Fine Arts at the Mountain Opened
by Sarah Beavers, Messenger Staff Writer
Michael and Netta Karr celebrated the grand opening of Fine Arts at the Mountain with an open house and ribbon cutting on April 27. Michael and Netta created Fine Arts as a creative safe space that “helps to develop the whole person,” said Michael.
Michael and Netta came to Sewanee a year and a half ago, fell in love with the Mountain, and decided to open up the store.
Fine Arts at the Mountain offers classes on a variety of musical instruments for students and professionals. They also offer repairs on instruments. “When you have a nice instrument, it draws you to it and makes you want to play,” said Michael. The music store offers musical instruments and accessories, a band instrument rental program, and a comprehensive music education program.
Michael was raised in a music store and was even part of a band. He began playing the violin at the age of nine, but the guitar is his instrument of choice. Music has had a profound influence on Michael. “Music is what life sounds like,” said Michael.
In 1993, Michael and his family moved from the West Coast to attend Florida Baptist Theological College in Graceville. “God called Michael to ministry,” said Netta. He earned a bachelor of arts in church music. He then went on to Southern Seminary in Louisville, Ky., where he got a masters of arts in worship.
Michael is ordained and has served for more than 20 years as a music minister and worship pastor. His church members wanted to become more active in the service by playing instruments. Parishioners wanting to learn how to play plus a growing interest within the community drove the need for access to high quality instruments at affordable prices.
In 2008, Michael and Netta opened their first store, called Fine Arts at the Beach, in Panama City, Fla. Both realized they were called to teaching. Michael and Netta’s coaching style is self-described as “it’s more than just teaching. It is going on the musical journey with them, where their inner creative part is expressed through music,” said Michael. “And, a music studio needs to be a place where you can be free to make discoveries,” said Michael.
Fine Arts at the Mountain is located at 91 University Ave. Store hours are 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Monday–Friday. Call (931) 463-2400 for information or go to their website at www.fineartsatthemountain.com to learn more about music instruction for individuals or groups, and the instruments.