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Storyteller Mitch Capel to Perform for the Crossville Arts Council

Hands down the favorite storyteller at the Crossville Arts Council’s fall storytelling festival, Mitch Capel returns to Crossville to again captivate audiences at 7:00 pm on April 2 at the Palace Theatre,

72 S. Main Street

in Crossville. Last fall’s audiences were mesmerized by Capel’s story of “The Face in the Tree,” and youngsters were delightfully scared by the story of “The One Eyed Ghost.”

Capel, aka “Grandaddy Junebug,” is an African American Master Storyteller and recording artist who has been telling stories since 1984. He has been featured at the National Storytelling Festival in Jonesboro, TN. and is a regular at the National Black Storytelling Festival. A resident of Fayetteville, NC, he has been described as a "word magician" and a "national treasure.”

Capel’s public performance programs are created from his repertoire of over 28 hours of memorized stories and poems by author Paul Laurence Dunbar. Dunbar’s poetry chronicles the challenges of life for those of African descent in the 19^th century. Although Dunbar died at the age of 33, his extensive work was critically praised by writers of that era.

When he was three years old, Capel’s grandmother read "A Cabin Tale" to him from the works of Dunbar. The rhythm of the story and the genius of Paul Laurence Dunbar were planted like a seed. Mitch and his brothers were encouraged by their parents to memorize the works of great poets to recite at church and civic events. It wasn't until he had finished college and moved back home that Dunbar would re-enter his life. One day his father gave Mitch the same Dunbar book that had been used by his grandmother and Capel made it his goal to memorize all of Dunbar’s poetry and carry its message into the 21^st century.

Reserved seat tickets for this anticipated performance are $10 for adults, $5 for students. New for this performance, tickets can now be purchased at the Cumberland County Playhouse box office, or online at www.ccplayhouse.com. Tickets purchased online will incur a small service fee, and tickets must be picked up at the Playhouse during regular business hours or can be mailed at your request. The Playhouse is Ticketing and Marketing Sponsor for this performance.

For more information call Judy Pearson at 931-484-8234. For ticket availability, contact the Playhouse box office at 931-484-5000.

Celebrating Crossville as a Community of the Arts!

The Crossville Arts Council announces a new initiative to bring art to everyone who lives in or visits Crossville. Entitled “Art – Take it to the Streets,” this project places art in downtown business windows and inside businesses within our community. Partnering with a number of downtown business and community leaders, the Crossville Arts Council has begun placing artwork in a number of windows and buildings on Main Street, and will soon be expanding to businesses off Main Street.

Currently, artwork can be seen in the windows of Mitchell’s Drug Store at Main and Fifth Streets, which features the work of folk doll artist Rose Sabine, painter Lillian Murray, potter Ray Butkus, and basket maker Scott Eatherly. Lazarus Hospice House in the Arches Building at Main and Fourth Streets features the paintings of artist Karen Gibson. Title Centers of America at 59 S. Main Street features paintings by award-winning portrait artist Joan Leininger. Windows of the law office of Attorney Jane Powers at Fifth and Main features the artwork of artist Karen Gibson. The exterior of Ms. Powers building also features our Downtown Mural Project entitled “All the Hands that Work.” A couple of paintings of shoes can be seen in the window of French’s Shoes. Watch for artwork soon in the windows of Express Lunch and Dave’s Coin Shop.

Any member of the Crossville Arts Council may display their artwork in businesses who have offered to participate in this project. Artwork will be featured on a rotating basis, and each window will name the artist featured there. In most cases, their business cards will be available inside the business. Participating businesses are not responsible for selling the featured artwork. Those interested should contact the artist on display.

Area artists who wish to have their work featured on display may join the Crossville Arts Council by mailing a check for $25 to 99 Municipal Avenue, Crossville, TN 38555. An artist does not need to reside in Cumberland County to join the Crossville Arts Council. Students of any age may join for $5.

For further information, please call the office of the Crossville Arts Council at 931-456-2006, or Project Chairs Karen Gibson at 484-3697 or Melissa Stowers at 931-456-4640

Art-

Take it to the streets!

MEMBER BENEFITS

Why join the Crossville Arts Council? For starters, a vibrant arts community enriches everyone. Businesses and schools flourish in a creative environment. The arts bring tourist dollars into our community. Individuals and families find many creative outlets for their established talents and newfound interests.

What does the $25 membership in the Crossville Arts Council entitle you to beyond the obvious feeling of doing the right thing?

Crossville Arts Council members enjoy:

Email Alerts and Early-Bird Ticket Opportunities:

You will receive notice of events and special discounted early-bird ticket prices before the general public for events such as StoryFest, Artist Receptions and Exhibits, FiberFest, Madrigal Christmas Feast, and the Mountain Chair-ubs Painted Furniture Auction.

Gala Artist Invitation:

You will be invited to our Gala Artist Receptions. You will meet some of the hidden artists in our community, our amazing art teachers, and view their art.

Student Events:

Early notice of any events, workshops, exhibits or demonstrations of student art

Discounts:

Special discounted rates at performances, classes and workshops.

Special discounted prices at participating merchants throughout the community.

Web links

Your website can be linked to our website.

Joan Leininger

Portrait Artist &

Crossville Arts Council Board Member

Artist Roster Inclusion:

If you are a working artist, you can be included in our roster of artists. Some of the categories include: Visual Art, Pottery, Sculpture, Garden Art, Photography, Textile Art, Music, Dance, Digital Media, Drama, Glass Art, Jewelry, Folk Art, and Poetry & Language Arts. People looking for local artists in specific mediums will easily be able to locate them.

Exhibition Opportunities:

Inclusion in our “Take It To The Streets” program which places art in public places around our community.

Artist Networking:

As a member, you will meet and enjoy other local people who share your love of the arts.

Event Calendar Access:

Our event calendar can include your arts events.

Arts Council Monthly Meetings:

You are welcome and encouraged to attend our meetings every second Thursday at 10:00 am at City Hall, 99 Municipal Avenue, behind Cumberland County Bank and beside the Police/Fire Station Downtown. Join our lively discussions about exciting plans for upcoming events. Check this site for upcoming speakers.

Tax deduction:

We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. All donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

The Crossville Arts Council is supported in part by funding provided by:

National Endowment for the Arts

Tennessee Arts Commission
The State of Tennessee
Southern Arts Federation
Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee
City of Crossville City Commission
Cumberland County Board of Commissioners

And the good citizens of our community like you!

Corporate Sponsors for 2008:
Gwin Realty
Upland Design Group
Donald G. Hooie, DDS
American Funds Investments
Dr. Stewart Galloway
Colvard, York and Ramsey
Art and Frame Shop
Cumberland County Bank
Eye Centers of Tennessee
First National Bank
Don Hinch and Associates
Cumberland Vital Care
Mastercorp

Cumberland County Bank

First Tennessee Brokerage

Community Partners.

Mitchell's Drugs

Title Centers of America, LLC,

Lazarus House Hospice,

Ruthie's Antiques

Downtown Crossville, Inc.

Margaret Jane Powers

Dave's Coin Shop

Express Lunch

French's Shoes

Crossville Trophy and Gifts

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