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