Oh, what a peaceful, easy evening at Hyde House. In the midst of a time of rather chaotic, sometimes exhausting and too often acrimonious social discourse, what a comfort and a pleasure to be in the company of two fine artists talking with appreciation for our shared passions—the art and artists of artCentral. Such a joy to spend an evening seeing and sharing many, many soul-soothing, spirit-lifting and comforting works of art—all created by artCentral artists. Times like this cause me to know I am very fortunate for the privilege of serving our community through my work for the artists of artCentral. I am deeply appreciative of the gracious support of Old Missouri Bank, the underwriter for this evening and for the two marvelous collections now on exhibition—the INA NIDAY & MARY DATUM | TWO FRIENDS | OIL PAINTINGS and the SMALL WORKS | GREAT WONDERS Silent Auction Fundraiser.
This was artCentral’s first “live” outing on Facebook! I am happy to say the evening was a terrifically peaceful, easy and happy success in a setting I consider to be among the most serene in Carthage. This elegant, 1890’s foursquare American farmhouse, bequeathed by Katherine Hyde, always to be used to exhibit and promote art and artists, is a true sanctuary and a haven on any day, but especially during days when the world outside seems to grow too noisy and disarrayed for too long.
A full moon rose high and clear over Hyde House hill on the early October evening of artCentral’s two online OPENING CELEBRATIONS for the two amazing collections installed throughout the galleries, downstairs and upstairs, too. With the moon arrived my co-hosts for the evening’s broadcast—David Greenwood-Mathé, dedicated artist and artCentral’s prepitor (art handler), and Jason Shelfer, board member and sculptor creator of the SCULPTUAL SPECTACULAR now installed in artCentral’s sculpture garden. Betsy Flanigan, artCentral’s board of directors president, was in the house, as well, to facilitate the flow of comments and requests coming via cyberspace to artCentral.
Like the wizard behind the curtain, artCentral board member and media guru, Wendi Douglas, installed remotely in her home studio, played her crucial role as the techno magic-maker for this celebratory event. She professionally designed the graphics and choreographed and programmed the two hours. She wrote the script then patiently coached and practiced our pre-show rehearsals, so we hosts could do our very best to promote the artCentral art and artists we truly love.
Of course our resounding shout outs and applause go to our phenomenally talented artists who always share generously from their hearts: Ina Niday and Mary Datum, exhibition artists and all the 5×7 artCentral artist contributors: Sally Armstrong, Jane Ballard, Joan Banks, Andrew Batcheller, Eric Beezley, Diana Bray, Aurelia Burr, Landon Cawyer, Stephanie Cawyer, Mary Datum, April Davis-Brunner, Nancy Dymott, Cynthia Greene, Alice Lynn Greenwood-Mathé, David Greenwood-Mathé, Al Gritten, Cindy Head, Steve Head, Diane Heisner, Barbara Hicklin, Nina Johnston, Janice Kinman, Helen Kunze, Lori Marble, Koral Martin, Jane McCaulley, Nicole Meyer-Foresman, Connie Miller, Dustin Miller, Janice Myers, Ina Niday, Mary L. Parks, Sandra Parrill, Tyla Marie Raredon, Chris Reed, Debbie Reed, Emily Rose, Brenda Sageng, Debbie Southard, Lisa Teerlink, Linda Teeter, Andy Thomas, Dan Trogdon, Jordy Vulpine, Lora Waring and Bonnie Young.
David and Jason and I certainly were happy celebrating artCentral’s artists and engaging with our viewers in a meaningful, artful conversation that left us high-fiving and congratulating ourselves with “We did pretty well!” Of course there was a gaff here and there—we missed a couple of cues and we kept chatting when we were supposed to be backstage staying silent: but, hey, we are working a learning curve here. We will review the video, tweak our missteps and up our skills to be enthusiastically ready to party big time when the closing celebrations and final bidding come around on December 5th.
Come see for yourself what these fabulously creative souls have made. There is pocket-friendly art here for everyone! Give yourself a peaceful, easy outing filled with inspiring beauty. Visit artCentral, October 2 through December 5, in Hyde House at 1110 East Thirteenth Street in Carthage. View, shop and place your Silent Auction bids. Weekend Gallery Hours are each Friday and Saturday from 12:00 to 5:00 p.m. with CDC protocols practiced. Face masks, social distancing and sign-in are required for everyone entering Hyde House.
