​Finally the long anticipated day has arrived! All the artCentral galleries are fabulously filled with amazing art! Hyde House is vibrating with excitement! Friday, 2 October 2020, is the day for two OPENING CELEBRATIONS.

At high noon at 1110 East Thirteenth Street in Carthage artCentral’s vibrant green door will open to reveal two collections of totally enchanting art. Be the first to come and see and savor these two visual feasts presented in INA NIDAY & MARY DATUM | TWO FRIENDS | OIL PAININGS and SMALL WORKS | GREAT WONDERS Silent Auction Fundraiser.

About dusk on October 2nd the really big celebrations begin! From 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. artCentral’s Curator and Prepitor, Alice Lynn and David Greenwood-Mathé, will be joined by artCentral board member and artist, Jason Shelfer. Live on Facebook at ArtCentralCarthage from the galleries of Hyde House they will give you a tour of the both Ina and Mary’s exhibition and the Silent Auction, as well.

Ina Niday’s and Mary Datum’s collection showcases more than one hundred beautiful paintings created in oil. All are available for purchase the night of the Opening Celebration. You can call or comment in the live stream anytime during the online tour. The entire collection, including Ina’s vintage tin ornaments and gift cards, can be previewed beforehand or during the Opening Celebration at artCentral’s website (https://www.artcentralcarthage.org/events.html) and artCentral’s Facebook page (ArtCentralCarthage) where you will find all the images in two photo albums.

The SMALL WORKS | GREAT WONDERS Silent Auction features fifty artCentral artist-created 5x7 canvases which they have donated to help raise funds to support artCentral’s work for art and artists. Many opening bids are set at a pocket-friendly ten dollars. First bids may be placed when the gallery opens on Friday, 2 October, at noon.

Each work is unique and special. They include images of flowers and barns and landscapes; a gathering of shawl-wrapped women, an assortment of birds and a mermaid with her consort; a collection of embellished hearts and a tell-tale heart; a colorful dog and a colorful frog; a mellow-faced calf, a feline in the wild and an artistic mouse; a looping biplane and a famous artist; and a photo printed on metal of a sunrise that will take your breath away. There are a pair of hand wrought dangling silver earrings and abstracts both textured and whimsical, too. There is a Dan Trogdon original cartoon that will certainly tickle your funny bone. Several canvases offer images inspired by the holiday season.

Again for this 2020 Silent Auction Fundraiser native son and local artist hero, Andy Thomas, has somehow found the time to create yet another exquisite intimate donation. “Freedom” is the title of this watercolor painting masterfully rendered as is every work that comes out of Andy’s studio. Strutting as though high-stepping across the picture plane, back dropped with a lush green forest, a singular turkey is colorfully, brilliantly painted with Andy’s signature panache.

Knowing about Andy’s current, ambitious undertaking, the new mural honoring famous Carthaginians that will soon brighten the historic downtown square, I felt quite timid when I first reached out to Andy’s wife and agent, Dina Thomas. As always Dina graciously listened as I pitched my request for Andy to make a donation this year as he has so generously done in past years for past fundraisers. I held my breath and missed a wink or two of sleep as I awaited Andy’s response. Thankfully, his answer, “Yes,” was quickly forthcoming. Now I can relax: a masterwork is once again in Hyde House waiting for you to carry home. The opening bid is set at $300.00. The “Buy Now” bid is $1,800.00. Will you be the fortunate patron who snatches up this prize?

Be sure to tune in October 2 at 6:00 p.m. for the two Opening Celebrations where you can view all the art in real time, ask questions, begin your bidding and make initial purchases. Tune in at the end of the Exhibition and Auction on Saturday, December 5, to view the art, shop and purchase your favorites and place your winning bids!
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October 2-December 5, Weekend Gallery Hours are each Friday and Saturday from 12:00 to 5:00 p.m. with CDC protocols practiced at artCentral. Face masks and social distancing are required for everyone entering Hyde House. Please help us keep each other safe and healthy and ready for the coming celebrations!

TWO FRIENDS + SMALL WORKS | GREAT WONDERS fundraising silent auction are waiting in the wings at artCentral! Mark your calendars now for the Opening Celebration on Friday, October 2, 2020, 6:00-8:00 p.m. Prepare to be amazed by a plethora of brand new art that will dazzle your eyes and please you immensely! Mark your calendars, too, to remember the Closing Celebration on December 5, 2020, 5:00-8:00 p.m.
 
For the festive season of celebrations just ahead artCentral has gathered two extraordinary collections for your holiday viewing and early shopping, your hopeful bidding and happy purchasing at Hyde House from October 2 through December 5, 2020. As artwork is being delivered, excitement and anticipation are wafting through the galleries.
 
In the meantime, the outdoor drive through SCULPTURAL SPECTACULAR by Jason Shelfer is still enchanting visitors to the campus, while the 2020 MEMBERSHIP EXHIBITION remains on display and waiting for your visit.  Awards recipients have been named. Come see for yourself at 1110 East Thirteenth Street in Carthage through September 19. Right and left, artworks are being chosen to take home at the exhibition’s close. Do not let your favorite get away! Weekend Gallery Hours are each Friday and Saturday from 12:00 to 5:00 p.m. with CDC protocols being practiced. Face masks and social distancing are required for everyone entering Hyde House. Please help us keep each other safe and healthy and ready for the coming celebrations!
 
Both the Opening and Closing Celebrations will be held virtually via FACEBOOK LIVE on artCentral’s facebook page. As artCentral’s Executive Director-Curator with my husband David, artCentral’s Prepitor (art handler) we will be serving as your online tour guides, personal shoppers and auctioneers. Tune in October 2 for the Opening where you can get a close up of all the art in real time, ask questions, begin your bidding and make initial purchases while you meet some of the artists and special guests. Tune in at the end of the Exhibition and Auction on Saturday, December 5 to view the art, shop, purchase your 2 FRIENDS favorites and place your winning bids!
 
Who are the TWO FRIENDS about to be introduced at Hyde House? They are two life-long artists and long-time soul mates drawn together by their love for art making and for painting in oils. While Ina Niday and Mary Datum work in many sizes and paint many subjects, in their coming artCentral exhibition their creations will be mostly giftable, pocket-friendly intimate canvases along with a collection of Ina’s notecards and holiday decoratives. Many will be exquisite still lifes and landscapes, with a charming pet portrait or two from Mary. All will be displayed Parisian Salon style in the Chandelier and Members Galleries. Ina’s and Mary’s 2 FRIENDS is a genuine treasure trove to explore, and still there are many other works to tickle your fancy as well! The demi-creations in artCentral’s SMALL WORKS | GREAT WONDERS will greet you in the foyer and front galleries when you first arrive!
 
For your selection the SMALL WORKS | GREAT WONDERS fundraising silent auction showcases more than sixty 5”x 7” artworks created and donated by artCentral Artists. All proceeds are dedicated to artCentral’s work to support art and artists in our greater community.
 
Beginning October 2, you can view online all the art in TWO FRIENDS + SMALL WORKS | GREAT WONDERS where you will be able to digitally make your purchases and place your early bids. Visit artCentral’s website at https://www.artcentralcarthage.org/events.html and artCentral’s Facebook page at ArtCentralCarthage to see all the images in two photo albums.   
 
Quite possibly you will find artCentral to be your one-stop shopping venue to fulfill all your gifting on your holiday shopping list! To ensure you get your first choices, come early to Hyde House early or visit remotely from the comfort of your home or office. Make your selection and your payment to claim one or more of Ina’s and Mary’s beautiful 2 FRIENDS paintings. Bid often during the online SMALL WORKS | GREAT WONDERS silent auction and at the finale! Thank you for supporting artCentral artists!
 
 With the board of directors and all the members and artists of artCentral, I do hope you will join us for the opening and grand finale at the conclusion of this most unusual year. Your participation will help us sustain artCentral’s crucial mission to promote the arts and artists that lift our spirits and soothe our souls every day and especially now as together we find our paths through challenging times.

​In these curious times fraught with uncertainties, good drama is happening at artCentral!
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Give Carthage Day on September 1, 2020, was an amazing production and a huge success benefiting artCentral and many other non-profits. Under the sponsorship of the Carthage Community Foundation and the leadership of Heather Collier, foundation coordinator, and with the generous giving of community supporters like yourself, funds were raised to help keep artCentral vital and program strong. I send out a special thank you to board president, Betsy Flanigan; board members Maddie Capps and Wendi Douglas; Brad Douglas, videographer extraordinaire; founding artCentral director Sandy Higgins; and former artCamper and now intern Brady Cloud for contributing their time and talents to help create our vigorous online campaign.

The curtain is up and visual dramatic arts are happening at Hyde House with the 2020 ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP EXHIBITION fully staged and waiting for your visit. Awards recipients have been named. Each is a show stopper! Come see for yourself at 1110 East Thirteenth Street in Carthage through September 19. Weekend Gallery Hours are each Friday and Saturday from 12:00 to 5:00 p.m. CDC protocols are practiced at artCentral. Face masks and social distancing are required for everyone entering Hyde House. Please help us keep each other safe and healthy!

While we are still sheltering as much as possible, domestic drama occasionally unfolds in the home I share with my husband and family of furries and feathers—the old 1890’s house we affectionately call Paradise! A few days ago, before the rains came, the evening had grown quite late. After my artCentral day working remotely at the computer in my home office, I went outside to catch up on all the weed eating—edging our brick sidewalks, flower beds and along the curb and tiding up the puppy yard around our Aussie’s agility course.

Just as I finished my husband David arrived with a week’s supplies purchased at our local big box and waiting to be sanitized and put away as darkness descended. By the time we finished a quick dinner and our daily garden watering and I got upstairs to draw a bath and David went back out to collect eggs, the sun had long since set and the chickens had already gone to roost.
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I was ready, like the chickie babes, for a good night’s sleep. I waited for David to come back inside and report on their egg-laying successes. I waited some more. He seemed to take forever! When he finally came in, instead of eggs to show off, he brought a story filled with dramatic antics.

​I scooped up Coquette all sleepy and compliant. I put her down to nestle with the others. With all the girls safely inside, I double locked the door to the palace, and then I fetched the battery lantern and the long stick with the gripping tongs. When I came back and held the light high, I spied the intruder crouched down and pressed hard against the fence of the chicken yard. I had him cornered! But he bolted! Under the fence and up into the monkey tree he climbed, then down the other side of the fence and into the front yard. I chased after him. He got away! I don’t know where he is, but I’m going to catch him. I set the live trap—left the door open with an apple inside. Possums love apples. I will get this critter!”

David did get that critter! Carried that possum far, far away. Relocated our visitor way out in the country! Finally shutting our eyes, we rested well knowing our girls were safe. Of course, David is resetting the live trap in case any family or relations come snooping about in these curious times of uncertainties!
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Good drama continues happening at artCentral while we are keeping everyone healthy and safe at Hyde House! Though critter drama may still be lurking in Paradise, with a little extra vigilance we feel confident we can keep our girls secure and safe, too!