The Arts

STORY BY LONNA UPTON PHOTOS BY CLIFF WILLIAMS, BETSY ILER & WILLIAM MARLOW

A children's version of a Shakespearean classic play featured 32 local children who rehearsed their roles all summer

RRipe with a genuine passion for the arts, your new community nurtures and supports the artistic endeavors of many talented local artists and actors. From the performing arts to juried shows, workshops and more, you’ll find a thriving arts community throughout the area.

Alex City Arts

The Alex City Arts Council has been a part of the Lake Martin cultural scene for more than 50 years. The nonprofit organization brings highly respected traveling musicians and theatrical performances to Alexander City, and the slate of entertainment for this season will not disappoint. On Oct. 20, the council will present Einstein!, a critically-acclaimed solo show about the early years of the genius’ life. Women Icons of Country – A Salute to Patsy, Loretta and Tammy will be performed on Nov. 17. Valentine’s Day will get everyone in the swing of things with The Glenn Miller Orchestra, and the music will play on as patrons experience the dance, music and song of Celtic Angels Ireland on March 21. The Auburn University Singers will visit on April 2, and audiences will be in stitches with Assisted Living (The Musical) on April 18. For ticket information, visit alexcityarts.org.

Alexander City Theatre II

ACT II provides live community theatre productions, free to the public, throughout each year, with a spectacular lineup of shows that offer something for everyone. Open auditions are held for the acting parts; however, volunteers are needed and welcome to assist with props, set construction, make-up, wardrobe and dozens of supportive tasks.

“We are very excited about our shows. A Midsummer Camp’s Dream featured 32 children from our community at the end of summer. We have our cemetery tour in October – an outdoor event that will give everyone a chance to see people from the past come to life to tell the story of the founding of our town. Our Christmas performance will be The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, and our spring production will be Inherit the Wind. Plus, we will definitely have another children’s performance next summer,” said Karen Kison, president of ACT II.

“We are so grateful to have the support of individual and business sponsors that make it possible for us to provide our performances free of charge to the community.”

For more information, watch for updates in The Outlook, Lake and Lake Martin Living magazines. Visit the Alexander City Theatre II Facebook page and check out the website at actheatre2.com.

Art Shows

The Lake Martin area proudly presents a number of juried art shows throughout the year, allowing admiring browsers and serious buyers to support local and regional artists. Russell Crossroads hosts Art on the Lake in May, Arti Gras in July and the Holiday Bazaar in November. The shows feature woodworkers, painters, sculptors, crafters and more under big canvas tents to keep vendors and patrons shaded. In the fall, Lake Martin Living magazine devotes an entire issue to the works of local painters and photographers. The October issue features the winner on the cover and all of the entering artists inside. Visit russellcrossrsoads.com for information on the shows, and follow Lake Martin Living magazine in print and on Facebook for up-todate info on the fall competition.

Artists Association of Central Alabama

The nonprofit AACA offers an amazing opportunity for seasoned artists, as well as those who just dabble, to meet on the third Thursday of each month at the Sportsplex Senior Center in Alexander City. Dues are $20 per year, and the club encourages anyone interested to visit them and see what’s going on. Meetings begin at 10 a.m., and from 10:30 a.m. until 3 p.m., the club provides an open studio for members and non-members to engage with one another while they work. “We really have a beautiful group who come to us from all over the state. We recognize that all art is good, whether it’s on canvas or wood or a jewelry piece or mixed-media. For instance, we made a club quilt last year that shows all our artists that we hope to display. We also want to help new artists purchase the correct materials, and we are happy to guide them,” said June Dean, spokesperson for AACA.

For more information, visit the group on Facebook or at artistsassociationofcentralalabama.org or call Dean at 334-313-7533.

Sarah Carlisle Towery Art Colony

The Sarah Carlisle Towery Art Colony on Lake Martin brings professional artists to Children’s Harbor each fall for a three-day artist’s retreat. Participants register to attend classes with one of the artists. This year’s retreat, set for Sept. 30 to Oct. 4, artist instructors will be: Stan Kurth, intuitive painting; Nancy Chaboun, oil painting; and, Melissa Burrell, torn paper collage. Visit alabamaartcolony.org for information and registration.

Art shows throughout the lake area feature local artisans and their wares

The Lake Martin Living magazine art and photography contest showcases works by local artists

The Sarah Carlisle Towery Art Colony offers artists an instruction retreat