A $15,500 grant awarded to the Overton Arts Council will help fund the upcoming Paint Livingston Contest this October.
Arts Council President Tim Richardson said last year’s inaugural contest was a huge success. Richardson said last year, 38 artists participated in Paint Livingston.
“The towns people were just blown away by the quality of the art and by seeing the artists you know, represent Overton County in such a favorable light,” Richardson said. “So that was, I guess, the most impressive thing. And so we just wanted to build on that and continue that momentum.”
Some 115 original pieces were displayed. Around half of those pieces were sold. Richardson said 70 percent of money from those sales went to the artists. Another 30 percent went back to the Arts Council to further their goals.
“The main mission that we’re trying to advance with proceeds from the competition is to enhance art education for the children of Overton County,” Richardson said. “Ages kindergarten through 12th grade. So, we try to pour that money back into the community.”
Richardson said the Paint Livingston competition is closely related to the Arts Around Town project. Some of the purchased art is being loaned to some county buildings so more people can see them. Richardson said he hopes the same will happen after next year’s competition.
Richardson said the Arts Council has been working on another grant to put toward a different program.
“The second grant we applied for was actually to offer classes and demonstrations for senior citizens in Overton County,” Richardson said. “We were told that we were awarded a grant of $6,400 to facilitate those classes and those demonstrations.”
Since the application was for more funding, Richardson said the council is currently modifying their budget to account for the projected grant. Though approval is not yet final, Richardson is optimistic the council will be awarded that grant.
The two grants were awarded by the Tennessee Arts Commission. Richardson said the focus of this grant will be to improve upon the positive aspects of last year’s competition and make it an annual event.