Reviewed by: Caleb Turrentine
Opelika’s Boxcar begins hosting events as a new microcinema + arts space
Reading time: 4 minutes
Boxcar, a nonprofit microcinema and arts space in Downtown Opelika, has begun hosting soft opening events, giving the community an early look at the long-anticipated venue.
Located on 1st Avenue, Boxcar brings together film screenings, visual art and live performance, with programming rolling out gradually as the space continues to take shape.
Here’s a quick breakdown:
- Status: Currently hosting soft opening events
- Address: 706 1st Ave, Opelika, AL 36801
- What it is: Microcinema, live performance venue, gallery space and café
- This weekend: Jan. 9–10
- Friday at 7 PM: The General (1926) with live musical accompaniment
- Saturday at 6 PM: The Gold Rush (1925) with live music
- Website | Instagram
Keep reading to learn more about Boxcar!
How Boxcar came to be
Boxcar grew out of several years of pop-up film screenings hosted by Bay Kelley and Jeff Bennett at The Jailhouse in Opelika. For roughly four years, the pair organized weekly screenings and creative events, building an audience interested in alternative film programming and shared cultural experiences.
As those events continued, the idea expanded beyond screenings alone. What began as a recurring series eventually developed into the vision for a permanent space where film, visual art and live performance could exist together. That vision led to the creation of Boxcar, a nonprofit venue now hosting events in Downtown Opelika.
A building with layers of history
According to Kelley, the building dates back to the early 1900s and was originally used as a cotton warehouse. In later decades, it housed other businesses, including a refrigerator repair shop in the 1970s and 1980s.
Today, Boxcar preserves much of the building’s original character, incorporating existing features and artwork as part of the venue’s identity.
Inside the space
(Katherine Yanes / The Bama Buzz)
Inside, Boxcar feels intentionally open, with each area serving a distinct purpose while remaining visually connected.
The screening room is minimalist by design, keeping the focus on the films themselves. Along the back hallway near the exit, inside the screening room and inside the VHS room, visitors will notice painted walls that are part of the building’s original structure.
Some of these works were created by artist R.C. Hagans and have been part of the space for roughly two decades, according to Kelley. Not all of the painted walls are attributed to Hagans but they remain an integral part of the building’s visual history.
(Katherine Yanes / The Bama Buzz)
Artwork displayed near the front of the building features original canvases by John David Carr. That wall is intended to function as a rotating exhibition space. Every six months, four large collaborative canvases created by pairs of artists will be installed, allowing the artwork to evolve alongside the space.
A bar and café area offers visitors a place to gather before and after screenings, reinforcing Boxcar’s role as a space meant for conversation and connection rather than quick in-and-out visits.
Even the bathrooms are treated as part of the experience. One features a sticker-covered wall with posted rules explaining how visitors can contribute, while another includes a mural, extending the venue’s artistic approach into every corner of the building.
(Katherine Yanes / The Bama Buzz)
(Katherine Yanes / The Bama Buzz)
Built with community support
Boxcar continues to rely on volunteer support as it grows. Opportunities range from helping with events and setup to assisting with programming and day-to-day needs as the space continues to host screenings and performances.
Those interested in volunteering can learn more and sign up through Boxcar’s website, where updates and opportunities are regularly shared.
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