By MIMI BECKER

Arts Commission

Friday and Saturday nights were alive with art and conversation at Pioneer Playhouse for the Arts Commission’s Art-full Affair. On Friday, ticket holders viewed the 65 selections of art and arts related items to be ready to make a selection on Saturday night when their names were drawn. Many of the artists were on hand to discuss their work and meet potential collectors.  

As the crowd enjoyed refreshments, they were entertained by Danville singer/songwriter, Travis Kern, a finalist in the Artist Exchange program with Carrickfergus, Danville’s Irish Sister City.  

The Art-full Affair is in its seventh year, being held only in odd numbered years. In the previous six events, over $40,000 was raised to provide scholarships to children ages 3-18 to study and participate in extra-curricular arts activities.

The Arts Commission has three programs that provide arts services to the children of Boyle County. The McKune Visual Arts Scholarship supports activities such as special student exhibits, arts classes and materials.

The Powell Performing Arts Scholarship provides financial assistance for tuition and instrument rental for students who wish to participate in programs such as the Danville Children’s Choir, Heritage Area Strings Program, West T. Hill Community Theatre and private lessons.

The Arts Commission’s newest program is the Lockhart Art Is Vital Fund. This fund will support special activities such as a free concert and workshop on Nov. 4 by the Louisville Leopards Percussionists. The Leopards are a group of 70 school children from all over Louisville who start as second graders and, by the time they are in middle school, can play virtually every percussion instrument.

The 2017 Art-full Affair raised nearly $10,000 this year, which will continue the scholarship program and provide support for new activities during the 2017-18 school year. Along with the draw for art, five items were offered at live auction, raising additional dollars for scholarships and activities. 

Danville’s arts community and friends of the arts are truly a talented and generous group.

Upcoming arts events

The Art-full Affair may be over, but more arts events are on the way, including the Gallery Hop on Friday, June 9. Downtown Danville businesses and offices will host numerous artists from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Artists will have items for sale. The Gallery Hop is free through the support of LG&E.

Several stops will be the site of multiple artists and performances. For a complete list of Hop Stops, pick up a map at any downtown business flying the purple event flag on June 9.

Danville Bike and Fitness will present singer Travis Kern indoors and some children’s activities outside. David Farmer will be a featured artist at the Boyle County Public Library, where a one-person exhibit of his work will open in the Mahan Gallery. Sandy Wells, a popular jeweler will also be at the library.     

An artist new to Danville, Andrew Stine, will be on hand at the library to discuss his unique brand of wood working.  

Visitors to the Community Arts Center will see work in the ceramics studio and on the main floor.

Tom Tye, a perennial favorite Hop Stop, will also host the Boyle County Chamber’s Business After Hours from 4-6 p.m. For information and registration for the Business After Hours portion of the evening, visit danvilleboylechamber.com.

A new feature to this year’s Gallery Hop will be the gallery of Robert Powell at Pioneer Playhouse. June 9 is the opening night of the playhouse’s 2017 season.  The first show presents local playwright Liz Orndorff’s popular and award winning, “Death by Darkness.” Attendees can enjoy a spin around downtown and end up at the playhouse.

For show ticket information, call the playhouse box office at (859) 236-2747.