ATHENS-This month’s Art After Hours event is carrying a patriotic tune in honor of Flag Day.
Art After Hours will be Friday, June 14, and in celebration of Flag Day, Athens Arts League is asking art lovers to attend in their red, white and blue finery. In addition, children will be able to create a flag-themed mobile they can take home.
Athens Arts League hosts Art After Hours every second Friday from 7-9 p.m. April through September at High Cotton Arts in Downtown Athens. Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area and City of Athens help support the free community art event.
“The Art After Hours events are Athens Arts League’s gift to the community,” said Athens Arts League board member Holly Hollman “The monthly events provide opportunities for local artists and musicians to share their talents and for the community to explore art experiences.”
Spectators can bring their chairs and enjoy live music by Shoals-based Coffee Black. Weather permitting, Washington Street between Marion Street and the railroad tracks will be closed so spectators can dance and sit in the street for the live concert.
Coffee Black describes itself as funk, soul, rock and R&B.
“We wanna take you to a place you never been before, and explore sounds you never heard before,” the band’s Facebook page states. “You might come back a little more groovy than you were before.”
High Cotton Arts will be open, and the resident artists will have locally made art for sale from wood carved birds to paintings to photographs to stained glass. The artists will have information available about summer art classes and this month’s summer art camp.
Event goers can also enjoy the “High Cotton Car Show,” a display of car-themed art pieces in the art gallery windows. Athens Arts League will provide light refreshments as well as the children’s craft area.
In addition to Art After Hours, Athens Arts League hosts the Alabama Music Series and participates in Athens Main Street’s Second Sundays and Fridays After Five. To stay updated on events, follow High Cotton Arts and Athens Arts League on Facebook. Here is a list of other upcoming events:
Art After Hours Season at High Cotton Arts
- July 11 at 6 p.m. – Special community performance added by Temple of Blood featuring the original drummer from Nile, Pete Hammoura.
- July 12 from 7-9 p.m. – Good2Go performs and the theme is Summer Days Celebration with kids’ stations for activities like hula-hoops, Athens ROCKS and sidewalk chalk. The Little Kitchen Food Truck will be on site.
- Aug. 9 from 7-9 p.m. – Justus Storm performs and the special activity is the Hot Dogs and Cool Cats Best Dressed Pet Contest. The Little Kitchen Food Truck will be on site.
- Sept. 13 from 7-9 p.m. – Seeking Babylon performs and the theme is superheroes in honor of Childhood Cancer Awareness month. Art lovers are asked to wear superhero costumes or T-shirts. The Little Kitchen Food Truck will be on site.
Alabama Music Series
- July 6 – Plato Jones Concert outside at Scout Music House at 7 p.m.; free Fourth of July weekend event with an opening performance at 5:30 p.m. by Athens High School musicians.
- Aug. 3 – Della Ray Concert, 7 p.m., McCandless Hall
- Sept. 7 – Lamont Landers Concert
- Jan. 3 – Pine Hill Haints Concert
Second Sundays at High Cotton Arts
- July 14, Aug. 11 and Sept. 8 from 1-4 p.m. – Shop for locally made art and enjoy sales and activities provided by the artists.
Fridays After Five at High Cotton Arts
- July 19 and Aug. 9 from 5-8 p.m. – Shop for locally made art and enjoy refreshments provided by artists.
Summer Art Camp at High Cotton Arts
- June 24-28 from 10 a.m. to noon; cost is $100 per child with half due as a deposit by June 17. The artists at High Cotton Arts will provide a different project each day and provide snacks. Call 256-232-7717 to register.
Summer Art Classes for Kids at High Cotton Arts
- Wednesdays in July; different project each week. Instructor is Val Rainey. To register and for more information, call 256-206-6662.
