Hello and HAPPY SUMMER – we’re hoping that you are doing well and that you’re also taking advantage of these crazy and sometimes “extra” moments to… CREATE ART!! We will soon be making room for our next “real-time” art show as we await the approval needed for a full-on opening reception. MEANWHILE, please plan to pick up any work that you have in the Grayson Gallery (from the February, 2020 Peace & Love show and any other past exhibits) by joining us on Friday, July 17 after 6:30 pm for the Huntington Blues Society’s Membership Drive/Music Show and Fundraising JAM! It’s free with donations suggested at the door. Hang out for the music all evening if possible and then just pack up as you go… We’d love to see you there!
Of course, we will abide by all current COVID 19 regulations during this event. Cold water will be available inside but do feel free to “brown-bag it” by grabbing something to eat from one our local eating establishments (or look for various food trucks in the area). You may enjoy your meal during the evening at your convenience while maintaining the recommended social distance protocols.
I hope you have received my recent call for photos for the “How Does Your Garden Grow?” virtual exhibit which will be posted/shared via Facebook for the monthly F!nal Fr!days “opening” on July 31 after 6:00 pm. We’re getting lots of new participants for this one, whose submissions are already looking pretty amazing, so be sure to take part in sharing your beautiful gardens, landscaping …or even that struggling, heat-damaged potted plant you’ve revived!
Reply here or on a FB message for any questions but, please, keep this in mind: WE MISS YOU. WE NEED VOLUNTEERS!
Thanks, see you soon.
Dan and the GGAC Board
The Grayson Gallery & Art Center, Inc. (GGAC) will host the Huntington Blues Society, Inc., a 501c3 “for social-profit” corporation, for their annual Membership and Fundraising Drive on July 17 from 7:00pm to 9:00pm.
Proceeds will also be used by the HBS to hold their annual Greater Huntington Blues Challenge for prize money and sponsorship of the winner for a trip to Memphis, TN for the International Blues Challenge.
Another program which will benefit by funds raised will be the annual Diamond Teeth Mary Blues Festival in Huntington, WV. The HBS was established in 2013 and has been hosting an open jam for Blues musicians each month at only a few choice locations since that time.
Cold drinks will be provided during the show and visitors may also pick up their own meal by patronizing one of the many eating establishments in Grayson and enjoy it during the show. Tables and chairs will be set up both inside and outside of the gallery space with all COVID 19 social distancing protocols followed.
In addition to the music planned for the evening, the GGAC will also make the formal announcement of a recent grant award received from the Kentucky Foundation for Women (the Art Meets Activism Grant) which will fund workshops on songwriting, various instruments and the interesting history of women in music across Appalachia in the coming year. Karen Combs will be the Lead Artist and others across the region will be producing videos and recordings of various performances throughout the project.
Director Dan Click: “We have always enjoyed working with musician/music historian Karen Combs, the current HBS President. along with other officers and various members. Several of the organization’s member-musicians have participated in the Gallery’s monthly Second Saturday Shindigs in the past. In addition, a group of players headed up by Combs – The Appalachian Ladies Revue – was formed and performed during the annual “Women in the Arts” event at the GGAC many times; they donate their contract fee to local womens & children’s charities. Personally (I’m sure I’m not alone in this) I’ve learned that the roots of the Blues and its players from the past have influenced much of what we know as rock as well as many other genres of music. Being able to promote “the” Blues via the GGAC as its own unique genre truly appeals to those who love almost any kind of music!”
The Huntington Blues Society hosts a radio show called the Diamond Duck Blues Hour each Monday at 3:00pm on WMUL (88.1 FM) so be sure to tune in. Check out their Facebook page for more information. Contact Dan Click, Director, for other GGAC events and projects via email: graysongallery@gmail.com and look for them on their various Facebook pages.