The Winnsboro Center for the Arts celebrated 25 years of community art in East Texas with a public event Sept. 19 at its new Creative Learning Center on the Bowery.
Beginning midmorning, area residents took part in interactive demonstrations showcasing a variety of artistic techniques for different age groups. WCA art instructors led the mini-lessons, with many participants taking home their own creations.
An evening gala continued the anniversary celebration, with floral arrangements created during a recent flower-arranging workshop decorating the tables. Before the formal program began, guitar student Josh Carpenter performed music throughout the learning center.
Singer-songwriters Lynn Adler and Lindy Hearne opened the musical portion of the program with original songs, including “The Bowery,” which draws on Winnsboro’s history.
Members of the Bowery Players, WCA’s community theater group, and the Winnsboro Community Choir followed with selections from their recent Broadway Revue production. Winnsboro High School culinary arts students prepared and served food for the event.
WCA Director Mary White presented a brief history of the organization and recognized several people who helped establish the center as a gathering place for artists and the community. She also provided an overview of the organization’s current programs and discussed plans for expanding the center’s capabilities in the future.
Winnsboro Mayor Randy Parrish spoke about the center’s impact on the city, including its role in cultural activities and its effect on local businesses.
Parrish concluded the program by presenting White with a plaque recognizing the Winnsboro Center for the Arts’ 25 years of operation.