All photos and illustrations by Pat Johns ©2007
All Rights Reserved
See links to article references at the end of the article.

October 2007

"The mission of the Community Arts Center at the Bonnie Kate is to encourage artistic expression and promote experiences and education in the arts for the people of Elizabethton and the surrounding area. We believe that participation in the arts enriches the lives of people of all ages and helps transform our community into a fuller, richer, more beautiful place to live."
~ www.TheCommunityArtsCenter.org Mission Statement (see link below)

And what a setting they have chosen! The historic Bonnie Kate Theater on South Sycamore Street in Elizabethton Tennessee is still maintained as a movie theater but also houses the Community Arts Center.

There is a gallery shop on the first floor and the light-filled second floor houses classrooms for art classes for participants of all ages. In addition, the group uses a stage in one of the two movie theaters for theatrical productions and musical performances.

This organization has just celebrated its first anniversary but you might not suspect that when you walk in their well-organized gallery shop with impressive local arts and crafts.

They celebrated their anniversary with an "Evening of Jazz" on September 29 on the Bonnie Kate stage. The featured performers were Rick Simerly, Charles Goodwin, Martin Walters and Eddie Dalton.

The 500 seat Bonnie Kate Theater opened in 1926. In the late 1960s it was advertised as the "Rocking Chair Theater", the first theater east of the Mississippi with rocking chair seating.

A great source of old photos of the theater is "Images of America: Elizabethton" by Michael and Lanette Depew (Arcadia Publishing). Below is a link to the book's listing on Amazon.com.

The organization has received much support from the community. You can join in with the following membership choices:

• Student $25: Invitations to members events and receptions. Discounts on tickets for play productions.
• Individual $30: All Student Benefits plus 20% off a class per year.
• Family/Dual $50: All Individual benefits for two.
• Sponsor $100: All Family/Dual benefits plus 50% off one class.
• Patron $250: All Sponsor benefits plus acknowledgement on the Center’s donor space.
• Benefactor $500: Patron benefits plus Invitation to Benefactor event.

Some interesting links related to this article:

• Community Arts Organization Website
• Community Arts Organization Membership Information
• Johnson City Press article about the Community Arts Center