The Polk County Community Foundation recently awarded two grants to Tryon Fine Arts Center — one for a movie projector for the auditorium and one for sound and light equipment for both the amphitheater and the main theater.   The two grants combined funding from the Mary F. Kessler Fund, the Stephanie and Sam White Fund and the Unrestricted Fund to provide new technical support for programs presented at the arts center.

Tryon Fine Arts Center has had a large movie screen for many years that is still in good shape. Because of the grant award for a digital projector, a film series will start in the fall of 2013.

“A film committee has been working diligently with the help of Barry Flood of the Tryon Movie Theater.  Flood has provided sound advice on what to show that will fill a need in our community,” says TFAC Executive Director Beth Child. “We look forward to having filmgoers relax inside our beautiful, cool and comfortable theater to see unusual films at low cost.”

The funding will also provide stage lighting for performances in the newly constructed Peterson Amphitheater.

This portable dimming system can be used both inside and outside and is critical for creating a variety of colors and looks for any presentation, whether it be drama, poetry, talks, solos or music groups.