Athens heating up the summer with art opportunities

ATHENS — Art opportunities are hot happenings this summer in Athens.

Athens Arts League and its artists at High Cotton Arts are offering and supporting a variety of art experiences for all ages.

And it all warms up this weekend.

High Cotton will host this season’s last Art Walk on The Square. Art lovers can visit High Cotton Arts and seven participating downtown merchants Saturday to shop for locally made art, see art demos and participate in pop-up art classes. 

“A couple of our artists created this event last year and have continued the series to promote collaboration with downtown businesses, exposing art lovers to the art presence we have downtown,” said Athens Arts League Board President Holly Hollman. “In our downtown area you can find gorgeous creations in various art mediums from paintings to silk scarves to photographs to pottery.”

The Art Walk will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. High Cotton will host guest artists Mikayla Brown and Kirsten Bonn Salem. Brown will have pottery, and Salem will have wire-wrapped jewelry and birdhouse ornaments.

In addition to the participating businesses on The Square, Frank’s Good Stuff will highlight its artists, including former High Cotton artists.

Owner Frank Crafts, a long-time supporter of Athens Arts League, said patrons who attend Saturday’s Art Walk will glimpse some of the original art he’ll feature Tuesday from 3-8 p.m. during “A Night for the Artists.” There will be live music, refreshments and original art for sale at the July 16 event.

A belch will become an art opportunity July 20, when High Cotton will host a book reading and art project with children’s author Gina Crawford. She will read her 12th book, “The Burp Heard Round the School,” based on a true local story.

“My brother Jody and two of his friends were sitting at the table when ‘it’ happened,” she said in a post about her book. “Jody and I told this story many times. My fascinated little sister insisted that I write a book about the experience.”

The 10:30 a.m. event is free and is for ages 5-12. Registration is required because of limited space for the art project. To register, email [email protected].

Athens Arts League board member and retired Athens State University art professor Gail Bergeron will be celebrated Thursday. During a Small Business Summit at Athens State’s LaunchBox, an art installation based on Bergeron’s rendering will be unveiled. The project blends artist creation with technology.  

Bergeron also curated the Paper, Canvas, Clay Show opening at the Alabama Center for the Arts in Decatur on Friday, with a reception at noon. Bergeron said the show will feature artwork from Robert Cox, David Edwards, Dennis Johnson, Fay Littrell, Paxton Mobley and Doris Welch. The show ends Aug. 30.

Athens Arts League Board Vice President Jennifer Hilton Sampieri said these collaborations strengthen a vibrant art and music scene in Athens.

“Our mission is to support artists, promote art education and bring cultural events to Athens and Limestone County, so these events and partnerships allow us to achieve our mission,” she said.

Art events schedule

• Art Walk on The Square – Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. This month’s theme is “For The Love of Art.” Brochures and maps available at High Cotton Arts. Other participating businesses include Driftwood Dragonfly, Broken Brush Studio, Crawford’s Gifts, Frame Gallery, Antiques on Jefferson, Athens Farmers Market on Green Street and Frank’s Good Stuff just off The Square at 414 S. Jefferson. Some businesses will have pop-up classes and presentations/demonstrations.
• “A Night for the Artists” – Tuesday from 3-8 p.m. at Frank’s Good Stuff. Will feature the works of Amelia Smith, Tina Swindell, Debby Smith and Dinah Petree Rhodes, and will include artwork from other artists. There will be live music and refreshments.
• Author Gina Crawford book reading and art project – July 20 from at 10:30 a.m. at High Cotton Arts. This is a free children’s event but registration is required. For ages 5-12. The book is “The Burp Heard Round the School.” To register, send an email to [email protected].
• “History Takes the Stage Exhibit” – On display through August at High Cotton Arts in one of the art studios. Come by during business hours to see fine arts related memorabilia and other items collected by the late Jackie and Helen Greenhaw. Items on loan from the Athens City Schools Foundation, such as band uniforms, theater production program, choir record, photographs, a painting of Green University and more.
• Art After Hours – Aug. 10 from 7-9 p.m. Will be on Washington Street in front of High Cotton Arts. Free concert featuring gospel acts OWAP, Cynthia Hines and Dante Pride. High Cotton will be open, and there will be art activities for kids.
• Art After Hours – Sept. 6 from 7-9 p.m. Will be on Washington Street in front of High Cotton Arts. Free concert featuring After Bedtime performing R&B. High Cotton will be open, and there will be a student art exhibit and tribute to September being Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.