Artist, Morgan Santander
Balladeer, songwriter, and master storyteller, Joe Penland will present To Catch a Love Song (or Cecil and Maud in the Laurels) at the Madison County Arts Council in Marshall at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 16. Tickets are $16. Joe will dive headlong—and take the audience with him—into stories from his past growing up on the streets of Marshall and roaming the backwoods of the Laurel Valley.
In providing background for this concert, Joe says, “It was hot and humid when English folksong collectors Cecil Sharp and Maud Karpeles made their way through the flood ravaged town of Marshall, North Carolina. Most of the town was gone … ripped from foundations and washed away. Boulders, trees, and axle-deep mud greeted the weary travelers on their way to the Presbyterian outpost at Allen’s Stand on the Little Laurel Creek.
“How could they know they were only hours from discovering what Sharp would later describe as ‘the largest repository of the English folk songs in the world.’”
This year marks the 100th anniversary of their arrival, that was coincident with the most devastating flood of the French Broad River in modern history. Joe will bring all of this alive with words, wit, music, and emotion. Someone once described him saying, “His humor and hypnotizing southern drawl delight the ears and relax the senses … he’s like a slug of real good bourbon.”
Also at the Arts Council this month (opening with a reception from 5–7 p.m. on Friday, April 1, and running through April 29) is an exhibit of works by Marshall artist Morgan Santander.
Morgan has taught painting, drawing, art history, and art theory at all levels for more than 20 years, including 12 years as professor of graduate and undergraduate painting at the Savannah College of Art and Design. He currently teaches drawing courses at Warren Wilson College, as well as art history survey courses through the Blue Ridge Community College System.
His work is widely exhibited and is included in numerous corporate, private, and institutional collections throughout several countries. Morgan also has an extensive background in organizing exhibitions and cultural events and concerts—often as an independent artist/curator/musician.
The Madison County Arts Council is located at 90 S. Main Street in Marshall. For tickets and more information, call 828.649.1301 or visit madisoncountyarts.com.
