Masquerade party big success!

Pictured above at the DAA Masquerade party are Don Conger, Bob Wilbanks, Wilma Wilbanks, and Mandy Heslep-Whitten.


The October 31st Masquerade party and Antique Auction proved to be a rousing success. A number of attendees stayed till the wee hours of the morn, dancing to oldies and engaging in delightful camaraderie. Fabulous costumes were the order of the day (although not required), and most of the guests dressed in fine fashion.

The addition of an antique auction also was a clever fundraiser, thanks to the vision of party chairmen Bob Wilbanks and Will Jacks.

Let's do it again next year!



Wes and Gina Sigler party as a "guy and a doll"!

Masquerade and Antique Auction - October 31!

The Delta Arts Alliance Masquerade Party and Antique Auction is set for tonight, October 31, and it promises to be a wingdinger. If you've not called for tickets you may still pay at the door for music and dancing and a chance to bid on 75 fabulous antiques/ unusual items. The community has been so generous, and we're looking forward to a great evening. Time: 8 p.m. . . . Place: The Warehouse, Cleveland, Miss. . . . Tickets: $25 . . . Costume optional . . . Dinner and drinks may be purchased from The Warehouse.



In the picture, Myrtis Tabb and Beth Jacks try on costumes at the recent New Orleans costume trunk show at the Ellis. A good time was had by all . . . as usual!

More pictures from DAA reception for the Davises

OCTOBER 8, 2009 ~ Reception at Ellis Theater
honoring Jack and Ann Davis

Mayor Billy Nowell, Mickey Thompson, Jack Davis, Ann Davis

Food table and the beautiful arrangement by Bob Wilbanks

Guests enjoyed the fellowship, food and art in the beautiful new lobby!


[Photos by Beverly Ray Card.]

Upcoming DAA party!

[Image by Will Jacks via iPhone. The hound sculpture, a past Crosstie Festival winner, graces the entrance to the Ellis building.]

Mark your calendar for Saturday evening, October 31! That's the date of the Delta Arts Alliance Masquerade Party and Antique Auction to be held at the Warehouse in downtown Cleveland. Call 662.843.3344 or 662.588.7135 for more information. Public is invited!

Delta Arts Alliance honors Jack and Ann Davis

[Image of marquee taken by Will Jacks with iPhone.]

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Thursday, October 8, 2009, saw Delta Arts Alliance supporters gather to honor Jack and Ann Davis, former Mississippi Deltans and now Californians. Jack and Ann were early supporters of DAA's efforts to refurbish the old Ellis Theater building, creating an arts center for the Cleveland area.

Believing in the purpose and mission of DAA to establish a program and an arts center that would enhance cultural and artistic experiences for all Delta citizens, all ages and races, the Davises put their money where their heart is, trusting in DAA leadership to get the job done. And so it was -- the first phase of the Ellis renovation is complete, and plans are underway for Phase II.


[Picture of Ann and Jack Davis by Beverly Ray Card. -->]

The October 8 reception featured the unveiling of a bronze plaque declaring the lobby named for Ann and Jack Davis. Cleveland Mayor Billy Nowell, assisted by building co-chairman Mickey Thompson, presented the Davises with a proclamation of appreciation from the city. Lenagene Waldrup read a poem and gifted the Davises with a creative movie poster titled "Miracle on South Court Street," starring Ann and Jack Davis. Hilda Povall proposed a champagne toast, which was enthusiastically cheered by all.

Antique Army-Navy tablecloths covered the food and drink tables. Planned by Beverly Ray Card and prepared by DAA board members, the delicious refreshments were served on silver, and a gorgeous arrangement of lilies, sunflowers and red peppers atop a silver cherub pedestal, another exquisite creation by Bob Wilbanks, set the tone for a beautiful evening.


Pictured are Mickey Thompson, Jack Davis and Ann Davis. Picture by Beverly Ray Card.

ARTS ALLIANCE CHARTS AMAZING GROWTH

From “The Bolivar Commercial” - Cleveland, Mississippi - August 23, 2009
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Six years ago a small after school program in Ruleville Central Elementary School introduced 20 young students to the arts.

Today the Delta Arts Alliance has expanded its “Arts From the Ellis” to serve 2,500 youngsters in Bolivar, Coahoma, Sunflower and Tallahatchie counties.

“Years ago, budget cuts in public school education mandated severe cutbacks in art programs,” says Lenagene Waldrup, education coordinator of the Delta Arts Alliance.

Waldrup, who was recognized this spring with the Governor’s Initiative for Volunteer Excellence in the Arts and Humanities award, says DAA adopted a mission to provide art experiences for children and started with a small pilot project in Ruleville. Helping her kick off the program were assistant teachers.

The next year, Hurricane Katrina transported New Orleans artist and Delta native Sarah Deason back to the Delta with experience in after-school art programs, and the project expanded into Benoit, Rosedale, Drew, Ruleville, Mound Bayou and Shaw schools, serving 145 students.

More than 500 students in additional schools participated the following year with artists-in-residence, adding art experiences in visual art, music and dance.

“Since rural children do not have transportation, we asked school superintendents to allow artists to come to the schools during the regular school day,” explains Waldrup. “They agreed, and now principals say children don’t want to miss school on art days!"

Waldrup said Kings Daughters and Sons Circle Two has assisted with funding for programming for several years, and the program grew into East and West Tallahatchie counties through financial support from the Rock River Foundation (Morgan Freeman’s foundation). There were then more than 1,000 children taking part, she says.

Last year a $95,000 grant from the U. S. Department of Education, Office of Innovation and Improvement, spearheaded by U. S. Senator Thad Cochran, skyrocketed enrollment to 2,000 students.

Included then were first graders in Coahoma County’s Jonestown, Lyon, Friars Point and Sherard elementary schools, and Moorhead, Inverness and East Sunflower elementary schools in Sunflower County.

She anticipates more than 2,500 children participating this year.

Recently added are students at Hayes Cooper in Merigold and the Robinson Achievement Center in Cleveland.

Waldrup emphasizes that Delta Arts Alliance serves as a bridge connecting diverse cultures and promotes the arts as a prominent part of daily lives.

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SEPTEMBER, 2009

The Delta Arts Alliance is pleased to announce the opening of the remodeled Ellis Theater in downtown Cleveland. The Ellis will serve as an arts center for the community and surrounding Delta. Come see the beautiful, historical building and view the “Best of Show” collection from the annual Crosstie Arts Festival.

Questions or comments? Want to support the Delta Arts Alliance? Please call the DAA office at 662.843.3344 or contact DAA president Beth Jacks at bethjacks@hotmail.com .

Recently, former Delta State Delta Belle, Sarah Brumfield, hosted a hip-hop dance and step class in conjunction with the Delta Arts Alliance Summer Programming. We had some excellent little dancers, and we all had tons of fun! The weekend concluded with a show for parents, grandparents and friends! During break time, our dancers even decorated the outside of the Arts Annex with chalk art to welcome their audience. We hope everyone has had a great time this summer learning and having fun at all our workshops, and we hope to be bringing even more workshops for you and your children for summer 2010!