In celebration of the Classic Center’s expansion and its public art installation in the Atrium, a grand opening is scheduled for February 16^th from 2pm to 6pm. The event is free and open to all members of the community. Tickets are required and can be picked up at the Classic Center Box office and the UGA Performing Arts Center box office, starting January 28^th.

2-4pm: Big Time under the Big Top

A variety of performers from Athens will create an exciting circus experience from 2- 4pm with ongoing performances throughout the new  Atrium. Come see fire spinners, a unicyclist, belly dancers, puppets, an accordion player, clowns, stilt walkers, and jugglers. There will also be scheduled performances by trapeze artists from Canopy Studio, East Athens Dance Center dancers, and BMX expert Dane Beardsley.

At 3pm, there will be a ribbon cutting and an unveiling of Athens’ new public art installation, Nest. Artist Maureen Kelly will be present for the event.

2-6pm: Artists’ Market

22 local visual artists will have booths in an Artists’ Market located in the new Grand Hallway. These artists will have works on display and for sale. The Market was designed and coordinated by the Classic Center and The Athens Cultural Affairs Commission. Artists from Clarke, Barrow, Jackson, Madison, Oconee and Oglethorpe counties were invited to apply for the Market. Applications were accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. To support the local arts community, the Classic Center is not charging standard show costs (booth fees or percentages). The artists participating in the Market are:

Margaret Agner,  Fiber

Elizabeth Barton,  Fiber

Heidi Behrendsen,  Painter

Susie Burch,  Painter

Robert Clements, Works on Paper, Painter

Sylvia Dawe, Metal work

Juanna Gnecco & Carter Gilles,  Ceramics

Anita Heady,  Fiber

Frances Jemini,  Mixed Media

Keith Karnok,  Painter

Lou Kregel,  Painter

Leslie Litt,  Metal work

Pat McCaffrey,  Ceramics

Tina McCullough,  Ceramics

Bonnie Montgomery,  Fiber

Annette Paskiewicz,  Glass

Diane Perry,  Metal

Josh Podvin,  Ceramics

William Pierson,  Works on paper

Jennifer Schildknect,  Mixed Media

Mike Sellers,  Woodturner

4-6 pm: Concert in the Park

At 4 p.m., the celebration moves into the Grand Hall for a concert featuring the Athens Symphony.  There will also be a special appearance by the New Columbian Brass Band, a 23-piece ensemble.  Guests are encouraged to bring food and enjoy a “Picnic in the Park.”

Join us for a fun, family-friendly, arts-filled day at the new Classic Center.