MCC Business Directory and Resource Guide 19
and new energy has enlivened Anderson ’ s arts scene and raised its regional profile .
Stroll down Meridian Street on certain Friday or Saturday evenings , and you ’ re likely to encounter a group of Anderson Symphony Orchestra musicians entertaining passers-by ; displays of paintings by local artists ; and opportunities to sample new craft beers and other beverages at one of the neighborhood ’ s vibrant breweries .
“ We have a ton of little pop-up shops between the different places , between the arts organizations ,” says Sonia Caldwell , program director at A Town Center .
“ You ’ ll see a lot of artisan vendors and things like that , so people will get a little different taste of the creative people in the community .”
Leaders of Anderson ’ s Young Ballet Theatre can attest to the diversity of talent in the area they ’ ve seen over the years . In its 48th season , the organization will offer two full-length productions this year : “ The Legend of Mulan ,” a fresh take on the children ’ s classic , as well as its annual holiday presentation of “ The Nutcracker .”
“ There are a lot of really big performances that we do ,” artistic director Jennifer Thiemet says . “ Our productions are very , very well done , which is important to us because we ’ ve been so vested in the community for so long .”
“ There ’ s an importance to the arts in this community ,” adds Erynn Erwin , marketing chair with Anderson ’ s Mainstage Theatre . “ I really feel like education and the arts has been huge with providing opportunities in our community for people to come together and enjoy themselves .”
Beyond providing after-hours entertainment , leaders of the downtown ’ s arts organizations acknowledge that their task is broader . They agree that their groups serve a vital role in the city ’ s economic development efforts .
“ I ’ ve always felt that the arts are an integral part of any economic development in any community ,” says Wayne Huffman , board president of the Anderson Young Ballet Theatre .
“ If you look at thriving communities , especially the downtown areas , they all have … a growing arts presence , whether it be in dance arts or theater or people who do paintings , sculptures , things like that .”
The crossover between more traditional groups and a new generation ’ s approach to the arts is perhaps best epitomized in the Anderson Symphony Orchestra , whose new executive director , Darla Sallee , has been aggressive in raising the symphony ’ s profile locally .
Sallee , who formerly worked as the webmaster for the City of Anderson , has been active in promoting the symphony ’ s free outdoor concerts on social media channels . She ’ s also gotten the orchestra involved with the monthly First Friday Arts Walk series , as well as Anderson on Tap and other signature events .
“ We ’ ve tried to participate in every way that we can to get our name out there and our mission out there and talk about upcoming concerts ,” Sallee explains .
“ We ’ ve been very intentional to make sure that we get connected with other arts programs in downtown so that we can participate in whatever they ’ re doing , that we can join forces with them and be united in representing the arts for Anderson and for Madison County .”
HERALD BULLETIN FILE PHOTOS
TOP : Sherry Doughtee and Kim Peeples snap a selfie during " First Friday " at A Town Center .
ABOVE : A behind the scenes look at the Mainstage Theatre .
WHAT ’ S HAPPENING
Arts organizations in downtown Anderson offer a variety of recurring and one-time events . Here is a sampling :
A TOWN CENTER
• Yoga classes each Tuesday from 5:30 to 6:30 p . m .
• Open Mic at A Town Center : Local writer David Allen hosts monthly gatherings for writers to share their work on the third Thursday of every month from 6:30 to 8:30 p . m .
ANDERSON MUSEUM OF ART
• Craft Nights : Part of the museum ’ s series of adult classes which are offered on the third Thursday of each month from 6 to 8 p . m . Each class is $ 25 ($ 20 for museum members ).
• Escape the Museum : An escape room-style event that challenges participants by giving them one hour to find a hidden cache of gold . Bookings are available during the day ($ 100 ) or in the evenings and Saturdays ($ 150 ), with proceeds benefiting museum programming .
FIRST FRIDAYS
• These monthly art walks are designed to showcase the downtown neighborhood ’ s variety of arts and entertainment venues as well as local museums , breweries and coffee houses . Walks are planned for the first Friday of each month , rain or shine . Visit atowncenter . org / fridays for details .