Looking Ahead To New Opportunities
At The “Georgia Gallery Of Choice”
by Judy Brook

The selection of Arts Clayton as GEORGIA GALLERY OF CHOICE for art in Governor Deal’s offices at the State Capitol is moving the organization into a new, exciting direction for the future.

TREMENDOUS OPPORTUNITIES SURFACED DURING ARTS CLAYTON’S 25TH Anniversary Celebration (1986-2011). FIRST LADY SANDRA DEAL was the first official guest at the “Prints by Women” exhibit which was a partnership with the Georgia Museum of Art. Mrs. Deal met with Clayton County’s women leaders in a morning of coffee and conversation. The exceptional ladies gathering included local leaders from every walk of life: elected officials, business owners, artists, and educators; media, civic, and tourism leaders; young emerging leaders and retirees. In her comments, the First Lady embraced the roles that women played at critical times in our nation’s history – and continues today.

The JOINING OF ART AND TOURISM became a new focus in Georgia when the Legislature moved Georgia Council for the Arts under the operational umbrella of the Georgia Department of Economic Development. As the state’s tourism and marketing arm, GDEcD encourages business and job creation. “Companies moving to Georgia want to be part of a dynamic cultural community,” said GDEcD Commissioner Chris Cummiskey.

Arts Clayton supports the “industry” of art. The GALLERY HAS A RETAIL FOCUS, where every piece of art is priced to sell – with a goal of providing family income for artists. The decision to add traveling exhibits brings visitors from a wider geographic area to experience the local economy, so that cultural tourism continues to be an important economic generator for Clayton County. Arts Clayton is proud to be working with the Clayton County Tourism Authority to grow these opportunities.

The annual MISTLETOE MARKET through December 17 in the Arts Clayton Gallery supports the state initiative “Georgia Made Georgia Grown” and this year features a great variety of original art and prints, fiber & fabric items, personalized gifts and gift baskets, unique jewelry designs, turned wood and home décor -- as well as specialty Georgia foods for holiday entertaining: candy, jelly, honey, BBQ sauce, pickles and preserves. Look for the Gallery’s ad with a special “We Are Clayton” readers discount for last-minute shopping for gifts by Georgia artists and master crafters. There is still time to find just the right gift for everyone on your Santa Shopping List.

The highlight of Arts Clayton’s 25th Anniversary Celebration was naming the main exhibition space the ALLAN VIGIL GEORGIA GALLERY. In announcing the surprise honor, Monica Pearson – WSB-TV News Anchor praised Mr. Vigil’s attention to customer service, loyalty to his employees, commitment to education, and leadership in Georgia. It is very appropriate that Gallery exhibits in 2012 will have strong GEORGIA connections, beginning with the Georgia Artists with DisAbilities traveling show in January. In March Georgia’s 13th Congressional District High School Art Show & Scholarship Competition will showcase talented students from Clayton, Cobb, Dekalb, Douglas, Fulton and Henry Counties. The Georgia Watercolor Society’s National Show opens in April through May, and in August the exclusive first-exhibit of Clayton County and Georgia native Tim Yancey’s “The Lost Gutenbergs.” Georgia Connections continue as artists from across the state vie for “Best in Show” at the annual Juried Fine Art Show in February and Juried Photography Show in October.

The STATE CAPITOL ART EXHIBIT will be displayed in the Governor’s Executive Offices, Reception Area, and Supporting Offices through April, 2012 – when Arts Clayton will issue another “Call to Artists” for new art to exhibit, and the process will be repeated again in 2013 and 2014. Because of Arts Clayton’s long-standing commitment to Georgia artists, there is a strong network from all parts of the state who participate in the Arts Clayton Gallery, both professional and emerging artists in a great diversity of styles. Krystal Pate, President of the Arts Clayton Board, said “Thousands of legislators, citizens, and guests to the State Capitol will experience our wonderful artists through the State Capitol exhibit.”

ART TRULY SHAPES A COMMUNITY, and the intrinsic value on quality of life impacts decisions on art funding and education. From the beginning, Arts Clayton made a commitment to arts education. Early organizers remember the challenge that “art is how we pass our culture from one generation to the next.” Faced with budget cuts, Clayton County school administrators made the decision this year to keep elementary art and music teachers. Dr. Cephus Jackson, Chief Operations Officer and a member of the Arts Clayton Board of Directors explained: “The knowledge that arts integration is beneficial to student learning prompted CCPS employees to volunteer five days pay to ensure art remained in the elementary schools of Clayton County. This action demonstrates the conviction that rigorous teaching which incorporates arts education provides opportunities for building student understanding and skills. We are providing our students with global skills, and arts enable students to develop a truly global point of view.”

Arts Clayton supports OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS TO GROW THROUGH THE ARTS. ArtVan started with a federal community development block grant, and this year “Read to Succeed through the Arts” will continue to add art experiences to enhance reading in afterschool programs. Hosting the 13th Congressional District’s High School Art Show and Scholarship Competition, over $30,000 in scholarships will be awarded to the top winners through the Savannah College of Art & Design and the Atlanta Institute of Art. And, emerging artists as young as 16 can showcase their art through juried shows and curated exhibits in the Gallery. So, there is a new, exciting direction for the future of Arts Clayton – and art in Clayton County as “Art passes our culture from one generation to the next.”