Jasper Arts first “First Thursday” tonight, who says there’s nothing to do around here?
Art, wine, entertainment, shopping, and free food are all part of Jasper’s newest monthly event happening tonight when the Jasper Community Arts Center and downtown merchants present the first edition of the “FiRST Thursday” Community Showcase.
The Arts Commission’s goal is to create a monthly event that the community can look forward to with the arts and local businesses. Emily Colucci, visual arts coordinator for Jasper Community Arts Commission, organizes the artist receptions held at the Jasper Arts Center each month, but recently she thought instead of scheduling these events at various times, they should schedule it to occur the same day each month.
She has seen events like this in larger cities; one in particular was called First Fridays. The wonderful alliteration of “First Friday” aside, Colucci said she and the committee thought Thursdays would work better in this community. “I have seen things like this scheduled on a Friday,” Colucci said, “but with such strong sporting events on Friday nights and not wanting to do a day-long event on the weekend, we felt a weekday evening would work really well.”
It all begins with a Featured Artists reception at the Jasper Community Arts Center. This month’s feature is Six Painting Ladies; works from friends, Cathy Hedgespeth, Jan Frazier, Iris Gentry, Marka Kroeger, Sandy Barry and Susie Tompkins Rideout, all from Owensboro, Kentucky whose art is featured at the gallery for October.
The doors open at 5:00 p.m. and at 5:15 the artists will be on hand to give a brief talk about their art and then field questions from those attending.
The presentation is free to attendees. Wine from Monkey Hollow Winery will be served along with other refreshments. The event will be accented by Kara Bodle playing violin and keyboard.
After the presentation from the artists, visitors can then head downtown for more entertainment with live music by Eddie Rasche on the north side of the square and award-winning plein air painter, Laura Pommier on the south side of the square.
In addition to these artists downtown businesses will have special presentations and promotions going on until 8 p.m.
L&L Photography will be holding mini-sessions with no sitting fee and complimentary refreshments. Let’s Do Lunch will be open with a full menu. Adventures Recreation and Gear will be continuing their 5-year anniversary sales. Chocolate Bliss will be demonstrating Molecular Cooking (sounds interesting) and featuring new products. Finishing Touches will have taste sampling and special deals. Fun Time Costumes & Party will return their featured “Tattoo Thursday”. Elements will feature portrait artist Charlene Cummins Brown. Shelly’s Unique Boutique, Indigo Roots and Just Whimsy will all have featured in-store promotions.
According to Colucci, the event will be a great opportunity for the city of Jasper to engage in the arts in the community and make more residents aware of the Jasper Arts program.
