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."