Mount Vernon News

MOUNT VERNON — Intermittent showers may have kept some people from coming out for First Friday, but hundreds of other hearty souls ventured out for the fun and festivities, thronging downtown with umbrellas or ducking under awnings when sprinkles fell.

Heritage Centre Association manager Lynne Ricard cast a wary eye to the sky early on in the evening.

“I hope it blows over,” she said.

Her words worked magic, as the rain relented and the crowd swelled to listen to The Nomads play rock hits of the ’60s and ’70s, including lots of Beatles hits. At one point, the group had to take a break and cover its instruments from the light rain, but the rain soon relented.

In ThePlace@TheWoodward, the Little Miss First Friday competition continued its monthly appearance with a talent show that played to a crowd of over 50 people. The young contestants included such acts as ballet dancing, jazz dancing and even a magic act. The young competitors are vying all summer long for the title of Little Miss First Friday, which will be awarded in September.

At the Root Art Center the “Art in Fibers” show was in full swing, with a big crowd looking at a wide variety of artwork.

“Fiber arts includes anything tactile,” said artist Deb Yorde, citing such forms as collage, paper, cloth, art quilts and more. Yorde’s “Homewood Barn” was a miniature work evoking a favorite subject of this year’s Knox County Bicentennial in the medium of hooked rug fibers. Jo Rice had several pieces featuring stylized trees embroidered into richly colored fabrics.

Ellen Sheffield’s art books were displayed on stands in the middle of the gallery, where they could be examined from all angles. Jeanne Mullendore’s works featured paper, fabric, leaves and bright colors in collages based on quilt patterns. The show will remain on display at the Root Art Center on South Main Street in Mount Vernon through the end of August.

At the Knox County Art League, winners were named in the league’s first annual members’ photography show. Bill Ernst was awarded Best of Show for his photograph “Shadows,” which showed a vivid zig-zag of the shadows of a railing cast upon a set of stair steps. Ernst also took first place with another work, “Levanto, Italy.”

Terry Gardner won second place with “Looking In, Looking Out,” while Shannon Treisch won third place for “Siesta Key Egret.” Honorable mentions went to Brian Baby, Noreen Dye, Ken McCandless, Katie Ricard, Mike Rilley, Wes Shorter and Jan Tiffany. The show was judged by Mount Vernon Nazarene University art instructor Don Boyd, and the awards were presented by Art League Events Chairwoman Sarah Pillow.

“I was blown away by the 60 submissions we received,” Pillow said, congratulating everyone on the quality of the show. The show will remain on view for the rest of the month in the KCAL Gallery in the restored B&O Depot at 507 W. High St.