‘An Evening with Carroll Arts’ Fetes County’s Talent

Organization Celebrates 30th Anniversary

By Brad Sam, brad@mckenziebanner.com • July 29, 2024 • Updated July 12, 2026

From the Jul 30, 2024 e-Edition

Carroll Arts President Glynda Rich was surprised with a plaque recognizing her as a charter member with 30 years of service. Pictured are (L-R): board members Anna Moore, Nancy Hicks, Shirley Martin, Geneva Johnson and Carol Armpriest (seated); Vice President Leigh Goodwin; Rich; Treasurer Denise Sam; board member Mitchell Brown; Secretary Donna Ward; and board member Chelsea Brown.

McKENZIE (July 20) - Carroll Arts, an organization dedicated to cultivating and celebrating the arts in Carroll County, hosted an annual event Saturday at First Cumberland Presbyterian Church highlighting talented artists from across the county. The event was also a celebration of the group's 30th anniversary.

“An Evening with Carroll Arts” featured artwork on display and live musical performances, as well as special recognitions of individuals for their contributions to the arts.

The theme for the event was "1994", the year Carroll Arts was created.

Ed Long served as master of ceremonies.

Visual Art included:

Fran Musser - cross stitch

Missy McDonald - cross stitch, quilting, crochet

Nancy Hicks - quilting

Paige Espey - abstract multimedia collage

Linda McClure - painting

Glynda Rich - painting

Mona Batchelor - clay sculpture

Donna Ward - photography

Anna Moore - clay pottery, drawing, painting

Paula Watkins - painting

Dana Wyatt - drawing

Performances included:

Isaac Stephen Walker - "Luck Be a Lady" and "I've Got You Under My Skin"

Brittany Washburn Martin - "Till You Love Me" and "I'm the Only One"

McKenzie Senior Center Silversteppers - "Rock Around the Clock" and "Stayin' Alive/Electric Slide"

Melissa Herris - "I Dreamed a Dream"

Chelsea and Mitchell Brown - "It's Your Love"

Sel Miller - "Zombie"

Noelle Herris - "If You Knew My Story" and "On My Own"

Chelsea Brown - "Hopelessly Devoted to You" and "Colors of the Wind"

Nathan Eaton - "Thunder Rolls"

Melissa and Noelle Herris - "Break From the Line"

Nathan and Hannah Eaton, Chelsea Brown - "Landslide"

A special surprise presentation was made by the Carroll Arts board members to President Glynda Rich, a charter member of the organization. Rich is a graduate of McKenzie High School and Bethel College and taught the arts and other subjects at MHS for 21 years, instilling hundreds of students with skills such as acting, design, construction, costuming, makeup, marketing, public relations, lighting, sound and general teamwork. Following her retirement, she has remained involved in the MHS theater department.

Carroll Arts also awarded its annual Friend of the Arts award to Keith Breeden. Lovingly known as simply "KB", he has spent his entire career teaching music in Carroll County. Beginning as the band director for Hollow Rock-Bruceton, he accepted the same position in McKenzie in 1998. He retired from full-time teaching at the end of the last school year but has returned to Hollow Rock-Bruceton to serve as director. Among the thousands of band and vocal music students he has taught, dozens have gone on to careers in music and/or education.