Think back to 1975. Gerald Ford was President. The Vietnam War had just ended. Eagles, Queen, and Bee Gees were rocketing up the pop charts. Andy Warhol flaunted way more than 15 minutes of fame.
Inspired by it all, the Arts Council of Macon County came up with their own dream: to expand the arts right here at home.
Now, in 2025, ACMC is celebrating its 50th anniversary. That’s a half century of Visual, Performing, and Literary Arts events, supported by the Council for the benefit of local audiences and artists from all disciplines.
Council members have made history in Western North Carolina, engaging the National Shakespeare Company, the North Carolina Dance Theatre, the U.S. Air Force Heritage of America Band, and other national organizations.
ACMC is about to broaden, deepen, and widen the Arts on Saturday, October 11, 3:00 to 8:00 P.M. – Downtown Franklin is ushering in its first ever Rocktober Event. Parking and attendance are free. While enjoying music and loads of entertainment, visit merchants and restaurants, open to welcome and accommodate customers. Face painting, make-and-take projects, fairy hair, and fake tattoos are free for the kids.
Don’t miss your favorite local bands, classic rock Paradise 56 (3:00-5:00 P.M.) and West Sound featuring Gina Duke (6:00-8:00 P.M.). Bring your pets (leashed, of course). It’s a family day for mom, pop, grandmoms and granddads, pals and four-leggers.
When you want a sip of something scrumptious, purchase the world’s most amazing lemonade or strawberry dragonfruit tea.
Mike Contino, the council’s president, is excited to share the group’s new direction.
He says, “The focus is no longer on the Council. The direction and support are on the artists, with projects and events like library and school programs for children.”
With loss of governing support, kids have lost educational projects and financial funding. The Council is assisting with a program called ARTReach. Art events and live music venues will be added. The ARTReach goal: replenish the Spirit of the Arts.
Contino adds, “We are helping fund the local nonprofits which will grow and improve arts programming, not advertise the Council. For example, for the coming months we hired a Celtic fiddler to perform and teach in our public schools and a Barbershop ensemble to sing at the annual Macon County Fair on September 18.”
Learn more about Rocktober and how you can help the Council during the year. Visit their website, artscouncilofmacon.org.
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