The arts are making headlines in Elizabethton — welcome news.
In recent weeks, headlines have included events at the historic Bonnie Kate Theatre and an arts walk this past weekend in the downtown. The arts are playing a larger role in the Elizabethton community. We have always had some form of arts in the community, such as dance, band and other forms of music, but now the opportunities seem unlimited.
Public art such as the event Saturday adds a uniqueness to our community. The arts encompass a lot of areas — art galleries, dance, film, plays, festivals, music, woodcarvers, and more. They reflect the creative spirit of our community and how we express ourselves. Downtown, murals have been created in strategic locations, turning drab areas into colorful showcases of local talent.
Throughout the school year students provide us with concerts, plays, and art exhibits. Many people look forward to the high school band concerts, the seasonal performances of “The Nutcracker” and other dance events.
We often don’t realize what a big part the arts play in our community. In the summer, if we attend a showing of “Liberty! The Saga of Sycamore Shoals” we are enjoying the arts. Likewise, the summer concerts on Saturday evening at the Covered Bridge Park, the Covered Bridge Festival, or music at Jiggy Ray’s Pizzeria on Saturday evening.
Throughout the year there are many events to enjoy. We are fortunate to have so much to choose from for entertainment.
A vibrant arts culture draws people to our community. When deciding where to work and live, the arts are one of the factors that people consider. We are fortunate to have Milligan College in our community, which offers a lot in the way of entertainment and the arts.
Funding for many of these programs can be tight, so it benefits everyone when we patronize the different offerings. While Carter County and Elizabethton are noted for their outdoor offerings and lifestyles, the arts are beginning to carve out a big place in our community. We too often overlook the arts as a prime source of community vitality and entertainment.
What the Blue River Studio and the Bonnie Kate Theatre are doing is a reminder that community-focused art events enhance the downtown business district and make the experience of visiting in the downtown more exciting. The Downtown Art Walk Saturday was just that. It was something you could do alone, with friends, or with family that was fun, interactive, and a great way to explore the downtown.
The downtown event not only celebrated art, but it helped us celebrate each other. Odds were that you saw friends you hadn’t seen in a while, made a new acquaintance, and visited a shop or business you might not normally frequent.
Art for its own sake is vital to our community. What the Blue River Studio has done so well is to take the gift of art and elevate it to greater heights as a community builder.