ATHENS — Spend the day in downtown Athens on Saturday and put the arts in your heart.
Athens Arts League and High Cotton Arts are kicking off two event series for art and music lovers: The Art Walk on The Square Summer Series and Art After Hours.
Athens Arts League is a non-profit that operates High Cotton Arts, an art incubator at 103 W. Washington St.
The Art Walk, created by artists at High Cotton and supported by downtown businesses, incorporates an annual theme. This year’s theme is “Love.” Saturday’s event will focus on “ A Mother’s Love” in honor of it being Mother’s Day weekend.
Patrons can visit High Cotton Arts and other businesses from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for pop-up classes, presentations, demos, specials, Mother’s Day gifts and more. Here are the other participating businesses:
- Driftwood Dragonfly
- Broken Brush Studio
- Crawford’s Gifts
- Frame Gallery
- Antiques on Jefferson
Return to The Square Saturday evening to dine at one of the local restaurants and join Athens Arts League from 7-9 p.m. for free music at Art After Hours in front of High Cotton. Will Paustian will perform, and High Cotton will be open so patrons can view and shop for locally made art.
Paustian has loved the limelight since he was young, always gravitating to singing, performing and playing a variety of instruments. The North American Country Music Association recently named him the Male Vocalist of the Year in the 17-20 years-old category for new country vocalist.
Athens Arts League Board Vice President Jennifer Hilton Sampieri said those who have not heard Paustian perform should take advantage of this opportunity.
“He has a great area following, and his dedication to music is evident in his performances,” she said.
The Art After Hours series will continue through September. The events will include an art station for children. The City of Athens, Sen. Tim Melson and Alabama Department of Tourism are sponsoring this year’s series.
Art Walk on The Square dates (start at High Cotton and pick up informational brochure)
- Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., “A Mother’s Love”
- June 8, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., “Love is in the Air”
- July 13, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., “For the Love of Art”
Art After Hours dates
- Saturday, from 7-9 p.m. at High Cotton Arts with Will Paustian Music
- June 22, from 7-9 p.m. at High Cotton Arts with Tres Locos
- July 6, from 7-9 p.m. at High Cotton Arts with JED Eye
- Aug. 10, from 7-9 p.m. at High Cotton Arts, a gospel fest with acts to be announced.
- Sept. 6, from 7-9 p.m. at High Cotton Arts with band to be announced soon; will include an art contest/exhibit to kick off Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
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