Simpsonville Arts Center

A Letter from the Cultural Arts & Events Director

Hi, I'm Lisa Everidge, and I'm the Cultural Arts & Events Director for the City of Simpsonville, which gives me the distinct honor of overseeing the Simpsonville Arts Center. First and foremost, I could not be more excited for the bright future of our Arts Center! After two successful years of becoming the place to be for the visual and performing arts in the Upstate, the Arts Center will continue to grow and realize its potential.

My family and I moved to Simpsonville in 1999 and immediately fell in love with the area. As an example of life coming full circle, my daughter joined the Children's Theatre not long after we moved. Now I will have the pleasure of working with amazing theatre companies, for whom I have much respect because as the parent of a child involved in theater, you see firsthand how much time, effort and money go into a production.My time with the City of Simpsonville began when I joined the Parks & Recreation Department in 2009.

In 2013 I became the City's Special Events Coordinator, which plans, manages and oversees the City's special events as well as oversees events by members and organizations of the public. Events planned and managed by the Special Events Coordinator include the Daddy Daughter Dance, Memorial Day Ceremony, The Great EggVenture, Halloween at Heritage Park and Breakfast with Santa, to name a few. The Special Events Coordinator position has prepared me for my new one by understanding the logistics of event planning but more importantly working with people, which is what I love most about working for the City of Simpsonville. I love the free events that we host, and I love to see the joy in families. The adage, "If you do something you love, then you'll never work a day in your life" is certainly true.

After starting the position of Cultural Arts & Events Director in March, I am even more confident than before that the Simpsonville Arts Center will thrive as a place for the public to enjoy visual and performing arts, fantastic programming by artists and the City and spaces for public use, including the historic gymnasium for which renovation work is happening now! Whether a musical, art exhibition or private event by a family or business, the Simpsonville Arts Center has much to offer members of the public.

When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with family. I have three sweet grandchildren whom I love spoiling! I love to read, travel and of course shopping!

Thank you for your support of the Simpsonville Arts Center and Parks & Recreation programming. We could not do it without you.

Lisa Everidge

UPCOMING EVENTS: "GOD'S TROMBONES: reimagined" the Musical Play, Make & Believe Artists studio art classes

Located on Academy Street in downtown Simpsonville, the Simpsonville Arts Center features events and programming that promote the visual and performing arts. Listed on the Arts Center calendar at any given time are theater performances, art exhibitions, art classes, in-residence studio artists, ballet performances, City functions and myriad other events and programs. The building constructed in 1939 that once housed Simpsonville Elementary School was underutilized for almost two decades before the City of Simpsonville in 2021 completed $2.5 million in renovations, which include brand new lighting and sound systems, new seating, upgraded stage, greenroom, windows and lobby that functions as an art gallery. A building with rich history so beloved by people of all ages is deserving of reaching its potential by providing a public service: the best visual and performing arts programming in the Southeast for all communities.

Learn more about the Simpsonville Arts Center by visiting the below link:

www.simpsonvilleartscenter.com

Blog: Click here to keep up with the latest news about the Simpsonville Arts Center

Volunteer: Click here to volunteer at the Simpsonville Arts Center

Legacy Plates: Click here to support the Simpsonville Arts Center in honor of a friend or loved one by submitting an Arts Center Legacy Plate Form

Legacy Name Plate Order Form

To honor a family member or loved and contribute to the mission of the Simpsonville Arts Center to be the place for the visual and performing arts in the Upstate, complete a Legacy Name Plate Order Form. The plates will be placed on the back of an Arts Center auditorium seat perpetuity. Under Supporting Documents, download the "Legacy Name Plate Order Form" and return to Simpsonville City Hall at 118 N.E. Main St.