By Donna Campbell Smith, FCACarts.org
Franklin County Arts Council’s Diversity Team brought singers and poets together for an open mic Saturday afternoon, February 25, 2017. The event celebrated Black History Month with a theme of “Freedom.”
Music by Mr. Howard Overton greeted participants as they arrived. Mr. Overton is a long-time friend of FCAC and has provided music for several of their events. Guests included all ages from teens to grandmothers. Linda Riggin, Donna Campbell Smith, Linda Wade, Jackie Dove-Miller, Kim Hogan, Deana Vassar and Theodocia Snelling preformed with readings and songs to an enthusiastic group.
Jackie Dove-Miller, who is the diversity team-leader, said, “I thoroughly enjoyed the open-mic sponsored by the FCAC diversity committee. Participants interpreted the theme of freedom in her own way, whether politically in terms of race or male/female relationships, or personally in terms of social norms or individual aspirations. Then there were some who spoke of the lack of freedom and its effect on the psyche. Regardless of the interpretation, all the poets and singers inspired. The audience was receptive and encouraging, and the facility, One Man’s Treasure Auction House, was cozy– a perfect setting for artists to gather and share.”
The FCAC diversity team is made up of members who seek to sponsor various arts opportunities to increase overall interest and participation in the culturally diverse community that is Franklin County. Anyone wanting to join the team and help plan more events can contact Franklin County Arts Council by emailing FCACarts@gmail.com or call 919.497.6910. The diversity team meets monthly on the first Thursday of the month at 2pm at the FCAC gallery on 22 S Main Street, Franklinton, North Carolina.
