A wooden bench with chipped light blue paint was one of the main attractions at the Arts and Heritage Center when the public got their first peek Sunday.
Pulled from the old roller rink in town, baby boomers relived their childhood days when they carved their names in the benches during their skating outings.
The center was the first stop for many on their tour of the new municipal building Sunday. With 7,500 square feet of open space, the wooden bench and many other pieces representing North Augusta's past are now on display.
"I really enjoy the gallery space," Michael Fowler said. "After looking at the architectural renderings, they will have a lot of flexibility with that space."
The center, along with a gift shop, will showcase local and regional artists.
"I think we have the artistic foundation in our community to showcase in our own right," said Lauren Virgo, the executive director of the arts center. Virgo said the center offers something different from other local venues, and local artists shouldn't have to seek a place to show their works outside their hometown.
"You can never have too much art," she said.
Although the center won't officially open again until Tuesday, displays include pottery from the Baynham family and photo tours of historic homes, such as the Edgefield Star and the first school house.
As the center takes off, President Angela Burkhalter said, the undertaking presents challenges, including raising money so the center can become a financial success.
The non-profit needs about $75,000 a year to call itself successful. While profits from the gift shop will help, fundraising and bringing in new memberships will become a huge push this year, Burkhalter said.
With exhibits already planned through the spring, the center is on its way to establishing itself as a must-see staple.
Virgo said exhibits will rotate about every three months. Upcoming events include being a stop during Augusta's Westobou Festival this fall and featuring North Augusta sports memorabilia during the Hall of Fame induction in the winter.
"The board had a huge vision with this and with that comes a lot of commitment and enthusiasm," Virgo said. "We haven't run out of ideas yet."
Reach Julia Sellers at julia.sellers@northaugustatoday.com.
IF YOU GO
WHERE: 100 Georgia Ave.
HOURS: Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.
COST: $5 for adults, $2 for students ages 6-18; free age 6 and younger
EXTRA: artsandheritagecenter.com
MEMBERSHIP LEVELS
Individual -$30- Includes free admission, newsletter, invitations to special exhibitions and events
Family- $60-Includes two adult admissions and children of immediate family, newsletter and invitations to special exhibitions and events
Friend - $125- Includes family membership plus six guest passes
Contributor - $250- Includes Friend membership plus 12 guest passes
Patron - $500 - Includes friend membership plus 20 guest admission passes and an invitation to a membership appreciation reception
Benefactor - $2,500 - Includes annual memberships for up to 20 individuals, acknowledgement in newsletters and publications and an invitation to the membership appreciation reception
Partner - $2,500 - Includes annual memberships for up top 35 individuals, acknowledgement in newsletters and publications and an invitation to the membership appreciation reception
EXHIBITS
- Have something of significance to North Augusta? The center will create a database of local arts and artifacts. E-mail President Angela Burkhalter at bburk959@bellsouth.net to have your items listed. They could be used in future exhibits.
