A fter being closed for six months while construction on the Gallery renovated existing space and added addition space, the Kate Freeman Clark Art Gallery will officially be re-opened during the Autumn ArtFest on Saturday, October 13.

The ArtFest will also feature paintings by visiting artist, Dot Courson of Pontotoc. Recognized by the Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Experience as Legend in Visual Arts, Courson paints Mississippi landscapes, portraits and still life.

The ArtFest will also dedicate the West Gallery in memory of Ann Henderson Callicutt, treasurer and long time board member of the Gallery. A painting restored in honor of Ann Callicutt will be unveiled. Her husband, Edwin, paid for the restoration and reframing.

Dinner of ArtFest will be held on the new brick patio in the back of the Gallery. Dinner is catered by Taylor Grocery and music will be provided by the Yalobushwhackers, house band of the Thacker Mountain Radio Show.

Renovation of the Gallery has provided new display space, storage for tables and chairs, an office and new catering kitchen. The addition has created a temperature and humidity controlled storage area for Kate Freeman Clark's paintings.Two handicap-accessible restrooms and a pantry were included in the addition.

The Belles and Book Club has undertaken a renovation of the kitchen, adding double ovens and and a stove in the pantry. The kitchen also has a new dishwasher, a commercial ice maker and commercial cooler.

A limtied number of tickets are available for the ArtFest. Tickets can be purchased on line at: