Support the Arts adorable Merry Christmas penguin by Terry Lynch. Please click here too see more Support the Arts gifts and apparel

The Chickasawhey Arts Commission (CAC) held its first Holiday Open House to Support the Arts on Dec. 16, 2010 at the home of Cindi and Gary Conner. In was a lovely evening attended by family, friends and associates who expressed their interest in supporting the Arts by making membership applications. Everyone present was treated to a delightful assortment of delicious Christmas horderves, warm Wassail, the spirit of Christmas, and the good company of neighbors who graced the event with their presence and sharing of personal life experiences and other muse.

Family and friend gather around the table to Support the Arts at First CAC Holiday Open House. Photo © 2010 by Terry Lynch

Upon my arrival at the event I presented Cindy with a Support the Arts framed print of a Christmas Penguin holding a pallet which I had created to add some charm to the occassion. Cindy placed the Merry Christmas Support the Arts Penguin upon the center of the table surrounded by delicious, inviting treats. Since I've been making Support the Arts designs and related graphic art for over 40 years, I felt this was the least I could do to help out. Many of my Support the Arts designs are featured in the Support the Arts Gallery and are available upon gifts and apparel that organizations may have top quality, original, and high quality merchandise which they may purchase to help encourage everyone to Support the Arts. Such items may also be purchased in bulk and auctioned to raise funds many time that of the cost of promotional merchandise. This is especially effective in telethons and other membership drives.

Aubrey Rozzell delievers extemporaneous words of inspiration about how with a dream and a vision people can come together and accomplish great things. Photo © 2010 by Terry Lynch

Aubrey Rozzell, former long-time Director of Mississippi State Parks, and one of the founding members of the CAC, delievered extemporaneous words of inspiration, encouraging those present to have a dream of how Supporting the Arts may benefit the community in the future. Mr. Rozzell said, "I'm telling you folks it's here. It's God given ... pass the word out... You got to look into the future. You got to see what can be done. We got to get the young people... all of us are going to be dead one day ..." involved developing our land and water resources. Aubrey is correct, that with God's grace a bright future lies ahead and much depends upon our children and young people, upon investmen in their skills and abilities, not only in science and technology, but in the Arts.

Comments were also made by Cindy Conner, President of the CAC, thanking those in attendance for their helping to make the event successful and their patronage of the Arts. Randy J. Neely, Vice-President of the CAC, also spoke briefly.

Cindy Conner standing beside the lovely Christmas tree in her dinning room. Photo © 2010 by Terry Lynch

Cindy Conner spent much of her time speaking with guests, welcoming each person to her lovely home. Chickasawhay Arts Commission Membership Enrollment Forms were available for everyone. Rate of membership is: Art Supporter @ $25.00 annually; Art Patron (Family) @ $100.00 annually; Business Art Patron (@$100.00 annually; Silver Art Patron @ $250.00 annually; Gold Art Patron @ $500.00 annually and Platinum Art Patron @ $1,000.00 annually. It was stated that membership enrollment forms may be mailed to Chickasawhay Arts Commission; 130 Carter Street, Quitman, MS 39355 or dropped off at City Hall in Quitman, MS, with all checks being made payable to the Chickasawhay Arts Commission. It was empahsized that, "This is a great opportunity for our area to present to others what a wonderful jewel we have in this area in our talented citizens." Anyone wishing to contact the CAC may send email to chickasawhay@live.com or cinreal@aol.com.

This being the first CAC Holiday Open House, I was quite impressed with the wonderful response. As one of the founding members of the CAC and author of their Articles of Incorporation, I would like to urge everyone to please give their generous support.

The mission of the CAC includes promoting and fostering all those activities, works and objectives as related to Arts awarness and includes, but is not limited to, the following purposes and goals:

1. To enrich the quality of life of the people of the Chickasawhay River communities by incereasing awareness and appreciation for the Arts;

2. To foster an environment so that the Arts may flourish through programs, education, and events that encourage community participation in the Arts;

3. To maintain a network of people, businesses, and organizations, working together to advance the Arts which may also include using the Internet to advertise and promote the Arts;

4. To focus efforts on encouraging all artists to achieve their full creative potential and to use their diverse talents and freedom of artistic expression to make our community a better place to live and work;

5. To engage in any and all other activities, business, efforts, or enterprise which is legal and/or necessary for the conduct of business and achievement of these purposes and goals.

As you can see, the CAC has some very lofty goals and dreams. As one who is an artist, photographer and writer I know how vital nurturing the Arts is to the community and hope all concerned citizens will join together to foster and Support the Arts.

Join the team and Support the Arts! Support the Arts Penguin is featured on these high quality jerseys and a variety of other gifts and apparel. The penguin is holding an artist's pallet surrounded by symbols of various artistic disciplens. These adorable gifts and apparel are a great way to express yourself while encouraging everyone around you to Support The Arts.