Leeds Arts Council Update

Book Signing
Grady Sue Saxon
Sunday, April 27, 1:30-3:30pm

LAC Sponsors Book-signing for Author Grady Sue Saxon

This Sunday, April 27 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., the Leeds Arts Council, Inc. is sponsoring a book-signing for author Grady Sue Loftin Saxon. She will be introducing her latest book, Smiles, Smiles and More Smiles. The reception is from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Leeds Theatre and Arts Center, 8140 Parkway Drive, downtown Leeds. The public is invited to attend.

Last summer, the author noticed that two bumble bees had created a Smiley Face on a sunflower outside her window. Because she believes the Lord sent her the smiling sunflower to share with others, she took photographs of it to carry in her purse, ready to pull them out to show anyone she sees who looks to be in need of a smile. She has become convinced that she was meant to share smiles on a wider scale so she put together this collection of what she calls “fun photographs” with a few of her original poems. She hopes the book will cause its readers to smile and even have a good laugh. By making the collection available to others, she hopes they will share their smiles, too. After all, as she says in her book, “Smiles are contagious.”

For those who are interested in purchasing the book, Smiles, Smiles and More Smiles will be available at the book-signing. She will also have available two previous collections of her original poems: Ponderings and Sand Between My Toes. and a parenting book: How to Raise Children: A Recipe in Plain English.

For more information concerning the book-signing or other LAC events, call the arts center at 205-699-1892. In case of inclement weather, call ahead. To obtain copies of Saxon’s books after the reception, call her at 205-699-2440.

Next Week

Pinkies UpTea Party
For Girls and Ladies of ALL Ages

Saturday, May 3, 1:30-3:30pm

Leeds Theatre and Arts Center

Put on your Hats, Gloves, & Pearls and join us for
Food, Fun & Games

Cost $10.00 per person

Mother’s Day is coming up – What a special pre-holiday treat!

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Artist Reception – Fred Mobley

Artist Fred Mobley to be Honored with Opening Reception on Sunday

This Sunday, May 4, artist Fred Mobley will be honored with a reception by the Leeds Arts Council, Inc.
His work will be on exhibit through May 29. The reception will be at the Leeds Theatre and Arts Center, 8140 Parkway Drive, downtown Leeds, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. The public is invited. There is no fee; however, his work will be available for purchase.

Fred Mobley has been drawing for as long as he can remember. His uncle taught him perspective drawing when he was six. As a child, he tore open paper grocery bags to get large sheets of paper. In high school, he majored in art and received several awards from the national magazine Scholastic. However, after high school, he decided to pursue engineering drafting and design and let his interest in art wane. He satisfied his creative urges through photography and won several awards for his photographs in the 1980s and 1990s. His photographs appeared in some regional and national calendars.

As time passed, other responsibilities led to less and less time to spend on photography so he put his cameras on the shelf. In retirement, he, again, became interested in the arts. He watched and followed the instructions given by a television artist. After seeing one of paintings, a family member challenged him to get back to his own painting. At first he made excuses but finally bought some paints and brushes and an instruction book or two and began to paint his first painting in over twenty years.

Mobley has concentrated on landscapes and has been working in oils, acrylics, watercolor, and watercolor with pen and ink. Although some of his favorite artists are Edward Hopper, Winslow Homer, Grant Wood and Andrew Wythe, he does not try to follow one style or school of painting. As he says, he tries to take a little from here and a little from there. While developing his own personal style, he tries to learn techniques from others but not copy their particular styles.

Mobley’s desire is to produce paintings that strike him as beautiful. Many of his paintings tell a story but it is up to the viewers to bring their own stories to his paintings. His desire is to produce something that caresses the eye and produces a feeling of pleasure or perhaps, nostalgia. Mobley credits God for his artistic talent and his desire to create, giving Him credit for whatever paintings he is able to create.

Mobley is a member of the Watercolor Society of Alabama and of the Fultondale Arts Council. He recently was awarded an honorable mention in an art contest in support of the new Warrior, Alabama library.

For more information regarding the reception and/or to inquire about upcoming activities, make reservations for May events; or join the arts council; call the art center at 699-1892 and visit the arts council’s website at www.leedsartscouncil.org. Gallery hours are Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and during LAC events. In case of inclement weather, call ahead to check on re-scheduling plans.
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Make Plans NOW

The Leeds Arts Council, Inc. Presents
The Leeds Community Chorus

Leeds City of Valor
A Tribute to WWII in story and song

May 17 @ 7pm
May 18 @ 2pm
Admission: $10.00
Make your reservations now…..

Pamela Ayres
Leeds Arts Council
205-699-1892
www.leedsartscouncil.org