Celebrations, exhibits, concerts and more! Just click on the thumbnails below (left) for a larger view on the right.
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| JoAnnMcKethan hold student Art Exhibit |
Art students of JoAnna McKethan, a well known Harnett County artist, held an Open House for a Student Art Exhibition on Friday, May 15, 2009, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Harnett County Art Center in downtown Lillington.
Forty-eight people attended the juried exhibition of mixed media art which included 60 pieces by 20 different artists. Each student was allowed to exhibit up to five works of art. Exhibitors ranged widely in age, from second grade through adulthood; age seven to 80-yrs-old. Judging was divided into three catagories: Adult Division, 12th Grade and Under, and Fifth Grade and Under.
“Out of 60 entries, 30 top prizes were given out,” said Ms. McKethan. “If they put that much work into it, they deserve to be recognized for their efforts,” she said. Jurors were JoAnna McKethan of Dunn, Sharon Haigler of Fuquay-Varina and Ginger Gehres of Angier.
First place for Best in Show in the Adult category was awarded to Sara Richmond for her watercolor entitled “My Backporch.” In the 12th Grade and Under category, Karen Taylor won first place for “Hawaiian Flora.” John Beasley won first place for Best in Show in the 5th Grade and Under division for his acrylic painting “Splash.”
“I finished my painting the day we put it in the show,” said John, 10, when receiving his award. John Beasley, his Sister, Sarah, 13, and his Mother Jeannine, 49, are all art students in the show. “The kids started painting first and then I got into it later,” said Jannine. “I look forward to the next challenge,” she said.
Another student in the 12th Grade and Under category was Tabitha Byrd, 14, who won several awards and attended the exhibit with her Father and Grandparents. “An interesting thing about Tabitha is that she paints from memory or imagination, not from copying,” said her Teacher.
The Art Exhibit will be available for the public to see through May at the Harnett County Arts Council. Viewing hours are Thursday from 2:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and on Fridays from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
JoAnna McKethan has been teaching art for 28 years at J’Originals Art Studio located in Dunn. She is a member of the Harnett County Arts Council which is supported by the North Carolina Arts Council, a state Agency. For more information go to www.harnettarts.org or contact the Arts Council at 910-814-2807. |
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| December Art Exhibit Attracts Crowd to Arts Council Gallery |
By Alison Minard Four years ago and just one year before retirement, Tom Wood, decided that he wanted to become a painter. Early one morning he announced to his wife, Connie that he intended to learn to paint. That was the beginning of a passion that has led to his current exhibit at the Harnett County Arts Council Gallery in Lillington, where more than 20 works of art are now on display through December.
On Friday, December 5, an opening reception was held at the Gallery from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., which more than 75 people attended. Refreshments of cookies, fruit punch, chips and dip were served, followed by a private reception for close friends and associates.
Tom Wood, by all accounts, is a man who does exactly what he sets out to do. Just ask Connie. “I knew he would do it,” she said. “He does everything he sets his mind to.” First, he contacted Bob Ray, a well respected former artist and former member of the Harnett County Arts Council. Mr. Ray taught many local artists, but was tragically killed in an automobile accident in September, 2007. Part of his legacy as a teacher of the arts was to instruct Tom in how to use and mix oil paints. Tom also got in touch with another well known local artist, Joanna McKethan. From her, he was able to learn portraiture, using the Old Masters technique. “Tom was my most enthusiastic student,” she said.
From 2005 until 2008, Mr. Wood studied in Mexico under Mexican artist, Ana Julia Aquado and artist, William Martin. The Woods divide much of their time between the United States and Mexico, where Tom finds a wellspring of inspiration for his work. His exhibit contains many paintings influenced by Mexican culture and people.
John Singer Sargent is a favorite artist of Toms and he also said, “I’m inspired by the young Korean artists with Tae Park being my favorite.”
Tom is a graduate of Campbell University and for more than 30 years, operated a business in downtown Lillington. He and his wife renovated and own the building that now houses The Harnett County Arts Council at 816 S Main Street.
Tom Wood’s Exhibit contains works in oil and pastel in portrait style, still life and scenic paintings which can be viewed at the Gallery on each Friday in December, between 1:00 – 6:00 p.m. The Gallery will also be open the day of Lillington’s Christmas parade, from 3:00 – 7:00 p.m. For more information about the exhibit, or about the Harnett County Arts Council, contact the Arts Council at 910-814-2807 or go online www.harnettarts.org. |
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| Arts Council Board Hosts Brunch to promote the Arts in Harnett County |
By Alison Minard The Harnett County Arts Council gallery in downtown Lillington was packed Saturday morning, December 6, when the Harnett County Arts Council Board of Directors sponsored “Bring a Friend to Brunch – A Taste of the South.”
Music, art and good cheer filled the gallery as members and guests enjoyed savory pork tenderloin biscuits, shrimp and grits, blueberry muffins, pastries, cookies, coffee and fruit punch.
The Brunch was an opportunity for Arts Council members and guests to get to know one another better and to promote the arts in Harnett County. Many talented artists had artwork on display in the gallery, and arts and crafts were available for purchase in time for the holidays.
Board member, Michal Carroll, said, “It’s important to let members and the community at large, know what good things are taking place at the Gallery.”
Featured artist of the month, Tom Wood, also had an exhibit on display at the Gallery during the Brunch. Mr. Wood is a long time resident of Lillington and owner of the building which houses The Harnett County Arts Council Gallery. He paints portraits and still life in a variety of mediums. His exhibit can be viewed at the gallery through December.
Local artists Ann Flaherty, Patricia Harriss and Tonia Michno gave art demonstrations during the brunch. Patricia Harris offered charcoal sketches to people which could be purchased for $10.00, with proceeds going to support the arts in Harnett County. Ann Flaherty, who held the Fabled Fibers Quilt Exhibit at the Gallery in November, demonstrated the decorating of fabric art. Local painter, Tonia Michno, demonstrated how to begin a painting and how to create a beautiful scene from a blank canvas.
Some of the door prizes donated by local artists were: quilt greeting cards, Arts Council coasters, a hand-made purse by Sue Johnson, and an 8 x 10 acrylic painting by Keith Adams.
Board Council President, Beanie Roberts, ended the Brunch by thanking the guests and members for attending, saying what a challenging year it’s been for the Arts Council and how encouraging it is to see so many people come out in support of our local artists.
Anyone interested in more information about the Harnett County Arts Council or to learn about upcoming events can contact the Arts Council at 910-814-2807, or online www.harnettarts.org. |
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| Local Quilt Maker Brings Comfort to Thousands |
Christian Roman was almost two years old when his daddy left for Iraq. He was still too young to give voice to the anxiety caused by his father’s absence. To a very young child, the feeling of separation anxiety may translate as ‘my daddy was here - now he’s gone. I want my daddy.’ Christian’s Grandmother, Ann Flaherty, noticed his pain and wanted to provide some comfort to him, so she made him a quilt with pictures of his daddy on it. It helped. In times of trouble we all need something to hold on to. That was in 2003 and the beginning of Operation Kid Comfort. Today, because of Ms. Flaherty’s kindness and foresight, over 3,000 children, whose parents serve in the armed forces, have received quilts or pillows from Operation Kid Comfort and Armed Services YMCA of Fort Bragg Military Base in Fayetteville. “We launched Operation Kid Comfort on October 25, 2003, on Make a Difference Day,” said Flaherty. “Seven women attended our first meeting in a corner of a storage room. The women were so enthusiastic and vibrant. It was a group effort,” she said. Currently, in 2008, there are hundreds of volunteers all around the country involved with Operation Kid Comfort. With a husband who served four years in the Navy, a sister in the Coast Guard, a step-daughter in Korea and both a son and son-in-law in Iraq, Flaherty knows the challenges of military life first hand. “Operation Kid Comfort saved my sanity,” she said. “It’s an operation of therapy as much as for the community. You can crawl in a hole and be consumed with fear, or be active and help.” Ms. Flaherty, also a cancer survivor, is curator for this month’s ‘Fabled Fibers: Art Quilt Enchantments’ art exhibit at the Harnett County Arts Council Gallery in Lillington. Flaherty, along with other artists from around the world, are members of Quiltart.com, who have created special story quilts in support of Operation Kid Comfort. Coming up, on November 28, in coordination with the Fayetteville Dickens Festival in downtown Fayetteville, The Arts Council of Fayetteville will host “Women in the Frey” a textiles exhibit. This exhibit involves 28 pieces by 20 artists. “It’s a good introduction to textiles,” said Flaherty. There will be an artist opening reception at 7:00 p.m. Ms. Flaherty also serves on the Board for the Harnett County Arts Council. “I’m a firm believer we are all here for a reason,” She said. “I’m not done yet, there’s more.” The Harnett County Arts Council Gallery is currently open on Fridays from 1:00 – 6:00 p.m. and the first Saturday of each month. It’s located at 816 S. Main Street in Lillington. |
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