Downtown Macon’s 567 to moves to 456

Welcome to the First Friday of Summer 2016!

I would venture a guess that art lovers who frequent downtown on First Fridays have stopped by The 567 Center for Renewal on Cherry Street to enjoy an exhibition, meet a featured artist or even participate in an art class. They also probably are aware that the organization has been moving to a new location during the past few months.

Now, after much anticipation, the move is complete. Today The 567 officially opens its doors at 456 First St.

Melissa Macker, executive director, said, “It’s really exciting to be in our new place, which has plenty of room for exhibitions, offices and meetings. We appreciate all the support we’ve received so far that has allowed us to purchase a building and make immediate renovations. We look forward to raising the remaining funds for the advancement of our new space to turn our gallery and studio into an amazing community space.”

To celebrate the occasion and welcome the art community to their new location, The 567 is hosting a free grand opening reception that also opens “Brushstrokes,” a new exhibit that features artwork by Joe Adams and Cherry Brewer, both local artists who create abstract paintings. Macker said, “Adams’ work is very bright and colorful, and Brewer’s pieces are a little more subdued. They complement each other very well.”

In addition to the double-feature art exhibit in the new building, The 567 has planned a full slate of special programming for this upcoming week and beyond. Its popular “Corks and Canvas,” scheduled for Saturday evening, has become a weekly — and sometimes twice a week — event. “Fundamentals of Painting,” a six-week course in which students learn to create three paintings using acrylics (still life, landscape and figure), begins Monday.

The 567 will hold its first Beer & Bluegrass event, a fundraiser featuring craft beer tasting and a bluegrass concert, June 25. And “Art Journaling” begins in July, which also is when the organization will become a part of the Bragg Jam Concert Crawl for the first time and feature singers, songwriters and small bands.

Contact The 567 Center for Renewal at 478-238-6051 or visit its website at www.the567.org for complete information about these and other offerings.

Make a stop in and show your support at The 567’s grand opening during your rounds this evening between 5-9 p.m.

Happy First Friday!

This story was originally published June 2, 2016 at 9:00 PM with the headline "Downtown Macon’s 567 to moves to 456."