Wise Women by Char Baxter

Meet Char Baxter, ACA/Athens State Master of Fine Arts candidate — proof that creativity has no age limit!At 74, Char is pursuing her MFA in integrative design, devoting 40 hours a week to her art, including pieces that took more than 100 hours to complete. Her thesis s......More

Meet Char Baxter, ACA/Athens State Master of Fine Arts candidate — proof that creativity has no age limit!At 74, Char is pursuing her MFA in integrative design, devoting 40 hours a week to her art, including pieces that took more than 100 hours to complete. Her thesis series, “Wise Women,” celebrates the power, wisdom, and love found in women’s lives. Char’s work blends painting, fabric, threads, and texture in richly layered expressions of life and insight.Her story reminds us that it’s never too late to follow your passion and make a meaningful impact through creativity.Be sure to see her beautiful art on display on the Athens State University campus.Nazaretian Alumni Welcome Center (next to Founders Hall)300 North Beaty StreetAthens, AL 35611Open Monday-Friday, 8:30am – 4:30pmClick the link to read more about her story!https://living50plusdm.com/…/wise-women-meet-char…/

Nazaretian Alumni Welcome Center on Athens State University Campus, 300 North Beaty Street, Athens, AL, 35611, United States

Calhoun Cabaret

Don’t miss Calhoun’s end of the year cabaret!Friday and Saturday, May 8 & 97:00pmACA Black Box Studio TheatreArthur Orr Performing Arts CenterGet Tickets Here:  http://weblink.donorperfect.com/CalhounCab26

Alabama Center for the Arts – Black Box Theatre, 133 2nd Avenue NE, Decatur, AL, 35601, United States

AUDITIONS! Calhoun Showstoppers (A Brand New Musical Ensemble)

We are so excited to be bringing a new ensemble to the ACA next year! Introducing the Calhoun Showstoppers!This high energy ensemble will sing, dance, and perform all types of music including pop, rock, and musical theatre hits!Location:  ACA Black Box Studio Theatre, A......More

We are so excited to be bringing a new ensemble to the ACA next year! Introducing the Calhoun Showstoppers!This high energy ensemble will sing, dance, and perform all types of music including pop, rock, and musical theatre hits!Location:  ACA Black Box Studio Theatre, Arthur Orr Performing Arts CenterFor questions regarding Showstoppers, please email Lauren Riddell at [email protected].

Alabama Center for the Arts – Black Box Theatre, 133 2nd Avenue NE, Decatur, AL, 35601, United States

Ink Unbound

We are excited to announce our newest exhibit, Ink Unbound, curated by Tara Segars, Calhoun Art Instructor at ACA. The exhibit opens in our Main Gallery on Thursday, May 14.An exhibit reception will be held on Wednesday, July 15 at 5:00 pmBoth the exhibit and the recept......More

We are excited to announce our newest exhibit, Ink Unbound, curated by Tara Segars, Calhoun Art Instructor at ACA. The exhibit opens in our Main Gallery on Thursday, May 14.An exhibit reception will be held on Wednesday, July 15 at 5:00 pmBoth the exhibit and the reception will be free and open to the public.Ink Unbound celebrates printmaking as a living, evolving art form one that extends beyond traditional boundaries while remaining rooted in material processes and experimentation. The exhibition brings together artists who challenge conventional definitions of printmaking by pushing the limits of ink, paper, and technique. Through innovative approaches and cross-disciplinary practices, the works on display reflect how contemporary printmakers are redefining what print can be in today’s artistic landscape. Work included in the exhibition range from traditional two-dimensional prints to installation work and beyond.Curated by Segars, a printmaker and educator whose practice emphasizes both technical rigor and conceptual exploration, Ink Unbound highlights the continued relevance of printmaking in contemporary art. The exhibition showcases works that explore themes of repetition, transformation, materiality, and process, inviting viewers to consider how impressions are made and re-made. From layered surfaces to unconventional matrices and experimental printing methods, the featured works reveal printmaking as a vibrant, adaptive medium responsive to contemporary ideas and concerns.In addition to celebrating professional artistic practices, Ink Unbound also reflects the educational mission of the ACA by offering students and community members an opportunity to engage directly with contemporary printmaking. The exhibition serves as a resource for art students, educators, and the public, fostering dialogue about creative process and the evolving role of traditional media in contemporary art.The exhibit will close on Thursday, July 16. The ACA is open Monday-Thursday from 8:00 am – 8:00 pm and on Friday from 8:00 am – 12:00 pm.

Alabama Center for the Arts – Visual Arts Building Main Gallery, 133 2nd Avenue NE, Decatur, AL, 35601, United States

Tabletop Tactics: High School Board Gaming Camp

Come learn about the World of Board Game Design! In this full week, half day camp for high school students (ages 15-18) we will learn about game design, game play, and create our own custom board games. You will complete and TAKE HOME your own board game at the end of t......More

Come learn about the World of Board Game Design! In this full week, half day camp for high school students (ages 15-18) we will learn about game design, game play, and create our own custom board games. You will complete and TAKE HOME your own board game at the end of the week!Camp will run each day from June 8-12, 2026 in the STEAM Imagination Center (402 E. Moulton Street, Decatur, AL 35601). The camp days begin at 8am and end at 12pm. On the final day, campers will be able to play their games together and with their families.Space is limited, so be sure to secure your place today! Registration is $100. Students get a camp t-shirt, all supplies for making their games, and daily snacks.If you have any questions about the camp, please email Geoffrey Rankin at [email protected].**Please note: Your place in this camp can ONLY be purchased through the link below. Anyone saying they are trying to “sell tickets” they purchased and can’t used is a scam.Register and pay here:  https://wl.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=calhouncc&id=349

STEAM Imagination Center, 402 East Moulton Street, Decatur, AL, 35601, United States

Middle School Jazz Camp directed by Dr. Matt Leder

The Calhoun Community College Music Department announces TWO Jazz Camps at the ACA this summer, one for middle school and one for high school, college, and adults.Middle School Jazz CampJune 15-19, 20268:30am – 12:00pmArthur Orr Performing Arts CenterStudents will learn......More

The Calhoun Community College Music Department announces TWO Jazz Camps at the ACA this summer, one for middle school and one for high school, college, and adults.Middle School Jazz CampJune 15-19, 20268:30am – 12:00pmArthur Orr Performing Arts CenterStudents will learn improvisation and learn New Orleans tunes in the style of Preservation Hall & work/perform with Dr. Matt Leder and a professional Rhythm Section! Snacks and Jazz Camp T-Shirt included!To register for these Jazz Camps, simply scan the QR code and fill out the online form. Come join the music!Cost is $150.00 per participant.Click here to register and pay:  https://wl.donorperfect.net/weblink/FormItemsTable.aspx?name=calhouncc&id=340&formid=3402

Alabama Center for the Arts – Performing Arts Building, 133 2nd Avenue NE, Decatur, AL, 35601, United States

Professional Development Workshop - "From Page to Performance: Using Color in Score Preparation"

Workshop Title: From Page to Performance: Using Color in Score Preparation This interactive workshop is designed to help conductors develop effective score study techniques that lead to more informed, expressive rehearsals and performances. Participants will explore pra......More

Workshop Title: From Page to Performance: Using Color in Score Preparation This interactive workshop is designed to help conductors develop effective score study techniques that lead to more informed, expressive rehearsals and performances. Participants will explore practical strategies for analyzing musical structure, harmony, orchestration, and phrasing, as well as methods for identifying key musical priorities before stepping onto the podium. Through guided examples and collaborative discussion, the session will demonstrate how to move beyond note learning to deeper musical understanding. Attendees will leave with a structured approach to score preparation, tools for efficient practice, and insights into translating analysis into clear rehearsal communication. Ideal for music educators seeking to refine their preparation process and strengthen their interpretive decisions. Instructed by:  Dani’ca Richardson, M.M., Athens State University, Adjunct Professor – Music Location:  Alabama Center for the Arts, 133 2nd Ave. NE, Decatur, AL 35601 (downtown) ACA room number:  #113 (Visual Arts bldg.) Deadline to pre-register in Powerschool (REQUIRED):  June 14, 2026 Materials needed: Colored Pencils containing Red, Blue, Green, Orange, and Brown, Pencil and Eraser (please plan to bring with you) Free. No pre-requisites. Fee:  No fee. Maximum enrollment:  20 (minimum of 2 pre-registered to make) Important:  If this workshop is canceled for any reason, you will be notified via email on the email address you used to register. If you register and later find that you will not attend, PLEASE cancel your registration and don’t be a no show. Thank you. Parking:  Free parking is available in the Morgan County parking lot next to the ACA building at the corner of Lee Street and 1st & 2nd Avenues and on the street in front of our building. Link to register:  https://app.smore.com/n/dvfb1

Alabama Center for the Arts – Visual Arts Building Main Gallery, 133 2nd Avenue NE, Decatur, AL, 35601, United States

Professional Development Workshop - "From Artwork to Mini Movie: Turning Student Designs into Visual Stories"

Workshop Title:  From Artwork to Mini Movie: Turning Student Designs into Visual Stories Instructed by:  Dr. Sherry Stancil, former journalist and current Instructor of Communications, Calhoun Community College Location:  Alabama Center for the Arts, 133 2nd Ave. NE, De......More

Workshop Title:  From Artwork to Mini Movie: Turning Student Designs into Visual Stories Instructed by:  Dr. Sherry Stancil, former journalist and current Instructor of Communications, Calhoun Community College Location:  Alabama Center for the Arts, 133 2nd Ave. NE, Decatur, AL 35601 (downtown) ACA room number:  #113 (Visual Arts bldg.) Deadline to pre-register in Powerschool (REQUIRED):  June 17 Description: In this hands-on session, art educators will learn how to guide students in transforming their own artwork into short “mini movies” or visual stories. Participants will explore a simple, step-by-step process that moves from image creation to storytelling, using accessible digital tools to add motion, voice, and meaning. This 3-hour session keeps creativity at the center while introducing a fresh, engaging way for students to share their ideas and bring their artwork to life. A ready-to-use visual storytelling template will be provided for immediate classroom application. Optional AI-supported tools will be introduced to help animate and enhance student creativity—without replacing it. Pre-requisites:  Participants should bring a laptop or tablet with internet access. You are encouraged (but not required) to bring pieces of original artwork (digital or photographed). Important:  If this workshop is canceled for any reason, you will be notified via email on the email address you used to register. If you register and later find that you will not attend, PLEASE cancel your registration and don’t be a no show. Thank you. Parking:  Free parking is available in the Morgan County parking lot next to the ACA building at the corner of Lee Street and 1st & 2nd Avenues and on the street in front of our building. Maximum enrollment:  20 (minimum of 5 pre-registered to make) Registration link:  https://app.smore.com/n/dvfb1

Creative Corners: Coptic Bookbinding (Half Day Camp)

Learn the art of bookbinding!Coptic bound books have an open spine with linked stitches, which allow the pages to lay flat when open. In this workshop, students will learn the basic (& easy!) Coptic Stitch to create small sketchbooks with collaged covers. Students are e......More

Learn the art of bookbinding!Coptic bound books have an open spine with linked stitches, which allow the pages to lay flat when open. In this workshop, students will learn the basic (& easy!) Coptic Stitch to create small sketchbooks with collaged covers. Students are encouraged to bring any scrapbooking or collaging materials that fit their personality. Along with the stitching, students will learn basic folded book structures. No experience is necessary.This half day camp is for students 18+. Ages 15-17 will be accepted only if a parent or guardian is also participating, as the process can be tricky for younger students.Location:  ACA Visual Arts building, Room #313Registration is $30 per person, which includes snacks and art supplies.If you have any questions prior to camp, please email Tara Segars at [email protected].**Please note: Your place in this camp can ONLY be purchased through the link below. Anyone saying they are trying to “sell tickets” they purchased and cannot use is a scam.Register and pay here:  https://wl.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=calhouncc&id=351

Alabama Center for the Arts, 133 2nd Avenue NE, Decatur, AL, 35601, United States