Art council changes name, chairpersons

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July 29, 2010

Now called Mountain Laurel Artisans Guild

By Carol Mills Staff Writer The Sentinel-Echo Thu Jul 29, 2010, 02:09 PM EDT

LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. — The Laurel County Arts Council decided to change its name to the Mountain Laurel Artisans Guild last month during a meeting at the Bennett Center Library.

Jerri Patterson and Barbara Willingham volunteered to be the new chairpersons for the guild.

“The name change was to encourage artists and craftspeople from other counties in southeastern Kentucky to join the organization,” Willingham said.

Patterson is an instructor at the Laurel County Adult Education and Literacy Council and an artist; and Willingham is a retired art teacher for Corbin Independent Schools, an artist and the owner of The Mountain Laurel Art Gallery on Ky. 192.

The two artists hope to lead the Guild in a new direction.

“We would like to get artists and craftspeople from throughout southeastern Kentucky working together to make London a vibrant art community,” they said. “We have a wealth of talent in this area. It’s time we capitalize on that talent.”

Patterson said one of their main goals is to work with London Downtown and their plan is to establish an artisan center to showcase the work of the local artists and craftspeople.

“We have other ideas we are kicking around, but we have to meet with the Guild to formulate any plans,” she added.

Twyla Money, a former chairperson, said she would still help the guild.

“I will still be a member and will work with them in any way I can,” she said. “I needed a break. I lost my mom and dad this past year. I believe they will do a real good job with it. They’re really interested in working hard with London Downtown and the Chicken Festival.”

The guild has 20 members and is looking for new ones. The next meeting is at 6:30 p.m. August 3 at the Bennett Center Library.

For more information, e-mail Patterson at jerildinacaprina@hotmail.com or Willingham at barbara@studiowillingham.com or call 862-9529.

Staff writer Carol Mills can be reached at cmills@sentinel-echo.com.

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