FC supports the arts through creating, performing, inspiring and being inspired

As we get ready for another school year, it’s a good time to consider the impact of the arts in Franklin County. In school, students explore their creativity through programs in music, art and theater.

These experiences plant seeds of confidence, curiosity and connection. When students are given the tools to express themselves, they often find the courage to imagine new possibilities.

That early spark of inspiration doesn’t always fade. It can lead to a lifelong passion. Sometimes, it shapes careers, opens doors and builds confidence that lasts far beyond graduation. And often, it begins with one encouraging teacher, one community production, or one moment on stage.

Russellville native Myk Watford discovered his love for performing while acting in school plays. He took the stage as a teenager, learning his craft under the direction of former Russellville High School drama teacher Donnie Bryan.

He went on to a professional career in music, television and film. Among his credits are roles in “Law & Order: SVU,” “True Blood,” “No Country for Old Men” and “Spider Man.” He also portrayed Muscle Shoals music producer Rick Hall in the 2019 film “Heart of a Champion.” Watford fronts a Southern rock band, “Stumpwaller,” and continues to perform and record music alongside his acting career.

Bryan said he’s not surprised to see Watford succeed.

“He just had that spark,” Bryan said. “A lot of students have ability, but Myk had drive and heart too. That makes all the difference.”

Avery Guinn, a 2021 graduate of Russellville High School, has pursued opportunities across the county, the Shoals and beyond. His love for performance began in high school, where he joined the drama program and quickly found a home on stage.

“Performing gives me a purpose,” Guinn said. “I feel like it gives me a reason to get out of bed in the morning, one that I really enjoy.”

That passion has taken him far. In 2023, Guinn appeared on “American Idol,” gaining attention from a national audience. But before that, he was learning how to project, move and command a stage at the historic Roxy Theatre.

His former director, Patrice Smith, said watching his journey has been a joy.

“When you find where you’re supposed to be, it just really fits,” she said. “Avery had that willingness to try, to take risks and to learn from every show. That’s what helped him grow.”

Younger artists are also stepping into the spotlight.

Ariel Cothrum, an 11-year-old student from Russellville, has already built a growing list of performances. She has appeared in community productions at the Roxy Theatre since the age of six and has also taken part in background acting roles for film and television.

Her performances have included holiday specials, musical revues and local theater productions. She keeps working on new skills, setting her sights on landing a lead role one day. While her journey is still just beginning, her dedication already shows.

For more than 20 years, Hillary Malone Hall has directed community productions at the Roxy.

Students often arrive with little or no experience but leave with a new sense of confidence and connection. Many return year after year, growing not just in skill but in self-assurance.

That same spirit of encouragement is alive in Red Bay, where longtime resident Scotty Kennedy has spent decades building community through art and storytelling.

Kennedy, who is also a longtime photographer, is an actor and director with the Bay Tree Council for the Performing Arts, which presents its shows at the Weatherford Centre in downtown Red Bay. He has taken on roles both onstage and behind the scenes, helping bring a variety of comedy plays to local audiences.

As director of the Red Bay Museum, Kennedy also works to preserve the town’s cultural legacy. His background in photography and local history has shaped the museum’s exhibits and displays, which draw visitors from across north Alabama.

Lela Ray has been a steady force in the arts community since she moved to Russellville in the 1960s. She taught art, theater and speech for 35 years in the Russellville City Schools, helping establish arts education at a time when such programs were still gaining ground in local systems.

More recently, Ray helped launch the downtown Russellville Art Crawl. The event, held twice so far, transforms local storefronts into pop-up galleries showcasing the work of more than 300 Franklin County artists. It is organized through the GFWC Book Lovers Study Club with support from Russellville Main Street and other sponsors.

The Art Crawl brings together students, hobbyists and lifelong creators, all connected by a shared desire to make and celebrate art. As attendees move from one display to the next, they not only see paintings, photographs and other art, but they also engage with local businesses and rediscover the beauty of their own downtown.

Another advocate for the arts in Franklin County is Dianne Pace, a retired educator who has spent decades working in both early childhood education and visual art.

She continues to create paintings and is also the author and illustrator of two children’s picture books, “Too Many Santas” and “I Love You, a Bushel and a Peck.”

Thanks to educators, performers and advocates like these, the arts remain a vibrant part of life in Franklin County.

They make it possible for young people to stand in front of a canvas, behind a camera or beneath a spotlight and imagine something new. They bring neighbors together, breathe life into old buildings and offer beauty in unexpected places.

And sometimes, they help a child take the stage for the very first time. That child may be uncertain, nervous, heart pounding. But when the lights come up, they realize they belong.

Susie Hovater Malone is the president of the Franklin County Arts and Humanities Council, the nonprofit that manages the historic Roxy Theatre in downtown Russellville. She is also a retired teacher from Russellville City Schools.