The Lumberton Mill Arts Center will open this fall in Lumberton with the goal of allowing residents of all ages to express themselves through art classes and showcases.
Chris and Taryn Holzinger, art teachers and spouses, are opening the center at 220 E. Main Ave. to provide a community for those interested in participating in or viewing the arts. The center will serve all ages, with plans for visual arts, community theater, music, dance, and culinary arts classes and programs.
The Holzingers say Lumberton’s rural location limits access to creative programs for young people.
“Being in a rural area in general, there’s not a lot of things to go and do. So, the youth and the 20- to 30-year-old age group constantly fall through the cracks,” Taryn Holzinger said.
The Holzingers also said they believe arts programs can support students academically and emotionally.
Participation in high school arts activities is associated with positive outcomes in math scores, high school GPAs, high school graduation, and college GPAs, according to the National Endowment for the Arts.
The long-term goal is for the center to grow into a more extensive community center with a large venue that could be used regularly by other groups, churches and the city.
Chris Holzinger said community interest has led to several people volunteering to help renovate the center. Those interested in volunteering can contact them at [email protected] or The Mill Art Company on Facebook.
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