THAT'S HOW THE LIGHT GETS IN! “There is a crack in everything, that's how the light gets in,” sings Leonard Cohen. We’re living in the crack—the crack between two years—the old being packed and put away like decorations in boxes, while the new quietly arrives bringing lovely promises waiting to unfold. How sweet to fall asleep to the random rhythms of December rain—drops, drops, drops gently tap dancing on our metal roof. They dance over the darkened street. They dance and pave a diamond sprinkled path leading into our dreams. I am pleased with the raindrops dancing. I slumber deeply until a glowing light wakens me. |
I often say we live in a storybook village. Looking out our bedroom window I know for sure this is true. We live in a town full of light and magic. artCentral in historic Hyde House on the hill offers some of the best.
artCentral was officially organized in Carthage in 1986 as a nonprofit organization with a mission “to promote, exhibit, teach and foster the appreciation of fine art in our community”. Historic Hyde House was built in the 1890’s as a four-square, two-story farmhouse overlooking a vast greenhouse and acres of richly producing orchards. Katherine Hyde, born in 1912, was an amateur artist.
With her passing in 1989, Miss Hyde bequeathed Hyde House to the Carthage community with provisions the property would be used only for artistic and not for profit endeavor. Year after year, with hard work and passion the board of directors, members, artists and volunteers at artCentral continue to celebrate Katherine Hyde’s vision for the love and art and artists.
2017 was a splendid year for artCentral to celebrate. I do.
Last January, Bill Sutter was named the Carthage Chamber of Commerce Artist-of-the-Year sponsored by artCentral. At February’s exhibition of JRAC’s “Love Languages”, artCentral member artists received top honors. My husband David and I were the cover story in the February “Show Me the Ozarks” which which told of our artCentral meeting. Our nuptials were celebrated at the Annual Membership Exhibition Picnic when donations were received for artCentral’s new Greenwood-Mathé Fund for artCentral Art and Artists.
Over the year, for the Carthage Press, I submitted fifty-two Art Notes columns with David’s accompanying illustrations. Stacey Stiles led several evening workshops of Yoga by Candlelight for adults and children, too. artCentral provided the photo location for a JMag photo spread by artCentral artist Amanda Stone featuring the enchanting upcycle fiber art of Brenda Sears Hayes. Art Walks spring, summer and fall found artCentral with art and music as guests of Doug Osborn at The Palms on Main.
March galleries featured the beautiful watercolors of Susie Bewick in “Ordinary Wonders”, and April brought “Dad & Daughter: Dynamic Duo filling Hyde House with the accomplished art of Lowell Davis and April Davis Brunner.
Partnering with the Carthage Community Foundation substantial donations were raised for artCentral’s sustaining fund and a $2,500 grant was received for artCamp. Sixty-two aspiring young artists, nine instructors and nine interns participated in artCamp in July. In partnership with CWE&P, sixteen artCentral artists painted twenty-one Maple Leaf themed fire hydrants along the parade route.
With the generous support of Chuck Pauly and the curatorial skills of Sally Armstrong and Miriam Putnam, “The Beauty Of Betsy Pauly" was on view in August and September. Michael Steddum brought his remarkable canine portraits in watercolor and oil for the autumn exhibition: “unleashed! Dog Show”. artCentral’s third annual Holiday Boutique with an expanded 4x4 Silent Auction provided a splendid denouement for this very full year.
“There is a crack in everything, that's how the light gets in,” sings Leonard Cohen. These transition days from 2017 to 2018 are artCentral’s crack in time. Our new year will bring more and more art flowing into our community through artCentral.
That’s how the light gets in!