LAWRENCEVILLE
BRINGING COMMUNITY TOGETHER
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Welcome to New Lawrenceville Welcome to New Lawrenceville
Georgia in May but on Saturday’s now. Mary Frazier Long for the Arts (formerly the Arts Council) started in Lawrenceville and still stands at the front entertaining many of visitors who has moved several times growing into what is a beautiful Center off come from other cities and States just to know a little more SugarloafGa. Parkway. From the Hudgens about Lawrenceville, The local business owners website, the original 14,000 sq ft Hudgens Center fortime theand Artstheir featured working together volunteering their money 4,000 sq ft of gallery space, a large department, additional 28,000 sq ft comprising help to offset the education costs so that the visitors toand the an Square could ride the Tours Sculpture for free. Many of thewhich businesses theTrolley Al Weeks Garden, graces the eastern side of the also donatebuilding. items for door prizes and items for theand goody Enormous commitment energy was expended in raising bags. This private May will funds be our 6th year forthe TheCenter Lawrenceville to build and to create the accompanying Trolley Tours.
endowment. In 2000, an additional 20,000 sq ft of galleries, classrooms and performance space was added to the Center, bringing it up to the New Lawrenceville Business Networking was a hit! For current size and configuration. three years we had been networking and conducting the According to the Americans forofthe Lawrenceville Trolley Tours successfully. In January 2010Arts study, the economic impact of nonprofit arts and culture organizations and their audiences the group was meeting to decide what direction or new ideas in the of Atlanta, GA (Fiscal Year 2010) we could work on City together. Vanessa Churco mentioned a are as follows: Business Expo. lead the cause with fire and passion · TotalShe Industry Expenditures $299,983,072 like we had never seen, she Jobs had to, we only had 2 months to · Full Time Equivalent 9,424 Rodney Camren put the event together. The business expo quickly morphed · Household Income paid to Residents $232,223,000 isten closely please; do you hear those words of a famous quote into what is now the Spring Green Festival. Vanessa As the founder and President of New Lawrenceville I want · Revenue Generated for Local Government $14,190,000 from Shakespeare in your community? Look over there; do you changed directions as she thought a festival would be a lot to welcome you to the community of Lawrenceville, Georgia. Generated for State Government $13,276,000 seeWhen a young ladythis ingroup a white leotard elegantly just fun than an· Revenue I started in 2007 I never knew topositioned the lengths onmore expo and she was right. In the first year, Spending by and Culture Organizations and their audiences one toe?&Islevels your of breath awaybusiness from the musical notes wheretaken this local networking group and talents theof festival brought over 3,000 Arts people to the community of supports jobs and generates government revenue in which, people want Lawrenceville, Georgia and that was on a Thursday. The would go. We started as a weekly whospirit, mind the lyrical soprano singing effortlessly onnetworking stage? Orgroup do your to live close to work and in turn helps the housing market for local following years the festival has been moved to a Saturday got together every Tuesday evening for drinks and casual and body travel to unknown worlds when engulfed by the combination communities. hang out. There wasn’t a real purpose other than enjoying for greater attendance which again was a great move as of horns, keys and drums playing in a symphony? Do you tear up, laugh now (in its 4th year) the festival is expected to bring eachover other’s company eacharranged week over few cocktails. Business Insider did an article inan June 2013 about the historic east or get angry shades of paint bya brushes? Well For you should, estimated 12,000 if not more. called The festival gives aAvenue “This Artist Co-Op business owners the everyday grind of making a dollar Atlantapeople neighborhood Edgewood not onlysmall for cultural awareness but for real estate value as well. New chance for local business owners to highlightAtlanta their business is grueling, in fact just breaking even is a chore and usually Is Transforming Abandoned Neighborhoods Into Prime Real Lawrenceville wants to not only #SupportTheArts but highlight them doesn’t happen until a few years after opening. Every and market to a larger audience. It also highlights the town Estate”. Once abandoned buildings now are at full capacity with both in our Fall/Winter WeLil’ hope you enjoy Tuesday wasNew a joyLawrenceville and excitementMagazine. for walking into River we love so much, Lawrenceville. The festival was designed commercial businesses and residents all because of supporting the and support local artfavorite community. Grill, your ordering your martini and laughing with other by Vanessa to create a family event during the St. Patrick’s Arts. Once an area has heightened cultural activity, people with money When communities in theLawrenceville arts they are fueling economic celebration as most are drinking events. The first year, friends from Historicinvest Downtown Square. tend to become more interested in it. But culture does more than draw the efforts of the Spring Green Festival were great and we growth, creating jobs, increasing property values and making their it can alsoHowever, draw workers, improving broke thank goodness. the following years an area’s job market and If you more remember in 2007 was professionals the time the real estate communities attractive tothis young who want to start a even,wealth; its economy. “Being cultural centertoalso helps local businesses we’ve had athus positive cash amount whichawe knew belong was alosing speed about to bust causing a increasingly career ormarket business, family and and home environment and are the community. Soemployees over the past years weto have giventoback horrible collapse thecultural country’samenities economy. in This topic, attract who want be able regularly go to the ballet or the driven by quality of life ofand their cities of choice. over $10,000 to localhear Lawrenceville Charities such aslatest The books or attend art-gallery along with what could we as small business owners do to theater, authors read from their The most famous of theatre districts of course is Broadway! “Besides stimulate our economic future of Lawrenceville, Georgia, Special Needs School” of Gwinnett,to The Lawrenceville Police openings, according BusinessWeek. New York, the popularity of Broadway theatre has spread to Chicago, was on everyone’s mind. Downtown Lawrenceville was a Benevolent Fund, The Huffman House, Central Gwinnett So as a resident and business owner in a community you should Los Angeles major cities the US.owners It is the highest of Foundation, ghostand townother on Sunday’s. Manyinbusiness wanted to level Cluster Family Promise of Gwinnett, and want to be involved with the Arts in your area. How do you do that? commercial theatre in the English-speaking world. It is followed by open but there just wasn’t enough foot traffic to warrant the Gwinnett Medical Center Foundation NICU. 1) You can volunteer. There is always extra work that needs to be done West End theatre London” by Author Corn. He also extra work &incost to openstated the doors. I came David up, organized and Spring many hands make light work.will go The 4th Annual Green Festival proceeds andTicket presented Trolley1.5 Tours to the group annually. states that salesthe onLawrenceville Broadway exceed billion dollars 2) You can buy season tickets; tickets ensure your continued business owners. They loved it and we kicked off the Foundation The ofWoodruff Arts Center’s in Downtown Atlanta is 1st one ofentirely the to benefit the Gwinnett Medical Center season support and help you to commit to attending upcoming shows. They Annual Trolley Tours in 2008. We were fortunate to have NICU in order to assist in obtaining a dedicated ambulance nation’s largest arts institutions, and the art and education programs it local historian, author and resident Mary Frazier Long to be for the unit. This is a very large undertaking as an ambulance are also great gift ideas for the holidays, client appreciation and just creates. This year’s record campaign goal is $9.5 million, representing the Trolley Conductor telling the beautiful and rich history of is $180,000.thinking The hospital has a private donor willing to of you moments. approximately 10% of the Woodruff Art Center’s overall operating not only Lawrenceville but Gwinnett, Georgia and the U.S. match dollar3)for dollar up with to $90,000.00. grown Advertise your localWe artshave if you are a small business owner, they budget. I Detached Homes being sold in a one mile radius ofasthe believe this was the turning point of New Lawrenceville to the festival includes the Chick-Fil-A 5k race and 1 mile always have opportunities with each and every show or exhibit they put Woodruff Arts Center cap out at $3.5 million and when you consider becoming an entity in the Lawrenceville community. The family fun run, Family Promise Bed Races and the Southeast those homes as condo’s and townhomes well you getWheels top Cartogether. trolleyattached tours still such ride through the streets of Lawrenceville, & Bike Show. 4) Donate financially to their efforts. Most if not all of these options are dollar at $1.8 million. Closer to the Gwinnett Community we have tax-deductible. in Norcross the Lionheart Theatre in College Street Playhouse where New 4 Lawrenceville, Bringing Community Together In this issue of New Lawrenceville you will find several stories housing in the immediate Downtown community will command a top written by many of the leaders who are involved in the arts. We hope dollar price of $650,000 for 4,000 square foot home, the most for any you enjoy the magazine and support 3/21/14 the arts in Lawrenceville & SG MAGAZINE.indd 4 2:37 PM downtown community in all 16 cities Gwinnett County. Gwinnett County by any means possible. Lawrenceville Georgia is on the fast track to becoming the center of the arts world for Gwinnett County with the Aurora Theatre and The Gwinnett Ballet Theatre leading the helm. The city’s downtown has been redeveloped with the help of past & current elected leaders encouraging the arts, developers building new housing, and community Rodney Camren, New Lawrenceville support for the Gwinnett Medical Center, Georgia Gwinnett College & Gwinnett Technical College. The Jacqueline Casey Hudgens Center
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Rodney Camren
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NewLawrenceville Fall 2014
New Lawrenceville Board Members President FALL 2014 Rodney Camren
‘Bringing Community Together’
Vice President Vanessa Churco Treasurer Sara Poe COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Adrienne Levesque, Al Brown, Christine Malmos, Board Members DJ Walkiewicz, Jason Friedlander, Karl Heisman, Regina Elvis, Rodney Camren, Sara Poe, Will Simon, Regina Elvis Sam Johnson, Barbara Sam Ann Serle. Johnson NEW LAWRENCEVILLE BOARD MEMERS Rodney Camren, President Vanessa Churco, Vice President Sara Poe, Treasurer Regina Elvis, Member Sam Johnson, Member Visit Us at:
www.newlawrenceville.com NEW LAWRENCEVILLE PO Box 924 |Lawrenceville GA
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TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 Welcome to New Lawrenceville 3 Aurora Theatre Lawrenceville’s Cultural Gem 6 Gwinnett Ballet: Dance is a Way of Life and a Way of Sharing page 14 pag 9 Fine Arts are Alive and Well In Snellville 10 Par for The Cause Charity Golf Tournament 14 Mac Stewart for New Lawrenceville
TABLE OF CONTEN
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WELCOME TO NEW LAWRENCE
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SPIRIT OF VOLUNTEERING CHAIRMAN CHARLOTTE NASH
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SHOP & DINE IN THE CITY OF LAWRENCEVILLE
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NEW LAWRENCEVILLE TROLLEY
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SPECIAL THANK YOU’S
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TOUCHING LIVES GWINNETT MEDICAL CENTER -
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FAMILY PROMISE
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AURORA THEATRE
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A very heartfelt thanks to the Committee Members for all your dedication and hard work!
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AURORA THEATRE
LAWRENCEVILLE’S CULTURAL GEM by Al Stilo
Director of Sales & Marketing Aurora Theatre Photos Courtesy of Chris Bartelski, Photographer
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urora Theatre is rapidly gaining recognition as one of Metro Atlanta’s most successful arts organizations. With over 62,000 visitors to over 600 events and with nearly 4000 annual subscribers, audiences are flocking way off Peachtree Street to be entertained by Aurora’s robust offerings.
Highlights from the current Peach State Federal Credit Union Signature Series include the record-breaking run of the “practically perfect” tale of Disney’s and Cameron Mackintosh’s Mary Poppins, the seven week, summer run played to an astounding 10,663 patrons. This October, attend the Georgia Premiere of the 2011 Pulitzer Prize-winner; Clybourne Park, a racially charged, yet humorous performance inspired by Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun. The internationally acclaimed musical Les Misérables is back by popular demand for a seven week run beginning in January. Spring 2015, The Explorers Club treats audiences with mad science involving deadly cobras, irate Irishmen and vines gone wild, as female explorer Phyllida Spotte-Hume attempts to convince Victorian England to allow a woman to be a member of the prestigious Explorers Club. Recent Broadway musical smash, Hands
On A Hardbody is the hilarious, hard-fought contest deep in the heart of Texas, where only one winner can drive away with the American dream. The 2014-15 GGC Harvel Lab Series honoring the late Dr. Lonnie Harvel, an artistic visionary who helped establish a cultural partnership between Georgia Gwinnett College and Aurora Theatre, returns with the classic tale of unlikely friendship of Miss Daisy, a Jewish widow, and her AfricanAmerican chauffeur Hoke. Driving Miss Daisy steers audiences through the unforgettable journey of the life-altering friendship. In the late winter, quirky dramedy 4,000 Miles captures the relationship of a 91-year-old grandmother and her 21-year-old grandson, as they grow to appreciate, love and understand one another over the course of one month in a tiny apartment in New York City’s West Village. Ghoulishly good fun abounds for a tenth Halloween with Lawrenceville Ghost Tours at Aurora Theatre, every night in October. New this year, a Haunted Cemetery Tour, not for the faint of heart, will take place Friday and Saturday nights in October. Grab an eggnog and enjoy as Aurora offers three holiday shows! Christmas Canteen 2014 is the annual holiday musical revue that lights up Lawrenceville, serving as Gwinnett County’s longest running theatrical holiday tradition. Now in its 19th year! Anthony P. Rodriguez returns for an eighth year with his compelling solo performance of the holiday classic, A Christmas Carol. Similar to the way Charles Dickens performed his stories by the fireside in Victorian England, Mr. Rodriguez uses the classic art of storytelling to bring life to Ebenezer Scrooge, Bob Cratchit, Jacob Marley and each astonishing ghost. Last season’s laugh out loud one-woman holiday hit returns, staring Jaclyn Hofmann. The hilariously festive The 12 Dates of Christmas takes audiences on an adventure into the mishaps of a woman’s journey back into the dating scene. “Christmas is special to all of us here at Aurora,” said Anthony Rodriguez, the theatre’s Producing Artistic Director. “It’s not only an opportunity for us to continue tradition, but it gives our staff and patrons a chance to make a difference in the lives of those who may need a little extra cheer. That is what the season is all about.” Spreading extra cheer is Aurora’s annual Festival of Trees, supporting the United States Marine Corps Toys for Tots and Gwinnett’s local food banks through the Holtkamp Can Challenge. Local businesses help to deck Aurora’s halls with beautifully decorated trees for visitors to enjoy. Theatre goers are encouraged to donate a new, unwrapped toy or nonperishable food item and place them under their favorite tree. For those who may need a little joy during the holiday season, Aurora’s Need a Little Christmas Giveaway encourages guests to nominate a family who is in need to have dinner and a show at NO CHARGE courtesy of Lawrenceville restaurant partners and Aurora Theatre.
Education is an important core value of Aurora Theatre. Last year our Learning Library series played to over 12,000 students. Morning shows running about an hour and include a performance as well as discussion before and after to reinforce the educational content of the experience. Teachers love this series because it is directly related to the curriculum and comes complete with an extensive study guide. Aurora is mindful of Gwinnett County Schools bus schedules. This year Learning Library performances will include StinkyKids The Musical based on the award-winning StinkyKids® books and characters from the creative mind of Atlanta mom Britt Menzies. From the Broadway composers of Honk! and Mary Poppins, The Three Little Pigs is a fresh take on the classic story with a sensational Anime pop score. Additionally, Aurora produces concerts, stand-up comedy, classes for all ages, as well as Atlanta’s only professional Spanish language theatre; Teatro Del Sol. Aurora Theatre is a world-class theatrical facility with two performance venues. Nestled on the square in historic downtown Lawrenceville, Aurora has FREE attached covered parking and is surrounded by restaurants and shops. Aurora Theatre has garnered numerous accolades highlighted by recent achievements that include winner of seven 2013 Suzi Bass Awards, Creative Loafing’s “2010 Best Theatre Company,” Georgia Trend Magazine’s “2011 Best Places to Work in Georgia,” Atlanta Business Chronicle’s “2012 Best Places to Work”, Atlanta Magazine’s “Best of Atlanta 2013” and the Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s 2014 President and CEO Award for Excellence in Arts. SUPPORT THE ARTS Aurora Thaetre is a non-profit arts organization. Ticket sales make up only 50% of Aurora Theatre’s budget. Whether it’s a financial gift to help sustain our organization or the gift of time by becoming a volunteer, Aurora Theatre needs your help and appreciates those who have contributed to our success. MEMBERSHIP The best way to experience the Aurora Theatre is to become a Season Subscribing Member. Receive up to 46 percent OFF tickets to performances and enjoy benefits such as guest passes, exchange coupons and more. For more information about subscriptions as well as other scheduling and ticketing information, visit auroratheatre.com or call the Box Office at 678-226-6222. 5
Holley Calmes Marketing Director
“ Turning dreams into reality� since 1 9 77.
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NewLawrenceville Fall 2014
Dance is a Way of Life AND A WAY OF SHARING
FOR GWINNETT BALLET THEATRE by Holley Calmes T
he history of dance is as old as the history of mankind. Moving the body as a form of communication, expression, even of healing, has forever been an essential part of life. This beautiful art form is no less important for our quality of life today. Dance can be viewed as entertainment, but it is also an invaluable way to teach basic life lessons, nurture the spirit, and embrace a healthy lifestyle. At Gwinnett Ballet Theatre, students ages 3 and up find many benefits in a dance education. Artistic Director Wade Walthall explains, “We offer all of our dancers excellent training in a positive environment, while at the same time helping each dancer become healthy, compassionate, disciplined individuals.” Dancing is highly athletic, requires commitment, time management, and fosters creativity. The joys and excitement of performing come after many hours of study and rehearsal. The benefits to both performer and audience include a unique communication between them, a shared experience of delight and accomplishment. GBT student Natalia Mia Jimenez, an 8th grader at Glen C. Jones Middle School, expresses what dancing means to her, saying “To me dance is a way to communicate with people through your soul. GBT has given me a hope, a passion, and a dream as a dancer. GBT’s program helps me overcome my fears, chase my dreams, work hard, and become a better person.”Gwinnett Ballet Theatre has been bringing dancers and audiences together since 1977. It is both a non-profit school and a non-profit performance company. Statistics show why this organization is such an important part of the community. Although not a large school with just under 200 students, GBT reaches thousands of people. “The Nutcracker” of 2013 entertained over 10,000 individuals. The entire season of three productions, all held at the Gwinnett Performing Arts Center, were enjoyed by 14,000 people. The numbers go up when one considers GBT’s activities that touch lives outside the theatre. “The Dance Project” has been one of GBT’s outreach missions for almost ten years, but recently it has blossomed under the direction of Whitney Sue Snuggs, once a GBT dancer herself and now its School Administrator. Young students from Gwinnett’s Title 1 elementary schools are offered the opportunity to study ballet. Through the generosity of individuals, grants and sponsorships, The Dance Project has brought dance to children otherwise unable to participate. Included in this group are gifted young artists who are offered scholarships to GBT’s school year round. On the other end of the spectrum, many GBT graduates found professional careers in prestigious companies: Alessandra Ball, a Principal Dancer at North Carolina Dance Theatre; Jessica Collado, First Soloist at Houston Ballet; Robert Dekkers of Diablo Ballet and his company, “Post:Ballet;” and Nancy Casciano, at Pacific Northwest Ballet are all currently performing on the national stage. The discipline dance brings to students also results in scholarships to major universities’ dance departments. Two years ago, all three senior ballerinas graduating from
Gwinnett schools received scholarships: Maggie Ellington to Point Park University, Jennifer Hite to Butler University, and Virginia Green to University of South Carolina. Younger GBT students also win acclaim. Summer intensives are an important way for young artists to study at important professional dance companies across the country. This summer, 35 GBT dancers were accepted and many offered scholarships to such companies as School of American Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Pacific Northwest Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, Houston Ballet, Next Generation Ballet, Alvin Ailey, and more. Participation in the Youth America Grand Prix in 2014 saw two of GBT’s dancers make the New York City finals of this important competition. “Gwinnett Ballet Theatre is a great resource for the Gwinnett county community and the greater Atlanta area,” says GBT Board Chairman Ted Scartz. “The more I have become involved with GBT over the years, the more I’ve come to understand its unique role in providing high quality public performances and top level instruction to the entire community. That role is vital to the health of the arts in the area and in developing home-grown professional quality dancers.” “The philosophy behind Gwinnett Ballet Theatre is what makes it special,” states Walthall. “There are few places in the world where a young dancer can be trained not only to be a strong technical dancer, but also to be developed as a confident, versatile young artist.” The proof is in the performance and in the results as shown by GBT’s dancers’ accomplishments. Perhaps the young artists of GBT can explain it best: “Dance is an outlet for me to express myself in a way that a lot of people can’t. Being at GBT has given me a sense of discipline as well as self awareness. I’ve learned a lot about being respectful to others and presenting myself that translates into everyday life,” says Kelli Frangoulis, 15, a 10th grade student at Brookwood High School. Young men also thrive with dance training. Calen Babaz, an 8th grader at Homelife Academy, says, “Dance gives me a way to express myself. Being at GBT has given me more confidence as a person. Because of the excellent instruction and opportunities that GBT provides, I plan to pursue a career in dance.” “Dance means everything to me,” states Ami Snyder, 15 and a student at St. Pius High School. “Being at GBT has helped me to grow as a dancer and as a person in so many ways. I feel that it has been a successful day if I’ve learned at least one new thing on how to improve my dancing.” Avery Ward, a 7th grader at North Gwinnett Middle School, sums up her feelings, saying, “Dance is an exquisite way of telling your story. You have to work hard, dig deep into your thoughts and pull out your story when the music starts and you begin to move. You are now speaking with no words. How is this possible? Because this is your passion, this is your dream.” 7
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NewLawrenceville Fall 2014
THE FINE
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Arts are Alive AND WELL In Snellville by Kirk Buis Snellville Arts Commission
he Fine Arts are alive and well in Snellville, and the Snellville Arts Commission is doing their part to keep it that way. With several projects already under their belt, the Commission has plans for three major projects beginning this fall. The first to happen will be the Snellville Ghost Tour. Arts Commissioner Kathi Mardis began the Ghost Tour with a writing contest to secure scripts and after holding auditions for the actors is now in the process of developing stories with a local flare. The Ghost Tour will be held at Snellville City Hall on October 24, 25, 31, and November 1 beginning at sunset. The second project the Arts Commission is working on is a new mural to be painted on the three and a half feet tall wall in front of New London Plaza on highway 78. With the help of Snellville City Manager Butch Sanders, the Commission obtained GDOT approval before presenting their idea to the Snellville Mayor and Council. The mural will be painted to look like a stone wall fronted by colorful scenes from a small city, such as children pulling a wagon or a dog being walked. The third project the Commission has in the works is building a labyrinth at City Hall. Commissioner Judy Leavell and volunteer Bebe Gibson are heading this up. The Commission hopes to build the labyrinth as part of a new park being created between the Veteran’s Memorial in front of City Hall and the Snellville Historical Cemetery and Highway 78. Also in the works for the Commission are a fundraising production of A Christmas Carol to be held at Summit Chase Country Club onSunday, December 7th as well as commissioning a sculpture to be located somewhere in the downtown Snellville area. Arts Commissioner Nedra Bailey also oversees the program “Art on the Wall at City Hall,” which features local artists’ works on display in the Community Room at City Hall.n
The Arts Commission meetings are open to the public. They meet on the third Monday of every month at 6:30 in the Community Room at Snellville City Hall. For more information, please visit their website at: www.snellvillearts.com
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ar for the CAUSE
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We were overwhelmed by the outpouring of community support and donations for the event...
n September 15, a wonderfully mild and overcast day, New Lawrenceville held their first annual charity golf tournament. The Par for the Cause golf tournament supported New Lawrenceville’s charity of the year: donating funds to Gwinnett Medical Center to help with the purchase of a dedicated ambulance for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. We were overwhelmed by the outpouring of community support and donations for the event. We were able to raise over $10,000, which is an amazing amount given that the sponsors were all either small or medium sized businesses. The tournament was a success on many levels. The idea for the tournament started in February after it was announced that the Spring Green Festival would be donating all proceeds to the NICU ambulance fund. After touring Gwinnett Medical Center and visiting the NICU with New Lawrenceville, I gained a new appreciation for the excellent medical care that babies receive at Gwinnett Medical. It made me feel proud that both of my daughters were born there knowing that Gwinnett Medical Center had the capabilities to handle any situation that may have arisen. It was announced that a new dedicated ambulance would cost approximately $180,000. I was proud to be a part of the Spring Green Festival that raised $10,000 for the cause, but I felt that as a community we could do more. New Lawrenceville’s tagline is “Bringing Community Together”. What better way to bring community together, than to get behind a great cause that would directly affect the future
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NewLawrenceville Fall 2014
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babies in our area. Why not have a charity golf tournament and have a great time while supporting such a deserving cause? I asked Rodney Camren, New Lawrenceville’s President if he thought a charity golf tournament would be a good idea? His response was quite simply, “Yes, when would you like to start?” I met Karl Heisman through New Lawrenceville and asked if Summit Chase Country Club would be interested in hosting our tournament. His response was an enthusiastic “Yes.” And so the process began in early April. At Art Thou Signs, we like a nice play on words as referenced by our own company name. Par for the Cause seemed like a good fit for what we were trying to do, a logo was then created, and the name was official. Jason Friedlander of Twist Six put together a great website to showcase the event. Committee members then had the task of finding sponsors and players within the community in order to make the tournament a successful event. Rodney Camren, Karl Heisman, Christine Malmos, Adrienne Levesque, Al Brown, Dr. Barbara Ann Serle, Sara Poe, Jason Friedlander, Regina Elvis, Will Simon, Sam Johnson as well as myself, worked tirelessly behind the scenes planning, crafting, and reaching out to local businesses in search of their support. The tournament was billed as a community wide event. We were raising money for the future of an entire area, not just Lawrenceville. As the event drew closer, we started to feel a wave of support forming. We had a plethora of hole sponsors willing to get behind our cause. From Myles Truck
something that as a community we were able to rise up to support and get closer to the goal of procuring the much needed dedicated NICU ambulance. Art Thou Signs is a family owned and operated business located near downtown Lawrenceville. They specialize in signs, banners, vehicle wraps and graphics. They recently added personalized photo gifts to their product line, which includes mugs, phone and tablet cases, mousepads, coasters, tiles, and much more. DJ and Nicole Walkiewicz work hard to provide their customers with innovative designs and quality products. After earning a degree in Commercial Art, DJ Walkiewicz began working in the sign industry right after graduating from college in 1998. After working his way up to management of a franchise sign shop, DJ decided to open his own shop. In his 15 years in the industry, he has gained an expansive knowledge of the sign industry. He has kept up with the latest technology and has been trained by 3M in vehicle wrap and graphics installations. Using his experience and knowledge, he uses the best materials and application techniques for each job, which allows for long-lasting, quality signage.n
Repair in Lawrenceville to The Paws Resort in Winder. From TOMCO2 in Loganville to Edens Heating and Cooling in Grayson. From Brite Concepts in Suwanee to Lighthouse Express Carwash in Snellville. The support we received throughout the region was widespread and much appreciated. The tournament was presented by Choicestoyou.com. Owner Tom Vooris has been a pillar in the community and we thank him for his support and generosity. We were fortunate enough to have the support of Texas Roadhouse in Snellville as our lunch provider. Chick-Fil-A on Pike Street provided chicken biscuits for breakfast and Chick-Fil-A at 316 and Sugarloaf provided morning coffee. Al Brown of Talbert Insurance was generous enough to be our beer sponsor for the event. The Gwinnett Citizen was covered the event for us and provided photography. We were also happy to have the professional services of Tom Womack with Tom Womack Photography and Bryan Gantt of Split Second Event Photography on hand to take even more great photographs. Summit Chase Country Club was a big reason the tournament was labeled a success. Their support, their great golf course and their involvement from start to finish was a blessing for everyone involved. I couldn’t possibly think of a better venue for our first tournament. We could not have asked for better weather the day of the event. The temperature was not too hot, not too cold, cloudy with no rain. It was a perfect day for golf. Just ask Wanda Kirby, the winner of the putting contest. She scored the prize by draining a monster putt. Of course the tournament would not have been a success without the players that turned out to support the cause while having a great time golfing and networking with some of the best people in the region. The cause was
“A big Thank You to all of our hole sponsors. You were a big part of what we were able to accomplish.”
DJ Walkiewicz
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New Golf Members join in October & receive six months complimentary cart rentals with annual dues payment. New Associate, Tennis, Swim & Social Members enjoy twelve months of membership for the price of ten with annual dues payment. *Certain Restrictions Apply.
For additional information or to schedule a facility tour, contact Carol Sapp or Charlene Adams.
3197 Classic Drive, Snellville, GA 30078 summitchasecc.com
770-979-9000
info@summitchasecc.com
Mail (404)379-6878 print@mediamakergroup.com
134 Stanley Court, Suite B Lawrenceville, Georgia 30046
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NewLawrenceville Fall 2014
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Mac Stewart for
New Lawrenceville H
olding a conversation with Lawrenceville artist Mac Stewart is an intriguing event. He is an old soul reconfigured as an intrepid whiz kid. He is talented, ambitious and ready to make his mark on the art world. His mission? To get his art out into the world. He is fearless in its execution, and it’s happening fast. He’s only been painting seriously for two years and already has an impressive array of projects under his belt. His work has been on display at the Hudgens Center for the Arts in Duluth and Blue Mark Studio in Atlanta. This summer he was selected to work on an outdoor venue for Atlanta’s Living Walls, a nonprofit that seeks to promote, educate and change perspectives about public space in urban communities via street art. Participating artists are invited from around the world each year and, at nineteen, Mac was the youngest selected to splash his work across the urban environment.
Mac with center panel: Artist Mac Stewart is dwarfed by the scope of his set design for GBT’s production of “19-20-21.” Photo credit: Courtesy of Mac Stewart Art Works
He employed the same bold illustrative black and white approach to create set designs used in Gwinnett Ballet Theatre’s fall program, “19-20-21.” He and Wade Walthall, GBT’s Artistic Director and choreographer, collaborated on “Pictures,” an imaginative piece meant to capture the twenty-first century section of the presentation. “Each section suggests not just pictures of the 21st century but also technology and how it’s influenced us,” Walthall said. “(There are) subtle things about communication and non-communication, and how we are actually further apart from one another now than ever before.” Mac’s offbeat costumes, slashed with dramatic color, gave Walthall’s dancers a discordant contemporary tang that underscored the choreographer’s vision.
Mac Stewart and Wade Walthall: Artist Mac Stewart’s set design meshed with choreography by Gwinnett Ballet Theatre’s Artistic Director Wade Walthall. The two collaborated on the final work in the CBT’s latest production, “!9-20-21.” Photo credit: Holley Calmes
He painted a wall twenty feet high and one hundred feet long on Forsythe Street, filling it with strong graphics done in black and white. The epic scale didn’t slow him down. Neither did heat or rain or a deadline. It didn’t matter that he had never painted anything that size. He knew he could do it. And he did. His arresting no-color approach set his wall apart from the rest of the pack. “I like black and white because they’re such grand colors,” he said. “Black and white strips my art down to essentials. When you look at it you see it for what it is. You might miss its true nature, what it’s really saying, if I used colors.” 14
NewLawrenceville Fall 2014
The five banners Mac designed started with a 12’ by 15’ central piece. First one pair of 4’ by 15’ banners came down at a significant time in the production, then a second pair. The dancers interacted, yet each gave an ironic sense of being alone in the crowd. Under Mac’s huge icon-like images—surrounded by lights that shifted from one pure color to the next—they raised up illuminated cell phone screens to light the dim stage. They “nocialized” onstage in a group while each inhabited an isolated private virtual universe. Mac says his collaboration with Walthall went well because he was given complete freedom. “The best sczenario for success is having a client who likes your work and trusts you to create in your own way. I was lucky. Wade has so much experience and really understands creativity. He gave me free range to do what I wanted.” What he wants to do isn’t necessarily clear at first. Mac is constantly exploring his own development. Instead of
thinking he needs to be in complete control, he lets his art lead him where it wants to go. “I found my art got better when I stopped worrying about the outcome,” he said. It’s a kinetic progression, constantly changing direction as a thousand little “mistakes” redirect the process.
Living Walls Ladder 2: Mac’s Forsyth Street Living Walls project is two stories high and one hundred feet long. Photo credit: Courtesy of Mac Stewart Art Works
That said, he is finicky and wants his work to be what he wants it to be. He likes things his own way. But he can be a team player when he’s working with someone who recognizes that everyone needs to be happy with the outcome. “It takes a level of maturity to accomplish that,” he observed. “I’ve learned a lot working on large jobs like the Gwinnett Ballet Theatre sets and the Living Walls site,” said Mac. “But I’ll be glad to get back to my normal-sized studio work. It’s good not to be climbing up ladders all day.” He might not need ladders, but it’s worth noting that “normal-sized” for Mac is four feet by four feet and larger. “I like working large,” he notes. “It’s natural for me,” The young painter has gained swift recognition near home, but his art is fast growing beyond local boundaries. He is letting his love of painting lead him. His list of possible projects has a quirky up-to-the-minute chic. He may have a gallery show in New York in the next year and might do some street pieces in Miami in the not-too-distant future. He has been approached to use his art to cover an old gas station and to paint old buildings for Urban Sprout Farms, whose mission is to revitalize abandoned and underutilized land into a thriving urban farm in Southwest Atlanta. What’s coming for Mac Stewart? It’s a future he spends a lot of time thinking about. Mac is paying his dues with good grace. He has given countless volunteer hours to get his work before the public. He is building his platform, making contacts, forming relationships. Knowledgeable people see something special in the dark-eyed, well spoken young man. He has a gift for impressing others with his vision, his work ethic and his drive. Patrons become advocates. Other artists collect his work. Anyone who spends time with him has no trouble picturing him segueing into the life he seeks. He believes an art professional deserves respect and a fair wage. “It’s important to me to earn my living from my art, to support myself with my own work,” he states. “I’m searching for ways to build revenue, to make my work more available for sale.” He is represented in New York and California, but he wants to develop new outlets. It is not surprising that his twentieth century art heroes are Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol and Keith Haring. Each turned the art establishment on its ear with undeniable talent. Each was a master of positive self-promotion and each commanded respect despite the controversies stirred by generating iconoclastic art.
Mac Stewart Ballet Theatre 1: Mac gets started on one of five panels for Gwinnett Ballet Theater’s October production of “19-20-21.” Photo credit: Courtesy of Mac Stewart Art Works
This young artist is reaching for his future with both hands, adjusting as he goes. Mac Stewart may not know exactly what he’s doing at any given moment. But he is letting his vision lead him forward, letting countless little “mistakes” first occur, then transform themselves into the artful life he envisions.n
Theresa Rice Theresa Rice operates Blue Lion Studio, a creative consulting company. She coaches, promotes and provides career and organizational guidance to writers, artists and their arts organizations. She can be reached by email at ats. rice@gmail.com, or phone 678-640-6877.
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