53rd Annual
May 3-12, 2019
History of the Arts Festival
The Annual Arts Festival of First United Methodist Church, Alexandria, Louisiana, was established in 1967 to encourage use and understanding of the arts as a means of healthy expression. It presented the first juried art competition in Central Louisiana. For more than four decades since, the festival has offered a variety of exhibits as well as programs of music, film, literature and drama.
The festival was renamed in 1980 to honor the memory of the Rev. Tom Peyton, a former associate minister whose ministry to the entire community’s arts and educational efforts was especially significant. An endowment in Peyton’s memory contributes to the festival’s budget, which is supported otherwise by patrons’ gifts and grants. The festival enjoys the guidance and services of the church’s staff and the use of its facilities. The core of the festival remains the competitive juried exhibit, which retains the respect it has earned from artists in the region.
Cenla Focus featured the 50th celebration of the Tom Peyton Memorial Arts Festival. Read more about the history of the Festival in their archives.
Calendar of Events
The 53rd Annual Tom Peyton Memorial Arts Festival is May 3 – 12, 2019.
Friday, May 3, 2019 | 6 – 8 p.m.
Opening Reception with Awards and Gallery Talk by Juror Ross Jahnke
Saturday, May 4 – Sunday, May 12 | 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Art Exhibits Open Daily
Exhibits close at 2 p.m. on May 12
Sunday, May 5 | 11 a.m.
Worship Service led by The Rev. Clair Loraine, Associate Pastor at FUMC Natchitoches
Friday, May 10 | 6 – 8 p.m.
Jazz on Jackson featuring Smithfield Fair
Saturday, May 11 | 10 – 11 a.m. (1st – 4th Grades) and 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (5th Grade & Up)
Children’s Day Stop-Motion Animation Workshop led by Al Bohl
Pre-registration required
Art Exhibits
Competitive Show
2019 Important Dates:
March 31
Deadline for entries
April 15
Artist notifications emailed
April 24 at 4 p.m.
Deadline for shipped art delivery
April 28, 2 – 4 p.m.
Hand-delivered artwork received in Fellowship Hall
May 12, 2 – 4 p.m.
Pick up hand-delivered artwork
May 13 – 15
Shipped artwork returned
Special Exhibits
A collection of works by Michael Elliott-Smith and Leslie Elliottsmith
Student Art by local students and their teachers
