Adam Korst/Itemizer-Observer
Barbara Spencer, Lilli Boettcher, Jackey Raye Jones and James Jones (from left) were part of a work party preparing the Falls City Arts Council's soon-to-be open art center May 6.
FALLS CITY -- The Falls City Arts Council lived up to its motto, "Art Draws Us Together," at a work party at its soon-to-be Art Center on May 6.
Last Thursday, weeks before its scheduled opening on May 28, the 1,500-square-foot space was a hub of activity as arts council and community members streamed in to get the center ready.
The center will be located at 420 N. Main St., in the big green building across from Paula's Kitchen.
Community members gathered to clean the floors and paint the high walls of the room. Groups of people stopped by, either lending a hand or to find out what all the activity was about.
"Wow -- this is so cool," exclaimed art council member Kathy Flanigan when she saw the place for the first time May 6.
Flanigan plans to teach art classes at the center during the summer.
Arts Council Executive Director Jackey Raye Jones said the organization received donations equal to the amount of eight months rent for the center. That was the reason the arts council was able to find a location so soon after making opening an art center its goal in March.
"It's just amazing how this has come together," Jones said.
The next challenge is filling the cavernous space with tables, chairs and storage cupboards, which the arts council is accepting donations for, Jones said.
Once open, the center will be host to the art council's Friday Night Art Group, bingo, game nights, movie nights, yoga classes, and summer art classes. The center will also feature an art gallery. Jones hopes to find enough volunteers to keep the center open so people can drop in during the day between scheduled activities.
With its own space, Arts Council President Barbara Spencer said, artists don't have to be afraid to spill paint or clay on the floor, as they would have in the former meeting facility at the Falls City Community Center.
"We really needed a home," she said. "Now we can work with clay and do some fun stuff."
Jones said the rapid progress the arts council has made in recent months -- and the amount of work that accompanies the new projects -- is a bit overwhelming, but in a good way.
"If we keep putting one foot in front of the other, we will get there," she said.
For more information or to donate, go to www.fallscityarts.com or call Jackey at 503-559-6291.