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Denison Arts Council Presents Award for
Outstanding Service to Mia Munson

The Denison Arts Council proudly presented an award for outstanding service to Mia Munson during their meeting on September 8, 2006. Munson has served the Arts Council as an executive board member and committee director for five years and has been acting President for the last two years. “We wanted to recognize the excellent level of service Mia has provided the Council, her unending enthusiasm for the arts and bettering the community, as well as specific personal contributions she has made to help us reach our goals over the years” states Mike Williams, current Treasurer of the Arts Council.

Munson has played a major role in the success of the Denison Arts Council during her tenure as President. She has enhanced Denison’s relationship with Texas Commission on the Arts Executive Director Rick Hernandez and State Representative Larry Phillips. Munson also introduced performing arts into the DAC’s roster with last spring’s Melodrama production, increased relationships with local community leadership, founded a college internship position with the Council, and established a relationship with CableOne to host several interviews with artists, galleries, and actors involved in the local arts community.

Of late, Munson received an invitation to present Denison’s art success story at the Texas Commission on the Arts bi-annual conference in Austin, Texas. “We could not have asked for a better spokesperson for DAC. She approaches every project with enthusiasm and passion… We need that, along with vision, to pursue and achieve our goals.” says Shelley Tate Garner, a current board member of the DAC. Munson will complete her term as President on September, 30th. She will continue to sit on the Arts Council’s executive board, but is also actively pursuing her career as a hotel design consultant in Texas and abroad.

The Denison Arts Council is a 501c3 non-profit organization manned entirely by community volunteers. The mission of the Denison Arts Council is “to promote, encourage, and otherwise develop cultural activities in order to serve the needs of all citizens through participation, exposure, and educational opportunities.” The DAC is now in its 25th year of service providing cultural experiences and opportunities in the North Texas area.

The Galleries in the 300 & 400 Block of Main Proudly Present “Art Block”, a New Series of Fine Art Events

The first Block Party took place on Saturday, September 16, 2006.Galleries were open at 10 am and remained open until 8 pm. Demonstrations, art showings, and meet-the-artist style receptions are scheduled throughout the day

“We wanted something that emphasized that Denison has an amazing offering in a very compact area. An ‘art block’ is exactly what you will find in the heart of our downtown” states Scott Goddard, owner of On Main Off Center Gallery. “Our concentration is a huge advantage to guests” says Shelley Tate Garner, of Artplace Gallery, “We are one of the few art destinations that provide a stunning variety artwork and atmosphere in a walk-able distance.”

Art Block defines the core of full time art galleries in downtown. The events themselves are collectively called “Block Parties” and will consist of coordinated show openings, artist receptions, and entertainment at each location within the block. “We plan on the Block Parties becoming ‘events’ as each gallery puts together a dynamic new show, then adds their own mix of food, entertainment, and other related activities” adds Goddard.

One of ourrecent successes in print from the press release blitzes Hannah Hubbard, DAC assistant organized is "Create Magazine", Fueling The Professional Creative Community - Winter 2005. "Create Magazine" is published quarterly. Circulation as of Summer 2005: 100,000 controlled (the largest rate base for creative trade publications). National Expansion: Summer 2005 Dallas/Fort Worth, Atlanta, Bay Area, Boston, Central Florida, Chicago, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Nashville, New York City, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Diego, Pacific Northwest (Portland/Seattle/Vancouver, B.C.), South Florida, St. Louis and the Washington D. C. Area. Began as a Florida publication in 2001. Audience: Advertising and Creative Professional Industries

Denison Arts Council

Contact: Anna McKinney
Phone: 903-465-1551
Email: arts@denisontexas.com
Info: www.smalltownbigart.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Denison Arts Council awarded $3,000 TCA Grant

“What a wonderful way to end a meeting!” exclaimed Mia Munson, President of the Denison Arts Council. The meeting was with Dr. Ricardo Hernandez, Executive Director of the Texas Commission on the Arts (TCA), at his office in Austin. Dr. Hernandez congratulated the Denison Arts Council’s success in being named a hot new arts destination by Art Talk Magazine, and for becoming an economic force in Denison and the greater Texoma area.

Along with the grant, Mrs. Munson returned home with a list of model Texas communities that have made the arts the centerpiece of their economic recovery. “The arts can give a small town a new identity - and like Abilene and San Angelo - the arts can be the springboard for revitalization in every area of the community,” said Dr. Hernandez. He also encouraged the Council to take advantage of TCA’s “Community Connections” grants, which support a portion of the travel costs so that city leaders can learn from each other.

Dr. Hernandez was very generous with his time, ideas, information and support, spending over two hours with the Denison Arts Council representatives. “The grant was his way of saying, “Good job; keep it up! And, we will!” Mrs. Munson remarked with enthusiasm. We are very excited about all the new opportunities we discussed, and it is nice to be on a first name basis with the head of your state’s arts commission. We arrived calling him Dr. Hernandez, and we left calling him “Rick.”

If you haven’t visited Downtown Denison - - named one of the six hottest new arts destinations in the nation - - come on downtown! Get a preview by visiting our website, www.smalltownbigart.com. That’s just what Denison is – small town, BIG art!

Celebrating 25 years strengthening the Denison cultural heritage.