Art in the Park comes to library's campus

Columbia County officials are making use of the new amphitheater and lawn area surrounding the new library by holding some outdoor events.

On Saturday, nearly 30 artists will set up their works on the amphitheater lawn as part of the first Art in the Park Festival organized by the county's Community and Leisure Services Division.

"We want people to come out and see what the new amphitheater is like, visit the library," said Stacie Adkins, the county's community events manager.

The free event, Adkins said, will include at least 28 artists, some local, displaying or selling their works in a variety of categories including oils, acrylics and pastels, watercolor, photography, ceramics and pottery, sculpture, fiber art, wood-working and embroidery.

The festival will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the amphitheater and Memorial Garden behind the Columbia County Library on Ronald Reagan Drive in Evans.

Adkins said the event will include hands-on crafts for children and a farmers market that will offer fresh produce, plants, flowers and homemade products.

Music will entertain visitors all day, including performances by small groups from the Augusta Symphony at 10 and 10:45 a.m.

Music will continue Saturday night with a 7:30 p.m. performance by Little Window featuring Julee Glaub and Mark Weems as the second installment of the Traditional Celtic Concert Series sponsored by Broadstrokes Gallery. The performances will be in the new Jabez Sanford Hardin Performing Arts Center.

Adkins said nearly 70 people attended the first performance in April and she expects more to attend the second show and the third, scheduled for June 17.

"The next two, they look really good," Adkins said.

Tickets for the Celtic concert cost $15 in advance and $17 at the door. To buy tickets, call Broadstrokes at (706) 860-6055 or visit the gallery at 677-C N. Belair Road in Evans.