DIOCESAN NEWS
03/13/09
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Downtown churches host Arts ALIVE! continued . . .
     Food will be provided by the Knights of Columbus.
     Father Brian Kaskie, former pastor of St. Peter, supported the efforts of the Martha and Mary Circle, which came up with the idea for the festival.
     Current pastor Father Jeffrey Waldrep praised the project on several levels.
    “First it is good to see different people involved outside of our parish.
    “For parishioners it’s part of our evangelization to reach outside to a diverse group of people.
    “And it’s good to see different churches coming together, who normally would not, to make a bridge between musicians, dancers, artists, and crafts-people all in one festival, in one place together.”
     Initially an event to raise money for charitable causes, the project blossomed into an effort by organizers to help revitalize downtown Jackson and expose city and suburban citizens to Mississippi visual and performing arts, said Hart.
     Fine arts and crafts vendors will exhibit and sell their creations in Smith Park as musicians and dancers perform continuously throughout the two days.
     A number of very talented musicians, singers and dancers will perform,” said Margee Wohner, festival program chair.
     Featured performing organizations are the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra Ensembles, Mississippi Opera, Ballet Mississippi, Ballet Magnificat School of Art, the Mississippi Chorus Chamber Choir, Swing de Paris, Mississippi Girlchoir, St. Joseph High School Choir and Band, Heart’s Content String Band, and the Carillon Handbell Choir and Small Vocal Ensemble of Galloway United Methodist Church.
    “These are all professional groups. The opera singers are a very talented group of young people who are here rehearsing for an upcoming opera,” said Wohner.
     At 7 p.m. both days, people can attend “Prodigal,” a play by John Maxwell that will be presented at Galloway United Methodist Church.
     Costumed folk dancers from Holy Trinity and St. John Greek Orthodox Church will perform both days.
    “The dancing is very festive, entertaining and fun,” said Holy Trinity parishioner Toula Odom.
     Soloist Angeley Butler will sing Shubert’s Ave Maria and Gounod’s “Oh Divine Redeemer” at the noontime Mass at St. Peter on Friday.
     St. Peter parishioner Amy Brooks is in charge of vendor solicitation.
    “I am so excited this is happening,” she said. The festival has drawn all types of art including paintings, sculpture, hand-made silver and beaded jewelry, wooden art, photography, and various fabric designs.
     Partnered with the churches are the Mississippi Museum of Art, Smith Robertson Museum and the Municipal Art Gallery which will provide exhibits and items for sale.
Organizers have arranged for practicing artisans to demonstrate their work and assist young people in creating their own art or craft.
    “This is a very exciting event and we are looking forward to being a part of it by exhibiting and selling work by our artists,” said V. A. Patterson, director of Very Special Arts, which provides art programs for adults with disabilities.
     Hart hopes the event will change the perception of downtown Jackson being vacant and unsafe on weekends.
    “Our churches bring a large community of people to downtown Jackson for services each week. It is our hope the festival helps to make Smith Park an on-going venue for arts and culture,” Hart said. .

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