MAAA | Programs | Prof. Development | Missouri | OPI | Forsyth

The Forsyth Community Foundation is a new organization dedicated to providing educational opportunities and improving the quality of life of residents of the Forsyth area. They operate on a miniscule budget, but are hard at work raising money for an endowment that will provide grants to area non-profits.

Often overshadowed by Branson in terms of presenting cultural opportunities to the area, the Community Foundation was eager to participate in the OPI program.

The exhibition Grand Ole Opry, consisting of 40 photographs of the Nashville institution in the 1950s by photographer Gordon Gillingham, was the focus of their OPI experience.

They chose Les Gilliam, the Oklahoma Balladeer, as their performer. Mr. Gilliam conducted two special performances, one directed at Forsyth area fifth-grade students and one for area high school students. He concluded with one evening performance that was free to the entire community. He established a strong rapport with the students, teaching them about the history of country music and the basics of songwriting.

More than 250 people attended the performance and the exhibition. They were so successful and so positively received by the community that a neighboring town, Bradleyville, would like to host an exhibition in the near future. The Forsyth Community Foundation is beginning to give grants to the communities in their region and has said they would be glad to underwrite it.