Art and Culture

The Arts Council
The Paris Henry County Arts Council contributes much to the overall quality of life of Henry County through exhibits, showcases, plays, musicals, concerts and arts in education.

Photo Showcase in February is at the W.G. Rhea Library
Sponsored by Dr. and Mrs. Danny Kimberlin. Photographers of all ages may enter. Ribbons are awarded and an opening reception is held on the first Sunday afternoon of February.

In April and May, the Arts Council
Provides trips for all county fifth graders to the Tennessee Performing Arts Center to see a professional play, musical, ballet or symphony. This is made Possible through ticket and transportation subsidies provided by Humanities Outreach in Tennessee.

Every Spring, the Arts Council and the Plumley Division of Dana Corporation sponsor a dinner theatre, at which board members and other volunteers serve as waiters and waitresses.

Our Annual Storytelling Festival
Sponsored by Union Planters Bank is held every September on a Saturday at Ogburn Park. Professional storytellers provide entertainment for all ages.

The Community Artist Showcase
Is sponsored and hosted every November at the downtown office of AmSouth Bank. Two and three dimensional art by local amateur and professional artists is displayed throughout the month.

Ribbons and other prizes are awarded by a qualified judge and a $300 purchase award is provided by McEvoy Funeral home. The showcase includes an opening reception on the first Sunday afternoon of November.

The Arts Council's Christmas Program
Is always a full-house event. A community chorus presentation of Handel's Messiah is sometimes alternated with other quality Christmas plays, concerts or oratorios.

The event is held at either First Baptist Church or First United Methodist Church in Paris. The most recent sponsor for the Christmas program was Commercial Bank and Trust.