Leah Pringle Barnes Elected to SACC Board of Directors

CONGRATULATIONS, Leah Pringle Barnes for being elected to the Smyrna Arts & Cultural Council Board of Directors!

Leah, a transplant from Columbus, Ga., has been a Smyrna, Ga., resident for nearly two years.

Leah is the founder of #SmyrnaGaRocks, a group with a simple goal: to spread art, joy, fun and kindness around Smyrna by painting and hiding rocks for others to find. Based on the national Kindness Rocks Project, she launched #SmyrnaGaRocks in June of this year, and it has already grown to over 1,000 local members (if you’re not a member yet – check it out!).

She is a Customer Experience Manager in Marketing at Aflac insurance company. She enjoys spending time with her family: husband, Ryan, and 9-month-old son, Lawson.

With years of volunteer experience, she’ll be a great asset to the team. We’re excited to have Leah on board, and excited to continue to support #SmyrnaGaRocks as a great way to get involved in the Arts and support your local Smyrna Arts & Cultural Council.

Kelsey Bentley Elected to SACC Board of Directors

CONGRATULATIONS, Kelsey Bentley for being elected to the Smyrna Arts & Cultural Council Board of Directors! 

Kelsey is originally from Pittsburgh, PA and moved to Atlanta after graduating from Virginia Tech. During her youth and at Virginia Tech, Kelsey was involved in theater and dance. Specifically, she was on the Varsity dance team at Virginia Tech. After graduating from Virginia Tech, Kelsey moved to Atlanta to begin her Teach For America commitment. Shortly after, she met her husband, Matt, who is an Atlanta native. 

Kelsey & Matt love spending time with her two dogs, Lilly and Molly. You can find them either hiking or spending time at one of Atlanta’s many parks. They also spend their free time volunteering in local community projects including the Atlanta Community Food Bank, Best Friends of Atlanta, Kids in Need and Keep Smyrna Beautiful. Kelsey works full-time at the Coca-Cola Company as a Workplace Strategy Analyst. Kelsey also teaches Pure Barre in Vinings which is a low-impact, full body work-out.

Carrie Tankersley Elected to SACC Board of Directors

CONGRATULATIONS, Carrie Tankersley for being elected to the Smyrna Arts & Cultural Council Board of Directors for a 2017-2020 term!

Carrie recently moved to Smyrna with her husband after spending the past two decades in Gwinnett County where they raised their daughter, now a student at UNG. Originally from California, Carrie had a childhood immersed in the arts. Serving eight years in the Army provided additional exposure to art in Europe and all around the U.S not only in museums but within communities. Although Carrie works in the telecom industry her passion remains with the arts, stating, “I look forward to contributing to the Arts in a variety of ways within Smyrna”.

Carrie organized the SACC Community Art project at the Spring Smyrna Jonquil Festival, a mural of Smyrna inviting kids of all ages to contributing by painting a portion of the picture. The mural is now permanently displayed in the Community Center. A complimentary mural will be created at the Fall Jonquil Festival next month. In addition to serving on the SACC board, Carrie is the co-chairperson of the Visual & Fine Arts Committee.

Ricky and Bambi, Sue Pezely and #SmyrnaGARocks Featured at FRESH MARKET MUSIC & ART!

Ricky and Bambi, Ballad Brian, Sue Pezely and #SmyrnaGARocks were featured at FRESH MARKET MUSIC & ART! on September 23, 2017.  Click the links to enjoy the PHOTOS and MUSIC VIDEOS.

Musician Statement:

Ricky and Bambi are an acoustic duo based out of Atlanta, GA.  In the years that they have been working together, they have performed over 1,000 shows from California to Europe including festivals, conventions, local music venues as well as the CBS Morning Show and several other television appearances.  

The duo plays a wide range of music from classic rock to 80s pop to country to bluegrass to children's music and they have released numerous CDs over the years in a variety of styles.  But perhaps more importantly than their long list of achievements is the fact that even after years of touring, they still love what they do.  As a result, they always bring along something to every show that can't be bought at a store: FUN!
​
​Click here to enjoy their music!

Artist Statement

Sue has been a resident of Smyrna, Georgia for 18 years. In the past few years, she has developed a popular portfolio of watercolors of local Smyrna historic sites, as well as landscapes of travels from both her friends and herself. These images are available in prints - as well as decorative household items such as coffee mugs, trivets, and coasters.

Sue has maintained a passion for art and music throughout her life - she has focused in the areas of drawing, painting and photography, as well as being an avid piano player. She studied part-time at the Corcoran School of Art in Washington, DC and participated in several printmaking shows there. She enjoys creating images that invoke a warm, emotional connection for the viewer. Her pastel work has won awards in Foley, Alabama, and Covington, Georgia. Sue's work is on display at Mezza Luna Pasta and Seafood Restaurant, as well as available for sale at The Nest Home and Garden - both of which are in Smyrna, Georgia.

​Click here to enjoy her art!

About #SmyrnaGARocks:

The idea is simple. Paint rocks bright colors or with short messages on them and tag the rock with #SmyrnaGARocks and hide them – preferably in plain sight – so that people find them. The person who finds the rock can take a photo of it or a selfie with the rock and post it to this Facebook page (www.Facebook.com/groups/SmyrnaGARocks). Then replace the rock with one you’ve painted or re-hide the rock you found.

Katie Martin and Patricia Young Featured at FRESH MARKET MUSIC & ART!

Katie Martin and Patricia Young were featured at FRESH MARKET MUSIC & ART! on September 16, 2017.  Click the links to enjoy the PHOTOS and MUSIC VIDEOS.

Musician Statement:

Performing across the Southeast since 2006, Katie Martin's unique blend of blues, folk, and soul mesmerizes audiences in a way that has to be seen to understand. Her agelessly soulful vocals soar effortlessly above a rich propulsion of acoustic blues guitar reminiscent of Muddy Waters combined with the beautiful folk guitar of James Taylor, all performed with the honest intensity of Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin. Seeing Katie Martin perform is an experience like no other, and her refreshing individuality is one that leaves a lasting impression long after the stage has grown silent. She released her acoustic EP " Away From Here" with Haney Records in 2011. In 2015 she released "Katie Martin : Live From the Chocolate Room" ft. Tony Brook on slide guitar, and her debut album, "Purpose" both recorded, produced, and engineered by Larry Mitchell at The Chocolate Room.

​Click here to enjoy her music!

Artist Statement:

Who doesn’t marvel at the germination of a seed as it transforms into a living thing?  My abstract work conveys the mystery and energy that is inherent in this magical process.  This encompasses the raw power of nature’s cycles, from new beginnings to decay and diminishment.  It refers then to not only the plant life cycle but also geological processes associated with earth’s formation and destruction. This focus translates into recurring themes of germination, gestation, genesis, and erosion and corrosion

​Click here to enjoy her art!

Ricky & Bambi and Sue Pezely Featured at FRESH MARKET MUSIC & ART!

Ricky & Bambi, Ballad Brian and Sue Pezely were featured at FRESH MARKET MUSIC & ART! on September 9, 2017.  Click the links to enjoy the PHOTOS and MUSIC VIDEOS.

Musician Statement:

Ricky and Bambi are an acoustic duo based out of Atlanta, GA.  In the years that they have been working together, they have performed over 1,000 shows from California to Europe including festivals, conventions, local music venues as well as the CBS Morning Show and several other television appearances.  

The duo plays a wide range of music from classic rock to 80s pop to country to bluegrass to children's music and they have released numerous CDs over the years in a variety of styles.  But perhaps more importantly than their long list of achievements is the fact that even after years of touring, they still love what they do.  As a result, they always bring along something to every show that can't be bought at a store: FUN!
​
​Click here to enjoy their music!

Artist Statement:

Sue has been a resident of Smyrna, Georgia for 18 years. In the past few years, she has developed a popular portfolio of watercolors of local Smyrna historic sites, as well as landscapes of travels from both her friends and herself. These images are available in prints - as well as decorative household items such as coffee mugs, trivets, and coasters.

Sue has maintained a passion for art and music throughout her life - she has focused in the areas of drawing, painting and photography, as well as being an avid piano player. She studied part-time at the Corcoran School of Art in Washington, DC and participated in several printmaking shows there. She enjoys creating images that invoke a warm, emotional connection for the viewer. Her pastel work has won awards in Foley, Alabama, and Covington, Georgia. Sue's work is on display at Mezza Luna Pasta and Seafood Restaurant, as well as available for sale at The Nest Home and Garden - both of which are in Smyrna, Georgia.

​Click here to enjoy her art!

Circle of Fine Art at the Jonquil Festival Announced

The Smyrna Arts & Cultural Council is thrilled to announce a fine art attraction named CIRCLE OF FINE ART at the upcoming fall Jonquil Festival in Smyrna on October 28 and 29, 2017.  Financial support is being provided by Jonquil Festival organizers, JRM Management. The two-day event will showcase local fine artists representing acrylic, pastel, oil and watercolor painting, ceramics and photography. The CIRCLE OF FINE ART will be held in the circular plaza in front of the Smyrna Community Center and Smyrna Library in the heart of the festival.

CIRCLE OF FINE ART will also feature several community art projects for kids, families and adults to enjoy!  Stay tuned for more details on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and our website at www.SmyrnaACC.org. 

SPECIAL THANKS go to SACC volunteer ls for designing the beautiful event logo.

Julian K. Smith, Jr. and #SmyrnaGARocks Featured at FRESH MARKET MUSIC & ART!

Julian K. Smith, Jr. and #SmyrnaGARocks were featured at FRESH MARKET MUSIC & ART! on September 2, 2017.  Click the links to enjoy the PHOTOS and MUSIC VIDEOS.

Musician Statement:

Julian K. Smith, Jr. is a Musician, Educator and Entrepreneur. The Trumpet is his Instrument, History is his subject and Musical Entertainment is his Industry. As Founder & CEO of Groove Master Enterprise LLC, his life’s work is Empowering Community Youth through Musicianship, Scholarship and Entrepreneurship. A native of Decatur, GA he graduated from Southwest Dekalb High School (2003) and Bethune Cookman University earning his Bachelors of Accounting (2008).

Since graduation Julian has worked in Corporate America, Performed Internationally, Classroom Educator and earned membership into Omega Psi Phi, Fraternity Inc (2010). He currently teaches History at Light of the World Christian Academy in East Atlanta and provides Professional Music Services (special events – trumpet lessons – studio recording) to the Metro-Atlanta Area. As Founder & CEO of Groove Master Enterprise, LLC Julian K. Smith, Jr. advocates Manhood Development is the Crisis of our Time and strongly believes TeamWork makes the DreamWork.

​Click here to enjoy his music! 

About #SmyrnaGARocks:

The idea is simple. Paint rocks bright colors or with short messages on them and tag the rock with #SmyrnaGARocks and hide them – preferably in plain sight – so that people find them. The person who finds the rock can take a photo of it or a selfie with the rock and post it to this Facebook page (www.Facebook.com/groups/SmyrnaGARocks). Then replace the rock with one you’ve painted or re-hide the rock you found.