Closing in on its fifth decade, the Tom Peyton Memorial Arts Festival continues to offer a variety of art exhibits and programs for central Louisiana.  This year’s annual celebration begins on Friday, April 17th at First United Methodist Church in Alexandria.

The festival begins with the Opening Reception on April 17th. Don’t miss this opportunity to view the competitive exhibit, which showcases more than 70 works from regional artists.  Presenting the merit awards and gallery talk at the reception is juror Glenn Dasher.  Dasher is a professor of art, sculpting and drawing at the University of Alabama in Huntsville.

In addition to the competitive show and School Art exhibit, which displays the art of local students and their teachers, artists Samuel Corso, Mary Lee Eggart and Kathy Vellard will present a special exhibit entitled A Collection of Works. All exhibits are open daily from April 17th through April 26th from 10:00am until 4:00pm.

On Saturday, April 18th, Joe Bluhm from Moonbot Studio in Shreveport will present a story reading and short film of The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore.  These Children’s Day activities begin at 10:00am in the Johnson Center.

The Reverend Robert Martin, Dean and Professor of Christian Formation and Leadership at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C., will be the guest speaker during the 11:00am worship service on Sunday, April 19th.  Martin is an ordained elder in The United Methodist Church.  He holds a M.Div. and a Ph.D. from Princeton Theological Seminary and a Th.M. from Harvard Divinity School.

The crowd pleaser, Jazz on Jackson, is set for Friday, April 24th from 6:00pm until 8:00pm in the Courtyard.  The event will feature Monty Russell & the Hardcore Troubadours.  All exhibits and events are held at First United Methodist Church, 2727 Jackson Street in Alexandria, and are free and open to the public. Additional details, including registration forms for Children’s Day, are available online at www.fumca.org/artsfestival.