This July, the Foothills Theatre Summer Musical Cinderella featured a timeless tale set to the iconic score written by the talented duo, Rodgers and Hammerstein.

“The crickets felt it was their duty to warn everybody that summertime cannot last forever. Even on the most beautiful days in the whole year – the days when summer is changing into autumn – the crickets spread the rumor of sadness and change.” – E.B. White

We’ve had the pleasure of seeing so many of you out and about in the community showing your support of the arts this summer, whether at an exhibit opening, at the Foothills Kid’s Theatre production of Disney’s 101 Dalmatians in June or their summer musical performance of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella in July, or at the Roots Music Fest in June or Reevestock Music Festival in August.

Our second Plein Air Painters excursion was to the spectacular Piccione Vineyards in Ronda, North Carolina. The hundred-acre property features rolling vineyard rows with established vines and newly planted varietals protected by orderly grow tubes.

Eleven young artists ranging from rising second through rising twelfth grades from local public schools, a community school, homeschool, and school systems across the state and from other states crossed paths for a week of artistic exploration to create a truly dynamic mix of youth who shared a passion for art and nature this summer.

“Just living is not enough," said the butterfly, "one must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower.”— Hans Christian Anderson in The Complete Fairy Tales

The month of July — buzzing with beetles and butterflies — often sees a flurry of human activity too, as folks set out to capitalize on the languid stretches of sunny summer days. During a month punctuated by travel and experiences, we hope you’ll visit us and enjoy what we have to offer!

When the Foothills Arts Center faced electrical repairs that required a temporary closure, Leslie Fesperman, Director of the Yadkin Valley Fiber Center — an affiliate nestled within the Foothills Arts Center — knew she didn’t want to cancel the upcoming Tapestry Weavers South New Works exhibition, nor did she want to postpone the variety of beginning to advanced weaving classes she had planned for the summer and fall.

Tapestry Weavers South is “an organization dedicated to advancing the art and craft of tapestry weaving” and with their annual New Works exhibition co-sponsored by the Yadkin Valley Fiber Center and the Foothills Arts Center, these talented artists are doing exactly that.

Our inaugural Plein Air Painters excursion was to the historic Kapps Mill Estate in Dobson, North Carolina. The property features a spectacular house and mill circa 1827, and knowledgeable hosts who shared the fascinating history of the estate with our group.

“In early June the world of leaf and blade and flowers explodes, and every sunset is different.” — John Steinbeck

While our main campus is currently closed for electrical and HVAC work, we have plenty to offer off-site during the month of June. Kicking off our lineup is the opening reception for the Tapestry Weavers South guild’s New Works exhibition on Friday, June 3, from 6:00-8:00 PM at The Studio, a new pop-up classroom space for the YVFC and mini-FAC gallery. The Studio is located on North Bridge Street, between the Farmer’s Market/Town Hall and The Wisdom Table. Parking is available at Town Hall for those interested in attending (and aren’t we all — the intricate tapestry work is remarkable!)

“Old ideas can sometimes use new buildings. New ideas must use old buildings.” — Jane Jacobs, advocate for community-centered urban development

The month of May has proven to be a quiet one at the Foothills Arts Center. Planned events, exhibitions, and classes have been delayed, canceled, or relocated after a recent inspection uncovered electrical repairs that require a temporary closure of the building.

Our first annual Volunteer Gardening Day is scheduled for Saturday, April 30, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

We would love to have your help revitalizing a shade garden and addressing landscape maintenance in the lower corner of our lawn. This event gives garden enthusiasts an opportunity to pitch in for a good cause.

We invite you to join us during the month of April as we embrace timeless pleasures; listening to the lively melodies of traditional Appalachian music, engaging with artists as they hone their craft in their studios, capturing the breathtaking beauty of nature on an easel outdoors, and enjoying a good ol’ fashioned morning spent with shovels in the sunshine during a volunteer gardening event.

To apply a dabble of watercolor or use your finger to smudge a bit of charcoal on a sheet of paper might seem like a simple enough assignment, but doing those tasks outdoors — where the fresh air, sunshine, and insects abound — can be an altogether different experience.

This idyllic quote from author L.M. Montgomery prompted me to glance ahead at the forecast for this first week of March. After a wet, rainy winter, a week of temperate spring days filled with sunlight and birdsong will be nothing short of delightful. To celebrate this shift, I encourage you to venture outside and explore all that the Foothills Arts Center and its affiliates have to offer this month!

Replacing the brittle roof, which was long past its prime after many years of exposure to the elements, was the critical first step in rehabilitating the historic Gilvin Roth YMCA building that now serves as the Foothills Arts Center in Elkin, North Carolina.

This month’s welcome — just like the month of February itself — will be short and sweet. Since the installation of a new roof required us to be closed to the public for the sake of safety this month, we’ve capitalized on the opportunity to organize engaging programming for the remainder of the year.

You’ll discover that…

Welcoming in a new year is an exciting time full of inviting possibilities. For many, New Year’s Eve is an occasion to enjoy a respite from daily tasks, and instead dedicate a moment or two to reflection before prioritizing aspirations and setting actionable goals for the year to come.

The first annual origami star workshop hosted by the Foothills Arts Center left participants with a handful of homemade ornaments and hearts full of holiday cheer.

On Friday, December 3, 2021, a crowd of over five hundred visitors enjoyed food trucks and performances on the expansive lawn of the Foothills Arts Center preluding Elkin’s annual Light Up Night tree lighting ceremony.