Troy University and two Pike County arts organizations have received funding from the state’s community grants program through Sen. Wendell Mitchell’s discretionary fund.

Troy University received $2,500 for its scholarship fund and the Troy Arts Council received $10,000 and the Brundidge Historical Society $8,000 for their arts programs.

Mitchell has long been a supporter of the arts in Pike County.

“The Troy Arts Council and the Brundidge Historical Society provide art events throughout the year that provide opportunities, not only for the people of the Pike County area, but also for people from throughout the state and from across state lines,” Mitchell said. “The arts provide significant value to a community. When art is promoted and integrated into the culture, communities revive and grow.”

Mitchell said that over the years, he has seen both the intellectual and social benefits of the arts in Pike County.

Troy University has been a host for community arts for both the Troy Arts Council and the Brundidge Historical Society.

“As a host, Troy University has been a pivotal site for community arts and keeps the ties between the college and the community close,” he said. “The Troy Arts Council presents several outstanding national and international performances at the Claudia Crosby Theater each year. The Brundidge Historical Society presents the annual Pike Piddlers Storytelling Festival at the Trojan Center Theater. My observation has been that storytelling is not a novel idea around the country but it was novel in this region until the historical society dedicated itself to the revival of the age-old art.”

Mitchell said he has great admiration for those who strive to make the arts a vital part of their community.

“Everyone benefits from the arts,” he said. “I like to help in any way that I can.”

Dr. William Denison, TAC president, expressed appreciation to Mitchell for his continued support of the TAC and the arts in general.

“Senator Mitchell has always been supportive of the Troy Arts Council,” he said. “With these funds, we hope to expand what we do in the schools around the county. Recently, we have been able to include school performances along with the outstanding and varied public performances we present. In this way, we are able to expose our students to national and international artists through the performing arts.”

Mernette Bray, Brundidge Historical Society member, also expressed appreciation to Mitchell.

“Senator Mitchell has supported all of our folk life programs, from the Peanut Butter Festival to our folk life play and storytelling events,” she said. “When others had doubts, he was always willing to take a chance and we can never thank him enough. We appreciate his generous donation and plan to expand what we do in the area of folk life programming, including workshops for students and in-school presentations.”