OUR NEXT EXHIBIT!

Franklin County Arts Alliance & Lake Country Roasters Presents:

ANNUAL COFFEE HOUSE & OPEN-MIC/

MVHS ART EXHIBIT RECEPITON

(Exhibit open March 2-30)

SATURDAY, MARCH 3^RD

5:30p.m.

Cultural Arts Center

100 Rusk St.

Mt. Vernon, TX

(one block west of courthouse)

*Lake Country Roasters Coffee & Finger Foods Available

Donations WELCOME

OPEN-MIC

*All are welcome to perform or watch!

Song, dance, poetry, prose, theatre, musical instruments, BE CREATIVE, but please keep content clean & appropriate.

*Cole Barker High School Art Awards winners will also be announced.

Email: franklincountyarts@gmail.com OR Call: 903-483-2787 

MEET FILMMAKER MAT HAMES

Mat Hames is an Austin Texas based Emmy Award winning filmmaker whose documentaries have been distributed by the Sundance Channel, PBS, Hulu, Amazon and Netflix. His film What Was Ours follows three native Americans in their journey to reclaim lost artifacts and open a tribal museum on their reservation in Wyoming. The film aired nationally on U.S. Television at part of PBS’ Independent Lens 2017 series, and is available on Amazon Prime streaming services.  Hames’ film When I Rise, about African-American mezzo-soprano opera singer Barbara Conrad, premiered at the SXSW Film Festival and had an international premiere at HotDocs in Toronto. After playing in ten festivals in the US, the UK, and Canada, the film entered the festival circuit in Europe, aired on PBS’s Independent Lens series, and was nominated for an IDA Documentary Award. He recently traveled to the remote village of Pushkar, India for his film World’s Greatest Head Massage for Rooster Teeth’s RTDocs division, for which he was a Webby Award Honoree. Mat directed the short documentary Fighting Goliath narrated by Robert Redford. It was the official selection of 12 film festivals.  Hames’ directorial debut was Last Best Hope, an award-winning documentary film about the Belgian Resistance during WWII, which aired nationally on PBS and garnered numerous awards at film festivals, and for which he was knighted by Belgian King Albert II. He is a co-founder of Austin production company Alpheus Media.

*Photos & Bio courtesy of Mat Hames

FREE FILM SCREENING TOMORROW NIGHT!

*Poster provided by Mat Hames

GETTING TO KNOW OUR "A FRESH LOOK" ARTISTS: SHANNON OSTERTAG

SHANNON OSTERTAG: Painter

*Photo of Shannon's artwork provided by FCAA.

GETTING TO KNOW OUR "A FRESH LOOK" ARTISTS:AUDREY NORMAN

AUDREY NORMAN: Paper Artist 

I was born and raised in Mt. Vernon, Texas. I graduated high school in 2000, and then I went to Texas Tech in Lubbock. I graduated from Tech in 2005 with a BFA in graphic design. Once graduated, I moved to Austin. After living in Austin for four years, I entered the alternative certification process with Region 13 to become an art educator. Once I received my teaching certificate I accepted my first job in Victoria, Texas. I taught middle and high school art there for 3 years. I moved back to Mt. Vernon to teach art at the high school, and I have been teaching here for 7 years. 

I am passionate about art, and I enjoy working in a variety of media. I have been working with paper for around 12 years, and I think it is fair to say I have become a little obsessed. I find the possibilities of paper an endless source of curiosity and joy. 

*Bio provided by Audrey Norman

GETTING TO KNOW OUR "A FRESH LOOK" ARTISTS: JASON & LAUREN LEWIS

JASON LEWIS: Digital Artist

*Photos of Jason's work provided by FCAA.

LAUREN LEWIS: Fiber Artist

BIO

Lauren Norman Lewis is a Mount Vernon native. While there is only one formal artist in her family, her sister Audrey Norman, she comes from a long line of creative types, including both grandmothers Teny Tom and Ruth Norman who dabbled in paint. Christmas each year the entire family throws themselves into creative endeavors, handcrafting and creating homemade gifts.

After having grown up in Mt. Vernon, Lauren spent her formative young adult years in Austin, Texas, where she was heavily influenced by the Hispanic culture and arts, showcased in murals, art houses, and regional festivals.  

Her work is tactile, and she is drawn to mediums that evoke a sense of touch.  In addition to fiber art she dabbles in 3D dioramas, collage work, and multi medium pieces.

*Photo & Bio provided by Lauren Lewis

GETTING TO KNOW OUR "A FRESH LOOK" ARTISTS: KENDALL KENT

KENDALL KENT: Painter 

BIO:

Kendall Kent, a native Texan, received her BFA, with a focus on art and interior design from Texas State University.  She began her design career in Dallas in 2007 with Joanie Wyll and Associated, Inc. and continued until 2015 with the firm.  She had the opportunity to create amazing high-end residential interiors and gain experience with architectural detailing and design. 

In addition to interior design, Kendall collaborates with Kathleen Allen, owner of Veritas Glass, drawing and designing sophisticated, modern and decorative glass pieces, which are sold in exclusive boutiques and luxury department stores worldwide. 

After being a stay-at-home mom with her 3 children, all under the age of 4, Kendall decided to turn her appreciation for art and creativity into a hobby and began painting in her spare time.  Painting in the evenings on her daughter’s child size art easel, became a way of self-expression and relaxation as she explored abstract themes, shapes, spatial relationships and color composition. 

Spurred by the positive response she received about her art, Kendall decided to start her own company Kendall Kent Interiors, LLC.  She is excited to begin this new chapter in her life and share her love for art and design with others.  She and her husband Zach currently reside in Dallas, Texas with their 3 children.

*Bio & pics of Kendall & Family provided by Kendall Kent