The Arts – February
Stare into the eyes of wild animals, lose yourself in the vastness of the Serengeti. Newnan-Coweta Historical Society’s McRitchie-Hollis Museum is proud to host its 4th Annual Simple Pleasures: The Nature Show Photography Competition for Spring 2018. The juried competition is comprised of dramatic images of nature featuring landscapes, wildlife, water, flowers and trees. Want to make an entry? Visit www.simplepleasuresfoto.com for submission details. Deadline March 2.
Also, Jonas Allen, one of the most famous artists from Haiti, has an exhibit coming up at NCHS’ museum February 22 through the end of March. His work has shown in National Galleries. Opening reception Feb 22, 6:30 p.m. More at www.newnancowetahistoricalsociety.com and more about Jonas Allen at www.facebook.com/jonas.allen
Robin Williams once said, “Improv, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t, but when it does, it’s like open-field running.” Join Newnan Theatre Company for N.I.T.W.I.T.S. (Newnan Improv Troupe With Intelligent, Talented Stooges) Feb. 24 & March 24. NTC also performs Peter & the Starcatcher, a play by Rick Elice, from March 1-11. Directed by Dale Lyles, the play is based on the novel by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson, with music by Wayne Barker. It is an offbeat original story of the orphan Boy who didn’t grow up to be Peter Pan. Young Molly, daughter of Lord Leonard Aster, is the Starcatcher of the title, and together they survive sea voyages, shipwrecks, pirates, mermaids, and the mysterious “starstuff” in a magical, funny, and finally bittersweet story of responsibility and bravery. Family friendly, but not a children’s show. March 1-11, 8 p.m. Thurs-Sat., and 3 p.m. Sun. Tickets are available online at newnantheatre.org.
Many artists with NCAA (Newnan Coweta Arts Association) teach art classes around town. Explore watercolor painting with Carol Toole on Monday nights from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Corner Arts Gallery in Newnan on the Square. Emphasis is on learning traditional techniques while experimenting with watercolors and subject matter to create original work using still life objects, photos, and of course your imagination.
So you want to be a comedic writer or see what can be done with a diablo? The Newnan Carnegie Library continues to offer enriching art related programming with at least two upcoming offerings. Artistic juggler Ron Anglin performs February 22 10-11 a.m. Learn to tickle funny bones using a pencil with Alex McRae’s Writing Workshops for Adults March 8, 2-3:30 p.m & Writing with Young Adults 4-5:30 p.m.
The Boyd Gallery just off the square has a Pop Up Show with Chantel Lynn Barber, free and open to the public. Friday, March 2, 6-9 p.m. and Saturday, Mar 3, 10 a.m.- 3 p.m. Also, see David Boyd, Jr. in action at Live Painting Night, The Boyd Gallery March 2, 6-9 p.m. Future dates include first Fridays of each month.
On Wednesday, March 7, at 7 p.m. visit The Nixon Centre for the Arts to catch a lecture by Amor Towles. From Boston, a Yale and Stanford graduate, Towles’ first novel, Rules of Civility was a New York Times Bestseller. His second novel and the focus of his lecture, A Gentleman in Moscow, published in 2016, was on the New York Times bestseller list for over forty weeks in hardcover and was named one of the best books of 2016 by numerous national newspapers and NPR. The book is being translated into over twenty languages including Russian. The novel is also being made into a 6-8 hour miniseries.
Make a piece of art for your door this spring at Wreaths with Rae Workshop at Coweta Central Library. Tuesday, March 6, 11 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Registration required. 770-683-2052.
“I stay cool, and dig all jive, That’s the way I stay alive. My motto, as I live and learn, is Dig and be dug In return.” The University of West Georgia, as part of its “The Other Night School, Spring ‘18” series presents, Shakespeare in Harlem, Tuesday, March13, 6 p.m. by Dr. Stacy Boyd, Associate Chair and English Professor. Described as “Harlem’s Shakespeare”, Langston Hughes is one of the most important writers in the 20th Century. Known for urban, blues inspired poetry and association with the Harlem Renaissance, Hughes made significant contributions in fiction, drama and autobiography. Location Newnan Carnegie Library.
The great migration of fiberglass farm animals from Chicago to Newnan is about to occur! Newnan, A Storybook Town themed Fiberglass Art Project will appear on the Square in June 2018. Roosters, pigs, mules and cows arrive from Chicago in March and Newnan’s finest artists will begin to paint these forms into beautiful, whimsical and humorous works of art. Sponsors generosity benefits The ChildrenConnect Museum.
SAVE THE DATE! Spring Art Walk in downtown Newnan is March 23, 5-9 p.m. Spend a pleasant evening strolling the square visiting shops, sipping wine and ogling all the sumptuous art offered by dozens of artists.
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After several years in advertising and working as a librarian, Larisa McMichael now lives AND works in Newnan. She handles marketing, promoting and organizing arts-related events, writing and other creative and business endeavors. A lover of rock music, folk art and reading, she’s always on the lookout for what’s next in the arts. She’s an empty nester who loves downtown Newnan and is in awe of the unique and talented people who make up our community.
