Great Art was a Great Success!

Written By: - NONE - | Issue: 2019/03 - March

On a cold and rainy night in February, a group of 88 art lovers from the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau ventured out to experience the true warmth of community partnership. Great Art On Screen: Van Gogh was the first in a series of four films presented as a partnership between The Highlands Performing Arts Center (PAC) and The Bascom: A Center For The Visual Arts.

 Mary Adair, Executive Director for The PAC, was full of gratitude for such overwhelming support. “I want to thank everyone for a fabulous inaugural Great Art on Screen event, and for supporting both the performing arts and the visual arts in our community.  This is a great collaboration, the first of many I hope.  Our area and community is a strong vortex for creativity and the people who love and support that creativity.  Thank you, all!”

 Teresa Osborn, Executive Director of The Bascom, expressed delight for the visual art center to be a part of this creative and educational partnership. “The first Great Art On Screen event far exceeded our expectations! Many in attendance mentioned that they learned something new about Van Gogh from the film.  It is an honor to be part of an event that offers enriching entertainment to our community and an even greater honor to be part of a community that values creative enrichment!”

 Diane McPhail, a local artist and Great Art On Screen attendee, can’t wait for the second film in the series highlighting master of light and shadow artist, Caravaggio. “I was thrilled to see the wonderful community response to this joint offering by The Bascom and The PAC. A coalition of artistic offerings is a remarkable asset to the town. Everyone benefits from mutual engagement and involvement with the arts of all kinds.”

 The PAC and The Bascom are also partnering with four local restaurants, one for each film.  The thought behind these partnerships was that attendees could ‘salon’ together after the event to discuss the highlighted artist.  The first such partnership was at Meritage Bistro, where every seat was occupied with Great Art On Screen guests who had called for a reservation before the film. “The lively conversation about the artist and the delicious dinner selections were a perfect pairing. There was quite a buzz about all the new things people had learned about the life and pursuits of Van Gogh,” noted Andrea Schmitt of Meritage Bistro.

 Great Art On Screen films will be available again in April, May, and June.  Contact The Bascom at 828-526-4949 for more information about topics, dates, and restaurant partners to make personal dinner reservations, or buy film tickets directly from The PAC at www.highlandspac.org.