By Shannon McFarlin News Director
Paris, Tenn.–For Chloe Roth, the new Director of the Paris-Henry County Arts Council, her new job “is just perfect. It seems meant to be.”
Roth is from Vermillion, Ohio, but has family roots in McKenzie and said she had fallen in love with Paris long ago.
Her grandparents were from McKenzie and had moved to Ohio to work at the Ford plants there, returning to McKenzie in later years. “I had starting coming to Paris and fell in love with it. Actually, I had taken a creative writing class at the Academy for the Arts.”
When she found out about the job opening, she said, “It just felt like maybe I was in the right place at the right time.”
For Roth, it was a baptism by fire, since her first week on the job was the week of the annual Arts ‘Round The Square event, the biggest event that the Arts Council holds each year. “I couldn’t believe it!” she said. “We were so busy, but it was a good busy.”
Since she has been in Paris, she said, “I just can’t believe the concentration of creativity you have here in Paris. There are so many creative, talented people here. And that’s a good position to be it.”
Roth has a good background for the job: She has a communications degree from Wittenburg University, her father is an artist and she taught art to elementary students in Vermillion. She also was a sailing coach and performed competitive sailing on Lake Erie, so she loves being close to Kentucky Lake.
The Arts Council is located in the former NC and St. L Railroad Depot at the corner of Fentress and Ruff Streets, which was remodeled last year.
The Arts Council coordinates a variety of events, including the annual Krider Idol; concerts, the annual photo and artist showcases, writer’s competitions and trips to the Tennessee Performing Arts Center.
Roth can be reached at the Arts Council office at 731-642-3955 or email phcarts@gmail.com.
Photo: Chloe Roth poses with one of the Arts Council posters at last weekend’s Arts ‘Round The Square. (Shannon McFarlin photo).