Appreciation for the arts and humanities continues to grow in scope and volume in Marion County.

In 2005, the Marion County Arts & Humanities Council was formed, filling a void created when the Marion County Arts Council became inactive a few years ago.

The first Council was organized in 1984 and supported and sponsored artists and events throughout the county. It had a part in bringing ballets, choruses, ensembles, concerts and performances of all kinds to the community. It also sponsored a summer reading program at the Marion County Public Library, "Hoofprints on the Stairs" and artists-in-residence at several local schools.

The current Council carries on that tradition by hosting the annual Art Hop & Auction, the Heart of Kentucky Arts Festival, a performing arts camp in the summer and contributing funds to other organizations with similar aspirations.

The MCAHC also partners with Farmer's National Bank to present a New Performing Arts Series with five quality musical performances to Marion County each year with free admission.

Farmers National Bank continues to be a leading force in bringing art and culture to the community as well as offering opportunities to young people such as free tickets to performances at the regional arts center at Centre College in Danville and college scholarships.

Other local financial institutions have also contributed to activities that promote the arts and humanities in the community.

"Hoofprints on the Stairs", a Civil War musical, draws crowds of several thousand for its performances each summer. Beginning as a small production on the lawn of Myrtledene, a local bed and breakfast, the play has grown each year and is now the most visible aspect of arts and culture in Marion County. Using volunteers and some professional actors and singers and assisted by the Lebanon Community Choir, the show is based on a popular local legend and recounts the story of Confederate raider Gen. John Hunt Morgan and his three raids on Lebanon during the Civil War. The play does more than merely re-tell the conflict between Union and Confederate forces.

“When the audience leaves, I want them to have a realization that there is a lot of Civil War heritage accompanied with Lebanon and see the tragedy the war was," Terry Ward, author of the original production, said.

In 2000, the performance was revised and expanded to become a true musical by Director Gary Vidito.

For the arts though, Marion County is more than just a one "Hoofprint" town. In the past, other arts and humanities activities have included cultural festivals such as Japanese Cultural Day and the Heart of Kentucky Cinco De Mayo Celebration, classical music and jazz concerts and performances of Shakespeare.

The Centre Square Convention Center opened and was dedicated in August 2003, giving the community a new venue for events, including the Kentucky Bluegrass Music Kickoff, a weekend of bluegrass music and workshops. With its kitchen, rental office space and gymnasium, the facility provides a place for meetings, small performances as well as a place for athletes to hone their skills.

The Centre Square Arts & Culture Center will open in 2008 and features Angelic Hall, a 300-seat theatre, and the Marion County Historical Museum, to name a few.

The Kentucky Humanities Council Speakers Series begins in October and runs through May each year at the Marion County Public Library. There is a speaker each month. Past topics have included Kentucky women, Kentucky author Janice Holt Giles, the tobacco industry and the Underground Railroad.

At the Sisters of Loretto Motherhouse in Nerinx, Sister Jeanne Dueber works in several different mediums to render all shapes and sizes of sculptures. Dueber also operates a gallery of her work above the studio. The Motherhouse is also the site of numerous free performances by a variety of musicians throughout the year.

Marion County is also home to artist Mary Hagy. Hagy's work has been on exhibit at Actors Theater in Louisville and her work "Night for the Arts" at the Lexington Opera House and was winner of the patrons' choice award at the Lexington Art Leagues' "Reverse Raffle" auction.

The Friends of the Library turns the Marion County Public Library into an art gallery once a year that features the work of local artists, including such notables as Mark Selter, Jama Watts and Bonnie Rawlings Campbell.

Other artistic and cultural organizations include the Lebanon Community Theater and the Bradfordsville Performing Arts Center and a gallery of local and regional work at These Precious Things in downtown Lebanon.

Comedy performances and other live musical performances are available through local clubs and restaurants, including Blues on Tap and Big Jim's Steakhouse & Buffet in Lebanon, Hawk’s Place and Cozy Corner in Loretto, Fifth Wheel Lounge in Raywick and T.J.’s Lounge in St. Mary.