ARTS COMMISSION

Press release 

The Waldons have become avid supporters of the arts in Boyle County. David and Lea Ellen Walden, with their son Kyle, will once again host the Gathering Artists Fine Arts Exhibit at their funeral home at in Perryville. 

David’s love of art began while growing up in suburban Chicago. His favorite field trip was to the Art Institute of Chicago. He admits the artistic talent in the family belongs to his brother, while he moved in the direction of an appreciation of various mediums and collecting. In his 20s, he became interested in pottery and has since started collecting paintings, stained glass and hand-crafted wood pieces.

His interest in the arts extends to volunteering, having served on the board of the Arts Commission and supported the 2017 Civil War Quilt Exhibit and Workshop sponsored by the Pieceable Friends Quilt Guild and the Arts Commission of Danville-Boyle County. 

The family decided to purchase the former Wilder Funeral Home in Perryville because they wanted a small-town, close-knit environment in which they could become active as part of the whole community, not just as business owners. Since opening the funeral home, David and Lea Ellen have become involved in support of the Perryville Elementary School and the Forkland Community Center. David is a member of Perryville Lions Club and serves on the board of Main Street Perryville.

The Walden family is committed to the support of art and carries that through to their business. The public areas of the funeral home showcase art they have purchased while renovating and redecorating the historic building which houses the family-owned operation.

Their commitment to handmade, quality work is also evidenced by the products they offer. They have recently begun working with Marc Wickey in Gravel Switch, who builds individually crafted coffins at the request of families they serve.

David, Lea Ellen and Kyle look forward to the Gathering Artist Exhibit which will be open to the public through the month of May. 

Don’t forget! 

• Donations to the matching grant for “Building a Community of Artist Entrepreneurs” are welcome at www.fundforthearts.org/artsmatch or by check to the Fund for the Arts and mailed to the Arts Commission, 105 E. Walnut, Danville, KY 40422. The commission is currently at 47 percent of its goal, with a deadline of May 31, for a grant from the Fund for the Arts in Louisville, which will help it pay for an artist entrepreneur program. 

• Applications are being accepted through June 15 for professional artists and apprentices in the mentoring program. Email the Arts Commission at arts@historicdanvilleky.com

• The Gallery Hop is 5:30-8 p.m. May 31. Artists and businesses interested in participating to be a part of the first night of the Great American Bass Band Festival may email the Arts Commission at arts@historicdanvilleky.com. 

IF YOU GO 

Gathering Artists Fine Art Exhibit will be up April 28 through the end of May at Walden Funeral Home, 207 S. Bragg Street in Perryville. The opening reception will be 1-3:30 April 28. To visit the exhibit, call (859) 332-4321 to check availability of hours.