Director's Message

This year has been quite an experiment in trying to learn how to stay calm through one adventure after another. They say that keeping your brain active will keep you from growing old, but they don't say a darn thing about not growing a full head of gray hair.

Our last newsletter was published last November and since that time Deb Goatcher has been swamped with other commitments. She has worked many hours at her computer trying to keep up with everything GHCA did for the Mountain Heritage Arts Tour. Since then she's been occupied with the wrap-up and meetings for the 2008 event as well as planning GHCA workshops and events for this year and the showcase plans for next year. Thank you Deb for all you do.

Like a proud Mom, I watched Deb being interviewed by the Turner Broadcasting Company during the tour, and I marvel how much she has taken on and stepped up to the plate over and over; so I decided that even if we can't pay her what she is worth I could at least give her a title. Deb is now my Co-Director. Our plan is that she will be the hands-on director at the gallery and I am going to focus on the non-profit end of things. This means learning how to apply for grants and fundraising, taking care of all that paperwork, as well as attending meetings and public speaking engagements.

This decision came about because during the Spring I wanted very badly to hire someone to take over the business side of GHCA. Many generous people made donations but we still fell short of the amount needed to hire a professional. My sincere thanks go to the wonderful people who contributed to the cause; I promise you that I will continue to try to raise the funds. We'd both be happy to reach this goal in the near future and have a little more time for our personal artwork.

We have introduced a lot of new ideas this year at the Center. In the spring we had our first "Trunk Show" in the parking lot. This was a lot of fun and we are planning similar weekends when the weather cools off a little. We also decided to make the Art Heritage Room available for monthly rental by artists and groups of artists who want to showcase their work. If you're interested in such an exhibit during 2008, call the center to see what months are still available.

The August Heritage Room exhibit is by the MacKay Family, which consists of 4 cousins with a variety of artistic mediums. Many of you know Suzi MacKay, the artist who helped me when we first started GHCA back in the fall of 1998. Their colorful show is a delight for all the senses. Come by to see it soon

September's artist is Sarah Samsel. You're invited to attend an artist's reception on September 7th at 7 p.m. This young lady is only 12 years old and is quite talented in her mixed media paintings using natural fibers. Her younger brother will also be entertaining on the dulcimer with his group. He too is amazingly talented.

Finally, we have had our last meeting for the 2007 Mountsin Heritage Arts Tour and have already started the planning meetings for the 2008 Tour . No rest for the weary, but the tour was a great success. Many Businesses participated in the raffle which raised $437 which was shared equally by Circle of Hope and FAITH. Thank you to those who participated and donated items as well as those of you who helped by purchasing raffle tickets. Congratulations to the winners!

Jaymi

Georgia Heritage Center for the Arts
Educating You about Georgia Art and Promoting Georgia Artists