or
Make checks payable to Little River Arts Council
(with MLAC Donation noted in the memo section)
Drop off at Little River Art Gallery at Moon Lake Campus
or mail to P.O. Box 370, Mentone, AL 35984
Make checks payable to Little River Arts Council
(with MLAC Donation noted in the memo section)
Drop off at Little River Art Gallery at Moon Lake Campus
or mail to P.O. Box 370, Mentone, AL 35984
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The Future Moon Lake Arts Collective Progress continues at the site for Moon Lake Arts Collective, with the removal of the trailer that once housed Head Start and most recently the DeSoto Rescue Squad. Construction drawings are currently being finalized, and LRAC is actively interviewing contractors. Moon Lake Arts Collective (MLAC) is a new public-access art studio and creative hub designed for both residents and visitors. What began as a vision for a community clay studio with guild-style membership has expanded into a multi-use space that includes a flexible classroom and meeting studio, along with the Little River Art Gallery.
Located behind Moon Lake Library and across from the Shigley Amphitheater, MLAC will offer pottery and visual arts classes, open studio time for members, and “Make Your Own” experiences — hands-on art activities that allow visitors to create something meaningful during their time in Mentone. Designed to be welcoming for all skill levels, MLAC will provide opportunities for beginners, experienced artists, families, homeschool students, and visitors to explore creativity in an accessible, supportive environment. Through classes, workshops, and collaborative programming, the studio will serve as a gathering place where art, learning, and community come together.
Fundraising Update Thanks to the incredible support of our community and funding partners, LRAC has raised over $220,000 toward the $400,000 goal for the Moon Lake Arts Collective. This includes a $100,000 gift from Dr. and Mrs. Charles Sennett, along with grant support from the Alabama State Council on the Arts and the Lyndhurst Foundation. Additional grant applications are pending, and local fundraising efforts continue, building strong momentum as the project moves closer to construction.
At its heart, Moon Lake Arts Collective reflects a simple belief: Art is for everyone.
Located behind Moon Lake Library and across from the Shigley Amphitheater, MLAC will offer pottery and visual arts classes, open studio time for members, and “Make Your Own” experiences — hands-on art activities that allow visitors to create something meaningful during their time in Mentone. Designed to be welcoming for all skill levels, MLAC will provide opportunities for beginners, experienced artists, families, homeschool students, and visitors to explore creativity in an accessible, supportive environment. Through classes, workshops, and collaborative programming, the studio will serve as a gathering place where art, learning, and community come together.
Fundraising Update Thanks to the incredible support of our community and funding partners, LRAC has raised over $220,000 toward the $400,000 goal for the Moon Lake Arts Collective. This includes a $100,000 gift from Dr. and Mrs. Charles Sennett, along with grant support from the Alabama State Council on the Arts and the Lyndhurst Foundation. Additional grant applications are pending, and local fundraising efforts continue, building strong momentum as the project moves closer to construction.
At its heart, Moon Lake Arts Collective reflects a simple belief: Art is for everyone.
Moon Lake Arts Collective: Mentone’s first Public Access Arts Studio
In case you missed the announcement, exciting things are happening at Moon Lake Campus! Soon, it will be home to a public-access pottery studio and flexible space for a variety of art classes. Visitors can take Make Your Own workshops and leave with a one-of-a-kind Mentone Memory, while local clay artists will have access to a pottery
guild membership — offering them a creative home without the burden of investing in costly equipment.
Creativity is Taking Root at Moon Lake!
Something NEW is taking shape on the Moon Lake Campus.
The Little River Arts Council is excited to share progress on the Moon Lake Arts Collective—a new public-access clay and art studio that will serve as a creative anchor in the heart of Mentone.
A Place for Creativity & Community
The new studio will include:
Celebrate with a Leaf on the Tree
Thanks to a seed grant from the Alabama State Council on the Arts, Lyndhurst Foundation Grant, Alabama Support the Arts Tag Grant, and generous community donations this vision is moving forward with gusto!
We’re deeply grateful for the generous folks helping bring the Moon Lake Arts Collective to life!
So far, we’ve raised $217,703 — $68,350 from grants and $149,353 from community donations!
Giving Tip: LRAC now has a Vanguard account for stock donations — an easy, tax-smart way to give.
We’re amazed and grateful for the generous folks helping bring the Moon Lake Arts Collective to life — many without us even asking! Every donor will be named on our Donor Wall inside the studio. Gifts of $2,500+ will be honored with a metal oak leaf on an outdoor sculpture tree, celebrating the deep roots of Moon Lake School and the new growth of creativity here.
Growing Support
Momentum is building! In addition to enthusiastic artists and longtime LRAC members, we’re thrilled by the growing excitement from local partners like Northeast Alabama Community College, MERF, Moon Lake Library, and the Mentone Arts & Cultural Center. This shared vision for creativity, learning, and community connection is truly coming to life — and it’s inspiring to see so many voices joining together to shape the future of the Moon Lake Arts Collective.
Progress Report
Be Part of the Vision
We’re deeply grateful to those who’ve already offered encouragement, time, and ideas. If you feel inspired by what’s ahead, we hope you’ll help spread the word. Together, we’re making space for creativity to thrive.
Contact: [email protected]
The space will also host art classes and workshops presented by the Little River Arts Council (LRAC) and the Mentone Arts & Cultural Center, creating a vibrant hub for creativity, learning, and community connection.
If you’re excited about this vision, you can help make it happen!
Become a recognized contributor to this inspiring project.
Together, let’s create something unforgettable.
In case you missed the announcement, exciting things are happening at Moon Lake Campus! Soon, it will be home to a public-access pottery studio and flexible space for a variety of art classes. Visitors can take Make Your Own workshops and leave with a one-of-a-kind Mentone Memory, while local clay artists will have access to a pottery
guild membership — offering them a creative home without the burden of investing in costly equipment.
Creativity is Taking Root at Moon Lake!
Something NEW is taking shape on the Moon Lake Campus.
The Little River Arts Council is excited to share progress on the Moon Lake Arts Collective—a new public-access clay and art studio that will serve as a creative anchor in the heart of Mentone.
A Place for Creativity & Community
The new studio will include:
- A dedicated ceramics area for pottery classes and guild members
- A flexible arts classroom for painting, drawing, sculpture, and workshops
- Drop-in “Make-Your-Own” art experiences for locals and visitors
- Tiered membership access, including a volunteer-supported option
- Scholarships for students and adults with financial need
Celebrate with a Leaf on the Tree
Thanks to a seed grant from the Alabama State Council on the Arts, Lyndhurst Foundation Grant, Alabama Support the Arts Tag Grant, and generous community donations this vision is moving forward with gusto!
We’re deeply grateful for the generous folks helping bring the Moon Lake Arts Collective to life!
So far, we’ve raised $217,703 — $68,350 from grants and $149,353 from community donations!
- Thank you to our generous donors:
• Dr. & Mrs. Charles Sennett • Lesa & David Cummings • Pudden McArthur • Sandra & Ken Perry
• Ken Shigley • Cynthia Stinson - Mentone Inn • Adelaide Drennen • Ginger Beshears
• Sharon Bienert • Susan Freeman • Diana Ogletree
Giving Tip: LRAC now has a Vanguard account for stock donations — an easy, tax-smart way to give.
We’re amazed and grateful for the generous folks helping bring the Moon Lake Arts Collective to life — many without us even asking! Every donor will be named on our Donor Wall inside the studio. Gifts of $2,500+ will be honored with a metal oak leaf on an outdoor sculpture tree, celebrating the deep roots of Moon Lake School and the new growth of creativity here.
Growing Support
Momentum is building! In addition to enthusiastic artists and longtime LRAC members, we’re thrilled by the growing excitement from local partners like Northeast Alabama Community College, MERF, Moon Lake Library, and the Mentone Arts & Cultural Center. This shared vision for creativity, learning, and community connection is truly coming to life — and it’s inspiring to see so many voices joining together to shape the future of the Moon Lake Arts Collective.
Progress Report
- Site Work Complete: In August, Meacham Land Management removed old greenhouse pad and topped it with gravel .
- Expansion: With the DeSoto Rescue Squad relocating, the Arts Collective gains a larger footprint. Plans now include relocating the Little River Arts Gallery to the new facility, making available another retail space in the historic schoolhouse.
- Partnerships: In September, Randy Grider accompanied Juli and Deedee to a very positive meeting with the Daniel Foundation, sharing the vision and progress of the Moon Lake Arts Collective. Local collaboration at its finest! Thank you, Randy & MACC!
- Regional Inspiration: Our partners at the Lyndhurst Foundation introduced us to Scenic City Clay Arts in Chattanooga — a thriving model studio that continues to inspire our design and operations planning.
- Design Update: With an expanded site comes a new vision! A professional designer has generously donated his expertise to reimagine the layout for the clay studio, arts classroom, and gallery.
Be Part of the Vision
We’re deeply grateful to those who’ve already offered encouragement, time, and ideas. If you feel inspired by what’s ahead, we hope you’ll help spread the word. Together, we’re making space for creativity to thrive.
Contact: [email protected]
The space will also host art classes and workshops presented by the Little River Arts Council (LRAC) and the Mentone Arts & Cultural Center, creating a vibrant hub for creativity, learning, and community connection.
If you’re excited about this vision, you can help make it happen!
Become a recognized contributor to this inspiring project.
Together, let’s create something unforgettable.
