Not knowing what the next steps would be we called on the mother/daughter artist team of Susie Schklar and Jackie Schklar to decorate two of the metal mailboxes as examples.  Susie’s design showcases houses on hills and now gracefully welcomes the local mailman at the new Norcross Arts Center located at 17 College Street across from Norcross City Hall.

Jackie found another use for her assigned mailbox and decided to make it a planter!  The mailbox/planter has a rustic look and is decorated with leaves.  When it comes to creativity these two artists wasted no time in leaving their mark on these mailboxes.

So this year along with the chairs, we now have mailboxes and tables
decorated by the students in the Norcross Cluster.  Stop by the Chairs for Charity Booth located on Jones Street between the town marquee and the train tracks and place you bids on these unique items!

All you Atlanta fans rush on over and place your bids!  All funds go back to Beaver Ridge Elementary
to help the art department.

See the students in action…

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1

Vally Sharpe, Novelist and Publisher - 10:00 AM

Vally will read from her award-winning book, Simon Says: Views from a Higher Perspective and her novel, Andrew’s Eyes, an exploration of how we might have responded to Jesus if he’d come in the 20th Century.

Charles McNair, Novelist, Editor, Book Reviewer, Consultant, and Radio Host - 11:00 AM

Charles’ first novel, Land O’ Goshen received a Pulitzer Prize nomination for fiction and critical acclaim from many important publications. Charles’ latest book is Pickett’s Charge.

Michelle Nelson-Schmidt, Artist and Children’s Writer – 12:00 Noon

Michelle is a children’s author with two published books:  Dogs, Dogs! and Cats, Cats!  as well as a series of coloring books. Michelle currently lives in Lilburn, Georgia and loves the beach.

Donna Blanton, Children’s Storyteller –  1:00 PM

Donna is a distributor for Barefoot Books.  Every week, Donna develops and leads themed-based stories and crafts for preschoolers at Northern Star Coffeehouse/45 South Café in downtown Norcross.

Thomas Mullen, Novelist – 2:00 PM

Thomas Mullen is the author of The Last Town on Earth, which was named Best Debut Novel of 2006 by USA Today, was a Chicago Tribune Best Book of the Year, and was awarded the James Fenimore Cooper Prize.  He also wrote the critically acclaimed The Many Deaths of the Firefly Brothers.  Thomas’ third novel, The Revisionists, will be published this Fall.

Cristina Martin, Magazine Publisher, Editor, and Journalist - 3:00 PM

Cristina Martin is the founder and Editor in Chief of Loose Change Magazine, WonderRoot’s literary magazine. While she has roots in Indiana and Costa Rica, she is very happy to call Atlanta her home.   

Richard Eldredge, Writer and Journalist -  4:00 PM

Rich Eldredge has written for Atlanta Magazine and the AJC‘s popular Peach Buzz column. In 2001, he edited Celestine Sibley, Reporter, a collection of his beloved AJC colleague’s best reporting from her sixty-year career. Rich currently blogs and contributes to Atlanta Magazine.

Lynn Griffeth, Norcross History-Talker – 5:00 PM

Lynn Griffeth grew up in Norcross.  She loves to talk about her childhood experiences and tell stories of growing up with three brothers in what was then a small Georgia town.  Come and hear Lynn explain what life was like in Norcross in the 1950s!

SUNDAY OCTOBER 2nd

Michelle Nelson-Schmidt, Artist and Children’s Writer – 1:00 PM

Author, Dogs, Dogs! and Cats, Cats! 

Michelle is a children’s author with two published books:  Dogs, Dogs! and Cats, Cats!  as well as a series of coloring books. Michelle currently lives in Lilburn, Georgia and loves the beach.

Carl Garner, Norcross History-Talker – 2:00 PM

The Garner family has resided in Norcross for well over 100 years.  Carl is active in the Norcross Old-Timers Baseball Organization dedicated to preserving Norcross’ rich and unusual baseball history.  Come spend some time with Carl on Sunday afternoon at Heritage Park and hear stories of Norcross’ yesteryear.

Buddy Ray, Norcross History-Talker - 3:00 PM

Mr. Ray tells intriguing stories based on the diaries of his grandfather Marion Wesley Ray. Excerpts from the diaries have been used as a regular feature in Norcross Times and in the book Remembering Norcross, by Sally Toole.  The diaries, written between 1895 and 1905, give a fascinating glimpse into life on a farm in Norcross, Georgia at the turn of the century.

“Copper Clapper Caper”:  Comedy Sketch by Ed Thayer & Channing Haskell - 4:00 PM

Ed and Channing are members of the Christ Church Players:  a group of performers from Christ Church Episcopal in Norcross.

Elliott Brack, Publisher and Journalist – 4:05 PM

Author, Gwinnett:  A Little Above Atlanta; Editor and publisher, Gwinnett Forum and GeorgiaClips

Elliott’s book focuses on the county’s history since 1950.  Brack is a veteran of Georgia newspapers, most recently, serving as Gwinnett associate publisher of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.   In retirement, Elliott started, GeorgiaClips, an Internet digest.  He also publishes GwinnettForum.com, a public commentary site about Gwinnett County.

Contact: David Duke
Telephone: 770-921-3077
Email: dduke@livingstories.tv

Parking and shuttle service at Norcross Art Fest are free. For more information about Norcross Art Fest or the Literary Arts Venue at Norcross Art Fest, check out www.NorcrossArtFest.com and keep up with the latest updates at http://www.facebook.com/NorcrossArtFest or www.twitter.com/splashfestivals.

# # #

These rising 8^th graders took creativity up another notch this year, some worked solo while others decided to work together and just seeing the masterpieces made me feel like I needed to take lessons from these students.

Claire Philpott and Brooke Yost crafted a black background with a self-written verse surrounded by flowers and a humming bird.   I asked them what inspired them to collaborate and how they got that idea.  Claire said the quote “Beauty isn’t about having a pretty face, it’s about having a pretty mind, a pretty heart and a pretty soul”, inspired the flowers.  Brooke said it felt like a lifetime writing the verse with the tip of a pencil, and the flowers inspired here to add the humming bird.

To add to the whimsical creativity Natalie Robinson and Cate Schall decided to go “cartoony” and did a draft of a frog and thought it was cute.  Cate sponged different colors to give it a depth effect and a two-toned color, this then inspired her to have flowers wrap around the chair.

I then met Grace Rawden, who took my breath way.  Grace has been attending art classes daily from the first day she started at Pinckneyville Middle School and is very serious about her art.  I did not get to see Grace’s chair but after her description – “a flower with a face, with hands like petals and a bird in the mist”, I understood clearly what she meant when she said “it was fantasy and make belief” that inspired her design.

New this year the students will be painting metal mailboxes and I had my first encounter with First Name “Mail” Last Name “Monster” that’s Mr. Mail Monster by Julia Smith.  Julia said that feathers inspired her to come up with that concept.  She enjoyed the texture and doodled the idea on paper and the monster came to life.

Art teacher Barbara Nassar has been teaching for 27 years and this is her 22^nd year at Pinckneyville Middle School, she said the students are very artistic, self-motivated and very controlled.  The only direction the kids had from Ms. Nassar was how to use spray paint, and she instructed them to have FUN!   Visit our Facebook Page Chairs for Charity – Norcross to see additional pictures of the items.

Ms. Nassar is also one of the artists that will be showcasing her work at the Norcross Art Fest this year, so come on out October 1^st and 2^nd and support these artists.

The Norcross Arts Alliance (NAA) Artist Showcase held a great classical music evening in May, and another showcase featuring the art of storytelling is coming up in late summer. The Artist Showcases let audiences enjoy talent in various disciplines, with an open discussion format after each presentation. It’s a great chance to learn about the artists: their craft, creative techniques and what inspires them. NAA is also planning to participate in the Art Fest in October, with the annual “Chairs for Charity” auction. A new attraction is planned – a daylong series of performing arts presented in Heritage Park. This is the little shady park just in front of the College Street Playhouse that Lionheart Theatre calls home.

Meanwhile, next to Heritage Park, the city is refurbishing the old parsonage so it can be used again, this time as an arts center.  Plans include monthly art shows and other events, a retail store, an arts and crafts gallery, and an “arts incubator” — six studios where artists will be able to gain retail exposure and business experience. One artist who has already expressed a strong interest in being involved in this center is Ms. Lori Sturgess, an NAA board member who creates sustainable art from recycled materials and is gaining national attention for her unique sculptures.

The most spectacular arts event in July and August will be the installation of a large mosaic alongside the pavilion in Thrasher Park. Anne Labaire designed the intricate 2-d art, and Jennifer Freeman is converting Anne’s design into mosaic tiles, creating ground art that will be installed where the circle of pavers is currently located. Jennifer has painstakingly laid out the tile design in her studio, and the concrete base for it is expected to be poured at the end of June. The concrete has to cure for about four weeks, so installation of the tile will begin in early August – if we don’t get a lot of rain around then! This is a high-traffic area, so during the tile installation period the area will be mostly blocked off, but there will still be convenient access to the playground, pavilion, and bathrooms. There are some fun PR activities planned around the project, including a dramatic unveiling when it’s complete (August 19^th is the projected unveiling date, weather permitting!). Stay tuned to the city Face Book and at upcoming concerts for updates.

This mosaic is sure to become a Norcross icon, enhancing our city’s growing reputation as a destination for artists and cultural arts appreciators. Since the project reflects the great creative relationships among local artists, organizations like the NAA, and the city, it will truly be a visual reminder that Norcross is “a place to imagine”!

Each of the presenting artists offers an impressive resume.   Jennifer Jordan is an accomplished historical performance specialist; her husband Greg Jordan is a seasoned opera tenor.   Early in their careers, John Cooper is already a distinguished violist while Craig Duke is an accomplished pianist who has performed in the Song Festival in Asolo, Italy.
Each of the four performers will give insight to their music, their own path to success, and what it takes to perform at this level; they will also answer questions from the audience.

The NAA is proud to bring classical music to the Norcross area in a format that enhances the city’s already-rich cultural ffering. Voted the “Best Arts & Cultural Scene” in Gwinnett in 2010, the City of Norcross enjoys a calendar of seasonal outdoor concerts, downtown music events, Lionheart Theater plays, and art exhibits at the Norcross Welcome Center and Kudzu Art Zone. With the Artist Showcase Series, the NAA’s goal is to showcase the creative outlets and energy that define Norcross by presenting a diversity of artistic expression including performing arts, fine arts, filmmaking and more. According to NAA Public Relations Director Arlene Beckles, “The Norcross Arts Alliance is proud of our local artists and have found that an interactive format provides a unique and exciting opportunity for both the artists and the audience to connect.”

For more information about this event including the biographies of each artist, please visit www.norcrossartsalliance.com.
Refreshments are available for donations at the event, which is located in the Main Ballroom of the NCACC, 10 College Street, Norcross, GA 30071. For updates on all the events in the Historic Norcross area, join us on FaceBook, or sign up for regular emails by going to www.apalcetoimagine.com.

City of Norcross, Georgia – An opportunity for local, independent filmmakers is being introduced in Historic Norcross, a community known as one of Gwinnett’s top hubs for art and cultural variety. The Filmmaker’s Showcase, hosted by the Norcross Arts Alliance (NAA) is a free event scheduled for Saturday, January 22, from 7p.m. to 9:30 p.m. in the Norcross Cultural Arts & Community Center (NCACC) at 10 College Street. This showcase features work produced by several filmmakers who produce throughout the Atlanta area and call Norcross “home,” in some cases because they are literally residents of the city, as well as business-based in the area.

Residents Suzan Satterfield and Allen Facemire are veterans in the film-making business as owners of SaltRun Productions. Since 1989, they have reportedly been pursuing television projects with “great storytelling angles, larger-than-life characters, and the potential to open viewers’ minds and hearts to new ideas.”  They have produced several TV series, including the long-running HGTV series “Ground Breakers” and “Fresh from the Orchard” and “Mega Dens,” which both air on the DIY Network.  At Norcross’ Filmmaker’s Showcase, the team will tell a little-known story about the famous Atlanta restaurant, Herren’s. According to Ms. Satterfield, “Few people know now that Herren’s Restaurant was at the epicenter of Atlanta integration.  Herren’s tells the story of Atlanta’s boom, decline, and rise from the ashes through the personal experience of Ed and Jane Negri, and the Sheltons, who were the first African American families to integrate the restaurant.  It’s a simple story of sweet rolls and hard decisions.”

Another veteran, Emmy-award winning David Duke of Livingstories.tv, will present Remembering Miz Jones, the poetic story of a strange old woman living alone in a mountain holler, and the 10-year-old city boy whose life is transformed by knowing her. According to Duke, “We all share the essential things: love of family, courage in adversity, sustaining faith, and hope for the future.  This film is a window into the heart and mind of someone we may never meet, but would love to know.  I believe storytelling can change the world.” Much of Duke’s work centers on inspirational films that address human and spiritual causes. He produces films for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, the Georgia Conservancy, Columbia Theological Seminary, the Arthur Blank Foundation, and many others.  David’s film Summer Hill is currently running on national public television.

Fairly new on Atlanta’s filmmaking scene and also presenting work at Norcross’ Filmmaker’s Showcase are producers John Duke, Kris Valeriano and Daniel Flaherty.  Duke recently completed a master’s degree in Cinema Studies at NYU.  A writer, director, video editor, and musician, Duke co-wrote Atlanta: Day One, directed and edited the film, and composed the sound track.  Valeriano, who holds a Creative Writing degree from Emory University, co-wrote the film and is its sole actor.  Atlanta: Day One is an audio-visual journey through a post-apocalyptic Atlanta.  According to Duke, “Each viewer must decide:  Have these events happened in actual time and space, or are they a vivid rendering of the internal experience of one young man?”

Flaherty, a recent graduate of the Savannah College of Art and Design, will present his new film Water of Life, a story of finding hope in the midst of chaos, which he wrote, shot, and directed.  Flaherty is also a musician, and for “Water of Life,” he composed and performed the soundtrack on solo violin.

Each of the filmmakers will be on hand at the showcase to answer questions about their work and engage in audience discussion about the topics. The Norcross Arts Alliance is proud to be introducing these talented filmmakers, and anticipates continuing these showcases as a regular feature of the Norcross arts community.  According to NAA Chairman, Charlie Riehm, “The NAA’s goal is to utilize the creative outlets and energy Norcross offers to promote a diversity of art forms, including performing arts, fine arts, filmmaking and any other expression that is unique and creative. We’re very pleased with the diversity of stories being shared in this first showcase, as well as the quality of the work. Hopefully, it is the beginning of an ongoing and stimulating film experience here in Norcross. ”

For more information about this showcase and other events in the City of Norcross, please visit www.aplacetoimagine.com. For more information about the Norcross Arts Alliance and opportunities to support that organization’s efforts, visit their website at www.norcrossartsalliance.org. 

Become a fan of Norcross on Facebook, and sign up for email reminders about upcoming events by going to www.norcrossga.net and “Join Us Downtown”

My first camera out of college was a Pentax manual film camera.  From there photography became my hobby and eventually it turned into one of the loves of my life.  I would be the only one with their camera at any given time.  Just imagine the amount of snapshots I have been taking over the years.  About 6 years ago I realized it was item to upgrade my photography equipment.  I invested in a new Canon 20D digital camera and it opened up a whole new world of digital photography for me.  I eventually integrated my photography with technology and the popular online photo sharing website Flickr.  This was a step into a brave new world.  To infinity and beyond!

As a self-taught photographer, I have honed my skills using Photoshop and I have studied a multitude of styles from Europe, Australia, Canada and America.   Just to observe other people’s work and study current photo magazines and books brings me joy and it continues to peak my interest and to learn more about photography.  Viewing the same picture from different lenses and lighting just speaks CREATIVITY!

The vision that I have for my photography is to make it stand out and look different from that of the average photography that you see.  I would describe my style as alternative and altered, in that I take my shots to the next level.   I want to create a product that expresses my feelings yet speaks volumes to people who see my work.  A great description of my work is that it’s an ever evolving artistic endeavor.

In November 2009, my rendition of a “N. Peachtree, Street in the Fall” was selected to be the artwork for the first annual Imagination Tour in Historic Norcross.  And, “Stacy’s Door” was selected for the 2007 Tour of Homes promo.

As a member of Kudzu Art Zone since 2007, I have received several awards:

3rd Place, Exhibit: at Kudzu Art Zone, 2008. Photo: Stacy’s Piano
2nd Place, Exhibit: “8X10″ at Kudzu Art Zone, 10/08-12/08. Photo: Christmas Decoration
2nd Place, Exhibit: “Creative Beginnings” at Kudzu Art Zone, 1/16-2/21/09. Photo: Window Boxes
Honorable Mention, Exhibit: “Travelers’ Tales” at Kudzu Art Zone, 5/8-6/23/09. Photo: The Barn

I was a member of the Sawnee Artist Association in 2007, and I’m also a board member on Norcross Arts Alliance since 2008 and my current position is on the Community Outreach Committee where I am responsible for the organization’s website and social media outlets.

To see more of my work visit my website http://www.nevaspellphotography.com/

Under the guidance of Art Teacher Lauren Phillips, State Farm volunteers Charlie Gilliard, Sharon Jones and Veatrice Reynolds all helped the students prepare for the photography competition.  The Norcross Arts Alliance (NAA) sponsored the competition as part of its outreach program with local schools.

Felicia Ross, a 4^th grader, was the first prize winner.  Mayor Bucky Johnson and the Peachtree Corners Branch of Rotary International celebrated Felicia’s accomplishment during its weekly meeting.  Mayor Johnson, City Councilman Charlie Riehm and President of NAA presented Felicia with her certificates.

On hand to celebrate were Felicia’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. William Higgs, Principal Dr. Dora Hill, her art teacher Lauren Phillips, and Arlene Beckles, Community Outreach Chair for the NAA.  Runners up were Manuel Ramos and Brian Munoz.

The NAA will continue to sponsor and support the arts in the Norcross cluster schools as part of its Community Outreach Program.

Here are the lucky winners!

Susan Faircloth – After receiving an art degree from the University of Georgia and working twenty five years as a textile designer in the carpet industry, Susan began taking painting workshops with various national water media painters such as Skip Lawrence, Alex Powers, and Maxine Masterfield.  The first time she saw color mingle on wet paper, her fascination with color began.

Susan’s subjects are usually large, simple subjects from nature or objects she finds around her home. She likes for a person to view her work and feel that she enjoyed the process of creating it.

Susan is a member of excellence at the Atlanta Artist’s Center and a signature member of the Georgia Watercolor Society and the Southern Watercolor Society. Her paintings are in collections throughout the United States.

Jim Mengason – Jim can hardly remember when he wasn’t interested in art. He graduated from Ga Tech with a BS in Industrial Design. In Wilmington, Delaware he designed and produced several opera sets. Jim and his wife, Barbara, moved to Atlanta in 1996 where he began a serious study of watercolor painting with the encouragement of his wife who also paints. He retired early to devote himself full time to his art and has studied with a number of local and nationally recognized instructors.

A painting trip to Spain inspired him to capture the Spanish scene through a series of paintings which is ongoing. His love of gardening naturally led to another favorite subject, flowers.

Jim is active in several local art groups including the Atlanta Artists Center,Art Station,The Buford Art Colony and the Kudzu Art Zone. His work has been shown and sold in several galleries and art shows and can also be seen in his home studio in Dacula.

An Evening with the artist is sponsored in part by the Norcross Arts Alliance.