The
Arts Council Smithgall Arts Center Hosts 2002 Summer MusicFest
The Arts Council’s highly popular outdoor concert series
“Summer MusicFest” returns for its 2002 season.
Gathered in a central location in cities and towns all across
the nation, families and friends are set to enjoy an evening
celebration of music and fellowship.
Join us as we head out of doors for the summer and we
cordially invite you to attend Summer MusicFest 2002.
The Arts Council of Gainesville and Hall County proudly
announces its three-concert lineup opening on Friday, May 17th
with the Gainesville’s own Northwinds Symphonic Band, the
world-renowned Atlanta Symphony Orchestra returns for a second
outdoor concert on Friday, June 14th and the summer
series concludes with our own Gainesville College Jazz Band on
Friday, July 12th. Summer MusicFest series is held on the beautifully appointed
grounds of the Smithgall Arts Center (formerly the Arts
Council Depot) in downtown Gainesville.
The Northwinds Symphonic Band turns back the clock to once
again revive its persona as John Phillip Sousa’s band.
Ronald J. Evans will also reprise his role as the legendary
Sousa as the Northwinds Symphonic Band presents “Stars, Stripes
and Sousa!” Northwinds
Symphonic Band will strike up the music at 8PM.
The NSB will perform all new selections this season not
repeating those from its highly successful “Sousa” concert in
the 2000 season. Selections
include: Rossini’s Overture “William Tell”, Franz von
Suppe’s Overture “The Poet and Peasant”, “The Bride of the
Waves” by Herbert L. Clarke, and the soprano solo “Ah, fors’ e
lui” for “La Traviata”.
Summer MusicFest 2002 is excited to have the Atlanta Symphony
Orchestra returning for an outdoor concert on Friday, June 14th.
Making his Gainesville debut conducting the ASO is Alexander
Mickelthwate, the recently newly-appointed Assistant Conductor.
Mickelthwate was born in Germany and grew up in a musical
family, as his grandmother was an opera singer.
He earned his bachelor’s degree in conducting and piano
performance at the Musikhochschule in Karlsruhe.
Last year Mr. Mickelthwate toured America as conductor of the
American Russian Young Artist Players.
The ASO program will include such selections as:
The ever popular performance by The Gainesville College Jazz
Band on Friday, July 12th marks its 5th year
of partnering with the Arts Council’s Summer MusicFest series.
The theme for this summers concert is “Anything Goes”. .
so be prepared for just about anything musically from this
entertaining jazz ensemble. The Gainesville College Jazz band is under the direction of
Dr. Andrew Santander, associate professor of Music - Gainesville
College. Selections to
be performed include: Cole Porter’s “Anything Goes”, “Rhythm
of Our World” by Arturo Sandoval featuring many styles of Latin
dance and the Gershwin classic “Fascinating Rhythm.”
Series tickets are $55 for adults a $10 savings over
individual ticket prices. Individual
concert tickets for each concert are $15 for adults, $13 seniors and
$10 for students for the Northwinds Symphonic Band and the
Gainesville College Jazz Band performances and $35 for adults and
$28 for students for Atlanta Symphony Orchestra concert.
Tables for six (6) or eight (8) are also available to rent
for each performance. Prices
are $30 per performance for a table of 6 or $75 for the series and
$40 per performance for a table of 8 or $90 for the series.
Concerts begin at 8PM and the gates and box office opens at
6PM. The Turnstile Deli
will once again be the on-site caterer of Summer MusicFest 2002.
Selections available include a BBQ plate or summer combo
salad.
To order your tickets and for information regarding table
decoration themes for the 3 concerts, please call 770.534.2787 or
order tickets online at www.theartscouncil.net.
|
Major
Gift to The Arts Council, Inc.
and to the North Georgia Communities
The question finally is answered: the old First Methodist Church
will be saved. Gladys Wyant, Executive Director of The Arts Council,
Inc. announced today that the old historic landmark will not be torn
down, but will be given to the council to become a performing arts
center as well as serve other uses appropriate to the council's
mission.
Gainesvillians who were married in the old
church can visit the scene of their nuptials and recall many other
happy occasions, as well as sad ones. Many locals and visitors have
worshipped in the sanctuary and thousands of students have been
schooled in the educational building.
As Gainesvillians are aware, many potential
suitors speculated on the purchase and the future of this location,
over more than two years that it was on the "real estate
market". It seemed that all but Green Street Limited, LLC who
had the capital to purchase the facility would require razing the
old sanctuary in order to justify a return vs. investment.
Sharing a common goal and desire, Lessie
and Charles Smithgall with Gladys Wyant set out to save an old
Gainesville landmark from the wrecking ball. Under the watchful and
helpful eyes of the Smithgalls and their financial advisor, Ray
Simmons, Gladys was authorized to engage negotiations for the
purchase of the church property then owned by Westminster
Presbyterian Church. Last fall, Green Street Limited LLC purchased
the 1904 church, educational building and parsonage.
Following the purchase, Wyant was charged
with the responsibility of both maintaining the anonymity of the
Smithgalls and to become the "on site" project coordinator
along with other Smithgall team members Simmons and Jean Stroud to
develop the plan of work for the major repairs that awaited and
still await completion. Candito Construction Company was hired to
make the approved repairs and improvements to the facilities.
True to their philanthropic spirit, Lessie
and Charles once again will be giving back to the community. Their
latest gift to be donated in the late 2001 or early 2002 is the
enhanced Westminster/old First Methodist Church at 201-203 Green
Street. The recipient will be The Arts Council, Inc. of
Gainesville/Hall County. "The gift is a true testament to their
never-ending love of community, and particularly their love of the
arts." states Wyant.
The property will be maintained and
utilized by The Arts Council, Inc. to further the arts in our
community. But perhaps, more importantly, all three of the existing
structures have been saved and will continue to be preserved for
future generations through the generosity of Mr. and Mrs. Charles
Smithgall.
"I continue to be amazed and forever
grateful for the wealth of support of the Smithgalls and
others," states Wyant.
"I believe that the arts are a basic
right of the people, just as clean air, pure water, a good education
and representation in our government are things we deserve. They
feed our spirit and make us better human beings. My husband and I
are happy to help preserve this old church as another symbol of our
belief that this region will benefit from its uses to enhance the
artistic conscience that is present in all of us," says Lessie
Smithgall.
The historic building originally was the
First Methodist Church, which moved into a new building on Thompson
Bridge Road. Since that time, three different churches have used the
property as well as a school.
|
The
Arts Council Receives
ONE MILLION DOLLAR Challenge
Charles and Lessie Smithgall have offered a $1 million
challenge grant to The Arts Council to establish an endowment fund for
operations of The Arts Council, Inc. This follows seed money provided
by the Smithgalls through The Greater Atlanta Community Foundation for
the newly named Smithgall Arts Center, home of The Arts Council, Inc.
For every dollar donated to The Arts Council, Inc. of Gainesville and
Hall County for the endowment fund, the Smithgalls will match up to
one million dollars.
Contribute to
Million Dollar Challenge.
The Arts Council is a
non-profit 501 c- (3) multi-disciplined arts organization, which has
been in the business of the arts since 1970. Their programs and
services can be seen throughout the community from Arts in Schools,
Arts Council Pearce Series, Summer MusicFest, inner city art camp
programs, children's festivals, puppet shows, dinner theatre, Intimate
Evenings of Jazz at the Depot and many others.
The Council also serves 26 affiliate arts
organizations through marketing, co-sponsorships and other services as
needed.
Through a small pool of funds provided by
Georgia Council for the Arts, The Arts Council, Inc. of
Gainesville/Hall County serves as a Grassroots re-granting agency for
the eight counties of Hall, Lumpkin, Forsyth, Barrow, Banks, Jackson,
Stephens and Dawson.
Those wanting to donate toward $1million
matching grant, contact Gladys Wyant, Executive Director of The Arts
Council, Inc., 331 Spring Street, S.W., Gainesville, Georgia 30501
(770) 534-2787 or gladys@theartscouncil.net.
Footnote:
Lessie Smithgall was the first president of The Arts Council, which
was formed in 1970. The council grew out of a study made by the Junior
League of Gainesville/Hall County, then known as the Junior Service
League. A number of arts lovers, including Jean Sawyer, Allen Payne
Long, Ellen Odegaard and Ad Blum volunteered their services in the
formative years. Local banks funded a newsletter and quarterly arts
calendar, which was the first project of the then new council.
|
The
Arts Council, Inc. Announces
Name Change of Former Depot Property
to Honor Major Donor
The Arts Council Depot has been given a new name. The old Gainesville
Midland railroad depot will now be known as THE SMITHGALL ARTS CENTER.
Located at 331 Spring Street, it is the home of The Arts Council, Inc.
of Gainesville-Hall County. This property, coupled with the vision of
The Arts Council and the overwhelming support of Lessie and Charles
Smithgall and other dedicated individuals in the community, was
purchased in November 1992, refurbished and opened to its supporters
and the community after the completion of Phase I and Phase II in May
of 1996, just prior to the Olympics.
Phase III of this project, which is the
exquisitely designed fence that now encompasses the 2.5-acre site, is
now in place. "The next phase, "The Amphitheatre", is
awaiting the financial support from additional members of the
community to become a reality in late 2002 or early 2003," says
Gladys Wyant, Executive Director of The Arts Council, Inc.
In 1991, the Smithgalls were asked to support
the project with the initial "challenge grant" that provided
the impetus to allow the purchase of the then nearly derelict
Gainesville-Midland property. An additional challenge grant was later
provided by the Smithgalls to meet the rehabilitation and the
expansion needs of this 1914 railroad depot structure.
According to Wyant, the Smithgalls have
preferred to remain anonymous in their gift to Gainesville and to the
arts community. She explains that only following many years of
persuasion and cajoling were they finally convinced to allow this
outstanding Gainesville landmark to bear their family name.
All who love and honor our beautiful
community will forever appreciate their generous gift to Gainesville.
THE SMITHGALL ARTS CENTER
|
|