The Colquitt County Arts Center staff and board strive to provide a variety of exhibits, classes, performances, concerts, workshops and events available to the entire community. In addition to our ongoing classes in dance, art, music and more, here’s a look at what’s on the calendar for the month of April.

• Our newest offering in our series “The Art Of….” will feature The Art of Ceramics for the month of April. Create beautiful ceramics using hand building and wheel throwing techniques every Monday in April. The first 2 classes will be focused on hand building with Ashlee Parrish and the last 3 classes will be focused on wheel throwing with Leah Garcia. Class will be held Monday’s, April 2nd – April 30th from 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM or 6:00 PM- 8:00 PM.  Instruction and all supplies are included: clay, firing, and glazes for only $125.00 per participant 5 seats open for morning session and 5 seats open for night class.

• Thursday, April 5th from 6- 7:30 PM we will celebrate the members of our Artist’s Guild with an opening reception for the exhibit showcasing their talents. You will see some of the most beautiful original art during this exhibit which will be open to the public daily Monday- through Friday 10 AM until 5:30 through the 27th of this month.

• Friday, April 5th the Moultrie Service League is offering a Casino Night fundraiser to benefit programs and activities of the Arts Center.

• Saturday, April 7th from 9 AM until Noon, the Arts Center invites volunteers to be a part of something really special in our community. We are partnering with the CCHS 50th Regiment Marching Band to provide costume pieces for “Paranormal 5.0.” Come and join other volunteers as we pin, cut and send home for sewing over 150 garments.

• Saturday, April 7th at 7 PM we are excited to bring Cole Tucker and Friends to the stage. Cole Tucker is a 16-year-old singing ventriloquist from Hahira, Georgia. At the age of 9 years old, Cole was inspired to begin learning the art of ventriloquism after watching a DVD of popular ventriloquist Terry Fator, Live From Las Vegas. From his small hometown in rural Georgia, Cole has traveled to perform at festivals and events across the U.S. Cole was named the 2012 Terry Fator Scholarship winner, the 2013 Axtell Puppet Challenge winner, the 2014 Kohl’s Cares Scholarship winner along with numerous other awards. In addition to his talents as a ventriloquist, Cole also plays the piano, guitar, saxophone, and is a talented singer. Using an entertaining mixture of songs, skits, and trumpet playing to keep his audiences on the edge of their seats, Cole and his puppet friends always leaves his audiences amazed. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children 12 and younger.

• Thursday, April 12th welcome spring with a flower shaped door hanger that matches your own style! Choose from a variety of colors and paint your own design. Invite your friends and have a good time! April 12th 10:30 am – 12:30 pm or 6 pm – 8 pm. There is a $30 supply fee. Sign Up Online: http://colquittcountyarts.com/monthly-workshop-registration

• Thursday, April 12th we are honored to have Eric Mintel Jazz Quartet on the stage. Cocktail Hour will be offered from 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm with performance to begin at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at the Colquitt County Arts Center. With two performances at the White House by invitation of President’s Bill Clinton (1998) and Barack Obama (2011), several concerts at the Kennedy Center, a special concert at the United Nations and countless accolades, the Eric Mintel Quartet have been thrilling audiences of all ages with their electrifying jazz for over 25 years. Featuring pianist and composer Eric Mintel, Nelson Hill sax/flute, Jack Hegyi bass and Dave Mohn drums. The EMQ is best known for their tribute to Dave Brubeck and performance of many Eric Mintel originals. The EMQ also has become a staple of the holidays with their highly successful “Charlie Brown Jazz” concerts delighting families across the country. Eric and band members will also host a master class for the CCHS Jazz Band earlier that day.

• Saturday, April 14th from 10 AM until noon create your own succulent arrangement with Devin McGee who will walk you through the best ways to choose plants that fit your personal style while also growing well together. Each participant will gain basic knowledge of succulents and how to grow and maintain them.

You will be provided with a pot, a variety of plants to choose from, and all the media in which to grow them in. This will be a fun learning experience for all ages and the beginnings of a new hobby that the entire family can enjoy. Registration is $45 and you can Sign Up Online: http://colquittcountyarts.com/monthly-workshop-registration

• NEW PROGRAM!! DATE NIGHT! Thursday, April 19th from 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm join Kara Rentz for a Night in Thailand. Learn how to make authentic pad Thai and Asian salad with peanut dressing. Bring an apron, and your favorite knife to cut up vegetables. Kara Rentz was a buyer, manager and visual merchandiser for 23 years. Deciding to take a leap of faith, she quit her retail job to pursue her love of cooking. She started Your Private Table 2013. Kara is self-taught with years of research, and testing recipes. She also has had the opportunity to travel and experience different cultures and cuisine. Her focus for authentic ethnic foods has become her passion. Every ingredient is handpicked or grown with love. $80 per couple.

• Last Thursday Workshop  for the month of April will be Alcohol Ink Art on Thursday, April 26th  from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm, instructed by Harvie Ann Cox. Explore the vivid and breathtaking art of Alcohol Ink in a beginner friendly workshop with unlimited possibilities! Deadline to register: April 19th with $35 registration fee.

FREE COMMUNITY EVENT

Thursday, April 26th at 7 PM we will gather in the Arts Center Wright Auditorium to honor the Life and Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Several local church choirs, praise dance teams and speakers will commemorate the life of Dr. King. A special thanks to Mary Braggs and Terry D. Turner for bringing this performance to our stage.

CELEBRATE THE ARTS MONTH

May is Celebrate the Arts Month and we are excited about the variety of offerings

and opportunities coming your way to do just that- celebrate the arts with us. Stay informed by liking our Facebook Page, check out our website at www.colquittcountyarts.com and sign up to receive emails or better yet drop by and see us at 401 Seventh Avenue SW. Your Colquitt County Arts Center- where Creativity Finds Community!