James Farmer

I am constantly floored when people say there is nothing to do in Moultrie. The Colquitt County Arts Center is just one of the many institutions in our community that offers quality programming and a variety of free events.  As a part of the United Way family, the Colquitt County Arts Center is able to reach our diverse community in unique ways by partnering with other institutions. In the month of November we will be partnering with Moultrie Colquitt County Library-Friends of the Library and the Colquitt County Food Bank and Colquitt Regional to provide two very unique opportunities for our community to enjoy.

The Arts Center is partnering with the Colquitt County Library to bring renowned author, professional gardener, floral and interior designer; cook and lifestyle expert, James Farmer to Moultrie to have lunch and share his expertise on November 14th at 12:30 pm.

Mr. Farmer is president of James Farmer Designs, which specializes in residential landscape and interior and floral design as well as entertaining. A graduate of Auburn University, James is the author of “A Time to Plant,” “Porch Living,” “Sip & Savor: Drinks for Party and Porch,” and “Wreaths for All Seasons.” He has appeared on the Today Show as well as regional television. His work has been featured in Southern Living and Traditional Home, among other magazines, and he is an editor-at-large for Southern Living. He lives in Perry, Georgia.

We are excited about having the opportunity to bring a nationally known celebrity to our community for a delicious lunch, lecture and book signing.  Tickets are $40 and are beginning to move quickly so don’t hesitate! Tickets can be purchased at the Arts Center office and Colquitt County Library during operating hours. This event will directly benefit the Friends of the Library programming efforts.

On Tuesday, November 28th the Arts Center will host the Empty Bowl Event and thanks to Colquitt Regional Medical Center’s sponsorship of this event, all proceeds will benefit the Colquitt County Food Bank. Here’s how this event works:

Volunteers paint bowls here at the Arts Center that are donated to the event. Ticket holders come to the soup supper and get to choose a hand painted bowl, enjoy a delicious soup supper and then take the bowl home as a reminder that they have helped fill a bowl for someone in need in our community. Volunteers have been painting bowls for this event for the past month and we are over half way to our goal of 200 bowls. There have been some very creative painters and we are excited about this event. Local artists, including the two artists who currently have exhibits in the Arts Center have also painted a bowl. These very special bowls will be placed in a silent auction.

There is an open bowl painting event on Saturday, November 14th from 10-noon. If you can join us – just call the Arts Center to add your name to the list and we will be ready for you. You will need the full two hours to paint and glaze your bowl. Tickets for the Empty Bowl Soup Supper  are available starting Monday and will be $20 for adults and $10 for children.

Other events coming up on the Arts Center calendar in November include Neil Simon’s Broadway Bound taking the stage November 10th & 11th at 7:30 PM and Sunday, November 12th at 2 PM. Tickets for this delightful comedy are $8 and are on sale now. The following weekend our youth theater group will present The Lion King, JR.  Based on the popular Disney animated movies and Broadway stage play, this production will entertain all ages. Performances are Thursday, November 16th at 7 PM and Saturday and Sunday, November 18th & 19th at 2 PM. All tickets are $5. The box office will open 30 minutes prior to each performance.

On Tuesday, November 7th at 6 PM we will open the doors of our Annual Christmas Shoppe featuring beautiful handcrafted art, jewelry, wood turned bowls, stained glass and more by local artists for your gift giving. If you are looking for a gift for that someone who has everything- consider dedicating a seat in the Wright Auditorium as a gift. You can dedicate a seat in honor or in memory of someone and all proceeds will benefit the Auditorium upgrade project.

Our Last Thursday paint project will be a door hanger with a design of stacked gifts and will be held Thursday, November 30th . This one will fill up fast so register today!

You can find more information about these and other upcoming events, exhibits, classes, workshops and performances on our website at www.colquittcountyarts.com or on our Facebook page. Or better yet- drop by and see for yourself what we have to offer at the Colquitt County Arts Center- where creativity finds community.