Friday, June 22, 2001

Arts center kicks off programs

Fulton County residents of all ages played the drums, made a quilt and celebrated creativity at an open house marking the debut of Fulton County's Southwest Arts Center.

Hundreds of residents attended the June 9 event, which featured 18 demonstrations in a variety of artistic disciplines.

The 14,000-sq. ft. Southwest Arts Center, 915 New Hope Road, SW, is Fulton County's first facility built exclusively for the arts. It features a dance studio, two visual arts instruction rooms and rehearsal spaces for music and dramatic arts. Future plans call for a 375-seat theater.

Officials recently unveiled public art commissioned to enhance the building. Artist Donna Pickins created the center's 225-sq. ft. arched facade, comprised of individually sculpted ceramic tiles and mosaic.

Artist Marianne Weinberg-Benson carved in bas relief two brick columns flanking the center's entrance, depicting an African drummer and a ballerina.

"In 1993, the community said they wanted another place to 'teach the words'; the people of Fulton County have made it happen," said Vice Chairman and District 5 Commissioner Emma I. Darnell, an early proponent of the Southwest Arts Center.

Commissioner William "Bill" Edwards, who represents the area in which the center is situated, said, "Arts has come full force in South Fulton County with the erection of this magnificent facility."

Activities kicked off June 18 with five summer camp sessions for children ages 6 through 14. Art classes for adults and youths will begin in the fall.

For information, phone the Southwest Arts Center at 404-505-3220 or the Fulton County Arts Council at 404-730-5780.

Back to South Fulton News Home Page | Back to the top of the page