It might have been a wet day in Wetumpka on Saturday, but it didn’t rain on the first River Region Arts Summit.
The event allowed artists and organizations supporting the arts to connect at The Kelly Fitzpatrick Center for the Arts. Executive director Jennifer Eifert thought the weather might keep people away.
Cliff Williams / TPI Artists gathered at The Kelly Saturday for the inaugural River Region Art Summit. It allowed them to connect with 15 art organizations from across central Alabama.
“I woke up and was like, ‘It’s rainy, I’m going to have four people,’” Eifert said. “But we have a packed house. This is just great.”
The Kelly set out 25 chairs for presentations but there was standing room only as artists and representatives from 15 organizations gathered.
Alabama State Council on the Arts visual arts program manager and gallery director
Amy Jenkins shared information about the council’s fellowship and grant programs.
Jenkins noted The Kelly receives grants from ASCA. She also explained the organization’s fellowship program that awards $5,000 to artists of all levels in almost every genre to further their art. Jenkins said grant awards can be spent on creating a better studio space, creating art or gaining education and information to further an artist’s career.
Jenkins’ favorite part of Saturday’s program was the networking between presenters. She said she always leaves programs energized, noting an issue in Alabama is the smaller population spread out geographically.
“I don’t get to know people as much as I like,” Jenkins said. “Today I got a chance to meet so many people I’m looking forward to working with, getting to know better. It just means a lot to be able to see all of the talent one room can hold.”
Artists also got to visit with representatives from Sunshine and Pixie Dust, The Wetumpka Impact Crater Discovery and Visitor Center, the Montgomery Arts Center, the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, the Montgomery Art Guild, the Prattville Art Guild, Southern Art and Makers Collective, The King’s Canvas, the Society of Arts and Crafts of Montgomery and Central Alabama, Millbrook’s The Art Mill and The Kelly.
Eifert said planning for the inaugural summit started several months ago as an interest was found to connect artists and art organizations. It started with three to four organizations and quickly grew to 15.
“We decided to call it a summit because of how it became so large,” Eifert said. “I think this is the first time anybody has brought together more than just one or two organizations.”