Over the holidays the ceramics studio got a bit of a facelift. Thanks to the Moultrie Service League for underwriting the project, a donation of kitchen cabinets from one of our patrons along with the skills of Gordon Lewis, a room that was once a big closet stacked with boxes and odds and ends shelving now looks like something out of House Beautiful!

This grand new space will house pottery glazes and other items that are used by the ceramic studio and will also provide some space for our summer fine art camp supplies. Artists are by nature scavengers and hoarders. We don’t throw anything away. As soon as we do we find that we actually had a use for it after all. Kathy Nelson does a fabulous job of gathering supplies all winter long for the eight themed weeks of summer camp. All those empty jars, paper tubes, old magazines and so much more have to be housed somewhere! And now there is a beautiful space to do just that. Thanks to ALL who had a part in making this possible.

I wish I could post the video of Leah Garcia seeing this space after the renovation for the first time. It is priceless! Leah and Ashlee Parrish offer classes at the Arts Center with Leah offering adult pottery classes on Monday mornings from 10 AM until Noon and on Monday and Tuesday evenings from 6:00-8:00 P.M. Teens can enjoy studio time with Ashlee on Monday or Wednesday from 4:00-5:30 each week.

Now is a great time to start on projects for giving as gifts throughout the year!

I had the opportunity to tour a group through the Arts Center just yesterday and whenever I guide a tour of the building I am reminded of how many transformations have taken place, and continue to take place, within these walls. If you haven’t been here in a while, I encourage you to drop by and check it out for yourself.

Another space that was redefined just this past fall is our PICK and PAINT/Stained Glass/Mosaics Studio.  A group of volunteers from the United Way Day of Caring transformed this space into a festive and creative studio space. You can come in and pick a piece of pre-fired bisque ware, paint it to your liking cover it with glaze and leave it to be kiln fired. In a week to ten days you can come and pick up your masterpiece! This is a great team building, girls’ night out, birthday party or family fun night opportunity. You just give us a call and schedule your time; an Arts Center staff member will set you up and leave you to enjoy yourselves- checking on you from time to time to see if you need anything. You are welcome to bring your own snacks and enjoy!

Interested in learning how to create a stained glass landscape? Call today to add your name to the list. When we have five interested we will create a class. Check out our website for a series of mosaic workshops offered by international mosaic artist-Karen Sasine.

Another great girls’ night out event is our Last Thursday workshop series. January 26th from 6-8 PM participants will paint a bird’s nest with acrylics on an 8×8 gallery wrap canvas. In February participants will make an Art Journal using scraps and found objects to create a 6×6 journal with pockets and secret compartments for storing memories.

I am also excited to announce that another talented artist in our community will be offering beginning quilting classes starting in February. Shirley Thomas is best remembered locally from Suzanne’s Quilt Shop as Suzanne’s right hand! A quilter with 23 years of experience Shirley is self-taught and has taken classes from national and international quilt experts. She has had pieces in several quilt shows including one in Australia and has taken second place in the Arts Center Quilt Show in the past.

Learn the basics of cutting, machine piecing and machine quilting to complete a small (crib size/wall hanging) quilt using the Nine Patch Irish Chain pattern. This easy four class project will teach you how to cut pieces using a rotary cutter, piece your quilt top including borders, as well as baste machine quilt and bind your quilt.

Classes will be Saturday February 18th and 25th and March 4th & 11th from 9 AM until Noon each session. $50 person    Supply list provided upon paid registration.

Deadline to register is February 10th.

Build on the basic skills you already have with advanced beginning quilting. Learn to quilt using rectangles, triangles and flying geese patterns to complete a small (crib size/wall hanging) quilt. This class will be six sessions on Saturday April 8,15,22,29 and May 6 & 13. $75 person Supply list available upon paid registration. Deadline to register is March 24th.

Check out all the Arts Center has to offer at our website www.colquittcountyarts.com or follow us on Facebook. For more information give us a call at 985-1922.

We hope to see you soon at the Arts Center- where creativity finds community.