Calling All Artists!

The fall Arts in McNairy (AiM) Artisan Trail will be held Saturday, November 15, 2008 and AiM is looking for Artists and Artisans to participate. If you live in McNairy or surrounding counties and would like to be involved, we want to hear from you. An informational meeting and jury selection session are being held 6:00 PM, October 2 at the UTM McNairy Center, just off highway 45 North in Selmer. Everyone is invited to attend.

Anyone interested in being on the AiM fall tour should come prepared to show representative samples of your work. High quality, detailed photos are also acceptable where portability is an issue, but samples will be required in most cases. Those seeking to have their studio or gallery added to the trail map should also supply inside and outside photos of the physical location. All participants must meet jury selection criteria and exhibit a high level of artistic and/or cultural significance. No mass produced items will be considered.

The AiM Artisan Trail shines the spotlight on the heritage and culture of McNairy County twice yearly with a spring and fall tour featuring working artist studios, and points of cultural interest. The first event in the spring of 2007 attracted visitors from a five state region. Learn more about the Arts in McNairy Artisan Trail at: www.artsinmcnairy.com

"Circuit Riders Wife -

The Musical" Opens

October 4th & 5th

The Arts in McNairy theatre season opens October 4th & 5th with two Saturday performances (2:00 PM and 7:30 PM) and a Sunday matinee (2:00 PM) of "Circuit Riders Wife - The Musical." All shows will be performed at McNairy Central High School's Little Theatre, 493 High School Road in Selmer. All tickets are $8.00 and will be available only at the door.

Arts in McNairy is proud to be among the first Tennessee theatre groups to perform the musical which is based on the novel by Corra Harris. It was adapted for the stage by Tennessee playwright, Doris Dennison Burns and includes 14 original songs by her husband Dr. Jim Burns who is a music professor at Lee University. As a rare treat, audience members will be able to meet the Burns', who plan to be at the closing performance. A reception in their honor is being held following the Sunday performance and everyone is invited to attend.

The show is a, surprisingly contemporary, musical comedy set against the backdrop of the "Redwine Circuit," in early 1900's rural Appalachia. It has garnered several honors and delighted audiences throughout the south since it's debut in October 2002. "We've had more fun putting this show together than anything we've ever done for AiM," said director Bryan Essary, "We can't wait to share it with audiences!"

Learn more about the show at: http://faculty.leeu.edu/~jburns/

Email Newsletter Comments

Please let us know what you think of our new email newsletter! A limited number (about 100) are currently being sent out to members, supporters and friends of Arts in McNairy on a trial basis. If there is a positive response, open enrollment will begin for all interested parties by the end of the year. Please feel free to make suggestions and leave constructive comments on this thread. We are considering making the email newsletter our primary means of communicating with members and the general public so we want to know what you think. Thanks for your interest!

Autumn Atmosphere
in McNairy County

Fall may be the most exciting time to visit and live in McNairy County Tennessee. With a number of exciting cultural festivals, the fall Artisan Trail tour, live music and top quality theatre there will truly be something for everyone. Add to that the splendor of a rural autumn and our legendary southern hospitality and it is easy to see why people love to come home to McNairy County – cultural crossroads of Southwest Tennessee.

McNairy County Fall Cultural Calendar

Hockaday Broomcorn Festival
Dozens of folk art displays and demonstrations, food & music
9:00 AM-5:00PM, Saturday, September 20
Selmer City Park
http://www.hhbrooms.com/

AiM Photography Contest and Exhibit
Hundreds of regional amateur photographers
UTM Center Selmer/McNairy
Entry Deadline: October 3
Exhibit Dates: October 12-November 14
http://www.artsinmcnairy.blogspot.com/

Celtic Concert
Smithfield Fair, Kula, Troen and Windance
7:00 PM, September 26
Rose Creek Village
http://www.rosecreekvillage.com/

VillageFest
Celebrating village life and culture around the globe
10AM-10PM, Saturday, September 27
Rose Creek Village
http://www.rcvvillagefest.com/

Circuit Riders Wife
Hilarious musical comedy by Arts in McNairy theatre
Sat. 2:00 PM & 7:30 PM; Sun. 2:00 PM, October 4 & 5
McNairy Central Little Theatre
http://www.artsinmcnairy.com/

Bethel Springs Quilt Show
Hundreds of quilts from around the Midsouth
October 17 & 18
Bethel Springs United Pentecostal Church

Arts in McNairy Artisan Trail
Visit Artisans in their studios and purchase their wares
10:00 AM-5:00 PM, November 15
All around McNairy County
http://www.artsinmcnairy.com/

Adamsville Street Festival
Rural heritage activities, music, food and family fun
9:00 AM – 9:00 PM, November 15
Downtown Adamsville
http://www.abiz.org/

A Christmas Carol
The Christmas classic comes to life on stage/AiM Theatre
November, 21, 22 & 23; Fri. and Sat. 7:30 PM; Sun. 2:00 PM
McNairy Central Little Theatre
http://www.artsinmcnairy.com/

Arts in McNairy Holiday Singers and Community Band Concert
All local voices and musicians performing holiday favorites
7:00 PM, December 4
Lakeview Baptist Church
http://www.artsinmcnairy.com/

Annual Photography Contest Now Accepting Entries

Arts in McNairy begins accepting entries, this month, for the popular annual photography contest. The competition that routinely draws hundreds of entries from around the area is open to amateurs of all ages. Prizes are being awarded in several categories including: natural landscape; architecture; people; pets, animals and wildlife; black and white; digital/computer enhanced and McNairy County subjects. All entries must be matted or dry mounted in 8x10 or 5x7 format. No framed entries will be accepted. No previously published photos or past winners in the AiM photo contest are eligible for entry. Both digital and traditional film images are welcome. Submission deadline is 4:00 p.m. Friday October 3, 2008 at the UTM Center in Selmer. Mail in entries should be postmarked by Monday, September 29, 2008 and sent to: U.T. Martin Selmer, Attn: George Souders/AiM Photo Contest, 1269 Tennessee Street, Selmer, TN 38375. All entries must be accompanied by an entry form available at the UTM Center, McNairy Central High School (George Souders) or at Selmer Chiropractic Center, 134 Warren Ave. in Selmer or simply double click and print the form above. Further information may be obtained by contacting contest chair Mark Boehler at 662-808-MARK or AiM visual arts chair George Souders at 731-645-5441.