Gospel Quilts II: A Quilt Concert
Gospel Quilts II: A Quilt Concert
Karen Malone’s quilt concert is dedicated to the memory of the artist’s mother, Betty Loretta Milton (1936-2024), who taught Malone to sew when she was very young.
The Invisible Thread
The Invisible Thread
Barbara Ensley’s work is a playful and joyful celebration of the interconnectedness of life. There are many moments that are seemingly unconnected, when actually they are all joined by an “invisible thread” leading us to the next moment and to each other.
Crooners of the 1940s
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Ahead of Veteran’s day, this “Crooners” reprise pays tribute to the music of World War II including the tight-knit harmonies popularized by the Andrews Sisters and more sounds that defined this period.
Auditions Ain’t Misbehavin’
AUDITIONS
This musical revue celebrates the distinct music of Harlem, specifically that of Fats Waller, and its influence on American music in a cabaret-style tour-de-force performance by five actors.
Best Christmas Pageant Ever
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Barbara Robinson’s misfit Herdmans crash the church pageant and end up teaching the true meaning of Christmas in this multigenerational romp.
Holiday Bazaar
FREE TREATS & CRAFTS
We’ll start a new craft at the top of each hour (3:00, 4:00, and 5:00 PM) between performances of “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever!”
Handbuilding Pottery
HANDBUILDING POTTERY
Learn the basics of handbuilding with clay. This 6 week course will include techniques such as pinch pots, slab rolling, coil pots, and using patterns for the form. You will learn decoration methods using texture tools and stencils. Then you'll glaze your pieces. This class is suitable for both beginners who have never worked with clay and those with some experience who want to expand their skills.
Beginner Pottery Wheel
BEGINNER POTTERY WHEEL
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!
Jazzy Little Christmas
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This beloved tradition ushers in the Holiday season with choral performances of sacred and popular music as well as featured soloists and small group numbers.
Myles Freeman
Myles Freeman
Foundational influences are sci-fi films the artist saw growing up: Dune, Alien, and Blade Runner. The mythology of Star Wars, in particular, has influenced his worldview. His current paintings consist of surreal, awkwardly connected beings inhabiting difficult landscapes or structures.
STUDENT ART SHOW 2025
Annual Student Art Show
See art by area middle school, high school, and college artists!
Artists: Please enter work by December 18, 2024.
Drawing 101
DRAWING 101
In this 6‐week class, students will learn the basic techniques of drawing by observation. It’s important to “learn the rules before you start breaking them,” so students will learn to draw what they see. Each session will involve learning to manipulate the materials while learning to render objects with accuracy.
Beginning Watercolor
BEGINNING WATERCOLOR
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.
One
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From one-hit-wonders to chart-topping records. This show features songs brought to you by the number 1.
I am her and she is me
I am her and she is me
By sharing her vision through these works, Dominique Pruitt pushes back against what the world says by sharing all shapes, shades, and sizes of women loving themselves and authentically being themselves.
An Exhibit by Calvin Walton
An Exhibit by Calvin Walton
Calvin Walton is an East Tennessee artist who creates 3-D wood carving art. Originally from Athens, Tennessee, he resides in Stone Mountain, Georgia with his family.
Ain’t Misbehavin’
TICKETS ON SALE DEC 6
This musical revue celebrates the distinct music of Harlem, specifically that of Fats Waller, and its influence on American music in a cabaret-style tour-de-force performance by five actors.
As She Likes It
TICKETS ON SALE FEB 13
This anthology of short plays features characters from Shakespeare’s canon outside the patriarchal context of their original works - and sometimes in another time and place.
EXPOSURE 2025
EXPOSURE 2025
An annual competition and exhibit of photography.
Prospectus will be posted in November 2024.
An Exhibit by Linnea Moody
An Exhibit by Linnea Moody
Linnea Moody is a Chattanooga, Tennessee photographic artist who uses photographic experimentation to illustrate her own emotions and experiences through her imagery.
Evening with the Stars, Jr.
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This version of an annual favorite auditioned variety show highlights our performers under the age of 18!
9 to 5 The Musical
TICKETS ON SALE FEB 13
This hilarious story of friendship–and revenge–in the Rolodex era is based on the movie of the same name with music & lyrics by Dolly Parton and book by Patricia Resnick.
Knoxville Symphony Orchestra
Knoxville Symphony Orchestra: William Shaub & Friends
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Join KSO Concertmaster William Shaub and friends for an evening of light classics, including works by Mozart, Schubert, and more, plus the theme from HBO's "Game of Thrones."
90s Prom
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Part concert, part dance; all party. This evening is all that and a bag of chips with fun for wallflowers and dancing queens alike.
Loom Weaving
LOOM WEAVING
With various yarns and fabrics, create your own wall art using a loom! This workshop is open to all ages. This workshop is a good opportunity to make a gift for someone special for the holidays!
MONSTER MASHUP
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Guys, girls, ghosts, and gremlins are welcome to join in for a night of karaoke, costume contests, and more all to benefit Athens Area Council for the Arts + The Arts Center.
KSO: AN EVENING OF BRASS
KSO’s an Evening of Brass
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This event treats audiences to an intimate evening of brass classics featuring the KSO's newly-formed brass quintet.
Auditions: Best Christmas Pageant Ever
AUDITIONS
Barbara Robinson’s misfit Herdmans crash the church pageant and end up teaching the true meaning of Christmas in this multigenerational romp.
Pumpkin Painting
PUMPKIN PAINTING
Come paint Pumpkins with us during Pumpkintown!* We provide the pumpkins and paint—you provide the inspiration!
*While supplies last
Death of a Salesman
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Experience the last days of Willy Loman, a failing salesman, who cannot understand how he failed to win success and happiness. A thrilling work of deep and revealing beauty that remains one of the most profound classic dramas of the American theatre.
LOOK AT WHAT YOU MADE US DO
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This tribute concert takes the audience on a sonic tour through all the eras of Time magazine’s woman of the year with deep cuts and fan favorites brought to life by regional vocalists.
OPEN EXHIBIT & ART COMPETITION
OPEN EXHIBIT AND ART COMPETITION
See work by artists of all ages in McMinn and surrounding counties!
Black & White
Black & White
Jerry Hagaman is always looking for enigmatic images and configurations that are meant to offer some insight into his take on the world, experiences, responses, and desires. Selection of imagery, layering of content and information, and a tendency toward anti-pretty are meant to challenge the his and his viewer's expectations.
Grand Opening
GRAND OPENING
Our Board of Directors, Capital Campaign Committee, and staff invite campaign donors, Arts Partners, and arts enthusiasts to a grand opening and 45 year celebration. This event is free and open to the public.
Sondheim Tribute Revue
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A select group of singers to perform songs from 15 Stephen Sondheim musicals.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid The Musical
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Jeff Kinney’s popular “Wimpy Kid” takes center stage as his cartoon diary becomes a hilarious and heartfelt musical. Grab a hall pass and don’t be late for an adventure familiar to anyone who actually survived middle school.
Optimist Club
Optimist Club: Amber Droste
Amber Droste’s paintings are detailed, densely layered abstract works. Highly worked canvases create a narrative using repeated forms, lines and colors. She works from multiple perspectives and vanishing points, creating a tornado of visual incident – reminiscent of layers of graffiti.
Slice of Life
Slice of Life
Featuring work by Civic Arts League of Chattanooga
Participating artists will present their own unique interpretations of the theme "What is a "slice of life?" Each piece will depict a moment in time captured on canvas or other surface.
Visitors may find an entire story in a painting, or simply a snippet of a story told visually. The exhibit will encompass impressionistic landscapes, exquisite florals and still life paintings, fanciful abstracts and more.
Theatre Bootcamp
CANCELED
Camp Dates: July 29 - August 1
Registration deadline: July 15, 2024
Students grades 3 - 6 enjoy a one-week intensive of theatre classes to prepare for main stage auditions and show participation. The camp is directed by ACT veteran directors of children's and multi-generational shows, Michael Webb and Melonie Carideo.
Visual Arts Mini Camp 6-12
GRADES 6-12
REGISTRATION CLOSED
CAMP DATES July 29 - August 2
Dress for a mess and join us for five days of visual arts projects in a variety of mediums and styles. Grades 6-12 meet at 9:00 AM. The camp ends with a collective exhibit on Friday during last 30 minutes of camp at The Arts Center.
Auditions: Death of a Salesman
AUDITIONS
Experience the last days of Willy Loman, a failing salesman, who cannot understand how he failed to win success and happiness. A thrilling work of deep and revealing beauty that remains one of the most profound classic dramas of the American theatre.
White Rabbit Red Rabbit
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No rehearsals. No director. No set.
A different actor reads the script cold for the first time at each performance.
CONTENT ADVISORY: This show is not for children. We understand that certain types of content could trigger past traumatic experiences for some viewers. Please be aware that this production contains scenes discussing suicide and it also contains strong adult language.
Youth Theatre Camp 2024
LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE
Camp Dates: July 8 - 19, 2024
AACA’s annual Youth Theatre Camp for grades 6* - 12 is an area favorite. Campers enjoy two weeks of classes in acting, improvisation, stage combat, music, movement, and stage craft with directors Bob Borwick, Kelly Borwick, and Pam Thigpen. The camp ends with a performance of their original musical on Friday, July 19 at 7:00pm.
*Students who are 11 years old or older as of July 31 are eligible for camp.
Jr. Musical Theatre Camp 2024
WILLY WONKA TICKETS
Camp Dates: June 17 – 28
AACA’s 3rd Jr Musical Theatre Camp is for grades K-6. Campers enjoy two weeks of theatre games and classes in acting, music, movement, and stage craft with directors Blake Chastain & Chrissy Baker. The camp ends with three performances on Friday, June 28 at 6 PM & Saturday, June 29 at 2 PM and 4 PM.
Auditions: Sondheim Tribute Revue
AUDITIONS
We need a group of 6 - 8 singers to perform selected songs from 15 musicals with both music and lyrics written by Stephen Sondheim, with explanatory narration.
Kids Arts Camp 2024
LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE
Week one: June 3 – 7
Week two: June 10 – 14
AACA’s 27th annual arts camp for grades K-6 is for students who will have completed the grade in the 2023-24 school year. There are daily classes in art, music, drama, and dance. The beloved summer camp led by Kay Frank and Lisa Sharp is a great introduction to the arts in a week full of fun for newbies and practiced performers alike.
Auditions: Diary of a Wimpy Kid The Musical
AUDITIONS
PARENTS OF MINOR CHILDREN: you must accompany your child into auditions and fill out the form unless you fill it out ahead of time. There are permissions and responsibilities that only parents are allowed to respond to. If you are not able to accompany your child into auditions, you must click the link above to fill out the form. You'll need work, school, and family schedules for May 22 - August 11, 2024.
Jeff Kinney’s popular “Wimpy Kid” takes center stage as his cartoon diary becomes a hilarious and heartfelt musical. Grab a hall pass and don’t be late for an adventure familiar to anyone who actually survived middle school.
80s Prom
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Big hair and big ballads. Dress up and get down or come to hear the sounds of the 1980s – this evening has it all.
Learn to Crochet
REGISTRATION CLOSED
This therapeutic crochet training class helps you learn a pleasurable skill with a lifelong opportunity for creative expression. Did you know that crocheting also has mental health benefits? Crochet is not just a skill, but as one comes to discover with time, a doorway to soul connections.
Songwriters in the Round Hosted by Kyshona
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Kyshona Armstrong is a music therapist turned singer-songwriter who uses her music to provide a voice to those who are silenced or unheard. This one night only concert is curated just for us by Kyshona to celebrate contemporary voices such as Crys Matthews, the up-and-coming singersongwriter hailed as the new Woody Guthrie, and Rissi Palmer, trailblazing performer of “Southern Soul.” This Black Box ON TOUR performance is in the Sue E. Trotter Theatre Black Box at The Arts Center.
EXPOSURE
EXPOSURE features work by professional and amateur photographers in our area. See this exhibit in our Hallway Gallery.
The Hardin Valley Project
The Hardin Valley Project
An Exhibit by Emily Greenquist
Photographs show the development of Hardin Valley from 2020 - 2023, exploring the emotional balancing act between the sadness of change and the need for development. We hope you’ll take an art break and view an exhibit of art by Emily Greenquist in our Willson Exhibit Room.
Table Read: Collection of One-Act Plays by Tennessee Williams
RESCHEDULED!
Join us for a table read of a collection of one act plays by Tennessee Williams led by Jan Burleson.
We'll read some of Williams's most exuberant early including one-acts he later expanded to powerful full-length dramas: The Pretty Trap, a cheerful take on The "Glass Menagerie," and Interior: Panic, a precursor to "A Streetcar Named Desire."
