Newnan City Hall's "Artist of the Month" for June 2008

Trisha Adams is named Newnan-Coweta Art Association’s Artist of the month for June 2008.

Trisha has sought out classes and workshops since first picking up her first paintbrush 7 years ago. Adams believes firmly in challenging herself as an artist and constantly growing her skills. She paints with watercolors and acrylics and also enjoys graphic and website design. You can find her work in homes and businesses across the United States. She also has 2 paintings in the Annual NCAA member Juried Art Exhibit which will be on display at the Centre for Performing and Visual Arts off Lower Fayetteville road. The opening reception for this event is June 18, from 6:00 – 8:00pm.

At the urging of her friends, Trisha has also begun to teach. She currently instructs children and adults out of her home in Watercolor, and teaches occasional floor cloth workshops at local venues.

Trisha is the youngest of three siblings, and was born and raised in Oregon. Trisha and her husband moved to Georgia 2001 and are very happy to call Newnan home. Adams is a stay at home wife and mother to three beautiful girls ages 8, 5 and 3. She finds endless inspiration through the eyes of her children.

Trisha is a member and officer of the Newnan-Coweta Art Association. NCAA meets the third Thursday of each month (from September through May at the Harriet Alexander Art Center on Hospital Road at 7:00pm. Visitors and new members are welcome. An art demonstration is presented each month. Come and join the fun.

A Slice of Caribbean Art - May 29- July 27

Artists' Reception and launch of the
Georgia Caribbean American Coalilition's
Youth Mentoring Program
Friday, June 13th 6-9 p.m.

Please join us as we celebrate our new exhibition and the launch of the Georgia Caribbean American Heritage Coalilition's Youth Mentoring Program.

In recognition of June as Caribbean American Heritage Month, this exhibition features a diverse collection of pieces from artists of Caribbean descent. Countries represented include Trinidad, Bahamas, Jamaica, Guyana, Cuba, and Haiti.

View works by Karl "Jerry" Craig, Jhosell Castro, Basil Watson, Desmond McFarlane, Lillian Blades, Ivor Thom, Curtis McHardy, Errol Tomlinson, Cleve Webber, Henri Linton, Kai Watson, Cleve Webber, Linc Bennett, and Raymond Watson.

Junor Gallery Fine Art
114 E. Ponce De Leon Ave.
Decatur GA 30030

Sun 12-5
Tues,Wed,Fri 11-6
Thurs 11-7

“Call for Entries”: Photo Submission Deadline for SlowExposures 2008 is Sunday, June 15

“SlowExposures,” the nationally recognized photography exhibition that underscores the diversity and complexity of the rural South, is currently inviting fine art photographers to apply to this year’s sixth annual event by submitting their photos taken in the “Southeast” and/or “West Central Georgia” to a distinguished panel of professional photo jurors.

The deadline for submissions is Sunday, June 15, 2008.

Jurors Jamie Allen (George Eastman House, Rochester, NY) and Mike Smith (East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN) will choose a limited number of images from the scores of images that are submitted.

These will be showcased in the annual exhibition and sale that opens on Friday, September 19 for two weekends in the picturesque town of Concord, Georgia, in Pike County, an hour’s drive from the Atlanta airport.

The theme for this year’s exhibit is “The Rural South – Real and Imagined.”

“SlowExposures 2008” features two categories: “Photographs of the Southeast” can include images taken anywhere in the Southeastern United States. “Photographs of West Central Georgia” can include images taken anywhere in Bibb, Coweta, Crawford, Harris, Heard, Lamar, Meriwether, Monroe, Muscogee, Spalding, Talbot, Taylor, Troup and Upson Counties in addition to Pike County, home of “SlowExposures.”

Photographers may enter up to four images in each category for a nonrefundable fee of $30 per category with checks written to the Pike Historic Preservation, beneficiary of SlowExposures. Final winners will share $2,000 in awards at the September show.

Copies of the “Call for Entries” applications may be picked up at The Next Chapter Bookstore, Griffin; Showcase School of Photography in Atlanta; A Novel Experience Bookstore, or the Pike County Chamber of Commerce on the Square in Zebulon; or the Concord Café in Concord.

For complete rules and regulations regarding this year’s “Call for Entries,” please visit www.slowexposures.org or contact “Slow Exposures 2008,” P.O. Box 489, Zebulon, GA, 30295, (770) 567-3600.

by Joe McKaughan

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Newnan Coweta Art Association Readies for Third Annual Juried Exhibit at The Centre; Celebration of 40th Birthday Also Planned

The non-profit Newnan-Coweta Art Association (NCAA) is busy preparing for its annual juried exhibit featuring works of its member artists. Held at the Centre for the Performing & Visual Arts in Newnan, this year is particularly special for the group. Not only is it the third annual exhibit, it also marks the NCAA’s 40th birthday! The Newnan-Coweta Art Association was incorporated June 18, 1968.

This Program is supported in part by the Grassroots Arts Program of the Georgia Council for the Arts through appropriations of the Georgia General Assembly and in partnership with Arts Clayton.

Artwork will be on display at the Centre throughout June. The Opening Reception & Awards Ceremony (and “birthday” celebration) will be held on Wednesday night, June 18, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. The public is invited to attend. Refreshment will be served. There is no charge for admission or parking.

A variety of original works, both two- and three-dimensional will be on exhibit. Three works of art will receive ribbons and monetary awards, one for Best in Show and two Awards of Merit. Last year, David Walsh won Best in Show for his striking “Woman at the Well” painting. Newnan artists Martin Pate and Marc Stewart each won Merit Awards.

The Newnan Coweta Art Association is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to encourage and aid artists to produce original works of art of every type and character, including but not limited to painting, sculpture, ceramics, wood craft, drawing and metal crafts; to furnish the auspices for the display of such works in Coweta County and elsewhere; and to foster education and instruction in the creation and appreciation of works of art.

The Association supports the arts in Coweta schools through annual donations and scholarships to high school students pursuing the arts in college. The Newnan-Coweta Art Association can be found online at www.Newcaa.com.

High Museum of Art Events for June 8- June 15

Exhibitions Opening Saturday, June 7

· Road to Freedom: Photographs of the Civil Rights Movement, 1956–1968
Through October 5, 2008

· After 1968: Contemporary Artists and the Civil Rights Legacy
Through October 5, 2008

· Louvre Atlanta: Houdon at the Louvre: Masterworks of the Enlightenment
Through September 7, 2008

Art In The City
Thursday, June 12, 5 to 8 p.m.
Join us on June 12 for a special Discussion & Book-Signing: The Race Beat (details below).
The Museum offers extended hours every Thursday until 8 p.m. This is a great way to see special exhibitions and avoid the weekend crowds. Free with Museum admission and free to members.

Discussion & Book-Signing: The Race Beat: The Press, the Civil Rights Struggle, and the Awakening of a Nation
Thursday, June 12, 7 p.m., Hill Auditorium
Join Hank Klibanoff, a managing editor at the “Atlanta Journal-Constitution;” Doris Derby, photographer, educator, and civil rights activist; and Brett Gadsden, Assistant Professor of African American Studies at Emory University, as they discuss how the nation’s press came to recognize the importance of the civil rights struggle and turn it into the most significant domestic news event of the 20th century. This lecture is free with reserved ticket and seating is limited. Tickets are available through the Woodruff Arts Center Box Office at 404-733-5000 and online at www.high.org. Tickets to the Museum are sold separately.

Film Series:

“Close Up: Don Cheadle” continues Saturday, June 14

Summer films at the High heat up in June with “Close Up: Don Cheadle,” featuring the actor’s intense, highly focused performances in four powerful films that articulate African and African American history. “Close Up” runs June 7–28, continuing on June 14 with “Devil in a Blue Dress,” Carl Franklin’s smart, atmospheric adaptation of Walter Mosely’s noir novel.

“Devil in a Blue Dress,” Saturday, June 14

For in-depth film series descriptions, click here or call the films hotline at 404-733-4570. All films are screened in the Richard H. Rich Theatre, located in the Memorial Arts Building, adjacent to the High at Peachtree and 15th Streets in midtown Atlanta. All films are screened at 8 p.m. in the Rich Theatre unless otherwise noted. 35mm projection facilities in the Rich Auditorium were provided by a gift from George Lefont. “Close Up: Don Cheadle” is presented in coordination with “Road to Freedom: Photographs of the Civil Rights Movement, 1956–1968” and “After 1968: Contemporary Artists and the Civil Rights Legacy,” which open concurrently at the High on June 7. All programs are subject to change or cancellation.

New Ticket Info: $7 for the public and $6 for Museum members, students and seniors beginning June 1. Patron-level members enter free. Tickets can be purchased in advance online at www.High.org, by visiting the Woodruff Arts Center Box Office or by calling 404-733-5000. Tickets also may be purchased at the door on the night of the screening. Phone and internet orders will incur a $1-per-ticket service fee.

Target Free Family Fun Day

Fabulous Fathers – Celebrating Everyday Dads and History’s Heroes
Sunday, June 15, 12 noon to 5 p.m.

Invite your dad to visit the High for a fun filled day with his favorite person – you! Collage a beautiful card to document this special day and tell your dad just how much you love him. Be sure to visit the “Road to Freedom” and “After 1968” exhibitions and learn about heroes whose dreams have made a big difference then create a portrait of someone who is a hero to you. Relax together on the piazza and enjoy a variety of Atlanta voices performing gospel music, freedom songs, and more.
Free entry is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Regular Family Programming:

Toddler Thursdays

Thursdays; 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Greene Family Education Center
Experience this popular pre-school art education program! Parents and their children ages 2 to 4 are encouraged to look at works of art within the Museum’s special exhibitions and permanent collections as well as to create a masterpiece to take home. Drop by any time and stay as long as you like. A treat for parents and toddlers! Sponsored by Carters/ OshKosh.
No registration required. Free with Museum admission and free to members.

Saturday Studio

Saturdays; 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.; Greene Family Education Center
With activities ranging from three-dimensional sculptures to figural collages, your family is sure to have an enriching hands-on art making experience! Saturday Studio is offered each Saturday at the High.
No registration required. Free with museum admission and free to members.

New: Second Sundays
Family Performances: The Albany Freedom Singers
Sunday, June 8, 1, 2 and 3 p.m.; Robinson Atrium, Stent Family Wing
Experience a variety of cultures and artistic traditions together during Family Fun Sundays at the High, every second Sunday of the month. Take in a musical, dance or theatrical performance; listen up for story time; or watch an artist at work. It’s artful fun for the whole family – make sure to get in on the action. Performances will take place every month through September 2008. Free with Museum admission and free for members.

MUSEUM HOURS
Mondays CLOSED
Tuesday and Wednesday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Thursday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday 12 to 5 p.m.
* Friday Jazz (3rd Friday of every month) 5 to 10 p.m.
Check www.High.org for special extended hours during special exhibitions and events.
Closed January 1, July 4, Thanksgiving and December 25.

GENERAL ADMISSION
$18 Adult
$15 Senior citizens and college students with ID
$11 Children ages 6 to 17
Free Children under age 6 and Members
*All pricing includes free audio-guide tours of “Louvre Atlanta”

Tickets are available online at www.High.org. Tickets may also be purchased at the High Museum admission desk, Woodruff Arts Center box office, or by phone, 404-733-5000 (404-733-5386 TTD). All ticket orders placed via phone will incur a $3.00/ticket service charge.

CityPass Tickets

Includes admission to 6 Atlanta attractions. $69 for adults (a $119 value) and $49 for children 3 – 12 (an $89 value). For more information on CityPass, please visit www.citypass.com/city/atlanta.

WHERE
High Museum of Art
1280 Peachtree Street
Midtown Atlanta
MARTA: Arts Center

Theater Of The Stars Presents The Great American Musical: Rodgers & Hammerstein’s OKLAHOMA!

Theater Of The Stars Presents The Great American Musical: Rodgers & Hammerstein’s OKLAHOMA!
From June 24-29 At The Fabulous Fox Theatre

“We are delighted to present one of the classic musicals of all time, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma!,” states Christopher B. Manos, Producer of Theater of the Stars. “It is truly a celebration of the American spirit, the can-do attitude and the unwavering optimism of the proud people who founded this great country. We are especially honored to be working with an outstanding creative team including award-winning Director Norb Joerder and renowned Choreographer Gemze de Lappe, who is recreating Agnes de Mille’s iconic dances which are such a thrilling part of this show. And our cast is superb! Join us for an unforgettable theatrical experience when we present Oklahoma! at the Fabulous Fox Theatre from June 24-29. Tickets are on sale now at www.ticketmaster.com and at 404-817-8700. For special group rates contact the Fox Group Sales Dept. at 404-881-2000.”

Oklahoma! was the first collaboration between Broadway legends Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II. Set in the early part of the 20th century when Oklahoma was still Indian Territory, the fierce rivalry between the local farmers and cowboys provides the colorful background against which Curly, a handsome cowboy, and Laurey, a winsome farm girl, fall in love. The road to true love never runs smooth, and with these two headstrong romantics holding the reins, the journey is a delightfully bumpy ride! The glorious score includes “Oh, What A Beautiful Mornin’,” “The Surrey With The Fringe On Top,” “People Will Say We’re In Love,” and the title song “Oklahoma!”

Oklahoma! is based on the play "Green Grow The Lilacs" by Lynn Riggs with Music by Richard Rodgers and Book and Lyrics by Oscar Hamerstein II and features Original Dances by Agnes de Mille.

Director Norb Joerder’s work can be seen from Broadway to regional theaters across America, as well as European and International productions. He reunited Robert Goulet and Camelot for a critically acclaimed revival on Broadway and a record breaking National Tour. He also staged the Richard Harris International Camelot that toured Australia and Europe. In New York, he has directed and choreographed revivals of 42nd Street with Jerry Orbach and Tammy Grimes, La Cage Aux Folles with Gene Barry and Lee Roy Reams, Gypsy with Lanie Kazan, Guys and Dolls with Vic Damone, The Music Man with John Schneider, Annie Get Your Gun with Andrea McArdle and My Fair Lady with Michael Moriarty. Regionally he has worked for Theater of the Stars in Atlanta, Theater Under The Stars in Houston, the 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle, Dallas Summer Musicals in Dallas and Music Fair Productions in New York and Pennsylvania. He has also staged over 25 musicals for The Jupiter Theatre and Richard Akins Productions of Jupiter, Florida. For his work there, Norb was nominated over twelve times and received the Carbonell Award for excellence in theater in southern Florida.

Gemze de Lappe is an American dancer, teacher and choreographer who worked closely with famed choreographer Agnes de Mille and was frequently partnered with de Mille's favorite male dancer, James Mitchell. Originally trained by Irma Duncan, Isadora Duncan’s adopted daughter, and Michel Fokine, de Lappe began her career in Fokine's company. At an early age she became one of the leading members of the Agnes de Mille Dance Theatre Company. She was featured in the first national company of Oklahoma! (1943) and in1947 she traveled to London to dance in Oklahoma! and began to do work in staging and choreography. On Broadway she was the premiere dancer in productions of Oklahoma!, Carousel, Brigadoon, and Paint Your Wagon . De Lappe also appeared in The King and I for Jerome Robbins, both in the original Broadway production and in the film, as “King Simon of Legree.” Her long concert dance career includes a memorable experience with the American Ballet Theatre (1953-1954). In the late 50’s was invited by the State Department to tour Greece and Asia on a concert tour with Rod Alexander’s Dance Company. She stopped touring in the mid 60’s to get married and raise two sons. During this time she did more staging and choreography in New York. She has done her own choreography for revivals of Finian’s Rainbow, South Pacific and The Unsinkable Molly Brown. She recreated de Mille’s choreography for the 1979 Broadway revival of Oklahoma! and served as Professor of Dance at Smith College from 1979 through 1992. In the late 80’s Cameron Mackintosh asked her to stage Oklahoma! at the Palace Theatre in London’s West End and liked her work so much that after the London run he took the musical to Australia. She choreographed Abe Lincoln In Illinois at Lincoln Center in 1993. In 2007 she was presented with an honorary Tony Award for a lifetime of excellence in the theatre. De Lappe remains active as a choreographer and teacher, a vibrant and joyful presence in the landscape of theatre and dance.

Theater of the Stars’ production of Oklahoma! features a marvelous cast. Jennifer Evans stars as Laurey. Her national tour credits include Jersey Boys, Annie – 30th Anniversary Tour and The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas starring Ann-Margret. Nicholas Rodriguez portrays Curly. He made his Broadway debut in Tarzan and starred opposite Val Kilmer in the recent Los Angeles production of The Ten Commandments. Ruth Williamson will star as Aunt Eller. This past January she was seen as Miss Hannigan in Annie in Theater of the Stars’ production at the Fox Theatre. Her Broadway credits include La Cage Aux Folles, The Music Man, Little Me, Guys & Dolls, Smile and Annie. On film she’s appeared in Evan Almighty, The Producers, Legally Blonde II and Malcolm X and on television she has a recurring role as Mrs. Grubman on Nip/Tuck. Betsy Dilellio is Ado Annie. This past January she was featured in Theater of the Stars’ production of Annie as Lily St. Regis. Her national tour credits include The Light In The Piazza. In November, 2007 she appeared in the Oscar Hammerstein Award Concert Honoring Joseph Stein. Atlanta native Glenn Rainey will play Andrew Carnes. He recently closed the Broadway company of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast as Cogsworth, having played the role in the first national tour. Glenn is well-known as the junk-food eating psychopath Otto in Horizon Theatre’s production of Nicky Silver’s The Food Chain. He appeared in the films Midnight In The Garden Of Good And Evil, The Shaggy Dog and Enchanted. Christopher Vettel will appear as Cord Elam. Atlanta audiences have seen him at the Fox Theatre in Annie – 30th Anniversary Tour as Bert Healy and as Cliff in the national tour of Sunset Boulevard. He has been a soloist with the Opera Company of Boston, Opera Cleveland and the Boston Symphony Orchestra (in the final concert conducted by Leonard Bernstein). Danae Carter stars as Dream Laurey. Danae attended Contra Costa Ballet Centre and the San Francisco Ballet School. She most recently played the role of Emily in Agnes de Mille’s A Rose For Emily which was staged by Gemze de Lappe. Ben Crawford portrays Jud and Dream Jud. His Broadway credits include the role of Jean Valjean in Les Misérables. Phillip Skaggs is Dream Curly. He danced with the Hartford Ballet in 1997 and joined the Richmond Ballet in 1999. His favorite roles include Balanchine’s Apollo, Agnes de Mille’s A Rose For Miss Emily and John Butler’s Carmina Burana.

The creative team for Oklahoma! includes Robert Strickland as Musical Director and Conductor, Michael Schweikardt as Set Designer, Kirk Bookman as Lighting Designer, Peter Fitzgerald and Erich Bechtel as Sound Designers, Jeffrey Meek as Costume Designer and Bill Newberry as Children’s Musical Director.

Theater of the Stars will present Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! at the Fabulous Fox Theatre from June 24-29, 2008. Performances are scheduled for Tuesday-Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 1:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Tickets are on sale NOW through Ticketmaster. Purchases through Ticketmaster can be made in three ways: at Ticketmaster ticket centers, by calling 404-817-8700, or by ordering online at www.ticketmaster.com. For group ticket sales, call the Fox Theatre Group Sales Office at
404-881-2000. Ticket prices range from $25- $68.

Theater of the Stars celebrates our 56th Anniversary as one of the nation’s premier theater companies. A civic not-for-profit cultural treasure, Theater of the Stars is dedicated to presenting and producing the best in musical theater. To learn more about our history of excellence, visit www.theaterofthestars.com

High Museum Of Art And Consulate Of Greece In Atlanta Partner For Special Lecture

In conjunction with the Consulate of Greece in Atlanta, the High Museum of Art will present a special lecture – Building the New Acropolis Museum – on Thursday, June 5 at 7 p.m. Dr. Dimitrios Pandermalis, President of the New Acropolis Museum, will provide an overview of the history and development of this key national public project in Greece and an understanding of how the design is integrated with the demands of the exhibition program and the Museum’s environment. Architect Bernard Tschumi will address the architectural challenges that the project presented and the solutions that were developed as a response.

The lecture will be held in the Rich Theatre, located at the Woodruff Arts Center. Tickets are free, but seating is limited. Admission to the Museum will be sold separately. Tickets can be reserved online at www.high.org or by calling 404-733-5000.

The New Acropolis Museum

The New Acropolis Museum is scheduled to open in September 2008. An archaeological museum located in Athens, Greece, at the base of the archeological site of Acropolis, the New Acropolis Museum will be home to over 4,000 ancient relics found in and around the Acropolis site. The new museum will provide 14,000 square meters of exhibition space, in contrast to the old museum which only offered 1,450 square meters. The collection also includes artifacts from other sites, including the Parthenon, Propylae, Erechtheum, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Old Temple of Athena, the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, the sanctuary of Asclepius or Asclepieion, and the Theatre of Dionysus.

Dr. Dimitrios Pandermalis

Since May 2000, Dr. Dimitrios Pandermalis has been the President of the New Acropolis Museum. He has been a professor of Classical Archaeology at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki since 1979, serving as President of the history and archaeology departments and Dean of the Philosophical School of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. Since 1973, he has been Director of the university's archaeological excavations at Dion and conducted extensive programs converting the excavated area into an expansive archaeological and environmental park. From September 1996 to March 2000, Pandermalis served as National Member of the Greek Parliament.

Architect Bernard Tschumi

Bernard Tschumi is an architect and educator. In 1983, he won the prestigious competition to design the Parc de la Villette, a 125-acre, $300-million public park containing dramatic buildings, walkways, bridges, and gardens at the northeast edge of Paris. Tschumi established his Paris office in 1983, followed by the New York office in 1988. Today, projects that are completed or under construction include Le Fresnoy National Studio for Contemporary Arts in Tourcoing, France (1997); Columbia University's Lerner Hall Student Center (1999); Marne La Vallée School of Architecture, Paris (1999); the Interface Flon, a bus, train, and subway station and pedestrian bridge in Lausanne, Switzerland (2001); a 8,000-person/70,000-square-foot Concert Hall and Exhibition Complex in Rouen, France (2001); and the 100,000 square-foot Florida International University School of Architecture in Miami, Florida. He is currently designing the Museum for African Art in New York, the New Acropolis Museum in Athens, the Museum of Contemporary Art in Sao Paolo.

A permanent US resident who holds both French and Swiss nationalities, Tschumi studied in Paris and at the Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) in Zurich, Switzerland, from which he received his degree in 1969. He taught at the Architectural Association in London (1970-79), the Institute for Architecture and Urban Studies in New York (1976), Princeton University (1976 and 1980) and the Cooper Union (1981-83). He was Dean of the Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation at Columbia University, N.Y. (1988 to 2003). Tschumi is a member of the Collège International de Philosophie in France and the recipient of many distinguished honors, including the Légion d'Honneur, and the Ordre des Arts et Lettres. He was awarded France's Grand Prix National d'Architecture in 1996, as well as awards from the American Institute of Architects and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Students Win District and State Writing Competition

AAG Note: Congratulations to this young artist from Fayette County.

One talented young author has won a statewide competition for his original composition.

Liam O’Connell of Huddleston Elementary won the Young Georgia Authors’ Writing Competition, third grade, for his entry titled “The Day I Flew Through the House.” He is the only student from Fayette who won the state competition for grades K-12.

Prior to advancing to the state competition, Liam won at the district level. Also winning at the district level in the seventh grade competition was Taylor Sturdivant of Whitewater Middle for her composition titled, “Bellerella.”

The purpose of the Young Georgia Authors’ Competition is to encourage students to develop writing that represents their best efforts, provide a context for schools to support and celebrate the writing successes of all students and encourage and recognize student achievement in writing throughout Georgia.

Liam will be recognized at the Georgia Board of Education meeting in September.

Plain Aire Painting Workshop

Kathaleen Brewer will be holding a plain aire painting workshop Sunday afternoon, June 8th in the University of Georgia Research Gardens in Griffin. Bring a canvas and your paints. 12:00-5:00 pm. $30.00 There are several themed garden areas and the event coincides with the Master Gardeners Show. 770-631-2780 or Fayetteartcenter@bellsouth.net to register.

Georgia Council for the Arts Announces Re-Structuring of Grassroots Arts Program

Georgia Council for the Arts is pleased to announce the re-structuring of the Grassroots Arts Program (GAP). Proposals from organizations desiring appointment to GCA's new GAP Regional Partners Network are currently being accepted for fiscal year 2009. Applicant organizations are strongly encouraged to review full details and instructions which are posted on the GCA website.

Becoming a GAP Regional Partner is an excellent way to help ensure GAP money reaches arts initiatives supported by area citizens. GAP also helps increase the professional capacity of local arts administrators while fostering positive partnerships, economic development, cultural tourism, and an enhanced quality of life.

Review the entire RFP by clicking this link: http://www.gaarts.org/documents/FY2009GAPRFPFINAL.pdf

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Husband-Wife Team Winners at Recent Art Show

Dave and Ina Jones of Fayetteville walked away as winners from the recent Fayette Society of Fine Art (FSOFA) Spring Fling Art Show and Sale. He won the first place ribbon while she won the second place ribbon.

Hosted by ExecuServe Center in Fayetteville and sponsored in part by the Grassroots Arts Program of the Georgia Council of Arts through appropriations of the Georgia General Assembly and in partnership with Arts Clayton.

The art show was a fund-raising event for the non-profit organization’s scholarship program. FSOFA meets the 2nd Monday of each month at the Heritage Bank on Jeff Davis Drive in Fayetteville. Meetings begin at 7:00PM and are open to anyone interested in visual arts.
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National Endowment for the Arts Announces 2008 NEA National Heritage Fellowship Recipients

The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) today announced the 2008 recipients of the NEA National Heritage Fellowships, the country's highest honor in the folk and traditional arts. Eleven fellowships, which include a one-time award of $20,000 each, are presented to honorees from eight states and Puerto Rico. The NEA National Heritage Fellowships program is made possible through the support of the Darden Restaurants Foundation and family of Red Lobster, Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, The Capital Grille, Bahama Breeze, and Seasons 52 restaurants.

These awardees were chosen for their artistic excellence and contributions to our nation's cultural heritage. They represent a cross-section of ethnic cultures and traditions including Native American, Peruvian, Ethiopian, Brazilian, and Korean and art forms ranging from saddlemaking and dance to bluegrass music and drum making.

National Endowment for the Arts Chairman Dana Gioia said, "It is important to recognize the diverse traditional arts that enrich America's cultural landscape and to award those whose dedication and artistry are so integral to the continuation of these art forms."

The 2008 NEA National Heritage Fellowship recipients are:

Name
Tradition
City, State

Horace P. Axtell
Nez Perce drum maker, singer, tradition-bearer
Lewiston, ID

Dale Harwood
Saddlemaker
Shelley, ID

Bettye Kimbrell
Quilter
Mt. Olive, AL

Jeronimo E. Lozano
Peruvian retablo (portable altar boxes) maker
Salt Lake City, UT

Oneida Singers of Wisconsin
Oneida hymn singers
Oneida, WI

Sue Yeon Park
Korean dancer and musician
New York, NY

Moges Seyoum
Ethiopian liturgical musician/scholar
Alexandria, VA

Jelon Vieira
Capoeira (Afro-Brazilian art form) master
New York, NY

Dr. Michael White
Traditional jazz musician/bandleader
New Orleans, LA

Mac Wiseman
Bluegrass musician
Nashville, TN


The 2008 Bess Lomax Hawes Award goes to traditional arts specialist and advocate Walter Murray Chiesa of Bayamón, Puerto Rico.

Profiles of the artists are available in the Lifetime Honors section of the NEA's Web site.

Another feature of this year's fellows is the role ritual plays in their art forms: Horace P. Axtell makes drums as part of the traditional religion of the tribes of the plateau; Sue Yeon Park is a master of the salpuri-chum (Shaman ritual dance) and seungmu (Buddhist ritual dance); the Oneida Singers perform at funerals and tribal ceremonies; and Moges Seyoum is the only practitioner living in the United States of an elaborate style of movement of the Ethiopian Orthodox prayer staff (takla).

These honorees join the ranks of previous Heritage Fellows, including bluesman B.B. King, Cajun fiddler and composer Michael Doucet, cowboy poet Wally McRae, gospel singer Shirley Caesar, and bluegrass musician Bill Monroe. Since 1982, the Endowment has awarded 338 NEA National Heritage Fellowships.

Fellowship recipients are nominated by the public, often by members of their own communities, and then judged by a panel of experts in folk and traditional arts on the basis of their continuing artistic accomplishments and contributions as practitioners and teachers. This year a nine-member panel reviewed 235 nominations for the 11 fellowships. The ratio of winners to nominees indicates the extraordinary level of competition for this national honor.

The 2008 awardees will come to Washington, D.C. in September for a series of events including a banquet at the Library of Congress and an awards presentation on Capitol Hill as well as a concert scheduled for Friday, September 19, at the Music Center at Strathmore in Bethesda, Maryland.

Darden Restaurants, Inc., (NYSE: DRI) headquartered in Orlando, Fla., is the world's largest full-service restaurant company with almost $6.7 billion in annual sales and approximately 180,000 employees. The Company owns and operates nearly 1,700 restaurants including Red Lobster, Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, The Capital Grille, Bahama Breeze and Seasons 52. For more information, please visit www.darden.com.

The National Endowment for the Arts is a public agency dedicated to supporting excellence in the arts, both new and established; bringing the arts to all Americans; and providing leadership in arts education. Established by Congress in 1965 as an independent agency of the federal government, the Arts Endowment is the largest annual national funder of the arts, bringing great art to all 50 states, including rural areas, inner cities, and military bases.
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Spoleto Festival 2008

AAG Note: Run across the state line to South Carolina for the 2008 Spoleto Festival in Charleston. The celebration begins May 23rd and runs to June 8th. There is something for all tastes. It's one of our favorite festivals!

Learn more: http://www.spoletousa.org/

Georgia Author of the Year Awards at KSU to Honor State's Literary Excellence

Kennesaw State University (KSU) will host the 44th annual Georgia Author of the Year Awards (GAYA) dinner and awards ceremony on June 7th in Room 400 of the KSU Center. The dinner begins at 6 PM, and the awards program starts at 7:30 PM. Both events are open to the public, but reservations are required for dinner. Sponsored by the Georgia Writers Association and KSU's College of Humanities and Social Sciences, the event honors Georgia authors for books published during 2007. The Georgia Author of the Year Awards recognizes and acknowledges Georgia's wealth of outstanding writers, and celebrates the state's rich literary heritage.

All Georgia-resident authors who have been published during 2007 are eligible for the awards, whether traditionally or independently published. There are 79 nominations this year in award categories including fiction, first novel, creative non-fiction, history, essay, biography, memoir, poetry, children's picture books, children's mid-reader, and young adult literature.

The awards were created in 1964 by the founders of the Dixie Council of Authors and Journalists, later becoming the Council of Authors and Journalists. The Georgia Writers Association assumed responsibility for the Georgia Author of the Year Awards in the 1990s under the directorship of Geri Taran. The Georgia Writers Association is now sponsored by and housed on the Kennesaw State University campus, under the executive directorship of Dr. Ralph T. Wilson. The Georgia Author of the Year Awards remains the oldest literary awards in the southeastern United States.

For maps and directions to the KSU Center, please visit http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=kjaxincab.0.8yo85bcab.i6byw7bab.0&ts=S0336&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kennesaw.edu%2Fabout%2Fmaps.shtml. More information about the Georgia Author of the Year Awards and the Georgia Writers Association is available online at http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=kjaxincab.0.h9ewx7bab.i6byw7bab.0&ts=S0336&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.georgiawriters.org%2F. A list of the 43rd annual Georgia Author of the Year Awards is available at http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=kjaxincab.0.9n4ejncab.i6byw7bab.0&ts=S0336&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.georgiawriters.org%2Fcontent%2Fview%2F28%2F31. A list of nominees for the 44th annual Georgia Author of the Year Awards is available at http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=kjaxincab.0.8n4ejncab.i6byw7bab.0&ts=S0336&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.georgiawriters.org%2Fcontent%2Fview%2F31%2F40.

Fayette Art Center New Classes

May 20th & 21st- Tues. & Wed,1:00-3:00 pm
Adult & Teen Painting & Drawing Class at the studio of professional artist Kathaleen Brewer. Build drawing skills & learn to paint in acrylic/oil/pastel. $30.00 per day plus $5.00 per day for materials if you do not have your own. Call 770-719-9440 to register or email Fayetteartcenter@bellsouth.net. 4 students only.

May 28th - Wednesday 10:00-12:00 and 1:00-3:00
TEEN ART CLASS. Ages 13-17. Build drawing skills & learn to paint in acrylic/oil/pastel. $30.00 plus $5.00 for materials if you do not have your own. Call 770-719-9440 to register or email Fayetteartcenter@bellsouth.net. 4 students only.

June 2nd- Monday 10:00 am- 2:30 pm
YOUTH ART CLASS at the studio of professional artist Kathaleen Brewer. Ages 8-12. Build drawing skills and learn to paint in acrylic/oil/pastel. $10.00/hr plus $5.00 for materials. Student may attend 1/2 day. Call 770-719-9440 to register email Fayetteartcenter@bellsouth.net.or 4-6 students

Fayette Art Center & Gallery
Non-Profit Organization
2011 W. Hwy 54
Fayetteville, GA 30214
770-631-2780
Fayetteartcenter@bellsouth.net

City of Atlanta Office of Cultural Affairs Public Art Program Announces “A (new) Genre Landscape”

What happens when a public park becomes an artist studio? Twelve Atlanta artists will explore new ways of working with local communities through the creation of temporary site-specific "artscapes". Sponsored by the City of Atlanta Office of Cultural Affairs Public Art Program (OCA/PAP), A (new) Genre Landscape Temporary Public Art Project will take place in twelve Atlanta parks from May 31th through the summer of 2008.

The multi-disciplined contemporary public art of twelve Atlanta artists respond to a curatorial framework developed by project curator, Stuart Keeler. Stuart Keeler’s curatorial vision complements the OCA/PAP’s planning goal to invigorate and reconnect the city’s diverse neighborhoods and communities, as well as broaden accepted ideas of “public art” by asking the question: Can the networks, systems and fields of the "public park” create a new social landscape? Atlanta artists will examine new contexts of working with local communities through the creation of digital, sound, video and other experimental works.

The featured artists: Danielle Roney, Shiela Pree Bright, Avantika Bawa, Joseph Peragine, Pam Longobardi, and Craig Dongoski, Michael Reese, Last Stand Collaborative: Martha Whittington, Raymondo, Julie Newton, Coby Cranman, Tristan Al-Haddad, Matt Haffner, Ruth Stanford, Angus Galloway, and Nat Slaughter range from internationally recognized to emerging artists; from video and performing to visual artists. Talent, creativity and commitment to the collaborative process are things these diverse artists share. This innovative exhibition, A (new) Genre Landscape will offer fresh, dynamic and meaningful ways that art and non-arts sectors can creatively work together in the development of temporary site-specific artworks in Atlanta Parks. The twelve selected parks are located in the Southwest, Southeast, Northwest and Northeast City of Atlanta Park districts.

A (new) Genre Landscape, Temporary Public Art project is made possible by Opportunity Bond Park Initiative Funding. The City of Atlanta Office of Cultural Affairs (OCA), a division of the Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs, was established in 1974 to encourage and support Atlanta's cultural resources. The Office seeks to support programs that educate and expose the public to a rich and diverse range of cultural expression and aspires to make arts available to everyone. For more information, contact Camille Russell Love, Director, at 404-817-7957 or visit our website at www.ocaatlanta.com

At the High - Events happening Sunday, May 25 to Saturday, May 31

THIS THURSDAY, 7 PM: GREAT PHOTO OPPORTUNITY!
Lecture and Art Installation: Tejo Remy's Chest of Drawers
Thursday, May 15; 6 p.m. Lecture; 7 p.m. Installation
See a work of art assembled live! Dutch designer Tejo Remy will speak and then assemble the High's recent commission of “You Can't Lay Down Your Memory” chest of drawers. Locally submitted drawers have been chosen for the final work—a fully functional chest of drawers, arranged in a visually engaging, seemingly arbitrary manner and held together by a jute furniture-mover's strap. Free with Museum admission and free for members.

ART IN THE CITY
Thursday, May 29, 5 to 8 p.m.
The Museum offers extended hours every Thursday until 8 p.m. This is a great way to see special exhibitions and avoid the weekend crowds. Free with Museum admission and free to members.

FILM SERIES Film Festival of India Closes
Saturday, May 31
The seventh annual Film Festival of India closes on Saturday, May 31, with “Amal.” This fable-like movie centers on a generous-hearted auto-rickshaw driver named Amal who fortuitously picks up a cranky, homeless old man. The man turns out to be anything but homeless and wills his estate to the humble driver. The events that follow come together in a morality tale about the best and worst of human nature.

“Amal,” Saturday, May 31
In English and Hindi with subtitles.

For in-depth film series descriptions, click here or call the films hotline at 404-733-4570. All films are screened in the Richard H. Rich Theatre, located in the Memorial Arts Building, adjacent to the High at Peachtree and 15th Streets in midtown Atlanta. All films are screened at 8 p.m. in the Rich Theatre unless otherwise noted. The seventh Film Festival of India is co-sponsored by the Georgia Indo-American Chamber of Commerce and the Indo-American Film Society. 35mm projection facilities in the Rich Auditorium were provided by a gift from George Lefont. All programs are subject to change or cancellation.

Tickets: $5 for the public and $4 for Museum members, students and seniors through May 31; $7 for the public and $6 for Museum members, students and seniors beginning June 1. Patron-level members enter free. Tickets can be purchased in advance online at www.High.org, by visiting the Woodruff Arts Center Box Office or by calling 404-733-5000. Tickets also may be purchased at the door on the night of the screening. Phone and internet orders will incur a $1-per-ticket service fee.

REGULAR FAMILY PROGRAMMING:

TODDLER THURSDAYS
Thursdays; 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Greene Family Education Center
Experience this popular pre-school art education program! Parents and their children ages 2 to 4 are encouraged to look at works of art within the Museum’s special exhibitions and permanent collections as well as to create a masterpiece to take home. Drop by any time and stay as long as you like. A treat for parents and toddlers! Sponsored by Carters/ OshKosh.

Thursday, May 29: Animal Cutouts: Take a look at the different animals in our folk art collection, including the beautiful steel Butterfield horse, then join us to create a “collage” animal using corrugated cardboard and markers.
No registration required. Free with Museum admission and free to members.

SATURDAY STUDIO
Saturdays; 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.; Greene Family Education Center
With activities ranging from three-dimensional sculptures to figural collages, your family is sure to have an enriching hands-on art making experience! Saturday Studio is offered each Saturday at the High.

Saturday, May 31: What we consider a common object (a hair comb) became a work of art telling us today about the person who used and owned the item. Today we will be using our creative thought process to change a common comb into a work of art with wire, beads, and colored tape.

No registration required. Free with museum admission and free to members.

MUSEUM HOURS
Mondays CLOSED
Tuesday and Wednesday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Thursday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday 12 to 5 p.m.
* Friday Jazz (3rd Friday of every month) 5 to 10 p.m.
Check www.High.org for special extended hours during special exhibitions and events.
Closed January 1, July 4, Thanksgiving and December 25.

GENERAL ADMISSION
$18 Adult
$15 Senior citizens and college students with ID
$11 Children ages 6 to 17
Free Children under age 6 and Members
*All pricing includes free audio-guide tours of “Louvre Atlanta”

Tickets are available online at www.High.org. Tickets may also be purchased at the High Museum admission desk, Woodruff Arts Center box office, or by phone, 404-733-5000 (404-733-5386 TTD). All ticket orders placed via phone will incur a $3.00/ticket service charge.

CityPass Tickets
Includes admission to 6 Atlanta attractions. $69 for adults (a $119 value) and $49 for children 3 – 12 (an $89 value). For more information on CityPass, please visit www.citypass.com/city/atlanta.

WHERE
High Museum of Art
1280 Peachtree Street
Midtown Atlanta
MARTA: Arts Center

Coweta Author Mae Nunn Book Signing Saturday, Peachtree City

Although Mae Nunn has lived in Georgia for some time now, her heart is still in her native Texas. This is very clear from the series of Texas Romance novels she writes each year. Her latest, Lone Star Courtship, has just been published. (See her announcement below.)

Mae also loves to meet people and talk about her books and autograph them. And this also gives her a chance to dress up in her cowgirl outfit. It is not surprising that she was one of the participants in last year's Coweta Authors Book Signing Extravaganza or that she is wasting no time in signing her latest book: she will be doing so on Saturday May 17 from 4:30 through 6:00 PM at Omega Books in Peachtree City.

For a delightful experience of learning about Mae and her books see her at the signing or visit her gorgeous website www.MaeNunn.com.

Come Meet Mae Nunn!

Coweta resident and Texas native Mae Nunn announces the release of her fi fth novel, Lone Star Courtship. When a stuffy Englishman encounters a determined American business woman he fi nds Camelot in the last place he ever expected – Galveston, Texas! Lone Star Courtship is the latest installment in Mae Nunn’s popular series, Texas Treasures.

Christian Romance With A Kick!

Award Winning Author Mae Nunn's love inspired novels by Steeple Hill Publishing are found wherever great books are sold. Lone Star Courtship, as well as Mae’s entire backlist, can be purchased at Omega Books in Peachtree City. Watch Mae’s web site for upcoming signings.
Facing Life with Love, Laughter and a Whole Lotta Faith!

- courtesy Forrest Schultz, Coweta Arts Tidbits

Georgia Boosts Incentives for Entertainment Industry

Governor Sonny Perdue today(May 12, 2008) signed into law the 2008 Entertainment Industry Investment Act (HB 1100), new legislation designed to encourage entertainment industry productions in Georgia. The signing ceremony took place at the studios of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. (TBS, Inc.), where the Governor was joined by Phil Kent, chairman and CEO of TBS, Inc., and over 100 attendees including legislators, industry leaders and members of the entertainment industry.

“We know that our excellent talent base and outstanding locations make Georgia a very desirable place to film,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “This legislation puts in place the economic cornerstone that will encourage producers to convert that desire into action.”

The 2008 Entertainment Industry Investment Act reinforces and strengthens Georgia’s position within the entertainment industry. The new, more competitive incentives replace those currently in use by offering a 20 percent tax credit for qualified productions, which are then eligible for an additional 10 percent tax credit if they include an animated Georgia promotional logo within the finished product.

The incentives apply not only to qualified films, TV series, commercials and music videos, but also to video game productions. The economic impact of all these entertainment segments in Georgia was $413 million in 2007.

“We’re proud of this legislation; alot of the credit goes to Governor Perdue for setting up the film commission,” said Rep. Butch Parrish, a sponsor of the legislation. “I think this bill will jump start the Georgia film industry.”

“This new incentive allows Georgia to once again compete for an industry we used to be famous for,” said Sen. Mitch Seabaugh. “It will be a catalyst that will spur immediate economic investment and create jobs. Georgia will once again be on center stage where it belongs.”

“The new incentives will put Georgia among the top five states in the U.S. in terms of financial competitiveness for entertainment projects,” said Ken Stewart, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD). “We expect to see an increase in the number of industry jobs and overall economic impact for the state in the coming years.”

The state has seen success in the past with competitive incentives. The 2005 Entertainment Industry Investment Act (HB 539), signed by Governor Perdue in 2005, led to a record-setting economic impact in 2006 when film, television and video game companies contributed $475 million to Georgia’s economy, up from $124 million in 2004. The total economic impact of entertainment productions from 2005 through 2007 has been over $1.17 billion, due in large part to Georgia’s entertainment incentives. Since then, however, film activity in the state has decreased as other states, regions and nations boosted their competitive packages.

“The 2008 Entertainment Industry Investment Act (HB 1100) will return Georgia to its rightful place of prominence in all major entertainment industry segments,” stated Bill Thompson, deputy commissioner of the Film, Music and Digital Entertainment Office, a division of GDEcD. “We expect a significant increase in film and television projects, and Georgia will be the most competitive state in the country for video game productions.

Georgia is one of the few states whose entertainment incentives support the video game industry.”

Governor Perdue was joined at the event by Sen.Greg Goggans, who carried the legislation in the Senate, Rep. Ron Stephens, and Rep. Rich Golick.

“House Bill 1100 is a key piece to the puzzle in sustaining Georgia's entertainment industry for the long haul,” said Ric Reitz, an actor and producer from Atlanta. “It will provide many new jobs for Georgians, improve the state's entertainment infrastructure, and grow Georgia's indigenous companies.”

The Film, Music and Digital Entertainment Office, formerly known as the Film, Video and Music Office, conducts extensive business development, sales, marketing and promotional activities in order to attract entertainment projects and businesses to the state. The office also assists the local, national and international entertainment industries with information, expertise and resources. The staff points movie production companies to Georgia’s highly-trained crews, state-of-the-art facilities, and diverse locations. Georgia’s temperate climate and easy access afforded by Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport are also factors that attract the industry’s interest.

Georgia has been investing in the entertainment industry for over 35 years. Since the inception of the Georgia Film Commission in 1973, more than 575 major motion pictures, independent films, television series and pilots, and TV movies have filmed on location in the state. As a result, over $5 billion has been generated for the state’s economy. Georgia’s music industry continues to thrive with an economic impact of $1.97 billion in 2007. Movies were first produced in Georgia as early as 1912, and have continued without interruption during every decade since then.

Happenings at the Carrollton Cultural Arts Center

The Roush Family Gallery of the Carrollton Cultural Arts Center presents “A Comedy of Painting: Clowns and Infantas” by Stefani Joseph a professor of foundation studies at the Savannah Campus of the Savannah College of Art and Design. The exhibit will run May 2 – June 1, 2008 with an opening reception on Friday, May 2, from 5 until 7 p.m. Ms. Joseph will have an Artist Talk followed by a presentation on “Is Art and Design College Right For You?” on Saturday, May 3, 2008 at 2 p.m. in the Roush Family Gallery. Exhibiting in the Galleria of the Cultural Arts Center will be the Spring Show 2008 by LOFAS, League of Fine Artist South. The reception is open to the public who is invited to come meet the artists. These receptions are an opportunity to glean from the Artist themselves information on selected subject matter, methodology and materials used to create their works.

Stefani Joseph is originally from England, attending the Ruskin School of Drawing and Fine Art, Oxford University, England; Royal Academy Schools, London, England; and moving to the United States she attended and now teaches at the Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah, Georgia. Her Gallery Affiliations are with the Gallery Gora in Montreal, Canada, and Off the Wall Gallery, The Marshall House in Savannah, Georgia. She has exhibited around the world including Oxford, England, Beijing, China, Canada, Seoul, Korea and Ibiza, Spain and throughout the United States; Alabama, Colorado, Georgia, Ohio, the Carolinas, Chicago, Miami, New Orleans, Santa Fe, New York, and Atlanta. Her collectors are equally varied, found in Los Angles, Hilton Head, the Isle of Wight, Oxford, and Savannah just to name a few.

Primarily concerned with people in all their different human situations, she also takes visual delight in the costumes dating from the European seventeenth century. She enjoys this exuberant flamboyance, and the self evident “joy of life” typically passed onto the wearer. The painters she responds to most in these contexts are Johannes Vermeer and Diego Velasquez. Her selection of color can be bold or diffused depending on the temperament of the theme depicted. Joyfully bold and bright colors mimicking harlequin costumes may be reflected in one painting, and in the next, the images may be subtle cool shades of water reflecting a totally different mood. Stefani states: “In addition to the visual references to human situations, my paintings are also part descriptive, and consideration is given to the balance between the two, which differs from work to work. While the joyful situations such as festivity and revelry prompt the descriptive element to the fore, there have been increasing instances of late where this has not been so pronounced. In these instances there have been visual references to less happy situations, specifically deceit and treachery. These paintings are arguably more complex, as subtler themes such as ambiguity, duplicity and intrigue are alluded to, either directly or by the inclusion of masked figures.”

LOFAS will return with their annual exhibit and Spring Show 2008 to the Galleria of the Cultural Arts Center. Featuring: Fused glass by Licha Ochoa Nicholson, Oils and acrylics by Donna Matthews, Mixed media of paper and paint by Georgia Rowswell, Sculpture of bamboo, glass and stone by Dave Rowswell and Oils and watercolors by Ann Fay Rushforth. The League of Fine Artists South or “LOFAS” is a small, diverse group of individual artists, living and working mostly in Georgia. Initially formed to promote and increase the representation of fine art on the south side of Atlanta, the membership has expanded beyond the southern counties to include members from all over the greater Atlanta area. Despite their variety of mediums and residences, they are a cohesive group that continues to support each other and the development of a strong arts presence in their communities.

The group’s 2007 exhibit welcomed guests with willowy swaths of sheer drapery outside and inside the Gallery proving their dynamic styles in a wide variety of mediums could be united into an exhibit drawing viewers into individual presentations yet never loosing the feeling there was something else to see. Their 2008 exhibit promises to be equally inviting.

The Galleries of the Carrollton Cultural Arts Center are open Monday – Friday 9am-5pm, Saturday 10am-3pm and Sunday 1-4 pm. For more information call the Carrollton Cultural Arts Center at 770-838-1083.

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Community News You Can Use
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National Endowment for the Arts Announces More Than $77 Million in Grants for the Second Round of Fiscal Year 2008 Funding

In its second major grant announcement of fiscal year 2008, the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) announced today that it will award $77.4 million to fund 1,014 grants. The Arts Endowment will distribute $77,452,700 in this round of FY 2008 funding to nonprofit national, regional, state, and local organizations across the country, funding grants in the categories of Access to Artistic Excellence, Arts on Radio and Television, Learning in the Arts for Children and Youth, Partnership Agreements (State and Regional), and American Masterpieces: Three Centuries of Artistic Genius.

"NEA support enriches the civic life of the nation by making the best of the arts available throughout the United States," said NEA Chairman Dana Gioia. "From traditional arts apprenticeships for youth to online museum resources for the public, the range of support represents a valuable investment in American art that will serve the American people."

Access to Artistic Excellence grants support the creation and presentation of work in the disciplines of dance, design, folk and traditional arts, literature, media arts, museums, music, musical theater, opera, presenting, theater, and visual arts. Through this category, the NEA will fund 593 projects out of a total of 1,002 eligible applications for a federal investment of $14,029,500.

Examples of projects supported by Access to Artistic Excellence grants include:
Support for the Augusta Folklife Program, sponsored by Davis & Elkins College in Elkins, West Virginia. Activities will include the West Virginia Folk Arts Apprenticeship Program, a scholarship program, the Old-Time Fiddler's Reunion, and folklife documentation.

Support for the National Zarzuela Institute, sponsored by the National Hispanic Cultural Center Foundation in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The project will promote the development of musical theater artists in Spanish and Latin American concert repertoire and preserve the zarzuela, a style of light opera of Spanish origin.

Support to the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida for documentation of sustainable building practices and techniques examined at the symposium Under the Sun: Sustainable Innovations & Traditions.

Arts on Radio and Television grants support the development, production, and national distribution of radio and television arts programs. The NEA will fund 52 grants in this category for a total federal investment of $3,700,000.

Examples of projects supported by Arts on Radio and Television grants include:

To support the production and national broadcast of the radio series Fresh Air with Terry Gross. The award-winning daily journal of contemporary arts and culture is broadcast on 493 National Public Radio stations and is heard by more than 4.5 million people each week.

To support the development and production by Thirteen/WNET New York of performing arts specials for the television series Great Performances and Dance in America for broadcast on PBS.

Learning in the Arts for Children and Youth grants advance arts education for children and youth in school-based or community-based settings. Projects must provide participatory learning and engage students with skilled artists, teachers, and excellent art. Funded projects also must apply national or state arts education standards. The NEA will fund 216 projects in this category out of 500 eligible applications, for a federal investment of $6,790,000.

Examples of projects supported by Learning in the Arts for Children and Youth grants include:
Support for the Perlman Music Camp, led by Toby and Itzhak Perlman, an intensive six-week residency in eastern Long Island which provides instruction, coaching, and mentoring opportunities to exceptionally gifted young string players.

Support for the Young Filmmakers Program at the Northwest Film Center, Portland Museum of Art in Oregon. As many as 4,000 young people in Oregon and southwest Washington state will study media production, creative writing, camera work, and career training.

Partnership grants provide support to the 56 state, jurisdictional, and territorial arts agencies, the six regional arts organizations, and the National Association of State Arts Agencies. Also included in this round is a grant of $65,900 to Pacific Resources in Education and Learning to support the implementation of a two-year plan for services and assistance to art educators, schools, local artists, and community members. In total, 64 grants were awarded in this category for a federal investment of $50,173,200.

American Masterpieces: Three Centuries of Artistic Genius is a major NEA initiative to acquaint Americans with the best of their cultural and artistic legacy. Through American Masterpieces, the National Endowment for the Arts sponsors performances, exhibitions, tours, and educational programs across different art forms that reach large and small communities in all 50 states. American Masterpieces grants in this round will support 89 projects in the categories of chamber music, presenting, and visual arts touring for a federal investment of $2,760,000.

Examples of projects supported by American Masterpieces include:

Support for the Elliott Carter Centenary. A season-long celebration of the composer's 100th birthday will include concerts, public interviews with the composer, and residency activities at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, New York.

Support for the remounting of John Cage and Merce Cunningham's Ocean (1994) within the Rainbow Quarry near St. Cloud, Minnesota. Inside a massive amphitheater cut into granite, the Merce Cunningham Dance Company will perform on a circular stage, surrounded by the audience and 150 classical musicians from the St. Cloud Symphony Orchestra and four state college orchestras.

Support to the Montclair Art Museum in New Jersey for the touring exhibition Cezanne and American Modernism, a comprehensive examination of Cezanne's influence on American modern art.

Grants listings noted in this announcement:
Access to Artistic Excellence
American Masterpieces: Chamber Music Presenting Visual Arts Touring
Arts on Radio and Television
Learning in the Arts for Children and Youth
Partnership Agreements (State and Regional)
Grant listings for these categories are also available by state.

Some details of the projects listed in this grant announcement are subject to change, contingent upon prior Endowment approval. For additional information, contact the National Endowment for the Arts' Office of Communications at 202-682-5570.

The National Endowment for the Arts
The National Endowment for the Arts is a public agency dedicated to supporting excellence in the arts, both new and established; bringing the arts to all Americans; and providing leadership in arts education. Established by Congress in 1965 as an independent agency of the federal government, the Arts Endowment is the largest annual national funder of the arts, bringing great art to all 50 states, including rural areas, inner cities, and military bases.

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Community News You Can Use
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NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS ANNOUNCES NEW SERIES OF OPERATION HOMECOMING WRITING WORKSHOPS

U.S. Armed Forces active duty troops and veterans of both current and past conflicts will have an in-depth opportunity to reflect on their service through the National Endowment for the Arts’ groundbreaking initiative Operation Homecoming: Writing the Wartime Experience. For the first time, Operation Homecoming will invite veterans as well as active duty troops to participate in progressive, four-to-six-week writing workshops at 25 sites around the country. The new phase of Operation Homecoming is the first instance in which the NEA will hold writing workshops at Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers, military hospitals, and affiliated centers in communities around the country. St. Louis VA Medical Center in Missouri and Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC, served as pilot sites for the new phase of the program, and both facilities will host workshops this summer.

Nationally acclaimed writers, such as Andrew Carroll, Tobias Wolff, Jeff Shaara, and Marilyn Nelson, will lead sessions. In an extraordinary opportunity to build closer ties between local and military communities, local literary organizations and writers will partner with many of the workshop sites. The NEA collaborated with the Department of Veterans Affairs as well as the Department of Defense to develop current Operation Homecoming activities. Operation Homecoming is made possible with support from The Boeing Company.

“Operation Homecoming is an important program in both human and historical terms,” said NEA Chairman Dana Gioia. “In human terms, it brings the transformative power of writing to men and women who have undergone enormously challenging experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan. In historical terms, it gives voice to the troops who have served in this war.”

“I commend the NEA for providing a positive outlet for our service members to share their experiences,” said Dr. James Peake, Secretary of Veterans Affairs. “These workshops serve to highlight and improve veterans’ writing talents by putting on paper reminders to all of us of their heroism.”

As evidence of the literary achievement of Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans, the Arts Endowment has added three new faculty members who served in the conflicts: playwright Ryan Kelly, poet Brian Turner, and journalist Nathaniel Fick. Matthew Eck, author of the novel The Farther Shore and an Army veteran who served in Somalia and Bosnia; Vietnam War veteran Robert Timberg, editor of the U.S. Naval Institute’s Proceedings magazine and author of The Nightingale’s Song; and Kristin Henderson, a military spouse and author of While They’re at War, are other new faculty members.

To facilitate the multi-week workshops, the NEA has partnered with the Southern Arts Federation to offer each participant free materials to aid the writing process, including a guide for writers. The guide was edited by project consultant Andrew Carroll, a noted expert on wartime correspondence and editor of the Operation Homecoming anthology. The guide offers advice on writing and samples of notable wartime writing by veterans, civilians, and Operation Homecoming contributors. Participants also will receive a CD of audio recordings of war literature from the Civil War to the Vietnam War. Each participant also will receive a copy of the documentary film Muse of Fire, which chronicles the Operation Homecoming writing process with participants and their writing instructors. Workshop host sites will receive copies of the Operation Homecoming anthology for use as reference materials during the workshops.

Since 2004, the NEA Operation Homecoming writing program has preserved the stories of U.S. military personnel and their families. With support from The Boeing Company, Operation Homecoming has brought 59 writing workshops to troops at 27 domestic and overseas military installations from Camp Pendleton in California to USS Carl Vinson in the Persian Gulf and Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan. Among the original workshop teachers are distinguished writers Wolff, Shaara, Nelson, Richard Bausch, Bobbie Ann Mason, Joe Haldeman, and Mark Bowden. In tandem with the workshops, the Arts Endowment offered an open call for writing submissions to active military personnel and their families. This ongoing call has resulted in more than 1,200 submissions and 12,000 pages of writings. Almost 100 of the submissions to the NEA were featured in the anthology Operation Homecoming: Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Home Front in the Words of U.S. Troops and Their Families (Random House, 2006). Operation Homecoming was named one of the “Best of 2006” in nonfiction by The Washington Post Book World. The University of Chicago Press will release an expanded paperback version on Memorial Day 2008. The Operation Homecoming archives will be preserved in both the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration and the Library of Congress’s Veterans History Project.

Workshop sites and participation

The 2008 Operation Homecoming writing workshops are free and open to active duty troops and veterans, with a focus on those who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Military families may participate as allowed by host facilities. The initial workshops will be held in the following cities, with more workshops to be announced:

VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA
Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC
Miami VA Healthcare System, Miami, FL
St. Louis VA Medical Center, St. Louis, MO
U.S. Marine Corps Command and Staff College, Marine Corps University, Quantico, VA

For more information on registration, dates and locations, visit www.operationhomecoming.org. The website contains other educational resources on writing, from essays on the craft of writing to sample audio clips from the Operation Homecoming CD.

NEA partnerships with military communities

Operation Homecoming is the largest of several landmark partnerships between the NEA and the Department of Defense. The projects include the NEA’s national reading program The Big Read in communities with military bases; the Great American Voices Military Base Tour, which brought professional performances of opera and musical theater to 39 military bases nationwide; and Shakespeare in American Communities Military Base Tour, professional theater performances at 18 military bases. The Boeing Company sponsored The Big Read and Great American Voices military community projects. For more information on these and other NEA programs, visit www.arts.gov.

Operation Homecoming is administered by the Southern Arts Federation and is made possible with support from The Boeing Company.

About the National Endowment for the Arts
The National Endowment for the Arts is a public agency dedicated to supporting excellence in the arts, both new and established; bringing the arts to all Americans; and providing leadership in arts education. Established by Congress in 1965 as an independent agency of the federal government, the Arts Endowment is the largest annual national funder of the arts, bringing great art to all 50 states, including rural areas, inner cities, and military bases.

About the Southern Arts Federation
The Southern Arts Federation (SAF) is a nonprofit regional arts organization that has been making a positive difference in the arts throughout the South since 1975. SAF creates partnerships and collaborations; assists in the professional development of artists, arts organizations and arts professionals; presents, promotes and produces Southern arts and cultural programming; and advocates for the arts and art education. The organization works in partnership with the nine state arts agencies of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.

About The Boeing Company
Boeing is the world's leading aerospace company and the largest manufacturer of commercial jetliners and military aircraft combined. Additionally, Boeing designs and manufactures rotorcraft, electronic and defense systems, missiles, satellites, launch vehicles and advanced information and communication systems. The company also provides numerous military and commercial airline support services. Boeing has customers in more than 90 countries around the world and is one of the largest U.S. exporters in terms of sales. Headquartered in Chicago, it employs more than 160,000 people across the United States and in 70 countries.

Susan V. Booth to Direct New Musical at the Alliance Theatre

Artistic Director Susan V. Booth of Atlanta’s nationally acclaimed Alliance Theatre has been selected to direct the revolutionary new musical Jesus Christ Superstar GOSPEL. The musical will run Jan. 14 – Feb. 22, 2009 on the Alliance Stage with rehearsals scheduled to begin in December 2008. Booth was selected to direct the show after meeting with senior producers of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Really Useful Group in London.

“It’s a terrific honor and a humbling challenge to take on a work so iconic and beloved as Superstar,” said Booth. “While my enthusiasm for the project was already high as a producer, the opportunity to wrap my directing arms around this utterly Atlanta-centric production in partnership with Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Really Useful Group is just fantastic.”

Directing musicals is not new to Booth as she has recently directed two highly successful musicals since her arrival at the Alliance in 2001: My Fair Lady (January 2004) and Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris (September 2007). As a stage director, her work has been seen at theatres including the Alliance, Chicago’s Goodman Theatre, La Jolla Playhouse, Actors Theatre of Louisville, Cincinnati Playhouse, St. Louis Repertory, New York Stage and Film, and many others. During her tenure at the Alliance, she has produced numerous world premieres including The Color Purple, The Heart is a Lonely Hunter, SISTER ACT the Musical and The Women of Brewster Place.

Reflecting on Booth’s selection, American songwriter Louis St. Louis (who conceived this new gospel version) said, “I feel blessed to have the incredible Susan Booth working on this project. I thought I'd hit the jackpot when she opted to include this in the 40th Anniversary season, but the icing on the cake is having her in the position of director. Wow!”

Booth was scheduled to direct Smart Cookie, the fifth winner of the nationally recognized Kendeda Graduate Playwriting Competition, which runs Jan. 30 – Feb. 22, 2009. A replacement director has not yet been identified.

As conceived by Louis St. Louis, Jesus Christ Superstar GOSPEL is a new version arranged from the Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber hit musical Jesus Christ Superstar. The production traces the last seven days of the life of Christ in a vividly contemporary gospel setting with an inspirational beat to classics like “I Don’t Know How to Love Him” and “Everything’s Alright.” This is a unique, innovative musical experience.

St. Louis said, “I must add I am also infinitely honored to have been granted this opportunity by Andrew Lloyd Webber. You must understand, for a [child] product of Detroit's Pentecostal Church, this is the greatest full-circle moment in my career, and I am thrilled to share this experience with Susan and the Alliance.”

Visit www.alliancetheatre.org for more information about the 2008-09 season.

A Slice of Caribbean Art

May 29th-July 27th
In recognition of June as Caribbean American Heritage Month, this exhibition features a diverse blend of artwork in a variety of media from artists of Caribbean descent. Highlighted in this show will be Cleve Webber, Desmond McFarlane, Kai Watson, Jhosell Castro, Lillian Blades, Ivor Thom, Basil Watson, Curtis McHardy, Errol Tomlinson, and Raymond Watson. Reception and launch of the Georgia Caribbean American Heritage Coalition's Mentoring Program
Friday, June 13th, from 6-9 p.m.

Junor Gallery
114 E. Ponce De Leon Avenue
Decatur, GA 30030
404.377.2255 Tues, Wed, Fri 11-6 866.460.0886 Thurs 11-7
junorgallery@bellsouth.net Sun 12-5
*located on the old courthouse square between Church St. and Clairemont Ave.

Closing Reception: Basil Watson: A Conversation With The Figure

Closing Reception Saturday, May 17th 6-9 p.m
Due to the incredibly positive response we are pleased to host a closing reception on Saturday, May 17th from 6-9 p.m. We invite you to join us for the finale of Basil Watson: A Conversation With The Figure. Also view works by Henri Linton, Carly Clements, Li Hardison, Lynn Marshall-Linnemeier, Chery Baird, and FaZie As'Ad.

Junor Gallery 114 E. Ponce De Leon AvenueDecatur, GA 30030
404.377.2255 Tues, Wed, Fri 11-6 866.460.0886 Thurs 11-7 junorgallery@bellsouth.net Sun 12-5
*located on the old courthouse square between Church St. and Clairemont Ave.

TWO Great Summer Art Camps for South Metro Kids!

Be creative with Summer Plans for your children! From June 9 through June 20, Arts Clayton presents two weeks of art packed fun at the 15th annual KALEIDOSCOPE Summer Art Camps and the Summer Art Camp for Young TEENS!

Through art related activities, instruction and special programs, elementary age children from all across the south metro area will enjoy hands-on instruction about art, photography, dance, drama, music and more. KALEIDOSCOPE Summer Art Camp is designed to be an overall Art Experience for children. EVERY child at EVERY experience level will participate in BOTH Visual and Performing Arts during their time at camp. It is Arts Clayton’s goal to encourage children to explore and develop an appreciation for ALL of the Arts and to learn that by working together THROUGH the arts, we bridge all gaps and come together as a community. At the conclusion of Art Camp an exciting Musical Performance AND a Gallery Style Art Exhibit will be presented by the campers for the enjoyment of family, friends, and community!

There will be special visits and exciting programs including a visit from renowned children’s literature illustrator Michael White; a theatrical performance of Tales from Near and Far by Offshoot Productions; the art of storytelling by KUUMBA Storytellers; and an amazing puppet and animation show by Al Waller and the Be A Know It All Varmints! The Clayton County Fire and Police Departments will pay a visit allowing campers an inside peek the extraordinary safety vehicles they drive and an opportunity to talk to real police and fire officers! Campers will also have an opportunity to participate in the Kaleidoscope Campers Talent Show!

The KALEIDOSCOPE Summer Arts Camp is designed for children entering first through sixth grades next fall, and will be held mornings 8:30 am to 12:15 pm at Lee Street Elementary located at 178 Lee Street in historic downtown Jonesboro ~ behind the Jonesboro Library. The all inclusive cost of the full two-week program is only $155. There are no additional registration or supply fees. Arts Clayton also provides mid-morning snacks for the children each day and a FREE T-shirt for campers.

AFTER CAMP art classes will also be available to registered KALEIDOSCOPE Campers. For an additional $95 (total for both weeks), kids enrolling in AFTER CAMP bring a bag lunch and remain each day until 2pm for additional art classes. Openings are VERY limited and available on a first come basis.

For Middle School students entering the 7th, 8th or 9th grades next fall, Arts Clayton offers the Summer Art Camp for Young TEENS. The program welcomes the return of the ever popular Cartooning and Animation classes and also offers instruction in Photography, Drawing, Painting, and Theatre Arts for the rising young stars!

The two-week Theatre Camp students will be exposed to elements of stage movement, acting, costuming, improvisation, and audition techniques. Actors will learn not only basic skills, but will tap into their own experiences and imagination to perform and communicate. The final production will receive a public performance!

Summer Art Camp for Young TEENS will be held at Lee Street Elementary located at 178 Lee Street in historic downtown Jonesboro ~ behind the Jonesboro Library, from June 9 through June 20. Class times, days and tuitions will vary based on each student’s selections.

More information and camp registration forms are available at the Arts Clayton Gallery, 136 South Main Street in historic downtown Jonesboro, open Monday through Saturday from 9am until 5 pm. You may also visit our website at www.artsclayton.org, email us at artline@artsclayton.org, or call 770-473-5775 or 5826 to request a registration form by mail. Class sizes are limited and registration is on a first come basis.

The Arts Clayton Summer Art Camps are a part of the Clayton County Commissioner’s “Safe Summer Initiative for Children”. Arts Clayton is also a Partner at Large in Education working with the Clayton County Public Schools to ensure the highest caliber of programs and activities are offered.

Hidden Treasures Arts Gala

The Carroll County Cultural Arts Alliance Board of Directors presents the twenty-seventh annual “Hidden Treasures” Arts Gala. The Carrollton Artist Guild is creating one-of-a-kind artistically decorated boxes for the Gala that will each contain hidden treasures. The patrons will be able to see the boxes, but not the treasures within. (A small amount of peeking will be allowed.)

This is a dressy casual event and includes heavy hors d’oeuvres by Susan Sapp and Nancy Dixon. Musical entertainment will be provided by Jerry Rogers on keyboard. Gala Co-chairs are Susan Fleck and Michelle Morgan.

The “hidden treasure” boxes all contain original works of art. There are original paintings by Tom Nielsen and Margaret Dyer, a sketch of the Carrollton Depot by Micki McDonald, a beautiful ceramic tea set by Melanie Drew, a hand made pen by Steve Pritchard, stain glass by Heidi Drew, and much, much more. One box even includes tickets to the Georgia Aquarium that comes with a behind-the-scenes tour! (Patrons will bid on the boxes at a Silent Auction, but will not know what is in each box!) But, regardless of what is in the box, the box itself is a unique work of art.

Admission is 2008-2009 membership in the Arts Alliance at the Sustaining Level or Higher for couples or the Supporting Level or higher for individual memberships. The Gala is Thursday, May 8, 2008, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. at the home of Claire and Jim Cooley, 114 Habersham Place, Carrollton (Sunset Hills). For more information call 770-838-1083.