Shelbyville, TN

So much takes place these days at Shelbyville's Fly Arts Center‚ home to the Bedford County Arts Council.

The Shelbyville-based council had only a handful of members when it formed 25 years ago‚ and today the performing arts group has grown to 150 members.

In addition‚ hundreds of non-members from Bedford County and beyond participate in the organization’s numerous artistic offerings‚ which include youth theater summer camps and Thursday evening art classes for adults.

The Bedford County Arts Council is headquartered in the former Fly Manufacturing Co. building that is now called the Fly Art Center – or affectionately known as the Fly. The building features a theater that seats 120‚ as well an art studio for classes and exhibits.

On the performing arts side‚ the council schedules four adult plays and two children’s plays each season.

The Fly also hosts an acoustic concert series with four performances each year from March through May.

For visual art enthusiasts‚ the center offers a youth art camp every summer for students in grades one-six. Campers learn the concepts of drawing‚ painting‚ print-making‚ clay sculpting and craft-making.

Meanwhile‚ well-attended weekly art classes for adults convene every Thursday and the gallery regularly features exhibits showcasing regional artists.

One of the Fly's most iconic works is a 7-foot mosaic statue honoring the women of Bedford County. The statue, a  three-sided image of a woman‚ with the sides representing vision‚ action and prayer, is the work of Bell Buckle artist Sherri Warner Hunter.
 
The Arts Council also runs a gift shop at the Fly where residents can find one-of-a-kind gifts, truly unique wearable art and home decor. The shop works with local artists and crafters to sell their work in a comfortable and convenient place.

Find a full schedule of the Fly’s events and classes at www.flyculturalartscenter.com.