The 567 Center in downtown Macon hosts exhibits, offers art classes and has a free gallery open throughout the week that has monthly themes. Open 11 a.m to 4 p.m on weekdays, the gallery offers upcoming artists the opportunity to feature their work. The 567 Center showcases their new exhibit themes on the first Friday of each month from 5-8 p.m.
“I would suggest joining us for our November and December First Friday events at The 567,” Fine Arts Director Hannah Hartman said. “We will host an opening reception for our November-December exhibit, ‘Favorite Things,’ which features artwork for $100 and under – perfect for holiday shopping!”
The center offers various painting and pottery classes, some of which include “introduction to painting” and “beginning wheel at pottery.”
“With learning pottery, or really any art form, it’s important to trust the process, and not hold yourself to too high expectations,” pottery instructor Heatherly Day said.
“I would say our Paint and Sip classes, which include Corks and Canvas; Watercolor and Wine; Kool-Aid & Canvas, are a staple,” Hartman said. “And our Pottery Wheel Night is a popular class.”
Instructors lead the classes through a step-by-step instruction process. There were also experienced artists working on their own projects who were eager to help out with students who needed assistance. The help that they gave, though, wasn't useful only for the students.
“It’s fun because I end up learning more about my craft as I teach it. Plus, I’ve learned a lot from Heatherly as we’ve been working together,” pottery instructor Johnnie Skelton said. “Making cylinders is what I’m good at, and making bowls is what Heatherly’s good at, but we both help each other out.”
Members have separate shelves for their artwork, which many of The 567’s patrons take advantage of, according to Sherri Goss, one of The 567’s donors.
“We unfortunately don’t offer a student discount on our classes,” Hartman said, “However, we do offer student memberships for our galleries which offer a discount on our galleries and classes, among other things.”
The 567 Center offers various volunteering opportunities. Students interested in helping out at gallery events or First Fridays can access more information on their SignUp Genius page Hartman encourages Mercer students to check out The 567 Center’s website and social media, or to email her with any questions.
Geetanjali Angara ‘29 is an International Affairs major at Mercer University and a staff writer at The Cluster. Her hobbies are reading, writing and playing piano. You can typically either find her with a good book or singing a Taylor Swift song.
