Wlaf1450Manuel Mesa is honored by the State of Tennessee
LAFOLLETTE, TN (SPECIAL TO WLAF) – Manuel Mesa, Executive Director of the non profit Campbell Culture Coalition, was surprised to receive a stellar Certificate of Recognition from Tennessee Senator Ken Yager this week, for his “vision and leadership at the Campbell Culture Coalition.”
“I was totally surprised,” said Mesa, “especially since I had no clue Mr. Yager was planning this. It is such a nice gesture on his part, and I really, really appreciate his support.”
The Campbell Culture Coalition is best known as the producer of the Louie Bluie Music & Arts Festival held every last Saturday in September at Cove Lake State Park, Caryville, but also has produced 45 workshops geared mostly for youth known as ArtReach.
“These are not just standard workshops, not just art for art’s sake,” said Mesa. “Our ArtReach projects are designed as problem solving through art, and all our school programs use Tennessee State Education Standards as the operational mode and basics. There is no fee charged for any of them, and instruction and materials are provided by the Culture Coalition.”
In 2022 alone, more than 650 students participated in the Culture Coalition’s ArtReach workshops, and an estimated 8,000 visitors attended the Festival, which also features free admission and free parking. “The ArtReach programs are my passion,” said Mesa, “as well as the Festival.”
To learn more about these workshops, the public is invited to connect to the website for examples, photos, and more. HERE is where to connect for updates on the Festival. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 05/10/2023-1PM)
VERY DESERVING, Manuel is very active with our community and not many people knows everything that he does, i’m glad to call him a friend, thank you and congratulations