The arts have an important role in every community. We are happy that we have some community leaders who realize that and are using the arts as a community builder.
This past weekend, it was Brews, Blues and BBQ at the Covered Bridge Park — a community fundraiser for the historic Bonnie Kate. Next weekend, it will be an evening of jazz at the Bonnie Kate Theater. A few days after that, it will be an art walk in downtown Elizabethton. In October, it will be Brews and Crafts at the Riverside Park.
Art for its own sake is precious to our community. It connects us and brings us together as a community to help solve the big issues that challenge us. Our society and community is changing. We have new people who are moving in and becoming a part of our community. They see something that appeals to them. Some of those things that appeal are the mountains, beautiful Watauga Lake, our local parks and trails, our heritage. However, the arts can be just as appealing.
Most people think of the symphony, art museums and theaters when they speak about art. However, the story is considerably broader. The arts also include small dance troupes, such as the Elizabethton Dance Academy and the Ann Haynes Watts Studio dancers. It also includes the musical shows and plays at the Bonnie Kate Theater, as well as entertaining programs at Milligan College.
These programs are more than a feel-good idea. They enrich our community, help drive tourism and foster civic engagement. The whole community is enriched by the expanding arena of arts in our community, reflected in public arts displays and art murals, performances, and cultural events.
Not every community has a river walk, an opera house, or even a movie theater. But every community, including Elizabethton, has artists and culture. It’s the one asset already present in every community.
Revitalizing the historic Bonnie Kate Theater is one of the best things that has happened in our community. Already, it is attracting top-quality shows and a filled house for the attractions.
Arts isn’t just about keeping us busy or somewhere to go on the weekends, though that surely is a great benefit. Arts stimulate our minds, provide new educational opportunities for our children and schools and bring fresh perspectives to our lives. Arts add to our lives. We have a good thing started right now, and we need to keep it going.
In addition to the Bonnie Kate Theater, local dance organizations, Elizabethton is blessed with a top-notch choral club, an award-winning high school band and glee club, as well as some talented artists. It is time to showcase these groups and artists.
We believe that Elizabethton’s wide array of artistic offerings strengthen the quality of life here. The arts help attract people to move here and provide inspiration for those who are working to make arts a part of our community.
There are some great opportunities to showcase the arts in our town — a band concert in the Covered Bridge Park, an art display in the park, and this upcoming holiday season, a concert of Christmas music.
We have so much talent in this community…we just need to put it on display and enjoy it!