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Arts Council eyes project to
replace civic center seats
Published Thursday, August 28
By L.A. Story Hudson
Staff Writer

The Corinth Area Arts Council would like everyone to please take a seat -- a seat in the Corinth Coliseum Civic Center.

The Arts Council is asking for local support to help replace the chairs in the center section on the main floor of the Corinth Coliseum Civic Center.

The new seats are well suited to the building's elegant architecture, according to Corinth Area Arts Council Board of Directors Chairman Chad Dickerson.

"These new chairs are really similar in style to the original chairs that are still in the balconies," said Dickerson. "What has been there -- in the downstairs -- was put in during the 1950s. The new chairs look amazing and they're really comfortable and they look appropriate for the building."

Work has already begun as many old chairs are already being replaced.

However, in order to finish -- hopefully, by next summer -- the Council needs help from local supporters. Supporters are asked to purchase a seat "in honor of" or "in memory of" someone for just $150 each. The people commemorated in the purchase will have their names put on a plaque that will be permanently mounted in the lobby of the Coliseum.

Dickerson noted that the cost of each seat is actually more than the $150 request, but that contributions already made and generous matching grants from the Mississippi Arts Commission, the Pierce Foundation and the Caterpillar Foundation, have taken care of the rest of the chairs' cost.

More than 250 chairs are already about to be put into place.

"Right now ... we are in the process. We've had the old chairs removed in the center section downstairs, and members of the Arts Council have filled in the holes. We are also having the floors refinished ... then the company will come and put in the new chairs," Dickerson explained. "Hopefully, by next summer, we will have all of downstairs finished. We are also going to be able to repair the broken seats and this should get us through to the next season."

The Coliseum, located at 404 Taylor Street in downtown Corinth, opened July 4, 1924. It was constructed by Benjamin Franklin Liddon. The elegant National Register of Historic Places property has accommodated both live and
screen performances featuring Vaudeville stars and silent screen movies back
in the 1920s.

In 1981, the building was given to Alcorn County and the Corinth Area Arts Council, Inc. was designated as manager and restorer of the National Register Property and Mississippi landmark.

Dickerson indicated this responsibility is an enormous undertaking. The Coliseum -- as it ages -- needs many renovations to keep it preserved for future generations.

Thus, the continued need for generous supporters.

The Coliseum, the Council recently pointed out in a fundraising letter, commemorates local heritage while serving as an active participant in the community as well.

Annually, more than 40,000 people attend events within the elaborate walls of the 900-seat Coliseum. The building is one of the community's cornerstones -- and is known for being acoustically perfect.

The Coliseum plays host to a wide variety of programs including Corinth Symphony Orchestra concerts; performances by Corinth Theatre-Arts; the winter season performances of the Courthouse Bluegrass; gospel concerts; church meetings; Alcorn County School District programs and performances; dance recitals; beauty revues and pageants, fund-raising benefits for a variety of causes; various meetings, receptions and tours.

For those who would like to see a sample of one of the new seats, a seat is currently on display at Region's Bank. Dickerson also made special note that donations are tax deductible. Donations may be made to the Corinth Area Arts Council, Inc., P.O. Box 723, Corinth, MS 38835-0723.

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