Creative District
About the Creative District
Thomasville’s creative district, The Bottom, was born from a close collaboration among city officials, the Office of Main Street and Tourism, Thomasville Landmarks and Thomasville Center for the Arts. Named for its dip in elevation, this area was formerly a thriving African-American and Jewish district on the road to downtown. Over time, businesses declined, and by the early 2000s, not much was left in the area.
In the spring of 2014, after gathering input from more than 120 community members, the partner organizations approved a master plan for transforming The Bottom into a creative district. The plan revolved around building an amphitheater to provide a venue for performances and exhibitions and serve as an anchor for the rejuvenated neighborhood.
The UnVacant Lot
The UnVacant Lot, located adjacent to Empire Bagel on West Jackson Street in downtown Thomasville, features interactive exhibitions designed to educate and connect our community. Explore semi-permanent art and murals, as well as seasonally changing exhibitions in the UnVacant Lot space. It’s the perfect place to rest after a busy day of shopping, enjoy a picnic lunch from a local eatery, let the kids play and romp, and take in some tunes during one of the many concerts in the nearby amphitheater.
The Ritz Amphitheater
Tucked in the heart of “The Bottom” historic district in downtown Thomasville, lies The Ritz Amphitheater and Park. The Ritz boasts a state-of-the-art amphitheater stage at one end of the gorgeous 44,612 square foot green space, surrounded by unique retail shops and appetizing eateries. The Ritz is perfect for concerts, small festivals, dinners under the stars and more.
The Bottom
Thomasville’s creative district, The Bottom, was born from a close collaboration among city officials, the Office of Main Street and Tourism, Thomasville Landmarks and Thomasville Center for the Arts. The Bottom, named for its dip in elevation, was formerly a thriving African-American and Jewish district on the road to downtown. Over time, businesses there declined, and by the early 2000s not much was left in the area. It was the perfect opportunity for revitalization.