September 14, 2006

Almost eight years after Samuella Wynne Palmer, individually and as trustee of the estate of her sister, Ruth Hollinshead, generously donated their family homestead to the City of Huntsville, preparations are underway to celebrate its Grand Opening as the Wynne Home Arts Center. The festivities will take place on Saturday, September 23, from 2:00 until 5:00 p.m. at 1428 Eleventh Street in Huntsville. Representatives of the City, the Arts Commission, the Implementation Teams, and the Chamber of Commerce will participate in the opening ceremonies at 2:00 p.m. After the doors are open, guests will be welcome to tour the home, refreshments will be served, and children’s art activities will begin. Musical entertainment will also be provided throughout the afternoon. Everyone is invited and everything is free. 

The first exhibit to hang in the Lela Mae Brown Wynne Gallery, which will be dedicated in honor of the donors’ mother, features art by “Self-Taught Texas Artists” on loan from Stephanie Smither. Ms. Smither, who will have pieces from her extensive collection in The Wynne Home Art Center on a rotating basis as the Center gradually acquires a permanent collection, will give a gallery talk on “Self-Taught Artists” at 3:30 p.m. 

Two tents as well as the ceramic studio on the grounds behind the Center will provide a variety of art activities for children all afternoon. There will also be supervised projects for children offered in the Home’s upstairs classrooms. Children’s artistic endeavors will include take-home items such as bookmarks, visors, and clay art. They will also enjoy contributing to a chalk mural that will be displayed at the Wynne Home.  

Music will be provided by Gene Young’s No Foolin’ String Band, The Raven Dulcimer Society, and Ben Bell. The Ballet Folklorico will perform during the closing ceremony, at which the first Wynne ‘Troupe’ from Stewart Elementary School, who originated a skit for a previous historical tour under the supervision of Marjean Creager and Cherrie Countz, will also participate. 

2 – Wynne Home Arts Center Grand Opening con’t. 

Cookies and punch will be served outside for the children, and refreshments will also be available inside. Costumed members of Dr. Caroline Crimm’s Walter P. Webb Historical Society will volunteer as guides, and Friends of the Wynne docents will be stationed throughout the Home to offer information and answer questions. The gift shop, featuring original art work by local artists and additional merchandise, will be open for preview browsing. 

Parking is available for The Wynne Home Arts Center across Avenue O behind Miller’s Service Station, along the east side of Avenue O, in Eastham – Thomason Park at 10^th Street and Avenue O, and on weekends in the Item parking lot and at the law firm of Smither, Martin, Henderson & Blazek next door to the Center. There are two spaces on the Center’s grounds for those with disabilities, and drive-through access will also be provided.  

Event co-chairs Lydia Montgomery and Una Grace Nash will hold closing ceremonies on the back patio. A lengthy scroll will be unrolled inscribed with the names of hundreds of volunteers and donors who have participated in the eight-year process of transforming the Wynne Home into an Arts Center for the enrichment of all Huntsville citizens and area residents. The Center will also add another dimension to the tourist attractions offered in Huntsville. A variety of classes for both children and adults has already been scheduled to start in October, and a film, a performance, and a recital series will begin the week following the Grand Opening. Information on classes and series, volunteer opportunities, and the Friends of the Wynne will be available on Saturday, or by calling 936-291-5424, and soon on the website at www.thewynnehome.com. 

                                                                   Beth Friel

                                                                   Wynne Home Arts Center Publicity

                                                                   295-3977