Brundidge rolls out the red carpet for arts & antique walk

If you like arts and antiques, then Brundidge is where you’ll want to be Friday night.

Studio 116 is the catalyst for the city’s first Arts and Antiques Walk from 6 until 9 p.m. Friday and the arts and antique shops are on board for what will be a unique and exciting event in downtown Brundidge.

“A lot of the shop owners and several of the institutions are participating so the Arts and Antique Walk should have something for everyone,” said Sarah Dismukes, who with her husband, Chris Rich, own and operate studio 116. “The purpose of the ‘Walk” is to encourage people to come to Brundidge and see what all is here and to create more excitement about what Brundidge is and has.”

Two of the town’s newest businesses, Bella Zaire’s and studio 116, are exclusively art destinations with original artwork for show and sale. Bella Zaire’s signature New Orleans-style artwork is featured along with garden art and folk art. Studio 116 exhibits paintings, pottery, woodcrafts and fabric art and will also have a “create your own art” corner for those who want to dabble.

Jewelry is now appreciated as a wearable art form and Main Street Jewelers offers a wide selection of “art pieces” that are expressions of individuality.

Brundidge Florist features both arts and antiques. The shop has a wide selection of floral arts, jewelry and accessories and a plunder place filled with antiques and collectibles.

Hawkins Drug Store has recently added folk art to its décor and the We Piddle Around Theater has a collection of panel paintings by some of the area’s leading artists, glass art and paper mache and metal sculptures.

Beth Milton’s photography shop and studio will be open on the corner of South Main and Oak streets.

On the north side of town, the Godwin brothers, Larry and Ronald, will open the doors of their metal art studio to the public. Visitors will also be invited to stroll through Ronald’s Sculpture Park. Touching the sculptures is allowed.

The MarketPlace is an antique mall with a large selection of antiques, collectibles and art, including one-of-a-kinds. Plan to stay a while.

Michele’s Corner is another shop that will keep visitors well occupied with its variety of antiques and collectibles.

Several places of historic interest will also be open, Dismukes said.

The We Piddle Around Theater was a 1940 Works Progress Administration project. Brundidge United Methodist was built on the Akron Plan for churches. The plan was first used in 1872 at the First Methodist Episcopal Church in Akron, Ohio. The Johnston Mill Museum of local history on Church Street is the site of former Johnston Peanut Butter Mill and dates back to 1928.

“All merchants have been invited to participate along with the shops that feature arts and antiques and those with historical significance,” Dismukes said. “So, this is a good opportunity to showcase our downtown business area. The Pizza Palace will be open downtown and The Wagon Wheel on S.A. Graham Boulevard. There will be a lot to see and do in Brundidge Friday night.”

And, down at Bulldog Stadium, the Bulldogs and the Trojans will do battle on the gridiron at 7 p.m.

“We invite football fans to come before the game or after and participate in the Arts and Antiques Walk,” Dismukes said.

“We are proud of Brundidge and we are anxious for people to come see about us.”