The Foley Performing Arts Association will open its doors today to host an open house for “winter visitors,” as Director Bonnie Blaylock calls them.

The event is primarily held for winter visitors and snowbirds, but Blaylock invites everyone to come out, take a tour of the association’s facility, browse art from some of the best local artists and check out the variety of art classes being offered this spring.

The open house takes place today, but if you can’t make it out today, Blaylock invites you to stop by any other time to see what the association has to offer.

Blaylock also announced the open house event for winter visitors and newcomers to the area will be  from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“Probably 300 come through,” said Blaylock. “It is an open house so they come through and look at the place. It is like, they don’t necessarily stay the whole time but we do have door prizes and we serve refreshments. It is a real nice time and they get to visit and see everything that we have to offerand check out our classes.”

Blaylock hopes this year’s winter visitors reception and open house is as successful as previous years since the snowbirds have flocked to the Alabama Gulf Coast in droves already this winter. According to Blaylock, the Foley Performing Arts Association has a little bit of something for everybody, even those who are not especially artsy. Three floors of the association’s building are always full of art of differing styles which changes on a monthly basis.

“There is always something new going on here,” said Blaylock. “So, even if you have been here before, something has changed since you were here last.”

The association is always busy hosting events, teaching classes and raising funds for outreach programs. Despite the association’s busy schedule, organizer Bonnie Blaylock has no intention of slowing down. Blaylock said the association is currently offering a plethora of classes in everything from jewelry making to watercolors. Blaylock has plans to keep everyone, including winter visitors, busy when visiting the performing arts association.  

“Our classes are expanding by the month it seems like. We now offer evening classes, daytime classes for kids and adults and evening classes for both. It is really expanding a lot. A lot more than what I thought it might this quickly. We have only been doing this over here for two years. So to get this to build up to this degree is really great,” said Blaylock.

Blaylock also has been contacted by a few snowbirds wishing to teach classes while staying on the coast.

“Now we are getting more of the winter visitors who are wanting to teach while they are here so that is a really good thing. Birgit Scott is from the north; she is going to teach knitting for us this year,” said Blaylock.

The performing arts association is also planning to create a drama club this Spring and host a mystery theater event in their building, along with the associations annual art competition in April to benefit the Lighthouse and Art in the Park events.

The Foley Performing Arts Association is located at 116 W. Laurel Ave. in Foley. For more information call 251-943-4381 or visit their website, www.foleyartcenter.com.