January brings to mind an image of a clean slate as white as a blanket of fresh powdery snow. It is a time for reflections, resolutions, and new beginnings.
Winnsboro Center for the Arts (WCA) begins the year with performers new to the Bowery Stage. The Pleasant Hill Quilters will perform at 11 am January 22 at WCA. They are a quilting group from Linden, Texas who share the story of the secret quilt codes that helped enslaved people navigate their way to freedom on the Underground Railroad.
Martin Sexton will also perform at WCA in January. His concert is at 5 pm January 23. Sexton is a singer-songwriter that blends soul, gospel, country, rock, blues, and R&B. His impressive music career includes collaborations with John Mayor and Peter Frampton, performances at Carnegie Hall and Bonnaroo, and featured songs in films and television shows like NBC’s Scrubs, Parenthood, and Showtime.
Singer, songwriter, and troubadour Walt Wilkins takes the stage at 7:30 pm February 12 at WCA. During his career, Wilkins has made nine solo records, four records with The Mighty Mystiqueros, a record with his wife, and a new live record with Kevin Welch. He has had over 100 songs recorded by other artists and has traveled a fair part of the world.
Read more about the upcoming performances on the Bowery Stage and purchase tickets at www.winnsborocenterforthearts.com/bowery_stage_tickets.
New to the WCA Art Gallery are Barbara and James Mason. WCA presents The Magic of Light January 28 through February 28. The art exhibition expresses that “light is a component of every work of art” and features the works of international and national award-winning pastel and watercolor artist Barbara Mason, as well as the photography of her husband, James. The talented couple make an appearance during a reception at 2:30 pm January 30 at WCA.
Read more about upcoming art exhibitions at www.winnsborocenterforthearts.com/art_exhibition_sched.
WCA has plenty of opportunities to choose from for your personal, musical, and artistic goals. Open Mic Night is from 6 – 8 pm every second Thursday of the month at 200 Market St. and is open to musicians of any genre and level of experience. Drum Circle is from 5:15 – 6:15 pm every Wednesday at 212 Market St. WCA’s Drum Circle is free, open to all ages, and attendees are welcome to bring any type of percussion instrument they may have.
WCA offers private music lessons for children, teens, and adults in piano, guitar, percussion, woodwinds, and voice. Call WCA at (903)342-0686 to inquire about a free consultation.
Ongoing painting classes happen every Tuesday and Thursday, and ongoing colored pencil classes are held every Tuesday. Expert instructors guide students at any level or artistic experience and provide an environment conducive to learning with a group of like-minded students with similar interests.
There are many exciting and interesting workshops for beginners whose new year’s resolutions include learning a new skill. Calligraphy instructor Thomas Burns returns to WCA to teach a workshop on how to paint gorgeous watercolor florals using an automatic calligraphy pen. The florals can be used to embellish handwritten letters and notes or can be a stand-alone art form. The workshop is from 9:30 am – 2:30 pm January 15 at WCA.
Students can cross “learning how to make soap” off their bucket list in Carrie Bell’s beginner soap-making workshops. The Beginner 1 Soap-Making Workshop is from 3 – 5 pm January 15 – 16 at WCA. Students can build on the skills learned in the Beginner 1 workshop in a Beginner 2 workshop. Beginner 2 workshops are from 3 – 5 pm January 29 – 30 and February 19 – 20.
Rededicate to connection with loved ones by making them a handcrafted notecard in Sharon Whitrock’s Fiber Arts Notecard Workshop from 10 am – 2 pm January 29 or attend the Sweetheart Yoga Workshop with Dani Blanton from 9:30 – 11 am February 12 with a friend, spouse, or family member. Find more information about all upcoming classes and workshops at WCA and register online at www.winnsborocenterforthearts.com/visual-art-classes-workshops.
Opportunities for volunteers include front desk, concessions, special events, theater and music production, the gallery gift shop, children’s programming, and art exhibitions. Volunteering at WCA can be a great way to connect with a community of art lovers, learn new skills, and find a sense of purpose and belonging. Front Desk Volunteer Training sessions happen from 11:30 am – 1 pm every second Saturday at 200 Market St. The first training session of the year will be January 8. Front desk volunteers greet visitors, answer questions, handle transactions in the gallery gift shop, and help around WCA. Please call (903)342-0686 with any questions about volunteering at WCA.
Here is to painting the blank canvas that is 2022 with color, community, and creativity.
