By Jeff Ophime

Arts Center Director



In the next week or so, the Colquitt County Arts Centers’ Winter/Spring 2010 Schedule will be distributed. If you are an Arts Center Patron you will receive your copy in the mail very soon — a patron perk! We will also distribute copies to all of the students enrolled in classes here at the Arts Center. My reason for writing about the new schedule today is to get your attention so that when it arrives you will make a special effort to read it and, most importantly, participate in some of the many things offered in the coming months at the arts center.

As you look over the schedule, you will notice that we continue to offer our most popular classes such as dance, children, senior and adult art classes, piano, guitar, drums and voice lessons. All of these on-going classes are ready for anyone to join and get started creating and learning.

You will also notice a great selection of new programming activities starting in January. Here are a few of my favorites. Manners with Miss Freda is a series of classes for children that covers a broad range of important subjects such as courtesy, healthy habits, being responsible, thank you notes and respect. The classes begin with four and five-year old boys and girls and a special group of sessions for young gentlemen that are in grades 4th, 5th and 6th.

Torey Wingate, a long time Arts Center Board Member and all-around great guy, will be offering woodworking workshops. You can learn how to build garden seating, bird houses and a butcher block table by coming to one of his workshops. This sounds like an incredible opportunity for a parent or grandparent to spend some quality time at the Arts Center on a Saturday with a young person from their family.

Another great new offering here at the Arts Center will be Plein Air Painting (that’s French “for painting outside”) with renowned painter Tom Jones. Two days will be spent painting at Reed-Bingham Park and three days in the studio. This is a very unique artistic opportunity that will attract artists from around the southeast and beyond next spring. If you have any interest in this type of experience please join us. More details will be available in the coming months.

The full-time staff of the Arts Center includes Jane Simpson, Lin Sheffield and me. Each of us is going to conduct two classes that will explore a variety of different art forms over six weeks. I like the idea of offering classes with a wide range of perspectives and the creation of what will hopefully be interesting works of art. My students will take home a piece of contemporary art worthy becoming a family heirloom, at least that’s the plan.

Additional basket weaving classes by the extremely talented craftswoman Virginia Lawman are on the schedule. Acting related dance, singing and performing classes by Connie Fritz and Dee Ann Ladson are always popular and I like the idea that we are developing talent for future theatrical productions.

The above are just a few examples of the many fun and rewarding experiences that are available for you and your family and friends. Find a good friend that wants to get out of the house one night a week to do something different by taking a class at the arts center. If you have a child in your life that has shown some special artistic skills or he or she just enjoys art, I’m sure that the perfect class exists here at the arts center to foster that creative spark. The new Colquitt County Arts Centers’ Winter/Spring 2010 Schedule surely has something for everyone and I invite you to nurture your artistic ability by registering yourself or a family member soon in any of the many activities here at the art center.

I also want to remind you that we have auditions for kids from 1st – 8th grades for the United Way Christmas play here at the Arts Center. A production of “Candy Cane Lane” will be directed by Ponda McKinney and Beau Jarrell. Auditions/rehearsals will begin on Monday, Nov. 30, starting at 3:30 p.m. This is always a fun play and the kid involved put on a great performance. I want to encourage you to have your kids or grandchild get involved with this holiday play because I know that you will enjoy it as much as they will.

This winter will be extremely busy I want you be a part of what makes it busy. Our Arts Center is a wonderful asset to Colquitt County and your participation and support will ensure future programs. The new programming information will also be available by going to www.colquittcountyarts.com.

One last thing, please visit the holiday market here at the Arts Center for a selection of great affordable gifts. This sale of arts and crafts will be on display through Dec. 11, in the Veeren Gallery.