A grand celebration with live music, food trucks, and festivities is planned for Downtown Laurel on Friday, April 19 at the Trustmark Art Park across from the United Way of the Pine Belt office.
The block party and Art in the Park, part of this year’s En Plein Air event, will honor four decades of service to survivors of domestic abuse, family violence, human trafficking, and stalking by DAFS, the Domestic Abuse Family Shelter.
“We are so very excited to bring this wonderful event to Laurel for the fifth year in a row and to tie it in with our 40th anniversary,” said DAFS Executive Director Becky Stewart. “DAFS has assisted thousands of victims in the last 40 years, and we will continue to work tirelessly to empower survivors, restore hope, and create a future free from violence.”
Art in the Park will begin at 5 p.m. with a Wet Paint Sale featuring art freshly painted during En Plein Air. This is an incredible chance to meet the artist and purchase a one-of-a-kind painting. The evening will continue through 9 p.m. with live music by Exit 88, food trucks, and plenty of fun. Admission is free, but art and food will be available for purchase.
Because of the nature of services offered by DAFS, there isn’t an opportunity for a community celebration often. Joy Lubritz, a member of the Board of Directors for the past 15 years, invited supporters and community members to enjoy the evening with each other.
“I have had the privilege of seeing extreme growth and many lives saved and changed for the better,” Lubritz said. “Anniversaries are a wonderful time to reflect on where we have been and the progress we have made. I take great pride in being involved with DAFS and seeing the impact it has had in our community.”
En Plein Air begins Thursday and features artists from six states. They’ll be painting at various locations around town. “It’s French for ‘in the open air.’" said Amy Beckum-Luker, creator of the first event five years ago.Painting en plein air began with French impressionists who wanted to get out of their studios and capture the ever-changing aspects of light in their landscape paintings. Today, there are many plein air painters all over the world who travel in groups or alone to paint different scenery in landscape. These painters range from beginners to professional multi-award-winning artists."
On Saturday, the children will be featured during the Magnolia State Bank Kid’s En Plein Air. Dozens of children join the fun and offer their creative talents. “The adults can’t have all of the fun,” said Heather Brown, Magnolia State Bank Marketing Director. “What a great way to introduce a fun new way of painting to our children, future artists! We cannot wait to see some of our favorite Laurel landmarks painted or drawn through the eyes of our kids.”
There is still time to register for participating in the En Plein Air events. For schedules or registration information, visit www.paintinlaurel.com or call 601-915-DAFS (3237). There is no registration required to attend Art in the Park.
Sponsors and community partners include Venture Oil & Gas; Magnolia State Bank; B Clean; Yawn Construction LLC; Patriot Steel; City of Laurel; Cadence Bank; Robin and Johnnie Copeland; Joiner Insurance; Dust Bunny Cleaners; CBR Machinists; Rasberry Financial; Trustmark National Bank; Four Seasons Lawn & Landscape; South Ridge Family Clinic; Walker’s Dairy Bar; Mac’s Commercial Heating and Air; North Laurel Shopping Center; Right at Home; Holt & Associates, PLLC; Zachary Hodge, Farm Bureau; The Caron Gallery South; United Way of the Pine Belt; Laurel Arts League; The Print Press; Rent All of Laurel; H & T Concessions; HAND+made; and McAlister’s Deli.
