YACapalooza Parties in Sculpture Garden

Annual arts council fest moves to Powerhouse

The Arts Council’s Annual picnic has a new location for this year: the sculpture garden of the Powerhouse Community Arts Center. The annual event offers music, games, and an afternoon of fun for the entire family.

YACapalooza runs from 4 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 11, and will feature music by Oxford songwriter Moon Pie Curtis and local group Rocket 88. Art-to-Go will host a free children’s art project, and Magnolia Rent-All will present kids’ games. A barbecue by Taylor Grocery will round out the event.

The picnic started by members of the arts council at member’s homes as a way to gather and connect as supporters of the arts. It grew from Evans and Betty Herrington hosting picnics on their lawn with a puppet show to become a mini festival hosted by Campbell and Leighton McCool at Plein Air in Taylor. This year, the Arts Council wanted to highlight the new sculpture garden and dedicate the first paver, which will be installed to complete the greenspace. The Sculpture Garden and Greenspace is being dedicated in memory of Dianne Bobo Bishop.

This annual celebration is free to members of the arts council. Individuals, families, and businesses can become members of the arts council the day of the event or in advance. The membership drive is a key element in the arts council’s budget and provides the funding which allows the organization to plan year-round programs.

YACapalooza is the kick off to the summer programming season, which includes expanded free art classes by the Art-To-Go Art Truck at locations throughout the community sponsored by Chick-fil-A, summer concerts in the Grove, Movies & Music in the Park with the Oxford Park Commission, and a summer program with the public library. In addition, the arts council will be offering expanded summer camps with visual art programs for ages four to 12 and an acting camp presented by Oxford Acting Studio.

The event is free to members, and all are invited to join the Arts Council. To learn more about the Arts Council visit www.oxfordarts.com or call 662-236-6429

—Wayne Andrews is the director of the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council