The Aiken Center of the Arts hosted its annual Arts Alive event, which served as the center’s open house and also served to showcase local and young talent.
The event included face painting, popcorn, balloon art, crafts and live animals such as snakes and other reptiles. The event also included local performances by the Xolta Group, Unity Dance Co. and the Epoch Girl Epoch Girls Squad Double Dutch team from Wagener.
“Arts Alive is really about celebrating the creativity of our youth in the community,” said Caroline Gwinn, executive director of the Aiken Center for the Art.
Gwinn said Arts Alive allows the community to try out some of the things the arts center has to offer and celebrate the end of summer arts camps, which ended in July.
“It’s a chance for young people to share what they’re doing and to learn about something new and new offers that they may not yet know about,” she said.
Gwinn said the event also allows children to be exposed to art at an earlier age and gives families something to do.
“The arts center focuses on access and education, but today we are focusing on fun, on networking and on the joy of art,” she said.
Lauren Sightler of North Augusta brought her son to experience art firsthand and give the family something to do for the weekend.
Sightler said her son’s favorite part of the event was watching the animals and watching several dance groups perform.
“There is a lot of art to admire here and we want to involve our children in the art and community events,” she said.
Arts Alive volunteer Terry Johnson helped children build homemade harmonicas.
“The children love making noises because they sound like music and they can decorate them,” she said.
While his children were engaged in another artistic activity, Freddie Littles joined in and colored a turtle.
“I decided to bring my kids so they could explore some of the fun things in Aiken, nice people and the wonderful events for them,” he said.
Lakendria Curry came to Arts Alive last year wanting to support her daughter, who is a dancer at Unity Dance Co., and to see all the arts activities available.
“There are a lot of different arts and crafts and different dances for them,” Curry said.
Lynn Smits has been bringing her granddaughter Anna Grace Breeden to Arts Alive for three years.
The Aiken Center of the Arts hosted Arts Alive, an event designed to showcase the arts and talents of local youth.
“It’s just so nice of Aiken to organize a free family event like this and just give the kids something to do,” she said.
