The Barbara Patton Southside Center for the Arts

1103 Glenn Street, Opelika, AL 36801

In 1929, Southside Elementary opened its doors in one of Opelika’s oldest neighborhoods, welcoming thousands of children into classrooms designed by legendary architect Frank Lockwood. Nearly a century later, this historic treasure has been brilliantly restored as a premier cultural hub for East Alabama.

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 spaces, the Lee-Russell Opelika Senior Center, and galleries for student and professional art.  Restoration efforts have been true to the building's historic character with functional upgrades for contemporary use.

Brought to life through a cooperative venture between East Alabama Arts, Envision Opelika, and the City of Opelika, the Southside Center for the Arts is dedicated to hosting memorable events and enriching our community's cultural landscape for years to come.