On Saturday, June 02, Delta Arts Alliance held its third annual fundraiser,
A Night in the Arts
, which truly lived up to its name! The festivities started off at 6PM with wine tasting and The Players rocking the stage. Mouth-watering food was served from three food trucks from Memphis and Jackson. The auction earned a lot of attention with the special finds, such as tickets to Hamilton in Chicago. The night was full of enjoyment as we saw old friends and made new ones. Thank you to all who made the evening fun.
We leave this year’s
A Night In The Arts
with an incredibly grateful heart. We would like to extend our thankfulness first to all of our wonderful sponsors that helped make the night possible.
Next, thank you to the magical performance by The Players - we definitely rocked out. Special shoutout to our three food trucks, Sushi Jimmi, Brunch Box, and Bedrock Eats & Sweets- the food was AMAZING! Next, we’d like to thank everyone who attended
#ANightInTheArts
! We were delighted to spend time with the community who makes all our service worth it. And last, but not least, we’d love to extend our gratitude to everyone that volunteered, especially our valued board of directors and artists-in-residence; your service was much appreciated.
Hate you couldn't be with us? We've got you covered. Check out of fun recap
video below, produced by Robertson Scholar Kyle Ryan.
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It’s the first official day of SUMMER, yet Delta Arts Alliance has happily been soaking in the summer sun and shining bright! Our Summer Arts Schedule has already offered 10 exciting classes, teaching students about artists such as
Keith Haring
and
Cynthia Emerlye
; creating their own fairy houses and mini comic books; and taking their imagination from lion safaris to the far reaches of the universe.
Our first week was led by Cleveland-local and B.L. Bell Academy kindergarten teacher, Nicole Spinks. She brought back Delta Arts Alliance favorites such as popping paint blobs that let the kids creativity explode onto the page, literally! The next week featured Cherie Hamel, veteran Artist-in-Residence and Leland resident. Students created their own animal habitats, solar system mobiles, mushroom fairy houses and mini-Teepees.
“We were happy to see so many returning faces, as well as newcomers. Any time we can introduce a child to the arts, that’s a good day, in our book,” said Delta Arts Alliance Executive Director, Rori Eddie Herbison. “The summer is an incredible platform for many of our teaching artists to reconnect with their creative sides and explore project ideas and curriculum their schedules inside the public school system doesn’t afford. Nicole Spinks - one of the best in the business in early elementary education - this is her fourth summer with us and she gushes each time she teaches how much fun it is, how good it is for the soul to be doing art, teaching art and sharing her talents. We couldn’t agree more. Art is so very good for the soul.”
This week, students paired their talents in storytelling and art to make mini comic books, led by DAA Artist-in-Residence and Delta State faculty member, Nathan Pietrykowski. “We are out of the gates fast and off to a very exciting start,” Herbison added. “We can’t wait to see what the rest of the summer has in store for our budding artists.”
Next week, Brian Speck returns to the helm of instruction for his third consecutive summer at DAA. He will, quite literally, build on the summer’s early momentum with three-dimensional sculpture lessons that will let students be hands-on and creative with their craftsmanship. In the first week of July, we will welcome back a DAA favorite and 16-17 Artist-in-Residence of the Year, Lawson King! You do not want to miss what he has planned!
To learn more about our summer programming and the classes we offer check out
our website
. Be sure to look at
our Facebook page
to see student’s artwork after class and learn about ways you can support the work we’re doing in the community!
Want to see if the classes are for your little Picasso? Check out of fun recap
video below, produced by Robertson Scholar Kyle Ryan.
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Meet the Intern: ALEX IRION
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Tell us a little about yourself.
I was born and raised in Greenville, Mississippi, my current home for the time being. I am a senior at Delta State University and I have a major in graphic design. I have a twin brother and a younger sister.
What attracted to you the arts? When did you commit to a career in the arts?
Since a young age, I have always been interested in the arts. I grew up watching cartoons, drawing my own characters and those I saw on tv, and working my way through countless coloring books. Art was always a fun hobby of mine but I didn't truly become interested in it as a life choice until somewhere around my 10th or 11th grade year in high school. I attended a career day event at my local convention center and found a section for graphic designing. The idea of the potential I could have with working digitally drew me in like a moth to a flame and I have been passionate ever since.
What is your dream job?
I used to think being an artist was going to be my dream job but ideas have changed as I have aged. I still wish to work as an artist in some way, but I wish to attain as much talent from every artistic medium as I can. I wish to start working with music in the near future, but until then, I will enjoy my designing career.
What was it about Delta Arts Alliance that attracted you to complete your internship here?
The atmosphere, the environment, and the people I get to work with are the reason I was drawn to the Delta Arts Alliance. Everything about the company has helped create an entertaining and enjoyable experience for me.
Tell us a little about your responsibilities and expectations of your internship.
I create designs for events that are held by the Delta Arts Alliance. I am expected to provide my best efforts every day I am here and produce content that even I would want to see in the world. I am ready and open to new questions, objectives and comments.
What have you learned in the three weeks you have been on board and what do you hope to learn the most in your time with DAA?
I have learned to take time to slow down and truly process how I need to direct a new design while also remaining on my toes. I have also learned that not every design has to be extravagant. Simple yet effective is always a suitable method when shuffling through the madness. During the rest of my time working with DAA, I hope to learn quicker and more efficient ways of designing, that I may be satisfied with every work I produce.
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DELTA ARTS ALLIANCE IS A 501(C)(3) ORGANIZATION.
GIFTS ARE TAX-DEDUCTIBLE.
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