Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center

222 E Drake Ave

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Sara Hand Custer

Cultural Arts Director

Welcome to the Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center (JDCAC)! Your cultural community resource for creativity and education in the visual and performing arts.

Follow this link to register as a vendor for the Holiday Art Sale.

Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center Renovation and Expansion

The JDCAC reopened in March following renovations and an expansion after a significant expansion project , creating more space for programming and the relocation of Parks and Recreation's Ceramics Studio. Read all about it in the March issue of Open Line. Sign up for one of our many arts programs or attend an upcoming event to see the new space!

Who We Are

The JDCAC offers the Auburn community opportunities to experience visual and performing arts, entertain innovative ideas, develop new talent and experience culture. There are classes and workshops, art exhibitions, theatre performances, art education programs and special events that bring our community together. The facility offers a new ceramics studio, dance studio, art gallery, and community gallery along with newly renovated art studios, a black box performance room and a multipurpose conference room. The JDCAC is also available for rent. The JDCAC has developed a strong culture of collaboration, partnering with local organizations. Our main partners are the Auburn Arts Association, the Auburn Area Community Theatre, and the Auburn Community Orchestra.

Our Mission

To inspire and enrich our community by offering exceptional classes, performances, visual arts exhibitions and special events. The JDCAC meets its mission by presenting programs in visual, educational, and performing arts in the Auburn area.

Become an Instructor

Share your passion with the community by becoming a contract instructor!

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JDCAC Annual Events

Cultural Calendar

2024 Juried Photography Show Call for Entries | Photographers 18 and older currently residing in AL and in GA counties adjacent to Lee County are invited to submit photos for this exhibition. | All entries are due at the Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center by Oct. 17. | The entry fee is $40. | For more information and to register, visit auburnalabama.org/parks/register. | For more info, check out the press release.

The Fall Invitational Art Exhibition: AU Connection | A special invitational exhibition featuring a variety of works by artists who were formerly or are currently associated with Auburn University. | The exhibition will be on display through Oct. 19. The reception was held on Thursday, Sept. 19 from 5:30 - 7 p.m. The Art Gallery is FREE and open to the public Monday thru Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturday from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. For more info., check out the press release.

Auburn Area Community Theatre KIDS Presents "101 Dalmatians" | Oct. 3 - 5, 10 & 11 at 6:30 p.m. | Oct. 5 & 12 Matinee at 4 p.m. | | JDCAC | For more info. or to buy tickets, visit auburnact.org. For more info., check out the press release.

Orchestra on the Hill, an Auburn Community Orchestra Concert | Tuesday, Oct. 29 at 6 p.m. | Caroline Marshal Draughon Center for the Arts and Humanities (Pebble Hill) | FREE and open to the public!

18th Annual Holiday Art Sale | Saturday, Nov. 16 from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. | Frank Brown Recreation Center & JDCAC | FREE and open to the public! | Artist applications will be available Monday, Sept. 30! | A limited number of exhibition spaces are available, so be sure to submit your application through MyRec. To register, follow this LINK. | For more info., contact Emillie Dombrowski, Art Education Specialist, at (334) 501-2944 or by email: [email protected]. For more info., check out the press release.

Auburn Community Orchestra Holiday Concert | Tuesday, Dec. 3 at 6 p.m. | Auburn United Methodist Church | FREE and open to the public!

Ho Ho Ho Hike and Holiday Celebration | Saturday, Dec. 7 from 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Kreher Preserve & Nature Center | The cost is $15 per person (adults must have a ticket); children under the age of 2 are FREE with the purchase of an adult ticket. | Tickets go on sale Monday, Nov. 4 and are available online ONLY by visiting http://auburn.edu/preserve. For more information, visit the website or contact Emillie Dombrowski, Art Education Specialist, at (334) 501-2944.

Auburn Area Community Theatre Presents "Over the River and Through the Woods (A Staged Reading)" | Dec. 13 & 14 at 7 p.m. | Dec. 15 Matinee at 2 p.m. | | JDCAC | For more info. or to buy tickets, visit auburnact.org.

Auburn Area Community Theatre Presents JR. Presents "Shrek, the Musical" | March 1 & March 6 - 8, 2025 at 6 p.m. | March 1 & 8, 2025 Matinee at 2 p.m. | | JDCAC | For more info. or to buy tickets, visit auburnact.org.

JDCAC Day in Clay | Saturday, March 1, 2025 from 9 - 11 a.m. | The JDCAC Ceramics Studio will host a one day open house where adults and children can tour the studio and create a clay project | Participants must pre-register on MyRec to reserve a spot. More information and a registration link will be provided at a later date.

JDCAC Day in Clay Exhibition and Reception | Saturday, March 1, 2025 from 5 - 8 p.m. | The JDCAC Ceramics Studio is expanding Day in Clay to include a ceramics exhibition and reception. Come and celebrate our ceramic artists and get involved with our clay community! | More information will be provided at a later date.

Auburn-Opelika Empty Bowls to Benefit the Food Bank of East Alabama | Friday, March 21, 2025 from 5 - 7 p.m. in Auburn at JDCAC | As part of an ongoing effort to combat hunger in our area, the JDCAC Ceramics Studio the City of Opelika's Denson Drive Recreation Center host the annual event. Each year, the event alternates between Auburn and Opelika. | Tickets are $20. Tickets must be purchased online and further information regarding ticket sales will be released at a later date. Every ticket purchased is a direct donation to the Food Bank of East Alabama. Each ticketholder gets their choice of a handmade bowl created by local artists along with soup and bread. | Sponsorships are also available! | For more info., contact Emillie Dombrowski, Art Education Specialist, at (334) 501-2944 or by email: [email protected].

20th Annual Auburn CityFest Juried Art Show and Preview Reception | Thursday, April 24, 2025 from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. | Historic Nunn-Winston House at Kiesel Park | FREE and open to the public! | Artist applications will be available at a later date.

25th Annual Auburn CityFest | Saturday, April 26, 2025 from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. | Kiesel Park | FREE and open to the public! More info. will be provided at a later date.

19th Annual SummerNight Downtown Art Walk | Friday, June 6 from 6 - 10 p.m. | Downtown Auburn Entertainment District Event | FREE and open to the public! | More info. will be provided at a later date.

Make sure to check out everything happening in the Auburn-Opelika area and visit Auburn-Opelika Tourism's calendar of events.