CACTII ARTS COUNCIL

Cactii Arts Council was organized Septem-ber 23, 1982 at the Mullen Public Library and officially adopted their by-laws, elected officers and appointed directors.

Officers elected were: Chairperson, Mabel Cox; Vice-Chairperson, Bessie Bradley; Sec-retary, Claudia Tompkins; Treasurer, Mar-ilyn Downing. Other directors were Cheryl Frestien, Mariola Mallory, Jody Phillips, Carol and Clyde Sexton, Kathryn Sweeney, Berniece Wadlow and Ruby Simonson.

The purpose of this Council is to act as a coordinating, educational and service organi-zation to promote, encourage and increase the knowledge, appreciation and practice of the arts in Mullen and surrounding area.

Some of the events that have been brought to Mullen through the Cactii Arts are: several performances by the Nebraska Theatre Caravan, Mime Artists, bands specializing in country, blue-grass music, a piano concert by an artist-teacher at the University of Nebras-ka, also a cello-piano concert by a father-daughter duo, a folk singer and musician who played a variety of instruments. The Council sponsored a local photography show also a juried art show as well as several non-juried art shows which were judged by the public. We booked a story-teller that gave us an opportunity to see good professional drama.

The Cactii Arts Council has sponsored several Art and Craft Fairs, held in the Lariat Auditorium in the fall months.

Each year there is a membership drive. A ten dollar membership fee which helps the council sponsor some interesting cultural events and the membership also allows a reduced rate for the special events.