The Mission of 

The Arts Council of Mississippi County 

is to enhance the quality of life for citizens of all ages by providing arts opportunities, assistance with artist development and utilization of all educational outreach channels to instill arts awareness and development.
The programming nucleus of the organization includes visual arts, theater, music and dance


The Arts Council of Mississippi County

 

The Ritz Civic Center

306 W. Main Street

Blytheville, AR 72315

(Phone) 870-762-1744

(Fax) 870-763-1950


The Ritz Review
 The "Ritz Review" is the monthly newsletter of
The Arts Council of Mississippi County in Blytheville, AR.
 5th Edition – Volume 12 – June, 2008

 

Director's Corner

 

2008-2009 Sponsor Update

     We are off to a good start on our current Corporate Sponsor drive, with twenty-five already committed to underwriting our 08-09 Series of programming.  We have Platinum Level donation from Nucor Steel Arkansas, Gold Level from Peggy Lemons and Temps Plus Staffing as well as from First National Bank, Silver Level from Westminster Village, Bronze Level from Lee Wilson and Company, Thomas, Speight and Noble, and ACT2!.  For Copper Level we have Arkham Comics, Bugmobile of Arkansas, Michael Williams, DDS, Scott Johnson Vision Care, State Representative Charlotte Wagner, Dr. & Mrs. James D. Hess, DDS, Dave Simmons, DPA, PA, Pollard-Geeslin Insurance, Klassi Kopies, Inc., Omnium, Bill Nelson and Crye-Leike Missco Realty, Fondren’s Hardware, East Ash Animal Hospital, Mary Ellen Ziolko, PhD., The Cullom Clinic, Kiwanis Club of Blytheville and NIBCO.

     Please encourage your business or organization to become a Sponsor for the Arts in Mississippi County.

 

Patrons for 2008-2009

     We currently have 39 individuals who have become Patrons for our new Series Year.  Eleven are new for this year and 28 are returning.  Patrons are Sarah Jackson, JD and Tonya Harris, Harrell and LaGene Hampton, Shirley Overman, William and Betty Koval, Jack and Nancy Goodman, Douglas and Shelly Bush, Kenneth and Louise Gipson, Sallye Russell, Dr. and Mrs. Mark K. Wilson, Frances Jackson, Ann M. Moore, A.J. Parrett, Ron and Becky Williams, Bill and Clorita Hardy, Jack D. Simers, Chuck and Lisa Ryan and family, Johathan and Margaret Abbott, Ramona Clower, Paul and Veda Jenkins, Tibor and Jill Mazar, Eileen O’Neal, Bob and Eleanor Royer, Kathy Cooper and Liz Smith.

  

   

Our 2008-2009 Series

     Programs scheduled for the 2008-2009 Series include:  “Blend”, a 50’s-60’s doo wop accapela male quartet for Friday, August 9, 2008 at 7:00 pm; “Barbara Bailey Hutchinson Sings”, an Emmy award winning singer/songwriter who will be in concert on Friday, October 3, 2008 at 7:00 pm, and is also scheduled to present a program at Osceola High Auditorium for Osceola Middle School, Osceola Charter School, and Rivercrest Middle School; a national touring production of the stage comedy “A Tuna Christmas”, presented by Springer Theatricals on Thursday, December 18, 2008 at 7:00 pm; a national touring production of the Tony Award winning musical “Bye, Bye, Birdie” on Friday, February 27, 2009 at 7:00 pm, and “The Barber of Cactus Canyon”, presented by Wildwood Park “Opera To Go” on April 25, 2009, with school day performances for area students on both the 25th and 26th. 

.  A touring production presented by The Arkansas Repertory Theater is being considered for the Spring of 2009 which may be offered at Blytheville High School.  Other programs will be considered and added to our 08-09 Series, depending upon our response to our Corporate Sponsorship drive. 

 

July Arts Council Events

     July 1-17, Mondays and Thursdays from 3:30-4:30 PMSummer Student Comic Drawing Workshop.

     July 12, Saturday at 7:00 PM—“Johnny Tolley Old Time Variety Show” fundraiser for The Arts Council of Mississippi County

     July 17, Thursday at 6:15 PM-- Regular monthly meeting of The Board of The Arts Council of Mississippi County held in the Board Room of The Ritz.  Visitors welcome.

     July 19, Saturday at 2:00 to 4:00 PMArtist Reception for Student Artists to view works created as part of the summer Student Comic Drawing Workshop.

Our Affiliate, ACT2!

     The next ACT 2! Production is entitled “The Sugar Bean Sisters” by Nathan Sanders, under the direction of Sarah Jackson.  Look for this comedy to hit the stage of The Ritz, July 18 – 20.

     Also in the works, George Klee will be holding auditions for Shakespeare’s classic “King Henry IV, Part One”.  There are parts available for 13 men and 4 women.  Audition dates are set for Thursday, July 26 from 6:30pm – 8:00pm and again on Saturday, July 28 from 2pm – 4pm. Production dates are set for September.

   Anyone needing additional information about ACT 2!, can call 870-762-1744.

 

 

    

Children’s  Summer Art Workshop—

     We are conducting our third summer art  workshop for children at The Ritz under the leadership of Kelly Williams, and he is joined for the second summer by Robert Phelps.  Both of these local artists will make this a special summer experience for area children.  Open to ages 8 to 15, there are two groups—beginners and advanced—and each meets each Monday and Thursday from 3:30-4:30 during June and July.  The program is free for the children, and all materials are provided.  The program is supported in part by a grant from the Mississippi County Community Foundation.

     The students’ works will be featured in an exhibition in our gallery beginning July 19th with a reception from 2:00-4:00 pm.

     For more information, or to register a student, call 870-762-1744.

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Last updated: 05/11/12.