If you build it, they will come. Well, Newport has not built an arts center just yet, but people are coming anyway. The second annual Delta Visual Arts Show in Newport played to more than 400 art fans Saturday, more than doubling last year’s total.
Organized with the help of three Clinton School students, the event also hosted significantly more artists this year. After last year’s event drew 13 artists, this year the number jumped to 30. In Newport, Delta artists have found a community hungry for their art.
“This is a great event,” said photographer and artist Ariston Jacks, who participated in both events. “I brought more artwork than I did last year.”
More than just an art show, the event organizers also focused on enriching the community with art education programs and workshops.
The event included workshops on perspective, basic and blind contour drawings and demonstrations on water colors, reduction painting and pastel painting, featuring renowned regional artists such as Patti Lynn Dunlap, Austin Grimes and Melinda K. Lacy.
”We are just pleased at the turnout this year,” committee chairman and Newport EDC Director John Chadwell said. “We hit the number [of attendees] from last year by noon.”
High attendance for the arts show is just one of the many recent accomplishments of the project. The committee identified a building for the future arts center and held a naming contest. The arts center will be named the ‘Blue Bridge Arts Center’ after the conspicuous landmark in downtown Newport.
This year’s Newport Practicum team consists of Sarah Leer, William Jeter and Patrick Banks.
This post was authored by Clinton School student Todd Moore (’10).
Responses