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December 2023 by tracy spacek
Lots of local talent showcased.
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December 2023 by Eric Gargus
Nice things and nice owner.
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October 2023 by Rick C.
A nice little place filled with consignment art from local artists. The offerings are the usual pottery, candles, textiles, and paintings. And, per usual, some of it was very good, some simply good, and some, well, it qualified as art, anyway. The real reason to visit is for the bronze sculptures. Way too expensive for me, they were certainly world-class. There is also a small garden just next to the parking area that is a shrine to Sequoyah. He developed a written language for the Cherokee based on symbols that equated to syllables. Quite an achievement for someone with no formal education and who was illiterate. There is a bronze bust there.Plan to spend thirty minutes to an hour. Nothing more unless you get into a pleasant conversation with the proprietor. He is an interesting fellow. A font of local knowledge.
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October 2023 by Robin Bivins
It was a very quaint place, filled with local artistry and air conditioning. The fellow working there was well versed on all things Mentone and surrounding areas.
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June 2023 by Tina Pendley
Beautiful work, incredible artist.
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June 2023 by John Howell
It has some great local artwork and several local handmade pieces as well. We stop every time we drive through town.
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April 2023 by Marcella Nuckolls
Very nice... Beautiful Art. The host was friendly and helpful. The artists awards was very nice. The refreshments were good as well.
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March 2023 by Laura Schoen
Beautiful artwork. Randy is a fountain of information.
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December 2022 by Terry Hale
This is a lovely local arts center with a wide array of work by local artists. The facility is large and well-lit. Works on display include original works such as painting, sculptures, jewelry, as well as gift items like local soaps and coffees, all created by regional artists. They also have creative workshops from time to time so be sure to ask about the schedule.
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October 2022 by Laura Seeger
What a delightful local arts venue. The folks were friendly. Clare Donahou's performance was amazing - what a great voice!!
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September 2022 by Joe Ware
A neat place to visit.
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August 2022 by John Hawkins
Very diverse art gallery
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May 2022 by Giorgio Torregrosa
Great songwriters performing last night!
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May 2022 by Art Grey
This may be the most controversial review I will have made to date, but I feel that it needs to be done. There is a serious problem afflicting towns everywhere, no matter the size. One that few people notice and fewer still are able to do anything about.We all suffer for those few individuals who, when given positions of influence and power, invariably act upon their own self interests instead of the good of the community they serve. They manipulate laws, regulation, policies, and city councils. They sway outcomes to favor their own personal economy and self worth, all while suppressing any opportunity for others to grow in opposition.This art gallery is a prime example of that problem in our own small town. Sure, it looks nice from the outside. No doubt, it's a tastefully designed place. But, let's consider for a moment what the Mentone Arts Center actually is, what it does for the town, and what it could be if circumstances were different.It's been two years since I moved back to this town, and I've been inside the gallery twice. Keep in mind I have a great appreciation for art, and some of my friends have works on display there. Even still, I've only wandered through its doors two times. Compare that to the restaurant next door, which I've visited at least fifty times by now. Based on that alone, it wouldn't take much consideration to decide which business is more deserving of the space.I grew up in this town. I went to moon lake. I lived just behind Dessie's*, in the middle of town. (*Only people who have lived here long enough will know what that is.)It makes me sad to see my town struggling to grow and failing to provide our kids with a place in our town as they become adults. There are too many of us who've had to leave in order to find enough financial success to be able to afford living in our own home town.An art gallery is nice, sure. But that space could be repurposed for any number of useful functions that generate revenue for the town. There is a perfectly legitimate, successful restaurant with one of the most accomplished chefs in the county, if not the state right next door.The space that the gallery currently occupies could be used by the restaurant to generate more revenue for the town, provide a greater avenue of social interaction for the townspeople, provide more jobs for the locals, and offer more accommodation for the people that find themselves spending time in our little town.As for the art, the majority of the pieces can still be displayed, and in fact would enjoy significantly more views than the gallery, thus providing more sales and support for our local artisans. It is painfully obvious that an art gallery in that location is not doing much for our local economy. It's a shame to see self interests take priority over the progression of commerce.To the owners of the Mentone Arts Center:In case you haven't noticed, this town is in desperate need of more tax revenue. Why someone so financially successful would see fit to restrict one of the most viable and attractive businesses in our town in favor of an art gallery that does very little for the well being of the people it supposedly serves is unimaginable to me.If you want to leave your mark on this town before you pass on, then spend your own money and build something that doesn't stand in the way of progress. Make room for other people to grow. Create a new space for artwork to thrive. Be a positive influence on the development of our community.My generation and those who come after will have to live with whatever you choose to do now. You can be a blessing to this town, or you can be its curse. The choice is yours.
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January 2022 by Mary Beth Escher
There is so meny Beautiful items there, people going to Mentone, is a must to drop by?❣?
