Honestly there is so much going on over here at YOUR Arts Center that there seems to be a constant buzz in the air. It’s a wonderful sound. In addition to our regular classes in dance, art, piano, voice, drums, strings, show choir, pottery and more here is a snapshot of the past week.

Last Thursday a group of citizens gathered to begin work on the Smithsonian Exhibit of Hometown Teams that will be coming to our community in April. In addition to the Smithsonian traveling exhibit, we will be creating our own exhibit of sports memorabilia provided by the community. If you have something to share give us a call.

Last Friday night the Volunteer Arts Alliance hosted the 26th Annual Hunt Dinner Fund Raiser. Over 320 supporters of the arts donated wild game, decorated the ballroom, set up and cleaned up, purchased dinner tickets, donated to the silent and live auction, bid on beautiful artwork and fabulous gift packages, handmade furniture, hunting trips and beach retreats. And the food! Chef Jim Jeffords provided a meal that was absolutely delicious. Thank you to all who had a hand in making this an evening to remember.

This whole week we have seen ladies in the community deliver some of the most beautiful gowns to be made available to young ladies in the community who are in need of a dress for spring formals and the prom. The front hallway is a wash of color and sparkle. Students with an ID will have the opportunity to “shop” Sunday afternoon from 2-5. Many dresses are available for under $150 and some are as little as $10. This event is being hosted by the staff of the Arts Center and we hope it will become an annual tradition. Thank you to all who have contributed to this worthy project.

Tuesday we had the Chamber of Commerce drop by to congratulate the Arts Center for being named the Chamber Business of the month for February. This is truly an honor and one we will continue to strive to be worthy of.

Tuesday and Thursday evening the stage was full of energetic little thespians as the cast of HONK, JR rehearsed for their upcoming performances. This delightful musical tale of the ugly duckling reminds us all that different is ok. Mark your calendar for the first weekend in March for those performances.

It’s Friday morning as I type this article and Harvie Ann Cox is touring a class of 2nd graders from RB Wright in the Vereen Gallery as part of our partnership with the Board of Education and the Moultrie Service League. We are so grateful to have the opportunity to enrich these young minds with art. As you are all aware – when budgets get cut the arts are the first to go, even when studies have shown that the arts are an integral part of a solid strong education. So for one short day we give as much of a foundation as we possibly can to these young people and hope it will spark a desire to continue to explore the arts as they grow.

The Arts Center Theater is once again presenting a Valentine’s Day Dessert Theater. On Tuesday evening beginning at 7:30 there will be delectable desserts and coffee with all the makings for a delicious beverage to compliment your dessert. Evan Zebley and Lisa Gaines will share their talents as they   present the music of Stephen Sondheim’s MARRY ME A LITTLE. Seating is limited in this causal setting in the ballroom and tickets are going fast.

Next week we have 6 classes scheduled to come and tour our current exhibit- International Crafts. This is one of the most beautiful exhibits we have had and it is an honor to be the first gallery in the stateside to host it. I encourage you to come by and see this exhibit before it leaves us then end of March.

Check out our website at www.colquittcountyarts.com or friend us on Facebook for more information. Or better yet — come on in and visit and see firsthand all that is going on. YOUR Colquitt County Arts Center truly is where creativity finds community.