About the southside center for the arts
1103 Glenn Street, Opelika, AL 36801
The Southside Center for the Arts is a longtime dream come true in one of Opelika's oldest neighborhoods. Innovatively designed as a school building by Southern architectural legend Frank Lockwood, Southside Elementary opened in 1929, and for the next 70 years welcomed thousands of children into its classrooms.
Now this historic structure is alive with the sights and sounds of performing arts, visual arts, literary arts, lectures, arts education activities, and community engagement events. Its central space features administrative offices and a gem of a 300-seat auditorium with lively natural acoustics. The building's two wings house meeting/conference spaces and galleries for student and professional art. Restoration efforts have been true to the building's historic character with functional upgrades for contemporary use.
As a cooperative venture between The Arts Association of East Alabama, Envision Opelika, and the City of Opelika, Southside Center for the Arts will host many exciting and memorable events in the years to come, and continue to grow as an important cultural asset to our community.
Coming Up at Southside Center for the Arts
Pride on the Plains Pageant 2024
Saturday, February 17, 2024
The Pride on the Plains Pageant will be at Southside Center for the Arts main auditorium on Sat. 2/17/24. Time TBA.
Movie Night
Saturday, February 17, 2024
Adults 18 and older are encouraged to join Opelika Public Library Staff for a showing of Dune Part 1. (Families are welcomed at their own discretion.) Dune Part 2 will be opening on March 1st, so to prepare for it, we will be showing Dune Part 1 at the Southside Center for the Arts, Room 203/05.
OPL Staff will be providing popcorn for the movie.
Doors will open 30 minutes before the movie and the movie will start promptly at 6 pm.
Spring Exhibit
Friday, March 1, 2024
East Alabama Arts’ Visual Voice is preparing for another exhibition celebrating the grassroots efforts within our community to strengthen and support the artistic ecosystem of Eastern AL and provide opportunities for local artists.
Join us as we celebrate and honor local artists at our opening reception Friday, March 1 at the Southside Center for the Arts. Time TBA.
Bridge to Tarebinthia
April 11 - 14, 2024
Alsobrook Performing Arts Company presents Bridge to Terabinthia.
Jesse, alienated from the pragmatism of his family and rural Virginian culture, draws and dreams of becoming something special. Leslie, the new girl from the city and the ultimate outsider, opens a world of imagination, art and literature for him. Together they create Terabithia, a fantasy kingdom where they are safe from those who don’t understand them. When tragedy strikes, the strength gained in Terabithia takes Jesse forward on his own and lets him share the magic of his dreams.