to the annual International Blues Competition in Memphis.
The live music by The HBS All Star Band will be a part of their annual fundraiser and Membership Drive.
The Huntington Blues Society, established in 2013 was formed, per HBS President Karen Combs, “for lovers of all things blues; all regions, all styles, old and new.”
They meet at Black Sheep Burrito & Brews in Huntington, WV every third Saturday from 7 – 9 p.m. for an open blues jam and everyone is welcome to join them. In addition to these music jams, the organization hosts the ”HBS Annual Affiliate Challenge” to select winners to compete in Memphis at the International Blues Challenge. There, over 200 musicians from across the world will be in competition in different categories with more than 20 clubs, such as HBS, hosting the challengers.
Funds raised from the gallery event will be earmarked to support two categories of competitors: singer/songwriter Doris A. Fields (“Lady D”) of Beckley, WV as their solo/duo act, and the band “Generation Gap” whose members also hail from West Virginia.
The HBS also presents the annual Diamond Teeth Mary Blues & Arts Festival at Heritage Station//Huntington Visitors Center each summer in Huntington, WV as part of their charitable organization’s work.
Catering by Laura will provide refreshments.
While the event is free as always to the public, visitors will be encouraged to make donations to the various causes, including the GGAC, so the community non-profit can keep on bringing these arts events to the area.
The GGAC Artist Market will also be open during the evening with special “Colorful Fr!day” sales of up to 50% off and discounts on artworks including paintings, photography, ceramics, jewelry and more.
All individuals who make a purchase that evening will be eligible for a door prize, which will be awarded on December 15, 2022. This date has been set for a special community celebration which will take place from 6 – 8:30 p.m. that evening.
The Grayson Gallery and the Grayson Creative Community will host those who have made this past year so successful in Grayson’s community development. Invitations to that event will be sent in the coming weeks to individuals and organizations for their ongoing support of the arts.
Contact Director Dan Click for information: graysongallery@gmail.com and look for them on Facebook.
