Nominations are now open for art program in Lexington

We are pleased to announce the launch of the Community Art Access Program, 3 free art classes to be conducted by Davidson County artist entrepreneurs, made possible by a $1,300 Grassroots Arts Program Sub-grant from the North Carolina Arts Council, facilitated by Arts Davidson County. Funds from this sub-grant were matched by Open Market Collective, a non-profit 501(c)3 small business incubator that provides a low overhead and labor-sharing marketplace to entrepreneurs in Lexington, NC. Program funds will be used to pay the artists for their instruction time and provide needed art supplies. 

The "Power of Paint Art Class" for 20 elementary school students will be held at the Art 101 Art Studio on June 1st from 1-3pm and taught by Lexington artist and business owner April Everhart. The "Unleashing Creativity for Teens" class for 20 middle school students will be taught by Thomasville artist Monica Rierson at Rierson Farms on June 2nd from 2-4pm. The "Stimulating Seniors" Painting Class will be taught by Stephanie Briles at the Thomasville Senior Center on June 4th at 9am.

"It is an honor to be able to give back to the community and support local artist entrepreneurs." said Krista Miller, President of Open Market Collective.  "The goal of the Community Art Access Program is to bring the experience of creating art to children who may not otherwise have this opportunity, to stimulate the minds and hearts of the precious seniors in our county, to share the talent of Davidson's County artist entrepreneurs while supporting their business efforts, and to share art with the community at large as we experience how art can connect us". 

Class participants may choose to have the art they create during these experiences displayed at Open Market Collective or other Uptown Lexington businesses during the month of July 2024, after which it will be returned to the class participants.

Davidson County elementary and middle school students can be nominated for these free art classes by their teachers by contacting Nancy Miller at nancy32751@aol.com. Or, parents may nominate their children at the Uptown Lexington ArtFest on Saturday May 11th, at a booth set up in front of River House Emporium at 23 South Main Street.   Open Market Collective will hold a drawing on May 19th to select the students who will get to attend these free art experiences and attendees will be notified the week of May 20th.  

Seniors in Davidson County can sign up for the Stimulating Seniors Painting Class through the Thomasville Senior Center.  Registration for this experience is on a first come first served basis.

{Images: Public Use}