The History of the Crossville Arts Council
The Crossville Arts Council was chartered as a not-for-profit organization in the State of Tennessee on August 11, 1999. The initial directors of the organization included Barbara T. Westerbuhr, President, Neva Mraz, Secretary, Tom Watkins, Vice President, Nan Sharp, Treasurer, Linda Baker, Julie Shanks, Robert J. Hoover, Robert Wert, and Larry Doster.
Early Community Involvement
Two juried exhibits called Depot Days were held each year at the renovated Crossville Depot on Main Street, one in the spring and one in the fall. One exhibit featured fine arts, and the other featured fine crafts.
As Depot Days developed under different leadership over the next nine years, it expanded and has become a two-day Main Street Festival featuring craft booths, food, a BBQ Cook-off, and music of all kinds at two stages on Main Street. In June, 2008, with a changing of the leadership of the Crossville Arts Council, the Depot Days Main Street Festival was formally given over to Downtown Crossville, Inc. as an event for that organization since it had become more a community-wide celebration than an arts event. We know it will only become a bigger and better celebration of our community under the direction of Downtown Crossville, Inc.
More Recent Events
Other events in the recent history of our organization have included a Celtic Celebration with concerts and workshops, African Dance, Drumming and Mask Making workshops, a celebration of Dr. Seuss at all elementary schools, a Cabaret featuring favorite performers from the Cumberland County Playhouse, a performance by the Wood and Strings Puppet Theater, a series of performances in harp, Celtic harp and mountain dulcimer by exceptional youth, and many other concerts at the Palace Theatre.
Partnering with the Friends of the Art Circle Public Library, we brought Nashville Poet Stephanie Pruitt to Crossville for four weeks of Poetry Writing Workshops for 3rd and 4th graders, followed by a performance of their poetry by the young poets and the publishing of a booklet of their poetry.
Partnering with the Artist Corner in Crossville, we helped make the first “Arts Alive” a big success. Artists lined Main Street from the Depot to the Palace Theatre and painted, drew or sculpted their impressions of Main Street. Judges awarded prizes in both adult and young people categories. A public reception featuring the artists’ work followed at the Community Room at the Library.
All the Hands That Work - Katie Yamasaki - 2008
Our biggest project to date has been the painting of a 73' by 19' mural on the side of a building at Main Street and Fifth Street in Crossville. Designed and painted by Muralist Katie Yamasaki of New York City, the mural, entitled “All the Hands That Work,” celebrates the history and culture of Cumberland County from its days as a Cherokee hunting ground to its present vibrant culture. Many local artists and students helped complete the mural within a 6-week period. Grants from the city and county were instrumental in the completion of the mural, as well as corporate and individual contributions. The mural is seen above.
The Future
We will continue to bring arts experiences to the people of Cumberland County encompassing every expression of art, from fiber art to chamber music, from fine art to folk art, from dance to storytelling. Come and join the fun!
See Calendar of Events for upcoming plans!