Albany Area Arts Council and Albany Recreation and Parks host Holiday pARTy

ALBANY — Albany’s Recreation and Parks Department and the Albany Area Arts Council are inviting area elementary school students to a special, family-friendly, “Holiday pARTy” where they will get a chance to not only see an art show done by their peers, but also create some arts and crafts of their own.

Scheduled for this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Arts Council’s Carnegie Library headquarters, the second annual “Holiday pARTy” is open to children of all ages at no charge.

Children that participate in the festivities of the day will have the opportunity to engage in a variety of exciting hands-on activities, while also getting a chance to see the Arts Council’s current monthly exhibit, The Dougherty County Elementary School Art Show, which features more than 140 works created by elementary students in the Dougherty County School System (DCSS).

According to Albany Area Arts Council Executive Director Nicole Williams, the “Holiday pARTy” is an ideal way to help expose children and families from across Albany and Dougherty County to the importance of art in the community and to the immense talent of area youngsters.

“It’s such a great event,” said Williams. “The kids have a chance to explore their creative side, and they get to see the wonderful work done by other children in the area. It’s so important in their development for children to use their imaginations and create something of their own. The whole thing really is a lot of fun and its a great way for the arts council to continue its connection to the community.”

Part of that connection is working with the Albany Recreation and Parks Department to pull off the free event, which many organizers feel is a perfect fit around the holidays.

“We strive to provide families high quality cultural arts programming that is offered free of charge,”said Albany Recreation and Parks Department Special Events Coordinator Kristin Caso. “This event is ideal for the historic Carnegie Library building. Nicole (Williams) has it decorated so beautifully for the holidays, then you add the charming and brightly colored elementary art exhibit along with fun arts and crafts in each of the rooms; it’s just perfect.”

The “Holiday pARTy” starts promptly at 10 a.m. and all children who attend must be accompanied by an adult. The Carnegie Library is located at 215 N. Jackson Street, adjacent to the municipal auditorium.

For more information about the “Holiday pARTy,” contact Caso at (229) 430-5222 or Williams at (229) 439-2787.