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Up in Lights!

The Athens-Clarke County Leisure Services Department will host a free “Movies by Moonlight: Drive in Movie” at Sandy Creek Park on Friday, February 12. The community is invited to enjoy the new classic
“Black Panther.”

One ticket per vehicle is required. Tickets are limited to 100 vehicles and are available online at www.accgov.com/leisure from Saturday, January 30 at 9:00 a.m. until Thursday, February 11 at midnight, while supplies last. A direct link to the tickets will be posted on social media and the Leisure Services website. Tickets will not be available on the night of the event.

Check in will begin at 6:00 p.m. Cars must be in the park by 6:45 p.m. to ensure a safe and positive movie experience for all movie goers. The film will start at 7:00 p.m. Park gates will be closed and late entry is not permitted as not to disturb the movie experience.

Upon arrival, motorists will be directed to the parking area with vehicles appropriately spaced to allow for social distancing.

Attendees are reminded to wear masks and enjoy the film from inside their cars or within arm’s length of their car. Social distancing is strongly encouraged. The public is should bring their own refreshments. Food and beverages will not be sold or provided at the park. Restrooms will be available.

All park rules will be enforced, including no alcohol, smoking, or grills.

For more information, call 706-613-3800.

Valentine Events - How Sweet!

The Leisure Services Department will present a selection of Valentine’s Day activities during the month of February. Online registration is required.

A variety of activities are available including:

• Cupid's Craft Party from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. at Memorial Park on February 10
• Valentine Cards and Cookies from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. at East Athens Community Center on February 11
• Love Bug Jamboree from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. at Rocksprings Park on February 11
• I Heart You at Lay Park from 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. on February 13
• Woo at the Zoo at Bear Hollow Zoo on February 13

The inaugural “S’mores and Stars” program will take place Saturday, February 13 from 7:00 – 9:30 p.m. at Sandy Creek Park at 400 Bob Holman Road. Participants will view the moon, planets, and stars using a telescopes and their eyes, as well as hear stories about constellations in the sky. Everyone is encouraged to bring a chair and a sense of imagination. This program is weather permitting. Online registration is required.

For more information, please call 706-613-3800.

Call for Artists

The Lyndon House Arts Foundation (LHAF) and the Lyndon House Arts Center (LHAC) announce La Ruchala A. Murphy as the Guest Curator for a project to expand our commitment to increase the visibility and contribution of Black /African American identifying artists.

#NotAStereotype is an exhibition designed to give voice and space to artists with a focus on the black experience.

The Call for Art will feature all media of art created by artists who identify as black/African American to highlight positive images of black culture and contribute to the legacy of black artistry underrepresented in fine and contemporary art spaces.

Online digital submissions will be received from February 1 – March 15, 2021. Open to artists living and working in the southern states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, or Tennessee.

#NotAStereotype exhibition will be on view at the Lyndon House Arts Center from May 1 – July 24, 2021.

The Curator, La Ruchala A. Murphy, has served as the Executive Director of the Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation since June 2019 having previously worked in the arts sector in South Carolina for 15 years. La Ruchala has earned a Bachelor’s in Fine Arts and Master’s in Arts Administration from Winthrop University. She also has a Master of Science in Nonprofit Administration from the University of Louisiana and working toward a doctorate in Organizational Leadership from Columbia International University.

For more information, please call 706-613-3623.

Spring Registration

The Leisure Services Department announces its spring activity opportunities for 2021.

A diverse selection of activities highlighting the arts, environmental science, recreation, sports, and holiday events are planned for adults and children.

Online activity registration for Athens-Clarke County residents will begin at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 6. Non-residents may register online starting Monday, February 8 at noon. The Department will implement a “rolling registration,” with new activities opening on Saturdays for residents and Mondays for non-residents.

Payment may be rendered using a debit card, American Express, Discover Card, MasterCard, Visa, or a MasterCard or Visa gift card.

Registration will continue until activities are at full enrollment or they begin.

On November 1, 2020, the Leisure Services Department updated its online registration software. Individuals who have not established a new online account since November 2020, must do so at www.accgov.com/leisure .

Individuals who do not have access to a computer or smart phone may register online using the computer labs at East Athens Community Center at 400 McKinley Dr., Lay Park at 297 Hoyt St., or Rocksprings Park at 291 Henderson Ext. during regular hours of operation.

Those who wish to apply or renew a scholarship are encouraged to visit www.accgov.com/scholarship to learn about the required documentation and application process.

For more information, call 706-613-3800.

Park and Facility Update

All Department parks and facilities continue to operate .All Department parks and facilities continue to operate under restricted use and limited public access. The following restrictions are in effect for the immediate future:

• Athletic fields and gymnasiums are open. Athletic leagues can participate in internal scrimmages (no out of county teams can participate).

• Basketball, pickleball, tennis, and volleyball courts as well as playgrounds are open. Dog park access is limited. Bear Hollow Zoo is open.

• Morton Theatre remains closed.

Face covers must be worn at all parks and facilities. People are reminded to continue to limit close contact, practice physical distancing measures, wash or sanitize hands frequently, and follow group gathering and other guidelines per the governor's statewide executive orders.

For more information, please call 706-613-3800.