If you don’t already know, the Colquitt County Arts Center is open the second Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  Our weekday hours are 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The days and hours of the Arts Center have varied over the years and this schedule seems to fit the needs of the community while not overextending the limited resources of the Arts Center.

The second Saturday approach has proven to be a positive step in the right direction to welcome the public during the weekend.

Next Saturday, April 12 will be a particularly good day to come to the Arts Center to learn about art from a talented artist that also happens to be a very interesting person. Sally Shovar is a professional fulltime working artist in Moultrie. Starting at 11 a.m., on Saturday morning Sally will be in the McCall Gallery demonstrating oil painting techniques and perhaps pastel drawing as well.

She will have examples of her art on display to reference as she talks about art and the creative process. Sally will also comment on the Frank McCall Collection that is predominantly composed of works on paper by American Artists. She will share her favorite details used by the master artists that created these beautiful examples of art on display that were donated to the Arts Center by Frank McCall.

Sally is often asked how she makes an object recede or come forward. Or how does she make the skin tone look so lifelike in her portrait paintings. To answer some of these questions she will demonstrate the use of color and line and how these techniques are used to create life like paintings. She will share some of the secrets derived from years of painting and drawing in her studio.  What looks almost like magic is simply the technique of the craft of painting.

Sally has requested that we serve tea to enhance the artistic experience of the day. So there will be a selection of teas and cookies for visitors to enjoy.  Learning from her years of experience in painting portraits, landscapes and still life paintings was all that I needed to show up; but I have to admit that cookies will be a nice touch.

On any given week you will find art classes, music lessons and theater programs for the very young or the not so young alike. The Colquitt County Arts Center has a long history of pride in our community.   To ensure the future of the Arts Center, I need your participation and support.  I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t mention that your financial support is always needed. The Arts Center is largely supported by private donations, membership dues, rentals of the space, class fees, grants and fundraisers to keep the doors open. We are all lucky to have such a beautiful arts center in our community and it’s up to you to keep it that way.  The Colquitt County Arts Center needs you and whether you know it or not, you need it.

The Colquitt County Arts Center is located at 401 7th Ave SW in Moultrie. Please call 985-1922 for a personal tour, to answer any questions you might have or to have a patron card sent to you so that you can be a positive force in keeping the arts in Colquitt County alive and well. You can also go to www.colquittcountyarts.com for additional information.

Look forward to seeing you this Saturday!

I have just one other note. The long-awaited ACT production of The Boys Next Door is just about ready for opening night. Performances are April 11 and 12 at 8 p.m., and April 13 at 2 p.m. The tickets are ten dollars and are available from cast members, the Arts Center office or at the door. Please do not miss this most unusual play that reminds us that the handicapped, like the rest of us, only want to love and laugh and find some meaning and purpose in life.