First Friday activities will include an arts exhibition opening at 600 Broad.
Branching Out with Sally Balestrieri and Friends opens June 27 and runs through July 29 with the reception from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday.
Balestrieri has been “part of the 4P Studios family for the past several years. She has volunteered, taught classes, and has participated in and held a number of shows through our studio. She has recently relocated and as a celebration to all that she has done and been a part of for us, we decided to host an art exhibition to celebrate her artwork and that of the students she has encouraged through the years,” according to the event announcement.
MORE: ArtScape: Greater Augusta Arts Council awardees named and highlights of new exhibitions
Other participating artists include Jean Brejda, Rose Castleberry, Theresa Cutright, Jai Gillish, Robin Goldsmith, Jennifer Kamerad, Amber Keehn, Zach Keehn, Francie Klopotic, Angela Minter, Stacey Vincenzetti and
Jane Waldrop
Other First Friday activities include Schrodinger’s Cat eXtreme Theatre Games at 8 and 10 p.m. at Le Chat Noir. For tickets visit lcnaugusta.com.
Also Arcane Arts will be on Broad Street with its First Friday Fire show.
The Greater Augusta Arts Council announced $200,000 in grants to nonprofit arts organizations as well as individual artists last week.
“The arts organizations will use this funding to save jobs, fund operations, facilities, health and safety supplies, and for marketing and promotional efforts to encourage attendance and participation. The individual artists will use the funds to create new original arts projects, including costs for project-specific materials, stipends to the artist creating the artwork, employees, and for contracted workers for time spent in creating/presenting the proposed artwork,” according to a news release.
Eleven arts organizations received $150,000 while 17 individual artists received $50,000.
Arts organizations awardees include Arts and Heritage Center of North Augusta, Augusta Mini Theatre, Inc., Augusta Players, Augusta Symphony, Inc., Augusta Westobou Festival, Inc., Barefoot Productions dba Creative Impressions, Dance Augusta, Inc. dba Colton Ballet Company, Le Chat Noir, South Boundary, Storyland Theatre, Inc., and The Augusta Broadway Singers.
MORE: ArtScene: Author luncheon, sculptures and arts grants
Individual artist awardees for their artistic projects include Robert Atkins, Nikkar Vinchore Balkon, Kigwana S. Cherry, Andrea Clark, Jonathan Cook, Taylor Johnston Davis, Karen Gordon, David Neches, Jerri Anne Phillips, Aubrey Raiford Pompey, Travis Andrew Shaw, Mark Huie Starling, Rhian Swain, Richard Baruti Tucker, Rudy Volkmann, Drake Allen White, and Symphoni Wiggins, the news release said.
The Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History announced its official reopening June 21.
Located at 1116 Phillips St., the museum was closed due to Covid and for an additional 10 months for major renovations to the 111-year-old building. Renovations included installing a new elevator and extensive repairs to the inside and outside of the building, according to a news release.
Bank of America has sponsored free admission to the museum during the month of June.
“We believe in the power of the arts to help economies thrive, and we are proud to continue our partnership with the Lucy Craft Laney Museum,” said Ora Parish, president of Bank of America Greater Augusta / Aiken, in the news release.
For more information about the museum, visit www.lucycraftlaneymuseum.com or
to book a guided tour, call (706) 724-3576.
Charmain Z. Brackett is the managing editor of The Augusta Press. Reach her at charmain@theaugustapress.com
