AS an artist and a former educator Barry Wemyss believes it is important to present art, in all its many forms, not in a museum but out in the community where it can be seen and heard.<\/p>\n
He can\u2019t think of a better place than Smythesdale to put his beliefs into practice so Mr Wemyss is organising the inaugural Smythesdale Community Arts and Music Fiesta for Sunday, 7 October.<\/p>\n
\u201cI grew up in Smythesdale and I have fond memories of spending my first 20 years there, it\u2019s the right place for a Fiesta,\u201d Mr Wemyss said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are a lot of creative people in the town and the surrounding area and I want to draw them out to show off their skills and art.\u201d<\/p>\n
With the help of five other members of the community he is working hard on creating a day of live music, spoken word, artistic exhibitions and workshops, hand craft stalls and demonstrations and screening a couple of short films.<\/p>\n
The Court House Hotel is the music venue with a two-hour open-mic session kicking off at 2pm.<\/p>\n
Woady Words Out Loud, at the Thru the Gate Caf\u00e9, will give poets and writers the opportunity to read their work, at another open-mic event at 12pm.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will have a words workshop starting at 10.30am to help anyone with tips or tuition or hints before they get up on stage,\u201d Mr Wemyss said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am really keen to get as many musicians and wordsmiths to perform at the two open-mic events, all ages and all levels are welcome to come and have a go.<\/p>\n
\u201cI also want to encourage members of the local arts community to set up a stall on the green to showcase and sell their craft and show the Fiesta visitors how they actually create their works.\u201d<\/p>\n
Art exhibitions are planned for the Well, the town\u2019s business, health and community hub and the green will be the site for food trucks to keep the crowd fed.<\/p>\n
Smythesdale Community Arts and Music Fiesta will be held at various locations in Smythesdale on Sunday, 7 October from 11am to 4pm.<\/p>\n
Expressions of Interest from musicians and wordsmiths can be made by calling Barry Wemyss on 0487 225 881.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
AS an artist and a former educator Barry Wemyss believes it is important to present art, in all its many forms, not in a museum but out in the community where it can be seen and heard. He can\u2019t think of a better place than Smythesdale to put his beliefs into practice so Mr Wemyss […]<\/p>\n