June 5 at the Home of Albert and Glenda Clark
By Krystina Cirilli

The Starkville Area Arts Council welcomed in the summer and new members with a Mexican Cantina for the annual membership party. Sombreros, Mexican blankets, and piñatas filled the backyard providing an exciting atmosphere to support the arts.

Albert and Glenda Clark hosted the membership party on Friday, June 5, at their house surrounded by fields with horses, beautiful hydrangeas, and a white fence to enclose one of the most exquisite homes in Starkville. Glenda was an excellent host and fully believes in the membership party event: “Aside from a fun-filled occasion with wonderful food and entertainment, it gives us members a time to visit as friends when we are not busy working on a project. It also gives us a chance to enlarge our membership by letting others see the importance of a strong bond, not only as a work force, but also by enjoying each other as well.”

As guests arrived in Mexican themed attire, a cantina near the entrance provided frozen margaritas and imported beer to cool off the evening. Robin Fant from Eat With Us served as a co-chair and provided a special on-site chef to create options for a create-your-own fajita station. Many board members of the arts council brought their own dishes to contribute to the theme, including homemade salsa, flan, and Mexican cheesecake.

Three talented dancers from Dancing Feet Academy came dressed in bright, flowing skirts to contribute to the evening of arts through dance. They provided entertainment with an original dance set to lively Mexican music.

Shortly after entering the party, upcoming board member Paige Laws began dancing to the festive music and shared her opinion of art in our community and the strengths of the Arts Council: “Art defines the community and gives people the ability to express themselves in color rather than just black and white. Membership in the Council is the foundation and helping hand that allows us to expand programs that have not been funded before. It gives students an opportunity to experience things that they might not be able to afford otherwise.”

The night’s highlight was celebrating the Arts Council’s past presidents. Each president received a plaque with an engraved pineapple, a symbol of welcome and community. Current president Briar Jones encourages membership to those who want to positively contribute to the community: “Any one who joins the SAAC can take pride in the fact that they are helping to promote the arts locally. This is achieved by the SAAC in multiple ways, however some of our most visible work is through events: The Cotton District Arts Festival, Star Shine, The Gala, The Everything Garden Expo, Art in the Garden, and the Annual Membership Party. All of these events focus on the arts.”