The Leeds Arts Council, Inc. History: Spring, 1985 – 2008

LAC was organized in 1985 as part of the Jefferson County Community Schools. Shelley Richardson was instrumental in getting us started. He had asked a small group to be a part of a discussion about the arts. This sparked an interest in this group to get together to produce a musical each spring.

Serving as the chairman during the first three years were Patrick Davis, Doris Jarvis and Anita Schmitt. Productions were Oklahoma, Lil Abner, Love Rides the Rails and Anything Goes.

In 1988, the organization was formally organized, adopting a constitution and bylaws and naming a board of directors. During these growing years, presidents were Ann Ryan, Christine Marsicano and Penny Harding. During this time, productions included My Fair Lady, Annie Get Your Gun and Sound of Music and the first variety show.

In 1992, LAC adopted bylaws and became incorporated, formally becoming a separate entity rather than part of the community school. Nonprofit status 501(c) 3 was gained in 1993. Four purposes were adopted:

1. to build and maintain, through a non-profit plan, a program for the advancement of the arts

2. to cultivate an interest in the arts

3. to provide an opportunity and place for participation in the arts

4. to foster and encourage public appreciation for the arts and teaching of art, drama, theatre, music history of music and art and art appreciation

During the next few years, LAC continued to grow. We began producing two plays per year and added other aspects of the arts to our programming. From 1992-1999, LAC continued to use school auditorium for productions and used auditoriums and church sanctuaries for concerts and special events.

Presidents included Johnnie Hargrove, Grady Sue Saxon for two terms, Penny Harding for two terms, Christine Marsicano, Jim Huggins, and Johnnie Hargrove serving a second time. Productions included Meet Me in St. Louis, Off Broadway, Gypsy, Arsenic and Old Lace, Oklahoma, Covering Dish, Faith County and Once Upon a Mattress. Children’s Theatre was started with the production of Snow White. LAC sponsored a host of events including art demonstrations wood carving, clay and stained glass; story tellers; and concerts such as those presented by piano duo Edna Knox and Sally Douglas; pianist Emmaline O’Barr with organist Charles McLane; the Shoals Community College Choral Group and the Birmingham Wind Ensemble. LAC also began sponsoring programs and performances at the local schools.

Several “Firsts” occurred during these years: first variety show, first Christmas Homes Tour, first art exhibit in businesses, first sponsorship of school programs in the arts, first newsletter, first Children’s Theatre, first Fine Arts and Fine Crafts show as part of the Creek Bank Festival, first time to purchase paintings for the schools and city hall. The Leeds Symphonic Band was organized with the director being DeWitt Self and the Leeds Community Chorus was organized with Dell Smith as director and Janet spears as the accompanist.

With all this activity – we began to dream of having our own home. We established a Building and Equipment Fund, brought in a consultant to do a feasibility study and drew up plans for an arts center to be built on city property with a theatre to be shared jointly with the library. When this did not work out, LAC moved on and established a Home Search committee made up of Jim Huggins, Dave Weaver, Dave Crabb and Linda Hendrix. Next we formed a Task Force, chaired by Sara Lou Connell, to be the LAC fundraiser for a “home”.

During this time, we ate a lot of spaghetti, bought a lot of junk to become another’s treasure, bought a lot of raffle tickets, and attended a lot of fundraisers. Eventually LAC was able to purchase an old building on Parkway Drive from the city for $50,000 in November of 1999. Johnnie Hargrove was president.

The Board hired a theatrical architect to draw up the plans and Rustic Builders to renovate the building. Joe Kelly chaired a building committee to oversee the renovation and a committee to furnish the center. We named the building the Leeds Community Arts Center and moved in May 2000 with a total project cost of $337,000.

Presidents from July 2000 – May 2007 include: Johnnie Hargrove (second term), Reba Reese, Jo Ann Malone, Grady Sue Saxon, Sandi Nicholson and Jo Ann Malone (second term). Productions have included: Hello, Dolly, Shenandoah, Steel Magnolias, Unsinkable Molly Brown, The Night of January 16^th, Barefoot in the Park, Pajama Game, Aaron Slick from Punkin’ Crick, Anything Goes, You Have the Right to Remain Dead, Have a Grumpish Holiday, The Foreigner, Music Man, Christmas Carol, Rumors, No, No Nannette, Rehearsal for Murder, and Father of the Bride. Children’s Theatre productions have included: The Fisherman and His Wife, Treasure Island, You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, James and the Giant Peach, School House Rock, Jr., Annie, Jr., and Getting to Know You (Oklahoma).

During these years, quarterly poetry readings and monthly exhibits in our gallery were organized and we sponsored home schoolers’ productions of A Super Gift from Heaven and You’re a Grand Old Flag. The Leeds High School and Middle School band concerts and two Leeds Elementary School programs have also been held at the center. The library started using the center for some of its summer programs and we co-sponsored programs with the library. We brought a variety of concerts and events to the arts center including Gospel, Barbershop and Blue Grass music, a violinist, a harpist, a story teller and several vocalists. Also performing in the center have been groups such as the Birmingham Wind Ensemble, the Warblers and Voices of the South. Many have helped LAC financially by donating their talent for benefit performances; such as, Flat & Struggling, Tommy White, Bart Connell with Dianne Sherrell, Terry Padgett, Ray Newman, Paige Phillips Parnell, and Ron Dometrivich, to name a few.

Thanks to the amazing support from individuals, businesses, organizations and foundations, the last payment on the building purchase and renovation project was made April 15, 2005. This was celebrated with a BACK IN THE BLACK party and a mortgage burning.

In 2007, with generous support from grants and private and corporate donations we purchased risers for better viewing in our theatre and hired a part-time Executive Director. Also in 2007 we had great success with our summer musical—Grease, a comedy and a dinner theatre. Forty children participated in our two-week summer Children’s Theatre Workshop culminating in their performance of The Wonderful Land of Oz. Our hard working Board of Directors successfully planned and implemented twelve artist receptions, six poetry readings, two community Chorus concerts and three workshops and a quilt show. We also co-sponsored with the Leeds Jane Culbreth Library a classical guitarist and with the Leeds Historical Society, a concert and symposium as part of John Henry festivities. We hosted a Cultural Alliance meeting and the annual meeting of the Alabama Folklife Association. In order to keep our arts center maintained, fundraisers were always necessary. Along with our annual pecan sales, we held a fashion show, holiday tablescapes, a Christmas Homes Tour and a variety show that showcased local talent.

In January, 2008, Jo Ann Malone began her second term as president. Under her leadership, we started the new year with a successful fundraiser, Dinner with Love Songs. Plans have been finalized for the monthly receptions honoring artists that exhibit in our gallery, poetry readings, the annual variety show, a classical guitar concert, a Cultural Alliance meeting and Evlis Sings Gospel. Casting is complete for our Neil Simon’s comedy, The Odd Couple. Plans are underway for our summer musical, fall mystery and many other events and concerts. LAC will be co-hosting with several city organizations a folk festival in September.

Currently, the arts center is open from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., three days a week for the public to enjoy the art exhibit, tour the center, peruse the many art books bequeathed to us by Revis Brasher, purchase tickets and/or volunteer to assist LAC in various ways. Anyone interested in participating in LAC programs or supporting the arts by working with LAC should call the center at 699-1892.

The Leeds Arts Council moves forward into the future with confidence and with high expectations for the continued growth of the arts in Leeds. With the much appreciated support of individuals, businesses, organizations and foundations, our future success is bright indeed.