The Mary G. Hardin Center for Cultural Arts is excited to welcome students in the Gadsden Community School for the Arts and the Downtown Dance Conservatory back for the fall semester. More than 600 students take a weekly lesson in visual arts, music, or dance from the programs housed within the Hardin Center. This semester, those students and their family members have a new space to enjoy while waiting for lessons. An area formerly occupied by a restaurant has been transformed into a student and parent lounge. The newly renovated space has been returned to the original 1990 floorplan, open to the Hardin Center’s lobby and atrium. Tables and chairs for homework and snacks and soft chairs and sofas for reading or scrolling social media are all included in the new lounge area. There are also ample charging ports throughout the space and Wi-Fi is provided for free for Hardin Center members. Vending machines and a new water fountain with a bottle filler are available. 

“We’ve been increasingly low on space due the popularity of our arts education programs,” said Hardin Center deputy director Tom Banks. “The restaurant closing provided us with a wonderful opportunity to provide a bright, comfortable space for everyone to enjoy. We hope both students and their parents will be delighted.” 

The work to transform the space and the all new furnishings were made possible by funds from the Etowah County Community Development Committees for Districts 28, 29, and 30 and by the Serendipity Dance Club. As classes start back, the Hardin Center will welcome everyone to the new space with light refreshments from 3 pm to 6 pm daily on August 19 through 22. In addition to current students, the public is invited to come see the new space and inquire about lessons. Spots are still available in many of the courses offered. 

For more information, call (256) 543-ARTS, email gcsa@culturalarts.org, or visit culturalarts.org.