November 2015 SACC Monthly Board of Directors Meeting Notes Published

The November 17 monthly Board of Directors Meeting Notes have been approved and are now available online.  You can view them by clicking on the link below.  No meeting was held in December so no December minutes will be available.  The next meeting will be held on January 19, 2016.

Read Meeting Notes (opens file from Google Drive)

    

Phase One Milestone of Jonquil City Historical Trail Completed

We are happy to announce that we completed the first major milestone of our Jonquil City Historical Trail project. 60 historic locations along Atlanta Road from Windy Hill Road to Brawner Hall have been cataloged, described and mapped. We have also obtained historic photos of each location.

Our next milestone is to program this information into Google Maps and create a walking tour for Apple and Android phones as well as tablets. The walking tour will guide you from location to location and present a narrative with 1 or more photos of each historic site. Historic sites that have been lost to time will be represented by photos at what is believed to be the accurate former location. In 2016 we want to pursue a grant to begin installing permanent markers on the walking tour.

Special thanks to the following volunteers who made this happen: Bill Marchione, Shaun Martin, Mike Terry, Nancy Lapierre, Nancy McGee, Troy Sather, Kathleen Trella-Newland, Tricia Meier, Jeff Jones, Joan Stuart, Melleny Pritchett, Jennifer Bennett

SACC Achieves 1000 Follower Milestone on Instagram

We have been growing our Instagram following quickly over the past few months. We use our Instagram social media channel to share photos of the artistic, musical and cultural events in the Smyrna area.

We now have nearly 1000 Instagram followers!

Check it out when you get a chance. You’ll be impressed with all of the great stuff going just a few minutes from your front door!

Follow us at https://www.instagram.com/smyrnaacc/

SACC Receives Gift From Charyn Darby Foundation

SACC received a generous gift from the Charyn Darby Foundation to help us accomplish our mission.

This is a photo of Charyn Darby with her beloved companion, Sammy.  Charyn – owner of North Georgia Trophy - was an enthusiastic and dedicated citizen of the City of Smyrna.  Her volunteer involvements were numerous – Charyn served as Board Chair of Vision Rehabilitation Services (formerly Blind & Low Vision Services of North Georgia), Keep Smyrna Beautiful, Friends of Smyrna Library, Smyrna Business Association and Smyrna’s Adventist Hospital Foundation, as well as an active supporter of Junior Achievement. Charyn loved the City of Smyrna and supported local schools and organizations, much of her support behind the scenes and anonymously. One of her great passions was collecting Coca Cola memorabilia.

Upon her death in 2009, using the proceeds from her estate, a small private foundation was established in her name. The informal foundation continues Charyn’s legacy by supporting organizations and causes dear to Charyn’s heart. One of the first gifts given by the Charyn Darby Foundation was the establishment of the Charyn Darby Healing Garden at Taylor-Brawner Park.

October 2015 SACC Monthly Board of Directors Meeting Notes Published

The October 20 Monthly Board of Directors Meeting Notes have been approved and are now available online.  You can view them by clicking on the link below.

Read Meeting Notes (opens file from Google Drive)

SACC Bylaws Updated

The Smyrna Arts & Cultural Council bylaws were updated on November 17, 2015 to add additional content to support our 501(c)(3) application.  Bylaws define rules of expected behavior for Officers, Directors and Volunteers and how the council is managed.

Click this link to review our bylaws.

SACC To Collaborate With Georgia Symphony Orchestra

We are excited to announce our new collaboration with the Georgia Symphony Orchestra. Founded in 1950, they are celebrating their 65th anniversary this year. Their home venue is the nearby Marietta Performing Arts Center.

With an estimated 15,000 patrons annually and over 800 people who participate in their programs, the Georgia Symphony Orchestra offers musical opportunities to the greater North Georgia and Metro-Atlanta region. As a standing regional semi-professional symphony orchestra, GSO encompasses a full symphony Chorus, a Chamber Chorus, a professional jazz ensemble and the largest youth orchestra in the Southeast.
Look for more information on our collaboration soon!

About the Georgia Symphony Orchestra:

For over six decades, the Georgia Symphony Orchestra has engaged audiences through imaginative programming, visionary leadership and critically acclaimed performances.
The Georgia Symphony Orchestra began in the music room of the home of Arthur F. Moor at 383 Church Street in Marietta as the Marietta Music Club. His daughter and a member of the Marietta Music Club, Elizabeth Moor Tomlinson, so loved the orchestra that upon her death she bequeathed $50,000 to it and her brother, Ralph C. Moor, continued to support the GSO in his sister’s name until recently passing at 102 years old.

Since its founding in 1951, the quality of the orchestra’s performances steadily increased over the years due to the dedication and talent of its musicians and of Betty Shipman Bennett, the GSO’s conductor from 1955 until her retirement in 1989. Her successor Steven Byess continued attracting other local talented musicians to the GSO and, while he served as Music Director, he expanded the number of professional musicians and continued raising the artistic standards of the orchestra.

In July 2004, Michael Alexander’s tenure as Musical Director began with the Georgia Symphony Orchestra while the orchestra continued to grow. In 2007, the Georgia Symphony Chorus was formed under the direction of Bryan Black and continues to draw accomplished vocalists from the greater metro area to perform choral/orchestral works with the GSO and to produce independent choral concerts as well.

Alexander’s final concert with the Georgia Symphony Orchestra was performed in May 2015, leaving the Georgia Symphony Orchestra poised to select a new Music Director. After reviewing over 130 candidates from across the world as part of a 2-year process, the GSO search committee has identified three finalists for the Music Director position. These accomplished musicians will conduct the three Master Works Concerts of the 2015-16 season.

Orchestral and choral highlights of previous seasons include Mahler’s Second Symphony, Vaughan Williams’ Sea Symphony and Orff’s Carmina Burana.

Over the past 65 years, the orchestra has changed its name from the Marietta Music Club to the Marietta Community Symphony, the Cobb Symphony Orchestra, and finally to the Georgia Symphony Orchestra as the organization’s mission and role in the community has expanded. Today audiences across the region are engaged and enriched by the musical gifts of the Georgia Symphony Orchestra.

Karen Snider Painting Exhibit Opens at Smyrna Public Library Art Gallery

The November and December art gallery exhibit for 2015 opened today - Oils and Acrylics by Karen Snider. Ms. Snider's paintings are on display until January 3. The art gallery is located on the 2nd floor of the Smyrna Library. The art gallery exhibits are sponsored by the Friends of Smyrna Library. 

Artist Statement: 

"My main interest in creating several of my paintings is to portray a slice of daily life. I attempt to showcase some of America's unique individuals going about their daily activities.

I'm also fascinated with studying and painting nature's amazing detail, form and color."
All my life I've been interested in expressing myself through art. I minored in art when I attended the University of New Mexico. Through the years, I drew using graphite and ink, and painted with pastels.

When I lived in California and Oregon throughout the 1990's, I showed and sold my work in several galleries and exhibits. After I moved east, I began painting in oils. In the past 7 years, my work has been accepted in many juried shows in both South Carolina and Georgia. Several of my pieces have received awards at the National Juried Shows.

Lori Schinelli Glass Exhibit Opens at Smyrna Public Library Display Gallery

The November and December display gallery exhibit for 2015 opened today - Glass Inspirations by Lori Schinelli. Ms. Schinelli's glass art is on display until January 3. The display gallery is located on the 2nd floor of the Smyrna Library. The display gallery exhibits are sponsored by the Friends of Smyrna Library. 

Artist Statement:

A native of Brooklyn, Lori received her Bachelors degree in Nursing from the State University of New York. She dabbled in glass in the 1970s but left it to work as a nurse and raise her family.

Moving to Georgia in the 1990s, she resumed her artwork, studying painting, ceramics and sculpture at several southeast art centers before rediscovering glass in 2002.

She has since studied with prominent masters in the glass world at The Pilchuck Glass School in Stanwood, Washington; The Corning Glass Museum Studio in Corning, New York; The Pittsburg Glass Center, in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania; and The Oatka Glass School, in Batavia New York. She has also received mentorship at the private studios of some of the masters,while maintaining a teaching studio in Dunwoody, Georgia.

Her work can be found in private collections across the US as well as in Brazil. She is currently represented at the Corning Museum of Glass Glass Market and Gallery in Corning New York, and The Gingerbread Square Gallery in Key West, Florida

September 2015 SACC Monthly Board of Directors Meeting Notes Published

The September 15 Monthly Board of Directors Meeting Notes have been approved and are now available online.  You can view them by clicking on the link below.

Read Meeting Notes (opens file from Google Drive)

SACC Establishes Film & TV Committee – Volunteers Needed

Georgia is now the #3 market in the US for Film & Television production after California and New York. The growth of the entertainment industry in metro Atlanta has been tremendous in the past 5 years.

In recognition of this growth, SACC formally established a Film & TV Committee at this week’s monthly Board of Directors meeting. SACC Board Member Anne Talton is the Chairperson. If you are interested in working with Anne to define the vision and plan future events please volunteer via our website.

www.SmyrnaACC.org

Smyrna Arts & Cultural Council Collaborates with Atlanta Lyric Theater

We have wonderful news to share.  SACC will collaborate with Atlanta Lyric Theatre, Atlanta’s only local professional musical theater company! 

Atlanta Lyric Theatre is dedicated to producing the best in musical theatre and fostering the growth of the Atlanta theatrical community by showcasing local professional talent. Through educational programs and pursuit of artistic excellence, The Lyric seeks to inform and expand the audience for musical theatre in the greater metropolitan area.

Their production of Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein opens this Friday OCT 23 and runs through SUN NOV 8 at the Jenny T. Anderson Theater adjacent to the Cobb County Civic Center. A discount ticket offer is available on our Facebook page www.facebook.com/SmyrnaACC.

Learn more about Atlanta Lyric Theatre at www.atlantalyrictheatre.com

SACC Holds Second Board of Directors Meeting

The Smyrna Arts & Cultural Council held it’s second meeting of the Board of Directors tonight. The meeting was held at the Smyrna Community Center and ran from 7 PM to 9:15 PM. The meeting agenda is below.  The detailed meeting minutes will be published at a future date once approved.

1. Opening Remarks

2. Approval of September Minutes

3. Treasurer’s Report

4. 501c3 Application Status

5. SACC Goals & Next Steps for Completing Strategic Plan

6. SACC Logo Discussion & Next Steps

7. Motions
    a. Establish Film & TV Committee

    b. Establish Monthly Speaker Series

    c. Pursue Adopt-a-Mile Participation with Keep Smyrna Beautiful

8. Committee Updates

SACC Vice President Dr. William Marchione Presents WWII Lecture on Smyrna War Hero Max Parnell

SACC Vice President Dr. William Marchione, author of A Brief History of Smyrna, presented the culminating program of the library series marking the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II today. He spoke on the life and career of Smyrna war hero, aviator, and Japanese prisoner-of-war Max Parnell (1922-2005).

Parnell saw service in the India-Burma-China theater of war under famous general Claire Chennault. This lecture will be based upon a huge collection of papers (comprising more than 500 items), one of the finest collections of World War II memorabilia in existence, now housed in the Smyrna Library’s developing archive, deposited there through the generosity of Mayor Bacon, Parnell’s godson and namesake. Items from the Parnell collection will be on display in the library during the entire month of October.

The "First Sunday" lecture series is held in the Smyrna Public Library Meeting Room and is sponsored by the Friends of Smyrna Library.

SACC Achieves 100 Donating Membership Milestone

Our membership drive is gaining momentum. We reached our first key membership milestone and now have 100+ donating members! The donations collected are primarily being saved for while we develop our budget.  

Some expenses related to completing the 501(c)(3) IRS application, the annual tax filing and developing new branding are expected. 

Thank you Smyrna for your support!

SACC Holds First Board of Directors Meeting

The Smyrna Arts & Cultural Council held it’s first meeting of the Board of Directors last night. The meeting was held at the Smyrna Community Center and ran from 7 PM to 9:30 PM. The meeting agenda of items discussed is below.  The meeting minutes will be published at a future date.

1. Opening Remarks
2. Introductions/Brief Bios
3. Treasurer’s Report
4. Director 1, 2 & 3 Year Term Limits Draw Per Bylaws
5. Long-Term Success Facilitated Group Discussion
6. History Committee Discussion 
7. NEA Grant Update 
8. December Concert Planning 
9. Action Items, Next Steps and Wrap-Up 
    a. Monthly Meeting Time – Confirm Day of Month
    b. Format for Future Committee Updates
    c. Online File Server Access
    d. SACC Branding Next Steps
    e. 501(c)(3) IRS Certification Next Steps
    f. Membership Drive

Raymond Reed and the Reed House Lecture Presented Today

Historian & Preservationist Michael Terry was today’s guest speaker for the First Sunday Lecture Series. (It was moved one week this month due to the holiday.)

With the City of Smyrna’s recent purchase of the Raymond Reed house, September’s lecture focused on the history of that distinctive and conspicuously situated Smyrna mansion, and upon the political career of its most recent occupant, the late Raymond Reed (1916-2014), a courageous State Legislator who served in the Georgia General Assembly during tumultuous late 1940s and 1950s, a man of unusual courage who championed much forward looking and often controversial legislation that challenged the political bosses of his day.

A related exhibit of Reed memorabilia is also on display in the library’s second floor gallery during the entire month of October.

The "First Sunday" lecture series is held in the Smyrna Public Library Meeting Room and is sponsored by the Friends of Smyrna Library.

Smyrna Arts & Cultural Council Collaborates with Atlanta Ballet

The Smyrna Arts & Cultural Council is excited to announce a collaboration with the nationally acclaimed Atlanta Ballet! We will soon share information on special ticket pricing and additional benefits for SACC members. Our collaboration includes select performances of the 2015/2016 season at the local Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre.  

The upcoming show schedule follows.

Moulin Rouge ® - The Ballet — February 5-13, 2016
The Sleeping Beauty (A one-hour family ballet) — February 13-14, 2016
20|20: Visionary — March 18-20, 2016
The Princess & the Goblin — April 15-17, 2016
MAYhem: Kissed — May 20-22, 2016 

Founded in 1929, Atlanta Ballet is one of the premier dance companies in the country and the official State Ballet of Georgia. Atlanta Ballet's eclectic repertoire spans ballet history, highlighted by beloved classics and inventive originals. After 86 years, Atlanta Ballet continues its commitment to share and educate audiences on the empowering joy of dance.

In 1996, Atlanta Ballet opened the Centre for Dance Education and is dedicated to nurturing young dancers while providing an outlet for adults to express their creativity. The Centre serves over 150,000 people in metro Atlanta each year. Atlanta Ballet's roots remain firmly grounded in the Atlanta community and continue to play a vital role in the city's cultural growth and revitalization.

Learn more at: http://www.atlantaballet.com/

Smyrna Arts & Cultural Council Featured in the Bright Side

The September edition of the Smyrna-Vinings Bright Side arrived in local mailboxes today. It features a detailed article on the Smyrna Arts & Cultural Council on page 6. 

Check it out online when you get a chance by clicking here.  

SACC Collaborates with The Atlanta Opera

We are THRILLED to announce that we will be collaborating with THE ATLANTA OPERA to promote their upcoming shows to our members. SACC members will also receive a special promotional code that will give them discounts on ticket purchases.

Founded in 1979, The Atlanta Opera is one of the finest regional opera companies in the United States producing mainstage opera productions and excellent arts education programs for all ages. It directly serves almost 60,000 people annually in Metropolitan Atlanta and throughout the Southeast. 

The Atlanta Opera strives to expand the experience of its patrons with memorable and exciting performances reflecting the highest musical and theatrical standards, while supporting community and educational programs. The Opera also works to attract the finest international, national, and regional singers, conductors, stage directors and designers. 

In 2007, The Atlanta Opera moved into its performance home at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, just inside the I-285 perimeter. 

Tickets to The Atlanta Opera are very affordable, starting at just $26. Education programs are often free of charge, allowing the opportunity for anyone who desires to learn more about opera to do so. 

In the coming years, The Atlanta Opera hopes to reach an even wider audience in this ever-expanding region and become the premier opera company in the southeastern United States.

Learn more about this wonderful organization at http://www.atlantaopera.org/. 

SACC Applies for Grant with Kennesaw State University

IMPORTANT UPDATE: On August 12 SACC and Kennesaw State University presented a grant opportunity from the National Endowment for the Arts at Smyrna City Hall. After the election of the Board of Directors later that evening work began immediately to understand the detailed grant filing requirements and identify candidate projects.

Pulling everything together in less than 6 weeks seemed like an impossible long shot to meet the “Our Town” grant deadlines.

WE DID IT !!!

For the past 3 weeks we vetted many well thought out concepts and put in lots of volunteer time at night and on the weekends making our selection. We now have what we believe is an exceptional concept to present to the NEA that will make Smyrna proud.

The competition with other organizations across the USA is still ongoing so we can’t share the details right now. Once the filing deadline passes we will.

Learn more about the “Our Town” grant by clicking on this link:

http://arts.gov/grants-organizations/our-town/introduction

“Old Smyrna” Historical Exhibit Opens in Smyrna Library Display Gallery

The September and October display gallery at the Smyrna Library is named “old Smyrna”. It features a fantastic collection of "Old Smyrna" artifacts that date from the mid-1800s. The collection includes many old photos, very old pottery, books and political campaign items to name just a few of the unique items that will capture your attention.

Did you know Smyrna once had a very large legal liquor distillery? Yes, it did and a number of distillery-related artifacts will be shown for the first time at the library.

Additionally, the display gallery features a presentation on the Reed House and Raymond Reed. Don't miss this great collection of Smyrna memorabilia. Thanks to local historians Mike Terry and William Marchione for curating this exhibit.

Be sure to attend Mr. Terry's presentation on Raymond Reed and Reed House on Sunday, September 13, at 3 p.m.

Automotive Art by John Lander Opens in Smyrna Library Art Gallery

The September and October art gallery exhibit in the Smyrna Library opened today - Automotive Art by John Lander. Ms. Lander's work is on display until October 31. The art gallery is located on the 2nd floor. The art gallery exhibits are sponsored by the Friends of Smyrna Library.

The work of years, this collection of Lander's vintage car art includes color illustrations with a short description, including comments by the artists, for each picture.

Artist Statement:

For automotive artist John Lander, cars as more than just transportation: "Some are beautiful examples of rolling sculpture. I try to do more than just draw pretty pictures of cars; I include interesting people, backgrounds, and try to set a mood or tell a story."

SACC Achieves 1000 Social Media Follower Milestone

Our presence on social media continues to grow quickly. We have over 800 followers on Facebook and 200 more on Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest. Over the weekend we achieved the 1000 total followers milestone. 

100 of our social media followers have become paying members too. Thank you for all of your support! 

Click here to become a member.

August 2015 SACC Annual Meeting Notes Published

The August 12 Annual Meeting Notes are now available online.  You can view them by clicking on the link below.

Read Meeting Notes (opens file from Google Drive)

SACC Completes Nonprofit Incorporation

The Smyrna Arts & Cultural Council is now incorporated as a Nonprofit Corporation. The Georgia Secretary of State approved our application yesterday and we completed the initial registration with the IRS. 

The next big effort is to complete the 501(c)(3) certification so donations are tax deductible for donors. That effort will take many months though and we are readying our plan. 

Until then, all members who donate are "Founding Members" and we have some really nice things planned for you - more to follow on that topic soon. Thanks to the staff at Community Bank of the South for accommodating our officers' schedules and staying late to get our accounts setup on a Friday evening. 

Smyrna Arts & Cultural Council To Collaborat with Atlanta Pops Orchestra

A key goal of our organization is to develop relationships with leading members of the local arts community. We are excited to share that we are collaborating with the Atlanta Pops Orchestra! We will be promoting their events in the Smyrna area to our members and working together in the future. They have a great concert at the Mable House Amphitheater with Chloë Agnew on Sunday September 20th at 7 PM.

They are celebrating their 70th anniversary this year! Learn more about the Atlanta Pops Orchestra from their website: www.atlantapops.com

Meet the Smyrna Arts & Cultural Council Leadership Team

Meet the Smyrna Arts & Cultural Council leadership team!!!

The 1st Smyrna Arts & Cultural Council annual meeting was held on August 12 at City Hall before the largest crowd to date since the council was established this spring. Bill Marchione hosted the gathering and Nancy McGee ran the elections. The following 19 people were elected as officers and directors to form the Inaugural Board of Directors.  Congrats to those elected!

Front Row (left to right): Barbara Kincaid, Judy Hartley, Bill Marchione – Vice President, Joe Bland, Tricia Meyer, Frank Millen, Nancy Lapierre, Shaun Martin - Secretary

Back Row (left to right): Kathleen Trella-Newland, Nancy McGee, Slade Gulledge, Troy Sather – Treasurer, Jeff Jones – President, Charlie Stannard, Gregg Averett


Insert (top to bottom): Joan M. Stuart, Anne Talton, Caitlyn Sather, Ellie Wolf


Not Pictured: Casey Clavin

SACC Creates Youth Board of Directors Position

Nineteen area residents were elected to the Board of Directors of the Smyrna Arts & Cultural Council last WED. A top priority for the leadership team was to engage a teenager to represent the interests of the young adult community and we did.

Please join us in celebrating the election of Campbell High School student and leader CAITLYN SATHER as the first young adult member of our Board of Directors. Caitlyn will now manage our Instagram account moving forward as well as other initiatives over the next 2 years.

Please join me in congratulating Caitlyn and tell everyone in Smyrna about this awesome community milestone!!!

500 Facebook Likes!

We achieved a major milestone today. 

We are now followed by over 500 Smyrna area residents!!!

Smyrna Arts & Cultural Council Collaborates with Acoustics at Oak’s End

Smyrna Arts & Cultural Council and Acoustics at Oak’s End to collaborate and promote concerts in Smyrna.  Acoustics at Oak’s End is a dedicated, 70+ seat, Folk Alliance International-licensed, sound and light-equipped performance hall in the Smyrna/Vinings area, made available by the owners as patrons of the arts. 

The residential venue features live performances most months of the year solely for the benefit and  convenience of well-regarded acoustic performers and appreciative listeners.  House concerts are a long-established means of expanding the opportunities to experience and enjoy live music. At Acoustics at Oak's End, no tickets are sold; admission is by RSVP invitation. $20-$25 per person, depending on size of band, is the suggested donation goes entirely to the performers.

Learn more about Acoustics at Oak's End from their website http://www.oaksend.com/ 

SACC Reaches First Twitter Milestone

The Smyrna Arts & Cultural Council has implemented broad social media strategy to update the community on our progress and events. 

We reached our first Twitter milestone this weekend – 100 followers! 

Follow us to at:  https://twitter.com/SmyrnaACC  

Smyrna Arts & Cultural Council Collaborates with South Cobb Arts Alliance

Smyrna Arts & Cultural Council and South Cobb Arts Alliance to collaborate and promote concerts and events at the Mable House Center. 

The South Cobb Arts Alliance was established in 1972 and is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization.  Until 1999 when the Mable House Arts Center opened, the SCAA used the Historic Mable House as a gallery and classroom for art classes.

Today the SCAA is an integral part of the South Cobb area and is one of the leading forces in the arts and cultural environment of Cobb County.  This strength is made possible through the partnership of the SCAA with Cobb County Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department, Cobb County Board of Commissioners, civic organizations, area businesses and volunteers working toward a common goal - the recognition and support of the area's cultural arts and historic preservation.

The SCAA is located at the Mable House Arts Center, a Cobb County Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs facility.  Programs presented by the SCAA are held at this facility, on the grounds of the historic Mable House, and at the new Mable House Barnes Amphitheatre.

Learn more about the SCAA at http://www.southcobbarts.org/

SACC Membership Form Now Available – Join Today!

The Smyrna Arts & Cultural Council now has a membership form.  Individual memberships are $20 and household memberships are $30.

Additional money can also be donated.  Please click this link to download the form and print it.

By joining the Smyrna Arts & Cultural Association today you will help us fulfill our mission to “cultivate and promote arts and cultural activities for the enjoyment and enrichment of our diverse community”.

Thank you for your support!

1st SACC Annual Meeting Agenda Published

The 1^st Annual Meeting of the Smyrna Arts & Cultural Council will be held on Wednesday August 12, 2015 at Smyrna City Hall at 7 PM.  Please plan on arriving by 6:45 pm.

The agenda is:

*  Review Milestone Progress 

*  Summary Updates on Committees

*  Remarks from Elected Officials

*  Vote for Board of Directors & Officers

*  Remarks from the President

Documentary Film “The Return of the Violin" Presented at Smyrna Public Library

The "First Sunday" lecture at the Smyrna Public Library today featured a viewing of the powerful film "The Return of the Violin". The violin in question, a priceless Stradivarius, was owned by famed violinist Bronislaw Huberman. Before the rise of the Nazis, he was considered one of the most prodigious musicians of all time.

During the war Huberman was a tireless opponent of the Nazis and saved many Jews by bringing them to Palestine to create an orchestra that would become one of the world's foremost ensembles, the Israeli Philharmonic. The violin in question, missing for over 50 years, now belongs to noted Jewish-American violinist Joshua Bell. This is a compelling 1-hour documentary that you can watch on YouTube (click here).

Kennesaw State University Holocaust Museum guide Zach Berman introduced the documentary. Thank you, Mr. Berman.

The "First Sunday" lecture series is held in the Smyrna Public Library Meeting Room and is sponsored by the Friends of Smyrna Library. 

SACC to Co-Sponsor Historical and Architectural Walking Tour of Smyrna's Williams Park Neighborhood

Smyrna Arts & Council member Casey Clavin will lead an Historical and Architectural Walking Tour of Smyrna's Williams Park Neighborhood on Sunday November 1, 2015.  This is the first event announced by SACC.  

The Williams Park neighborhood of Smyrna (the streets lying east of Atlanta Road, opposite Market Village) contains the largest concentration of older structures in the city, many dating from the 1885 to 1925 period, a unique architectural ensemble that could well qualify as Smyrna's first National Register Historic District. The area also has a fascinating history. Casey Clavin, who has given much attention to the architectural history of this interesting neighborhood, and local historian Bill Marchione, will co-narrate this walking tour of the city's oldest neighborhood, a tour that will also feature visits to the interiors of some of Williams Park's most interesting residences.

The Williams Park walking tour is being co-sponsored by the Smyrna Arts & Cultural Council (SACC) and the Friends of the Smyrna Library (FOSL), as one of the Smyrna Library's regular "First Sunday" programs.

Participants should gather at the cupola in Williams Park on Roswell Street - will be limited to the first 24 people who RSVP to wpmarchione@gmail.com or 857-919-0505.

Smyrna Arts & Cultural Council Adopts Bylaws

Smyrna Arts & Cultural Council adopts bylaws on July 8, 2015 and made them available to the public for review today.  

Click here to download the file and read them.

Atlanta Lyric Theater Presents Spectacularly Successful “Cats” Musical

The Atlanta Lyric Theatre ended a spectacularly successful three-show run of Cats the musical at the nearby Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre today. The production had a cast of 24 actors and was exceptionally well done.

Originally envisioned with ticket sales for the lower lever of the theater only, the upper level was opened up due to high demand. Over 8,000 patrons enjoyed the sell-out shows. The sheer volume of ticket sales for a summertime production demonstrates the local community’s appetite for Broadway-caliber theatrical entertainment.

The Smyrna Arts & Cultural Council will be promoting future Atlanta Lyric Theater productions and we are actively investigating how we can collaborate in the future.

About Atlanta Lyric Theater:

Atlanta Lyric Theatre, established 36 years ago, is dedicated to producing the best in musical theatre and fostering the growth of the Atlanta theatrical community by showcasing local professional talent. Through educational programs and pursuit of artistic excellence, The Lyric seeks to inform and expand the audience for musical theatre in the greater metropolitan area.

About Cats:

Cats, one of the longest-running shows in West End and on Broadway, received its world premiere at the New London Theatre in 1981 where it played for 21 record-breaking years and almost 9,000 performances. The production was the winner of the Olivier and Evening Standard Awards for Best Musical. In 1983 the Broadway production became the recipient of seven Tony awards including Best Musical, and ran for eighteen years.

Since its world premiere, Cats has been presented in over 26 countries, has been translated into 10 languages and has been seen by over 50 million people world-wide. Both the original London and Broadway cast recordings won Grammy Awards for Best Cast Album.

The classic Lloyd Webber score includes Memory which has been recorded by over 150 artists from Barbra Streisand and Johnny Mathis to Liberace and Barry Manilow.

July 2015 SACC Monthly Planning Committee Meeting Notes Published

The July Planning Committee Meeting Notes are now available online.  You can view them by clicking on the link below.

Read Meeting Notes (opens file from Google Drive)

Monthly SACC Planning Meeting Held

The monthly SACC planning committee meeting was held tonight at Brawner Hall. We approved to the council’s bylaws and a membership flier with a new creative logo! The creative logo will be revealed within the month.  Look for more posts in the coming days detailing our progress to date and next steps.

Meeting Agenda

Smyrna Arts and Cultural Council

July 8, 2015 Meeting, 7:00-9:00 pm

Brawner Hall

To continue development and organization of the SACC operations

·         Approve bylaws

·         Approve membership flyer

·         Solicit nominations, volunteers, and volunteer information

·         Inform about various projects

Agenda

·         Introductory remarks Bill Marchione, Acting Chair

·         Update: Relationship between Reed House & SACC Mike Terry

·         Governance/operations: Terry Lapierre, Chair

• Finalize and adopt the SACC by-laws
• Establishing a bank account
• Applying for 501 C-3 non-profit status

·         Nominating Committee/volunteer information Nancy McGee, Chair

·         Membership Committee

• Summary of Membership Committee recommendations Neal Arnoff
• Approval of initial membership recruitment flier Casey Clavin

·         Music Committee Gregg Averett, Chair

·         Smyrna Public Buildings Art Project Mary Moore, Chair

·         Architecture & Landscape Design Committee Casey Clavin/Bill Marchione

·         Visual Arts & Fine Crafts Committee Casey Clavin

• Proposal for a possible Artists Studio Tour

·         Adult Education programming Bill Marchione

·         Communication and Social Media Jeff Jones, Chair

Pastels by Paula Landry Opens in Smyrna Library Art Gallery

The July and August art gallery exhibit opened today - Pastels by Paula Landry. Ms. Landry's work is on display until August 30. The art gallery is located on the 2nd floor of the Smyrna Library. The display gallery exhibits are sponsored by the Friends of Smyrna Library.  

Artist Statement:

Paula Landry is a pastel artist living and working in Smyrna, Georgia. After many years of teaching art in the Cobb County School District, she has spent her retirement years focusing on expanding and exploring her own artistic skills.

With a BFA in Art Education from the University of Southern Mississippi and a Master’s from the University of Georgia, Paula has studied and has shown work everywhere from France to the small towns of the Southeast. Paula’s portraits and landscapes reflect the vibrant colors found in the Georgia landscape. She is often commissioned for her informal child portraits.

Porcelain Paintings by Mary Belle Cordell Opens in Smyrna Library Display Gallery

The July and August display gallery exhibit opened today - Porcelain Paintings by Mary Belle Cordell. Ms. Cordell's work is on display until August 30. The display gallery is located on the 2nd floor of the Smyrna Library. The display gallery exhibits are sponsored by the Friends of Smyrna Library.  

Artist Statement:

Mary Belle Cordell is a porcelain art teacher, certified by the World Organization of China painters. She has studied at the prestigious Penland School of Arts and Crafts, the Virginia Douglas School of Porcelain Art in N. Carolina, and with internationally known porcelain art teachers. She paints in many mediums but her first love is porcelain painting.

Mary Belle has a broad experience in teaching this fine art and is presently on the staff of the Boca Museum of Art the Art School. She attributes her successful professional life to a challenging teaching style and a passion for porcelain painting. Her commissions have included painting very large murals on tiles and designing the smallest porcelain boxes from Limoges, France.

As a tribute to her fine eye, the works of Mary Belle are in several prestigious private collections including the collection of best-selling author Mary Higgins Clark. A winner of many awards from regional South Florida art shows, Mary Belle continues to be nourished by her art and the passion it inspires in her teaching.

June 2015 SACC Monthly Planning Committee Meeting Notes Published

The June Planning Committee Meeting Notes are now available online.  You can view them by clicking on the link below.

Read Meeting Notes (opens file from Google Drive)