Anyone who says there is nothing to do around here needs to check out the Colquitt County Arts Center. From the beginning of October to the end of the year the Arts Center has three exhibits, five theater performances, six specialty workshops, a United Way fundraiser, a celebrity luncheon and book signing, dinner and concert with a Julliard pianist, community bowl painting opportunities and a community soup dinner to raise awareness of hunger in our community, a NAMI Night event, and an evening with pianists and vocalists playing and performing Christmas Carols. That is in addition to the day to day classes and opportunities we offer our community. Allow me to break it down for you just a bit.

GALLERY EXHIBITS

Right now we are very fortunate to have not one, but two fabulous exhibits in our gallery spaces.  If you have not been by to see WINGSPANS in the Vereen gallery yet- you need to make the time to do so. These works in cut paper by North Carolina artist Ingrid Erickson are a feast for the eyes and if you have any desire to own one for your personal collection- you had best hurry on in and make your pick.

In the McCall and Traverse Galleries you will find a fascinating historical sketch of our history as a nation. The Coming to America: The Immigrant Experience takes you on a journey dating back to 1936 through the recreation of a mural originally painted by Edward Laning under the WPA program. Since the mural was hung in an area of Ellis Island that was quarantined, it was never seen by the general public.  Artist Andrew Sabori has done an excellent job of recreating the mural in panels as an educational tool for students.

ATTENTION TEACHERS: You will want to schedule a field trip for your students to see this exhibit. It also includes painted portraits and copies of actual immigration papers of some very famous American Immigrants including Albert Einstein, Alexander Graham Bell, Bob Hope and 30 others.  

On November 7th we will open our annual Holiday Shoppe filled with creations by local artisans for one of a kind gift giving. Jewelry, holiday decorations, sand carved glassware, handmade pottery, hand woven accessories, one of a kind paintings by local artists and so much more await you and your shopping list. Gift giving has never been easier or more unique!

THEATER

Today at 2 PM will be your last opportunity to enjoy A Year with Frog and Toad. This short- about 35 minute production – is a perfect starter for young children to enjoy live theater. Our Kindergarten through 5th grade students have been working hard to learn their lines, songs and staging to present this performance for the community. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased at the door.

On Saturday and Sunday, October 28th & 29th at 2 PM each day our Senior High Company will present Junie B. Jones The Musical. The delightful tales of the woes of a first grader will entertain children of all ages! Thursday and Friday, October 26th & 27th the Arts Center is offering school field trip performances and they are filling up fast. Field trip tickets are $2 per student and public performances are $5.

Another production offering school field trip performances is The Lion King, JR. This cast is made up of Middle and Junior High students and they are having a blast learning Swahili and traditional dance.  School performances are being offered Thursday and Friday November 16th & 17th and they are also filling up fast. Public performances will be Thursday, November 16th at 7 PM and Saturday and Sunday, November 18th & 19th at 2 PM. Field trip tickets are $2 per student and public performances are $5.

Our Community Theater group is working diligently on a production of Neil Simon’s Broadway Bound. Broadway Bound is the delightful story of two brothers who use family material to break into show business. When their material is heard on the radio the first time, the family is a bit upset to hear a thinly veiled portrayal of them played for laughs. Broadway Bound will take the stage Friday and Saturday, November 10th & 11th at 7:30 PM and Sunday, November 12th at 2 PM. Tickets are $8.

Our annual Family Theater production of A Christmas Carol sponsored by the United Way of Colquitt County will take the stage on Sunday, December 10th at 2 PM. Auditions will be held Monday, October 30th from 6:30-8:00.  This is a week later than originally advertised so make note of it! No previous experience is necessary to be involved in this show and ALL ages are welcome.

WORKSHOPS

The Arts Center is holding a Stained Glass Artist Retreat the weekend of November 3rd-5th- but you don’t have to know how to do stained glass to participate.  Participants will purchase an antique window on site and transform it into a work of art over the course of the weekend which will also include a yoga class and a painting class and lunch both days. Instructors Kathy Nelson, Ashlee Parrish and Kim Yarbrough will lead this retreat.

Two opportunities to learn basketry are coming your way with a Market Basket Workshop on Saturday, October 28th and Coiling with Pine Needles on November 3rd and 4th. Basket Maker Virginia Lowman will bring her professional basketry skills to these two workshops.

Our Last Thursday workshop this month will take place on October 26th and give you the opportunity to make a piece of Resin Jewelry with instructor Kim Yarbrough. Our November Last Thursday event will find Leah Garcia helping participants create a unique and fun Christmas Door Hanger.

Our Kaleidoscope Kids will gather on Saturday, December 9th from 10 AM to Noon for a workshop to create a canvas that celebrates our Christmas Lights on the Square and decorate cookies.  Cost per child is $10 and Kaleidoscope Kids members attend at no charge.

On Thursday, October 26th the Colquitt County Arts Center is excited to host the very first United Way of Colquitt County POWER OF THE PURSE event. This delightful evening designed exclusively for ladies will feature silent auction and door prize drawings of unique purses and other items. The evening will offer a delicious menu of tasty treats and beverages including a signature cocktail. Tickets for the event can be purchased at the United Way office in the Chamber of Commerce or at the Arts Center. All proceeds will benefit programming for children and families in our community. Tickets for the event are $50.

The Arts Center is so very excited about partnering with the Moultrie/Colquitt County Library to bring renowned author and designer James Famer to our community for a lunch, lecture and book signing on Tuesday, November 14th. James Farmer is the author of the Wall Street Journal best-selling garden books, A Time to Plant; Sip & Savor; Porch Living; Wreaths for All Seasons; A Time to Cook, Dinner on the Grounds, A Time to Celebrate and A Place to Call Home.

Born and bred in the South, James is a professional garden, floral and interior designer; cook; author and lifestyle expert. In addition, James is editor-at-large for Southern Living and a frequent guest on television and radio. James’s natural Southern grace and warm personality light up any room. A skilled and entertaining speaker, he is truly a young and fresh voice for his generation. Whether he’s teaching how to plan the perfect summer picnic, using everyday items to create exquisite tabletops, creating drop-dead gorgeous flower arrangements and wreaths, or making his grandmother’s skillet peach pie, Farmer masterfully guides his audience through the art of elegant garden living.

Mark your calendar now for a delightful evening at the Arts Center with a delicious dinner and concert by Julliard trained and talented pianist Doug Montgomery. The date for this event is Thursday, November 30th. More info on this very special evening as details are finalized.

The Arts Center and the Colquitt County Food Bank are working out the details for the first annual Empty Bowl Event to raise awareness about hunger in our community. YOU are invited to come and paint a bowl for the soup supper to be held on Tuesday, November 28th. Bowl painting can be accomplished any day from 10 AM until 3 PM or on our community paint day, Saturday, November 11th from 10 Am until Noon or call and schedule a time for your family and friends, club, Sunday School class or coworkers to paint bowls together.

Ticket holders for the soup supper will choose from over 200 painted bowls to enjoy their soup and take home to remind them that somewhere in our community someone has an empty bowl.  More on this event soon!

Arts enter staff and instructors will host a NAMI Night at the Arts Center on Friday, December 8th. Participants will enjoy an evening of art activities, crafts and holiday treats.

The Arts Center will once again welcome pianist Gunner Chancey and friends as we celebrate an evening with a Lesson in Carols on Thursday, December 14th at 8 PM.

As you can clearly see, there are plenty of opportunities for you to be entertained, learn a new skill or sharpen an old one, enjoy a meal with friends and family and see and hear art  and music you will not see or hear anywhere else in this area.

Your Colquitt County Arts Center – where creativity finds community. Come and see us- check out our website at www.colquittcountyarts.com or like us on Facebook. Call us at 985-1922 for more information on anything shared here or better yet- Come and See us at 401 Seventh Avenue SW.