Live Drawing Studio

Practice gesture and live drawing portraiture. Bring your own paper and drawing materials and we’ll provide drawing boards and easels. It is free to participate but cash contributions to our model are appreciated. Be advised that all of our live drawing sessions will include clothed models. No instruction will be offered during this self-guided session.

MAKE COLLAGE ORNAMENTS

Pop by The Arts Center and make a personalized collage ornament during Old Fashioned Downtown Christmas.

RECEPTION for THE MAGIC OF WOOL
An Exhibit by Iliyana Skrobanska

Iliyana Skrobanska was born and raised in Bulgaria. She founded Dixon's LTD in 1994 and worked as its CEO through 2014. The company produced fashion clothes for different boutiques in Sofia, Bulgaria. When she moved to USA in 2014, she began "painting" with wool as a means to express her artistic vision by making landscape and abstract art.

RECEPTION
A Photography Exhibit by Brian K. Miller

Brian has been described by National Geographic as one of “our finest…photographers,” and he was featured in their book Heart of a Nation: Writers and Photographers Inspired by the American Landscape. As a self-taught photographer, Brian has traveled the world seeking images that reflect his creative passions. With a Master’s Degree in Wildlife Ecology, Brian has been taking nature, wildlife and travel images from around the world, including the United States, Canada, Africa, Russia, South America, and Asia.

Mean Girls

Consider this your invitation from Regina George herself to check out the fiercely hilarious musical from book writer Tina Fey (30 Rock), lyricist Nell Benjamin (Legally Blonde) and composer Jeff Richmond (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt). Please note: this table read is rated PG-13.

ARTS ON THE SIDE

This free gathering includes soup supper catered by ARAMARK, 3 arts activities, and a table read. The Arts Center invites everyone to come enjoy dinner, tour our facility, learn about our programs, and enjoy free arts programs.

REGISTRATION DEADLINE
Loom Weaving

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Class date: SATURDAY
November 8, 1:00 - 4:00 PM

With various yarns and fabrics, create your own wall art using a loom! This workshop is open to all ages but please accompany younger children. This workshop is a good opportunity to make a gift for someone special for the holidays!

REGISTRATION DEADLINE
Watercolor Studio

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Class dates: THURSDAYS
November 6 - 13, 4:30 - 6:30 PM

Explore and develop your painting expertise during this 2 week watercolor class! The class emphasizes critique, compositional elements, and developing unity in a painting. Students should be prepared with supplies weekly.

TAKE THE STAGE

Auditions Workshop

Make an impression at YOUR next audition. ACT director Melonie Carideo gives you lots of tips and tricks for standing out at auditions.

BUY TICKETS

Join us for the Mystery Maven Costume Contest! To enter, simply show up dressed as any mystery character or author, AKA “mystery maven.” Prizes will be awarded for most theatrical costume, best pair or group costume, and most unique interpretation of the theme. Tickets for this performance include catered hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar. 

REGISTRATION DEADLINE
Holiday Tree Ceramics

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Class date: SATURDAY
November 1, 1:00 - 3:00 PM

Create a clay holiday tree ready for lights! This class introduces students to clay handbuilding techniques with step-by-step guidance to create a clay tree decoration. No prior experience required!

The Crucible

According to the playwright, Arthur Miller, The Crucible depicts “the essential nature of one of the strangest and most awful chapters in human history.” Based on historical people and real events, Miller’s drama is a searing portrait of a community engulfed by hysteria.

RECEPTION for A Retrospective
Exhibit by Doug McCoy

A Retrospective features a sampling of recent work by artist Doug McCoy. Expect to see a mix of his rich imagination and unique perspective. From Doug’s colorful pop referential figuring to his inextricable detail work with pen, watercolor and acrylic, A Retrospective walks you through the process of this evolving artist.

RECEPTION Open Exhibit

An annual competition and exhibit of for artists in McMinn and surrounding counties.

PUMPKIN PAINTING

Come paint Pumpkins with us during Pumpkintown in our Visual Arts Wing!* We provide the pumpkins and paint—you provide the inspiration!

*While supplies last

REGISTRATION DEADLINE
Intuitive Painting

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Class dates: TUESDAYS
October 14 - 28, 5:30 - 7:30 PM

Enjoy a creative and soulful art practice enhanced by centering relaxation methods and the use of multiple art-making media. Explore your inner landscape and creativity in a serene and relaxed setting.

REGISTRATION DEADLINE
Pottery Wheel

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Class dates: WEDNESDAYS
October 8 - November 19, 5:30 - 8:00 PM

Learn to throw clay on a potter’s wheel! We’ll cover the foundations of wheel work, including wedging and centering clay, as well as forming cylinders, cups and bowls. Basic glazing information will help you finish your final forms. No prior clay experience necessary! Beginners and those looking for a refresher course in wheel-throwing are welcome!

REGISTRATION DEADLINE
Fall Break Artsplorations

Join us for a la carte theatre workshops during Fall Break (Oct 6-10) taught by local theatre directors and long time performers of ACT. You can sign up for single classes, or sign up for all of them!

REGISTRATION DEADLINE
Beginning Watercolor

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Class dates: MONDAYS
September 29 - November 3, 4:30 - 6:30 PM

In this 6‐week class, students will be introduced to the delight of watercolor. Each week the instructor covers new techniques to help beginners develop a set of skills. Soon, you’ll be creating your own unique watercolor paintings. All materials are provided.

REGISTRATION DEADLINE
Get Your Hands Dirty - Build a Mug

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Class date: SATURDAY
September 20, 1:00 - 3:00 PM

Get your hands dirty and learn how to make your very own pottery! This one-day class is perfect for those who have never made pottery and want to try hand building techniques, or are looking for a refresher.

REGISTRATION DEADLINE
Handbuilding Pottery

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Class dates: TUESDAYS
September 16 - October 28, 1:00 - 3:30 PM

This 7-week course includes techniques such as pinch pots, slab rolling, coil pots, and using patterns for the form. Learn decoration methods using texture tools and stencils. All finished pieces will be glazed and fired.

Seth Mulder and Midnight Run

BUY TICKETS

This group’s tight style fuses bluegrass, classic country, and folk to resonate with traditionalists and new audiences alike.

RECEPTION Trouble! at Coal Creek

Trouble! at Coal Creek unpacks the true events of the Coal Creek War, showcases the art from the graphic novel by Austin Sauerbrei, and breaks down the artist’s creative process and what he learned along the way.

INTEREST MEETING

Written and directed by Cynthia McCowan, “Now We Juke-ing!” tells real-life stories of how growing up in North Mississippi juke joints shaped the cultural perspective of a young Black girl.

REGISTRATION DEADLINE
Get Your Hands Dirty - Build a Mug

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Class date: SATURDAY
September 6, 1:00 - 3:00 PM

Get your hands dirty and learn how to make your very own pottery! This one-day class is perfect for those who have never made pottery and want to try hand building techniques, or are looking for a refresher.

PICKIN’ PARTY

This free gathering includes dinner and a live Bluegrass Jam featuring Doug Purdy and Four County Bluegrass Band. The Arts Center invites everyone to come enjoy dinner, tour our facility, learn about our programs, and enjoy a Bluegrass Jam.

A DOLL’S HOUSE
PART 2: Herzog

Join us for a table read of the Tony Award Winning adaptation of “A Doll’s House” by Amy Herzog.

Nearly 150 years after Ibsen’s celebrated play thrust drama firmly into the modern age, acclaimed playwright Amy Herzog refreshes the story that shocked audiences and brought forth a new era of theatre. Herzog’s Tony Award winning thrilling play is a compact and devastatingly contemporary adaptation.

This is two-part table read. The original play by Ibsen will have been read on Tuesday Aug 26. You can attend either or both table reads.