The Stanly County Arts Council will host the third annual Celebration of the ARTS! from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Stanly County Agri-Civic Center, 26032 Newt Road, Albemarle.

The Celebration of the ARTS! is a free event showcasing the best of the arts in Stanly, with live performances, information booths from arts organizations and art-based businesses, art demonstrations, an exhibition of student art from Stanly County Schools, Gray Stone Day School, Carolina Christian School and Tillery Christian Academy. There is also an opportunity to purchase art from local artists.

New this year will be Creation Station, a place where kids can create their own art to take home.

At 2 p.m., the awards ceremony will begin to recognize individuals who have excelled in the arts and have brought the arts to the residents of Stanly County.

The mission of the Stanly County Arts Council is to encourage and promote broad-based cultural and educational activities in the arts throughout Stanly County.

In the auditorium, performances will include ones from the Stanly County Concert Band, North Stanly High School concert band and the county-wide Jazz Band that includes musicians from Albemarle, South Stanly and West Stanly high schools.

Vocal performances will include the Stanly County Chorale, the Gospel Choir of Pfeiffer University and the combined choir of Aquadale and Richfield elementary schools. Actors from The Talent Company will perform numbers from their upcoming musical “Little Women.” The event will kick off with the dance ensembles from Melissa Kathleen’s School of Dance.

Entertainment will also occur in the lobby with vocalists and musicians from music studios such as Music on Main and Oakboro School of Music, the Central Elementary Glee Club and the theatrical escapades of the West Stanly Players.

By visiting the information booths in the lobby, one will be able to view talented artists at work plus find that perfect piece of art for their home.
Artists include Mary Ann and Jim Gantt of Thistle Pottery, Jane Rogers of JK Stained Glass, David Arey of A&A Artisans with his wood sculptures and Vicki Galloway of One Stroke Painting, plus a collection of various mediums will be available from the artists of the Stanly Arts Guild.

New this year are David Ritzheimer from Wildlife Creations, demonstrating his craft of creating wood sculptures with a chainsaw; Chris and Danielle Burgos of Flow with Us who use a dirty pour or fluid painting technique for their art; and fused glass creations by GHA Autism Speaks – Creative Arts.

Anna Walker at Art on Main or Donna Carter from Carter’s Place Art Center will discuss art classes. Need a new instrument or music, stop and visit with Carole Brown from the Albemarle Music Store.

Anyone wanting to become involved with the arts in Stanly County or find out what concerts are coming this spring and summer can check out the tables from Stanly County Arts Council, Stanly County Concert Association, Stanly County Concert Band and Stanly County Chorale. Wanting local theater? Visit the booths from The Uwharrie Players and The Talent Company to find out about their upcoming seasons.

Stanly Arts Guild will be there to promote its new location, upcoming exhibitions and workshops.

The Piedmont Institute for Communication, Music and Art from Pfeiffer University will also be available to discuss educational opportunities.

The Friends of the Agri-Civic Center will be on hand to discuss their upcoming projects to keep the Agri-Civic Center a player for the arts in the community.

The Celebration of the ARTS will conclude at 2 p.m. with the arts award ceremony.

Pfeiffer University has chosen the Celebration of the ARTS event to announce its winners for its annual High School Art Contest, open to juniors and seniors in Stanly County. The announcement of these winners will kick off this year’s awards ceremony.
Lorraine Turi will be recognized for receiving a Regional Artists Project grant for 2019.

The finale will be announcing the recipients of the 2019 Fine Arts Educator of the Year and Arts Person of the Year awards. These awards were created in 2014 by the Arts Council to recognize those who have made a significant positive impact on the arts in Stanly County, and who have worked to support, promote and create quality arts experiences for the whole community.

Raffles will be held with the chance to win classes, artwork, tickets to various productions and more. Proceeds from the raffles will benefit the Stanly County Arts Council, founded in 1974.

The Stanly County Arts Council is supported by private donations and by the NC Arts Council, a division of the Department of Cultural Resources, with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts.