Saturday, August 10, 2024 is scheduled as a full work day of service to our beloved building, The Fly Arts Center, located at 204 S. Main Street in Shelbyville, TN. Work is set to begin at 9am.
The Fly Arts Center is the home to the Bedford County Arts Council, The Fly Community Theatre, The Fly Art Gallery and the Bedford County Museum. It is both a nationally registered historic landmark and a local treasure to the arts community. The building has played host to countless theatrical performances, concerts, festivals, community meetings and art exhibits over the years.
Built in 1927, the building served as a factory for the Fly Manufacturing Company, where uniforms and a variety of other clothing items were produced. The building was permanently closed as a factory in 1985 by the Woodway Corporation. The Bedford County Arts Council restored the building for use as a cultural arts center in 1992 after years of neglect. The Fly is again in need of maintenance, restoration and improvement, and the community is being called on to help.
During our planned Volunteer Saturday event on August 10th, we have many clean up, repair and renovation projects planned for both the interior and exterior of The Fly. We need painters, electricians, plumbers, contractors, gardeners, "DYI-ers" and anyone with a passion to use their skills and talents as a volunteer to help the community. This event is a great opportunity to help out the local arts community, while also meeting other like-minded people or logging precious "Tennessee Promise" hours. Whatever your skills, we'd love to have you join us!
In addition to volunteer helping hands, we are also in need of the following items:
• Handheld Paint Brushes
• Lowes-style Buckets (No Lids)
• Long and Short Paint Roller Handles
• Plastic Drop Cloth
• Painter's Tape
• Roller Pans
• Small Paint Cups
• Construction Trash Bags
• Cleaning Supplies
• Gardening Tools, Tree Trimmers and Pruning Tools
• Work Gloves
• General Handyman Tools
• Shovels
During the volunteer work day, the Smolicious Mobile Eatery will be on location.
(Volunteers should bring work gloves and any tools they may need.)