Arts Backstage festival sparking beginning of summer festivals, arts appreciation in Downtown Jackson
Downtown Jackson was bustling Tuesday evening as the annual Arts Backstage festival took over Main Street in front of The Ned.
The festivities, which normally are contained to inside The Ned, took over both the facility and the outdoor space as the Jackson Arts Council (JAC) celebrated the creation of the new arts district.
“It’s amazing tonight,” said Lizzie Emmons, the Jackson Arts Council executive director. “We’re so glad people came out to support their local arts.”
The atmosphere was a notably bright one, as summer temperatures rolled in, airy tunes floated from the outdoor stage into the crowd and Jackson residents enjoyed getting out after two years of cancelled community events.
One local artist, Karen Holder, was set up inside The Ned with her collection of abstract art that directly addressed the feelings of many locals.
“It’s my new series, it’s called the Black and Blue series,” she said, gesturing to the massive canvas that sparkled in the stage lighting. “I figured after two years of pandemic, everybody is feeling a little black and blue.”
Holder said that the event was great way for artists to get recognized, and for citizens to enjoy getting back out there.
“I’m really happy to be here,” she said, smiling.
As local performer Juanita McClellan’s voice wound around the crowd inside, Councilmember Marda Wallace bobbed her head along with the beat.
“The arts are so important to this community, and for its growth,” she said. “For people moving into our town—look how much fun this is! Bringing people together, highlighting local artists, and how nice it was tonight to be blocked off and have the outdoor space—it’s just really important.
“Because when you think of everything that brings people into our city, you have to have quality of life. And this is strong quality of life.”
The quality of life was appreciated just as strongly, according to the JAC—between the silent auction, ticket sales, performances and local art vendors, there were over 200 attendees.
The event functions as the JAC’s annual fundraiser. And although the total amount of money raised for JAC is not yet counted, JAC’s Office Manager Tommy Rhoads called it a “tremendous success.”
“There was a tremendous turnout this year!” he said. “We had over 200 ticket sales, which was much more than the previous year. We had a lot more activity than the previous one, because it was out on the street as well as outdoors—and a lot more silent auction items this year.
“Overall, it was very successful. Much bigger than last year!”
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This article originally appeared on Jackson Sun: Arts Backstage festival sparking beginning of summer festivals, arts appreciation in downtown Jackson
