Arts council hails anniversary

The Beaufort County Arts Council looks pretty good for 40.

BCAC begins its yearlong 40th-anniversary celebration with a kick-off reception from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday at the Washington Civic Center.

The reception is open to all arts council patrons, members and guests, said Joey Toler, executive director of BCAC.

“We are so excited,” Toler said. “It is the kick-off of our 40th year, and it will be the first of many special events we have planned to celebrate this landmark, in addition to our regular programming.”

The reception will feature 30-plus years of artwork selected from private collections and works owned by First South Bank.

The retrospective will be displayed at the Civic Center during the reception, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday.

BCAC has been given “unprecedented access” to First South’s collection of nearly 900 pieces of art, Toler related.

Tom Vann, president and chief executive officer of First South, granted this access, Toler explained.

Vann is set to make remarks about the arts council’s beginnings, with a tribute to co-founder Louise Lane, who passed away recently at the age of 89.

Other speakers include Toler and Judy Meier Jennette, a former executive director of BCAC.

In addition to finger foods, patrons will be treated to a multi-media presentation scanning the arts council’s history in images.

“It’s going to be a nostalgic evening, it’s going to be a celebration,” Toler said.

Among the 40th-year occasions on BCAC’s schedule for 2012 are exhibits, children’s workshops, a studio tour, a pedestrian art project and a great deal more.

For additional information, call BCAC at 252-946-2504 or email beaufortcountyarts@embarqmail.com.