Though it started slow, the Anderson County Arts Center began working toward their goal of making the community aware of how important and how available the arts can be to them in their everyday lives. As it struggled, thrived and grew it became a fixture to an entire town.

"When it first started, you could see that people were skeptical of the arts and they're place," she said. "Now, I think attitudes are much more aware of how important the arts are and the support has grown tremendously."

Ms. Spears attributes such support to the programs and shows the Arts Center has been able to put on. The Juried Show and Auction are two of the most well-attended exhibits they have. They also offer a wide variety of local art displays and traveling shows that cater to all walks of life and all tastes.

But one of the places they have expanded greatly is through their educational projects. Ms. Spears has gotten students so involved with the Arts Center that it is now a hub for future local artists. Ms. Spears said the education aspect of their job is the most rewarding.

It will be all the more worthwhile when a new renovation project comes to completion. The Center is now preparing to complete work on the warehouse that sits right behind their current home on Main Street in the downtown area. The warehouse will increase their work area by four times and give them much needed room to work with the ideas they have for the future.

"The warehouse is the future," Ms. Spears said. "With it, all projects will be accessible. When you can quadruple the classroom space, bring in bigger shows and have a permanent exhibit on display it really solidifies our place in the community."

Though it sounds like these changes are all fairly new, they have been in the works for some time. According to Ms. Anderson, the warehouse idea was one that came up 20 years ago, but various political roadblocks made it impossible to attain. And even 12 years ago, Ms. Spears was putting in motion the events that have led to the renovation. Basically, the Arts Center has not changed its philosophy in 30 years. They have simply amended it to fit in with the times.

Robert Rainey can attest to that. As the son of the Center's founder, Mr. Rainey has seen the organization grow by leaps and bounds. As a teen-ager, he helped clean out the building and has always kept it close to his heart. He said the Center's continued success can be attributed to the organizers staying focused and maintaining the integrity that his mother originally intended.

"They have maintained their original vision while expanding their art to those in the community that might not be exposed to it," Mr. Rainey said.

And 30 years later, he is sure that his mother would be most pleased with what the Arts Center has done and where they are going.

Where they are going looks very good. Ms. Spears and company have a great relationship with the city council and Anderson realizes that the arts community is necessary for a thriving downtown. As the Center grows, so grows the town and vice versa and the next 30 years will be filled with a spirit that filled the first 30.

"We have to have an adventurous nature and be very proactive with what we do," Ms. Spears said. "We are really into taking creative risks and making them work in a business plan.

"And as long as the community is behind us we will be there," she concluded.