Cramerton's marriage of arts and recreation set to open on Friday
A new downtown space that merges the arts with Cramerton's outdoor recreation opportunities is set to open this weekend.
Confluence, located at 117 Center St., is the result of a partnership between the nonprofit Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation and the town of Cramerton, and the space is intended to promote the arts, the health of the South Fork River, and Cramerton Parks and Recreation's amenities.
The newly remodeled space includes an art gallery, room where an artist can work and host classes, a bar, a stage, and more.
Stephanie Newman, the coordinator for Confluence, said that Confluence will also offer bicycles, fishing poles, disc golf discs and cornhole bags for rent, and people who rent these amenities can take them to Goat Island in Cramerton to use.
Confluence will open on Friday afternoon at 4:30. There will be a concert on Friday night − Elonzo Wesley performs starting at 7 p.m.; There will also be free yoga 8 a.m. Saturday, and Saturday at 7 p.m. Nathan Dowdy and The Hwy will perform.
There are also other events coming up this fall and winter, including a bicycle parade, a downtown run called the Egg Nog Jog, weekly yoga classes and art classes, Newman said.
Organizers have not yet determined what artist will be part of their artist in residency program, but they'll be launching that program in the spring. That program is intended to rotate in a new artist every three to four months.
"We're just really excited to welcome everyone out," Newman said. "We can't wait to fully be open and be part of the community and be a gathering sort where people can come together."Confluence's operation depends on two grants that Cramerton gave Catawba Riverkeeper — one for $200,000 to renovate the building, and another $50,000 annually to operate Confluence.
Newman said that she is thankful to have the support of the Cramerton town officials who championed the project.
"We are really thankful to be a part of Cramerton and to have the support of the town of Cramerton so that all of the investment can be returned into the community and into protecting our waters," she said.
Reporter Kara Fohner can be reached at 704-869-1850 or at kfohner@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: Cramerton storefront for arts and recreation to open on Friday
