Matthews steps up to promote creativity

Officials in Matthews are wrapping up the opening of the community’s new arts center and the dedication of the theater into the 2012 Hometown Holiday events on Dec. 1.

The McDowell Art Center will open its doors at 10 a.m., said Matthews Communications Director Annette Privette Keller.

The community is invited to view more than 70 pieces of art from the Matthews Artist Guild, meet the artists in person and bring their children to participate in drawing and painting activities with KidzArt.

Keller said the art center - formerly part of the old Matthews High School, known as “the Ag building” - was obtained by Matthews from Charlotte-Mecklenburg School system about four years ago.

“We wanted this building because we have such a demand for our programs and classes, we needed room to grow,” said Keller.

She noted that while the Parks and Recreation department - located in the community center across McDowell Street - will use the space for classes, the center will also feature gallery space for local artists.

The Town Board will also dedicate the theater inside Matthews Community Center as Fullwood Theater, in memory of the community’s first postmaster, John Miles Fullwood.

“The council really wanted to have a name that honored a historical figure in our town,” said Keller. “Mr. Fullwood was one of the people, from a commerce standpoint, who helped develop the town.”

Keller said Fullwood became the postmaster on July 12, 1825, and ran the post office and store out of his house, located near the present-day intersection of Country Place Drive and Trade Street. Before the town was incorporated, Keller said, the area was called Fullwood Station.

As for the timing of both events, Keller said the completion of the arts center renovations coincided with the variety of holiday events scheduled for Dec. 1. It seemed natural to combine them, she said.

“We want everyone to come and have a great time that day.”