Huntsville, AL -- (SBWire) -- 12/09/2014 --America's biggest privately owned visual arts center is about to get even bigger. On Saturday, December 20, Lowe Mill ARTS and Entertainment will open its newly redeveloped north wing to the public. The Grand Opening will feature a ribbon cutting by local officials and a buildingwide open house with demonstrations and performances for all ages.
Modeled after the Torpedo Factory Art Center in Virginia, the historic, three story textile mill was purchased by Hudson Alpha visionary Jim Hudson in 2001. Lowe Mill's theater, 94 studios, and 7 galleries attract 2,000 to 5,000 visitors a week and are home to hundreds of performances, concerts, art shows, and guest lectures each year.
With the addition of the building's newly redeveloped north wing, previously used as a storage area by biomedical firm Eurofins, the center's working studio space will increase from approximately 100,000squarefeet to 144,000squarefeet. The north wing will house 31 new studios, a new gallery, and Lowe Mill's first dedicated art classroom.
"We're all extremely excited," said Executive Director Marcia Freeland. "This Grand Opening marks a major chapter in the story of Lowe Mill. Our community began as a small handful of determined artists sweating it out in a neglected old building, and over the years together we have been able to transform it into something that hundreds of artists and thousands of visitors get to enjoy every week. I'm in awe of how much our creative family has accomplished so far and can't wait to see the brilliant work to come from our newest members."
Lowe Mill is widely recognized as an incubator for creativity and small businesses and the Mill's latest tenants were specially chosen to continue that legacy. Dozens of professional artists and creative businesses will open their new studios just in time for holiday shopping, including a rapid prototyping makers space, a gourmet popsicle shop, a 72seat classroom, and a new home for the Huntsville Art League.
Suzy Naumann, owner and operator of Suzy's Pops, will move her unique business into a large kitchen and seating area in the north wing. "Customers have really only been able to get my ice pops at farmers markets and special events," said Naumann. "I'm thrilled to have a space where I can make my product and grow my business. It's a privilege to join Lowe Mill's incredible culinary community, and I can't wait to become a member of the mill family."
The daylong Grand Opening celebration on December 20 will bring thousands to Lowe Mill for entertainment, workshops, and hands on activities. "This will be the biggest event we've ever hosted," said Media Director Dustin Timbrook. "When we announced the expansion, the story was shared thousands of times on social media. Our goal is to give Huntsville an event that matches that excitement."
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Artists Moving Into New Wing
2009 Teri Hartman, Ceramics
2013 Huntsville Art League, Independent Business, Visual Arts
2018 Eric Schultz, Photography
2022 Mind Gear Labs, Independent Business
2023 Mary Ellen Davidson, Painting
2025 Carrie Alderfer, Mixed Media
2027 Sandra Lasater, Painting
2033 Jonny Scull, Painting
2034 Calvin Hubbard & Randy Harold, Ceramics
2035 Barbara Laughbaum, Painting
2037 Modern & Smart, Independent Business, Graphic Design
2038 Carol Roden, Glass
2040 Johanna Littleton, Painting
2041 Terri Shows, Painting
2042 Paula Dickerhoff, Mixed Media
2043 2b Designs LLC, Independent Business, Architecture
2044 Stephanie Schamban, Photography
2047 Johhny Miller & Scott Birchfield, Photography
2048 Angela True, Mixed Media
2050 Love Huntsville, Mixed Media
2051 Pat Keefe, Independent Business, Sign Maker
2052 Tabatha Jarmulowicz, Mixed Media
2053 Cindy Wagner, Mixed Media
2054 Jessica & Chad Johnson, Painting
2060 Suzy Nauman, Culinary Arts
2061 Jeff Irons,Culinary Arts
New Artists Moving Into Building
103 Sarah Dauro, Textiles
131 Jennifer Pinkley, Literary Arts
201 Rusted Willow, Mixed Media
303 Lori Ary, Mixed Media
312 Matt Crunk, Independent Business
318 Brian Curnel, Drawing
325 Jim Jobe, Painting
Established Artists
RR1 – Guadalupe Robinson, Ceramics
RR3A – Dustin Timbrook, Mixed Media
RR3B – Vertical House Records, Independent Business RR4A – Pizzelle's Confections, Culinary Arts
RR4B – Julie Gill, Glass
RR5 – Tennessee Valley Archaeological Society, Independent Business RR7– Tangled String Studio, Independent Business
RR8 – Everett Cox, Sculpture
WT1– The Palate, Culinary Arts
WT2 – Mircea Lacatus, Sculpture
100 – Happy Tummy, Culinary Arts
101 – Jessica Moody, Textiles
104 – J Caudle & Co, Jewelry
106 Nickel Cigar Box Guitar, Independent Business
107 R.A. Muirhead – Stephens, Mixed Media
108 Rick Adkins, Painting
109 Jim Seaquist & Bogdan Ghita, Painting, Mixed Media
110 White Rabbit Studio, Photography
111 Green Pea Press, Printmaking
112 Green Pea Press, Printmaking
113 Piper & Leaf, Culinary Arts
114 Monica Yother, Digital, Mixed Media
115 The Art Cart, Independent Business, Art Supplies
117 Michele Lee, Painting
118 Deborah Howell, Independent Business, Furniture
119 No'Ala, Independent Business
120 Radiant Shade, Textiles
121 Connie Ulrich, Jewelry
122 Green Pea Press, Printmaking
123 Dwin Hart, Painting
124 Denise, Joe & Clay Williams, Mixed Media
125 Tracey Allyn Greene, Painting
126 Susie Garrett & Robert Perrella, Mixed Media
127 Judson Portzer, Glass
128 Erin Michael, Jewelry
129 Barbara Lawrence, Sculpture, Jewelry
130 Lisa Hopper & David Rich Mixed Media
150 Prototype Multimedia, Independent Business 151– Piper & Leaf , Culinary Arts
202 Ginny Erickson Webb, Photography
203 Jennifer Stottle Taylor, Painting
204 Nathan Childers, Painting
251 Film Coop – Don Tingle, Film
252 Head Stash Products, Textiles
254 Emily Bodnar, Mixed Media
255 Logan Tanner & Sara Bowen, Painting, Ceramics
256 Kami Watson Studio, Textiles
257 Beloved Books & Gallery, Independent Business
258 Your Yoga, Independent Business
259 BF Guvnah, Painting
260 Rusty Snail Studios, Painting, Mixed Media
262 Cre8tive Sistas, Jewelry
264 Stephanie Thomas, Mixed Media
265 Flying Monkey Theatre
266 Tracy Singleton, Independent Business
267 Demetria Parker, Jewelry
268 Squeaking Tribe Studio, Performance
269 Nesta Treats, Independent Business
270 Joey & Beth Norwood, Mixed Media
271 FredBread, Culinary Arts
272 Karma Rags, Independent Business
273 Robyn Kralik, Painting
274 Tye Dyes by Jim, Independent Business
301 Kyle Zeringue, Photography
302 Chuck Mathews, Painting
304 Ann Steverson, Painting
305 Deborah Horn & Jerry Brown, Painting
306 Conor O'Brien, Painting
307 Yuri Ozaki Studio, Painting
308 David & Jodi Nuttall, Painting
309 Willette Battle, Mixed Media
310 Ian McCalister, Photography
311 Bill Teoh, Photography
314 Denise Onwere, Mixed Media
315 Mill Village Woolery – Jeannie Vereen, Textiles
316 Jackie Miller, Jewelry
317 Gokden Matthews, Ceramics
319 Everett Carter, Painting
321 Aynslee Moon, Painting
322 Robert Bean, Painting
323 Lenore Corey, Painting
324 Kanthi Reddi Whitten & Kimberly Hart, Painting
326 Carolyn DodsonGrimm, Painting
327 Dominique Cavanaugh, Mixed Media
Media Contact :
Contact: Dustin Timbrook
Phone: 2564977805
Email: dustintimbrook@lowemill.net
Grand Opening Slated for Nation's Largest Private Arts Center