CACTII ARTS COUNCIL

by Ruby Simonson

Entry T51 from the History of Hooker County Nebraska
with permission of the Hooker County Historical Society

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.