Art Around Town: Sharon Petch & Piney Hills Harmony

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Up first today is an invitation from NCLAC, inviting art enthusiasts to an artist’s reception in honor of Sharon Petch next week on Thursday, August 2 from 6-8pm at the Dixie Center for the Arts. Sharon has a solo exhibition of paintings on display in the lobby through August 13, so if you haven’t seen it yet, the reception would be the perfect time to stop in and see the show, as well as meet the artist.

A lifelong resident of north Louisiana, Sharon Petch holds a master’s degree in English Education from Northeast Louisiana University.  She has been a teacher for thirty years and has been at Choudrant High School for the past eighteen, teaching Pre-AP, AP, and Dual Enrollment English, as well as Fine Arts Survey.  She is also the drama sponsor. Petch lives in Calhoun with her husband, David. 

For as long as she can remember, Sharon has always been involved in creative endeavors.  As a child she sketched, wrote poetry, made crafts of all kinds, and sewed.  In later years cooking, photography, and acting were added to that list.  Three years ago, she picked up a brush for the first time and her love of painting was born.  

When she faced that first blank canvas, she wasn’t exactly sure where to begin, then Petch remembered the advice she gives her English students: “Write about what you know.  Write about what you love.”  Petch has taken her own advice and LouisianaReflectionsis the result.  The paintings that appear in this exhibition express her love for the state of Louisiana- from the simple beauty of its rural roots to the iconic culture of New Orleans to the natural wonders of its bayous and coastline.

With a love of art in all its forms, Sharon Petch readily admits no formal training, but that doesn’t stop her from jumping right in and learning as she goes.  We are happy to display her paintings in the Dixie Center lobby, and we hope you’ll join us in honoring her at the reception on August 2.

Next is an invitation from Piney Hills Harmony, our regional Sweet Adelines International group. Women and girls 12 and over, you’re invited to beat the heat and chill with Piney Hills Harmony. There are two more Thursdays to learn to sing two classic rock songs with the award-winning Sweet Adeline chorus. As one of the chorus’ Facebook posts says, "Be one of the cool ones. Be able to sing 'Heartache Tonight' and 'The Lion Sleeps Tonight' in four-part a cappella." 

During these guest nights, participants will sing with the chorus from 6-7:30 p.m. All types of voices are welcome; no musical training is required.

The chorus meets in the fellowship hall of the Presbyterian Church of Ruston, 212 N. Bonner. For more information call 348-2291, visit the Facebook page Piney Hills Harmony/Sweet Adelines International or www.pineyhillsharmony.org.