September 2022 Press Release (2)
Art in the Village to Celebrate 13th Anniversary with Meet and Greet/Sale/Pop-Up Shop
September 27, 2022 — In celebration of its 13th year in business, Art in the Village will host a Meet and Greet/Sale/Pop-Up Shop with local artists from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022, at the Casey Jones Village (40 Casey Jones Lane in Jackson, Tennessee).
“Art in the Village is a special place to come and enjoy art, as well as meet gallery artists and talk to them about their craft,” Mary Spellings, president, said. “Shoppers are not going to find cookie-cutter work here. We are a fine art gallery with great gift items.”
Several artists will be set up inside and outside on the sidewalk. Guests can purchase paintings, knitted pieces, prints and cards, photography, jewelry, pottery, and wood pieces. Purchases over $100 will receive 25 percent off.
Spellings is a cofounder of the Art in the Village, along with Laurie Denbrock. The two artists came together in 2009 to research cooperative galleries in other cities. It was then that they developed their mission of establishing a family of artists to support one another and share the love of Christ through the creative arts. In addition to supporting artists, Art in the Village offers educational opportunities including classes, workshops and summer camps.
The gallery is manned by its members, who each give one day a month to staff it. “We work together to do everything necessary to operate a business, so we’re really self-sufficient, meaning we have no paid staff,” Spellings said. “Prior to the COVID-19 shutdown, Art in the Village hosted a spring and fall festival. It feels great to begin having events for the public again,” Spellings said.
Spellings hopes this event attracts experienced as well as new art collectors. Another goal is that aspiring artists will receive mentoring from and opportunities to network with established artists.
“Art is so important. It is therapeutic, inspirational and reminds us of beauty in the world,” Spellings said. “Whether it’s painting, drawing, pottery or working with objects, turning a blank canvas or inanimate object into something can be a transformative experience for a person.”
Art in the Village attracts guests from all over the world. Summer is typically its busiest time of year, with many Interstate 40 travelers who stop to visit Old Country Store and Casey Jones Village.
Individuals may learn more about Art in the Village’s 13th Anniversary Meet and Greet/Sale/Pop-Up Shop by following facebook.com/ArtInTheVillageCaseyJones, calling 731-554-2787 or emailing mary.spellings@gmail.com.
