The Overton County Arts Council will host a memorial reception Sunday to celebrate the life and artistic contributions of former Livingston Academy teacher Mick Gray Barnes.
The Arts Council’s Rita Richardson said the event marks the 10th anniversary of the passing of the educator. Richardson said the reception will feature several pieces of artwork created by Barnes during her life.
“She inspired the children and it was children that sometimes didn’t maybe fit into other activities that were more popular, but she made art important,” Richardson said. “She made the students feel important and again, she was very, very beloved and made art accessible and, you know, for everyone.”
Richardson said friends and former students are expected to travel from out of town and out of state to share stories and remember the teacher’s unconventional approach to education.
“She seemed like someone who thought outside of the box and unconventional seems like a good word that I would use to describe her,” Richardson said. “I have talked to many of her friends, I’ve heard many stories about Mick Barnes.”
The event also serves as a platform to announce the latest recipient of the Mick Gray Barnes Memorial Scholarship. Richardson said the scholarship was established by family and friends a decade ago and has since awarded more than $7,000 to local students.
“Interestingly, the students that have received this scholarship to date have not been art students,” Richardson said. “And that’s something we want to change.”
Richardson said the scholarship is specifically designed for students planning to study art, with music as a secondary focus if no art applicants apply. Richardson said this year marks a milestone for the fund as the council has identified a recipient who intends to study art in college.
“We want to make this scholarship more well known,” Richardson said. “For some reason, it’s to the point we were just making, it fell under the radar and we want to give it that recognition that it deserves.”
Richardson said the mission of the Overton County Arts Council is to enhance art education throughout the region. Richardson said the organization uses events like this to create a sense of community and welcome newcomers to Livingston.
“I think the scholarship helps to promote the arts in our county, but it also is a beautiful way to honor the memory of this incredible art teacher that we had here and we’ve had several,” Richardson said. “And so if people would like to donate, they can do that through our Facebook page or Instagram.”
The reception will take place Sunday, April 19, from 2:30pm to 4pm. at the Millard Oakley Library.
Richardson serves as the chair of the Education Committee for the Overton County Arts Council.