WELCOME TO THE ARTS CENTER !

320 North White Street, Downtown Athens

“HOME IS WHERE THE ART IS”

After 26 years of service to the community from small office spaces in the downtown area, the Athens Area Council for the Arts now owns a building from which we can work to provide a much richer, more varied experience of the arts for our citizens - right here at HOME!

Speaking of “home” . . . THE ARTS CENTER is already beginning to feel like home . . .

• To community artists who are teaching classes and exhibiting their work for sale in the Art Market
• To young people interested in theater (300-400 have already participated in performances at The Arts Center since our opening in October).
• To aspiring artists of all ages who are eagerly taking classes in watercolor, pottery, jewelry making, weaving, theater, guitar, and more.
• To a new and growing CONTRA DANCE group who are already planning next year’s schedule of dances.
• To volunteers who share the dream of providing greater access to arts opportunities to folks right here at HOME.

 WHAT IS INSIDE?

• THE SUE E. TROTTER THEATER – This 200 seat black box theater is dedicated to the memory of the early Arts Council organizer and supporter, Sue E. Trotter.  It is a state of the art theater space which has so far been used for performances by local and touring artists, community theater shows, dances, parties, wedding receptions, fashion shows, theater classes, and more.  A complete season of plays by the Athens Community Theater will begin there in Fall 2006.
• EXHIBITS - The Arts Center features two galleries available for rotating exhibits.  You may see everything from local student art to traveling exhibitions curated by professionals in their field.  Exhibition art is often offered for sale as well.  The current exhibit (through June 16) features a selection of contemporary works from the Arrowmont School ’s 50^th Anniversary Collection.  A gallery walk and talk with the curator will be held on Friday, June 16 from 5:30 – 7:00 PM.  Beginning in July we will exhibit photographs from the book An Old Man Has His Visions,  published by the Monroe Area Council for the Arts as a retrospective look at one of Monroe County ’s finest folks artists, James Bunch.
• CLASSES – The Arts Center uses all of its programming and exhibit space as settings for a variety of art classes, including watercolor, drawing, pottery, scrapbooking, jewelry making, theater, and more – for all ages.  Summer art classes are offered from June 20 through July 11 (see ad).
• THE ART MARKET – The Arts Center offers the only local retail space dedicated to the sale of local and regional arts and crafts.  Artists who are approved for participation offer their work for sale on consignment with a percentage of sales going to The Arts Center.  The display rotates frequently and features pottery, casual and fine jewelry, metal sculpture, fused and painted glass, fiber, woodworking, photography, original art and prints, handspun yarns, note cards, soaps, scarves, clocks – to name a few of the many offerings.  The Art Market also has an assortment of kids’ art activity kits and gifts.  (See coupon in our ad).
• RENTALS - THE ARTS CENTER is available for rent throughout the year.  The exhibit room can accommodate up to 40 seated at tables; 75 for theater seating, for dinners, receptions, or meetings. A fully equipped staging kitchen is available. The crafts classroom can accommodate approximately 20 people at craft tables.  The Sue E. Trotter Theater can accommodate approximately 150 seated at tables and 175-200 in theater seating.  The theater is a great venue for receptions, parties, dinners, meetings, and performances.   

For more information on all programs and opportunities at The Arts Center, call (423)745-8781 or go to the website at www.athensartscouncil.org.  You may sign up for our mailing list at the website to receive up to date information on all programs of the Athens Area Council for the Arts.