News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Cookeville Art Studio and Gallery celebrated its 60th anniversary with a celebration on Friday afternoon.
Secretary Terri Ritter said it’s been special to have the organization serve the Upper Cumberland for six decades.
“It’s such a blessing,” Ritter said. “Because the whole desire of this is to reach the community with culture and with art and to bring people in to have fun with art. So to be able to open our doors and say ‘Come in and tour the facility, we’re here to serve you.'”
Ritter said that not only has the organization itself existed for 60 years, it’s also served the community in the very same building for the last 44 years.
She said that though the name has undergone several changes, the mission has always been the same: bring art to the community in every way possible.
The founder of the Art Studio and Gallery was Reba Bacon. Ritter said that she started the organization with arts for the community in mind.
Putnam County Mayor Randy Porter said that Bacon would be proud of how far the gallery had come.
One artist, Rick Austin, said that having his art featured in the gallery fulfilled a goal of having art in Tennessee.
