Arts Guild kicks off year with shows, membership drive
Published 8:00 am Saturday, January 16, 2021
The Brookhaven Regional Arts Guild Members Show 2021 is underway, and is 100% virtual.
More than a dozen artist members are participating in the online show at bragarts.com. Paintings, drawings, photographs and various three-dimensional creations. Many of the offerings are for sale, as well, and a “Shop the Show” link is available.
Artists participating are Sam Barton, Richard Dorris, Melanie Griffin, Olivia Hodgson, Cherie Langston, Nannette Lusk, Prudence McGehee, Nancy Hanks Myers, Cappie McLean Monroe, Gayle Quick, Mackenzie Richie, Sherri Bullard Slusher, Janet M. Smith and BRAG president Janet Campbell Smith.
The show coincides with the guild’s annual membership drive. A one-year membership is $25 and BRAG vice president Derek Covington Smith says anyone interested in supporting the arts is welcomed.
“Members get free submission for our sponsored shows, can submit works for Artist of the Month, get discounted submission fees for BRAG-sponsored competitions and can submit items to sell in our online store,” Smith said.
Some other member perks include members-only meetings with guest speakers and demonstrations and optional representation on BRAGarts.com in the Members Gallery.
“Bringing art into our community not only requires the involvement of our members but the financial support of sponsors,” Smith said.
Local businesses interested in partnering with BRAG can host shows and display member works. Business owners and managers can contact Smith at 601-754-3600 for more information.
“It’s more important for us this year than any time before, because we’re trying to do more with our programs, like BRAG Jr. We will work with businesses to create an experience individual to them,” Smith said.
The arts guild has also partnered with the Brookhaven-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce to present the Downtown Jazzed Up Art Walk from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Feb. 20. Artists will have booths to present and sell works and prints, live artists will be creating artwork and street musicians will perform.
Participation is free for BRAG members and performing musicians, and $15 for non-members to set up with a booth or easels.
“We want to bring a New Orleans-style arts experience to downtown Brookhaven,” Smith said.
Interested persons should visit BRAGarts.com or call Smith at 601-754-3600.
“We’re real excited about this,” he said, “and if you’re a live painter or a ‘living statue,’ I want to know!”