At the March County Commission meeting, Union County Mayor Jason Bailey presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Carol Pratt, who founded and led the Union County Arts Council for more than eight years, and for the council’s donation to the new UC Heritage Park.
Bailey said, “I want to thank Carol and the entire Arts Council, past and present, for their dedication over the years to promoting the arts in Union County. Their very generous donation will go directly to the Union County Heritage Park Music Wall of Fame project. The county is currently working with a design firm for the music wall and will unveil a rendering soon. When complete, Union County Heritage Park will be a true example of what a community can accomplish when we all work together.”
The council received grants along with fundraising throughout its existence.
The arts council supported several projects over the years:
• The well-attended Art on Main Festival was held for several years in June, and hosted musicians, craftspeople, artists, food vendors and demonstrations.
• In 2013, a mural at Horace Maynard Middle School was painted by board members.
• The Union County Arts Co-op, a shop exclusively carrying creations by Union Countians, founded and owned by council member Susan Boone, was the site of several concerts sponsored by the council. The co-op hosted the Art on Main festival on the grounds of the shop.
• Painting classes at HMMS were held by council members as a reward to Beta Club Students.
• Council members provided judging for art contests in the schools.
• The council published a book made by Big Ridge Elementary School students and provided each student a copy.
• Farmers Market Art Days Chalk Art contests were sponsored and ran by the council.
Thanks go out to: Susan Boone, Mary Ann Brantley, Jeff Cheney, Eric Hol-comb, Gloria Holcomb, Ray Hyde, Neva Kitts, Sandy Manter, Libby Mor-gan, Laurie Oppel, Arlene Sprague, Cindy Taylor, Randy Turner, Beth Weiss, Clay Worthley, countless volunteers and especially Carol Pratt.