Arts Council celebrates 40 years: In recognition of that anniversary, a reception is planned from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, July 17 at the Graham Hospital atrium gallery, according to Fulton County Arts Council President Kelvin Sampson. The celebration gallery show will be entitled, “Forty Years: Embracing the Arts.” Sampson says the show will continue until Oct. 10. The exhibit highlights the importance of art in Fulton County, the history and future of the Fulton County Arts Council, and features an impressive selection of art created by past and present Fulton County artists. Art produced by noted artists such as Harold Kee Welch, Montie Ellis, Norman Meyer, Ralph Thompson, Sue Cleer, and Canton’s well known Snowman family will be on view. Works of art produced by 25 to 30 artists will be presented in the show. Many of these come from the Fulton County Arts Council’s purchase award program. Between 1980 and 2005, winning entries from the Annual Membership Show were purchased by the arts council and at the preference of the artist were donated to local organizations such as the Canton Park District, Graham Hospital, Canton YWCA, Fulton County Farm Bureau, local libraries, and several others. Art for the show has been generously loaned by these organizations for the show. “The Fulton County Arts Council that’s all who are participating in our fortieth anniversary show. We also thank Graham Hospital for an extraordinary 39 years of support in providing the Fulton County Arts Council with its gallery space. Words cannot express our gratitude and what that has meant to Fulton County Artists,” emphasizes Sampson. Sampson invites everyone to visit the gallery and “take a journey into the art of Fulton County.” The Fulton County Arts Council and its events are partially funded by the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency. Additional support for the exhibit was provided by the Illinois State Museum – Dickson Mounds. For more information on FCAC meetings, events, or membership contact the Fulton County Arts Council at P.O. Box 254, Canton, Ill. 61520, visit our website at www.fultoncountyartscouncil.com or contact Sampson at ksampson2@winco.net or call 309-6456-7109. Caption: Fulton County Arts Council celebrates 40th anniversary (1971-2011): The Fulton County Arts Council will celebrate its 40th anniversary at a reception planned from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, July 17 at the Graham Hospital atrium gallery. The atrium art gallery will offer an art exhibit supporting that celebration through Oct. 10. Above left is a watercolor painting (Retired, South of Farmington) by David Gregory which was done in 2009. Above right is the painting (Oak Tree) by Montie Ellis which was created in 1981. It is provided courtesy of Fulton County Mental Health Center in Canton.
