Wednesday, February 27, 2002
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Wednesday, February 27, 2002 |
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Homeless local arts groups soon to have a place to call their own By JANET McGREGOR
Arts organizations in Fayette County will soon have a home to call their own, thanks to the efforts of many local supporters of the arts. Construction to build an approximately 20,000-sq. ft., 440-seat brick warehouse to accommodate the more than 30 homeless arts organizations will begin in April. The new community arts center will be dubbed the Warehouse Playhouse 74. The Playhouse will be on Ga. Highway 74 between the new Peachtree City Police Department and Crosstown Road. The building is expected to be completed within approximately eight months after construction is begun. "If everything continues to go well, we will hold our first production, 'It's a Wonderful Life,' during the Christmas holidays this year," said Joan Velsmid, cochairman of a capital campaign and development task force. The floor plan calls for a 440-seat theater, a lobby gallery suitable for art shows, a concession area, a storage area for equipment and props, a backstage area with dressing rooms for cast members, a business office and six rooms for educational uses. Specialists in various disciplines are working with the architects to ensure that all the needs for a complete arts center are met. According to the other cochairman, Dennis Glenn, "A high priority will be placed on offering children alternative non-sports extracurricular activities to nurture social skills, artistic creativity and academic achievement. Developing local talent also negates the necessity of importing talent from outside Fayette County." The task force is coordinating fund-raising and arts activities under the umbrella of the Fayette Players and Community Theater Inc., a not-for-profit group. In addition to the cochairmen, Helen Heard, widow of well-known legislator and community leader Paul Heard, is lending her support as honorary chairman. "I am delighted to be part of an organization that's going to help get all of the Fayette County arts together under one roof," said Heard. "I think it's going to be a tremendous thing for the entire community to be able to come together and enjoy family entertainment and see the talented people of this county able to use their gifts in a convenient location." Task force members are meeting regularly to set up fund-raisers, contact businesses for in-kind donations and submit requests for grants. Thirty business leaders, educators and artists from all genres from musicians to artists to actors are donating their time to ensure the venture is on track fiscally. The arts community has been frustrated with the lack of a stable and affordable location for theater groups and other art groups to practice, have shows or display art exhibits. Over the years groups such as the Endowment Committee for the Cultural Arts, Fayette Community Theater, Offshoot Productions, ballet companies, artisans and local arts supporters have attempted to engage public and political support to build a cultural arts center. These efforts have met with resistance for a variety of reasons. Costs to taxpayers for construction and ongoing operations, permitted use restrictions, and the perceived strain on the current infrastructure due to the influx of potentially large crowds from surrounding counties are just a few objections that have been voiced. The Board of Education has allowed the use of schools for arts functions, for a fee. But groups must change venue based on availability and they are unable to store props and costumes between shows. Sams Auditorium had been a previous location for some theater productions, but when the school board needed the space for school productions, theater groups were once again homeless. The loss of space spurred local groups to increase their efforts to find a solution. The recently closed theater in Westpark Walk was strongly considered for a period of time. The high cost of renovation, the tepid response to their overtures from the owner of the property and the fact that it would still be too small to address all the needs of arts groups ultimately made it a poor choice. A bond referendum to purchase Braelinn Baptist Church in Peachtree City failed in November 2001. The church would have been used for the arts, senior programs and other community activities. "Everything fell into place fast once the property on Hwy. 74 was located," said Velsmid. Woody Johnson with Southeast Properties, owner of the property, architect John Baudry and builder Will Thompson with CTJ Construction all signed on enthusiastically to the Warehouse project. "I'm excited about the project - it is a much needed facility in the county. I think it will create synergy for the arts community and I'm proud to be part of it," said Johnson. Southeast Properties will lease the building to the nonprofit group. Southeast Properties also has volunteered to accept in-kind donations to defray costs. Johnson said, "We will credit back to the arts group anything we receive in-kind that we don't have to pay." The in-kind donations can include anything ranging from landscaping to plumbing to heating and air, hardware and lighting, Johnson said. Michelle Tardy, task force accountant, said, "The task force is pleased with [its] progress in raising the projected $1 million that will accommodate the initial construction of the arts facility and pre-opening operating expenses." "Our friends and partners in the arts, the ECCA, will continue their mission of underwriting family-oriented arts programming at the Warehouse Playhouse 74; we appreciate their support," said Velsmid. Once the facility is open, the operating expenses will be offset by sources such as ticket sales, donations, endowments and grants. Dr. Michael Velsmid, volunteer business and development consultant to the project, said private funding seemed the best option. "The defeat of the [Braelinn Baptist] referendum gave us a strong indication that the voters don't want a taxpayer-funded arts center, which is just one of the reasons why we are privately funding our project," he said. Having been asked in the past to offer financial support for a cultural arts center, leaders in Peachtree City and Fayette County applaud the new effort. "This project has fantastic potential," said County Commission Chairman Greg Dunn. "A privately owned and operated venue for the cultural arts is preferable to one with government involvement and interference. I support this effort 100 percent and encourage all Fayette County citizens to do the same." Mayor Steve Brown also has given his support for the community arts center. For information, phone Joan Velsmid at 770-631-2302 or e-mail JoanVelsmid@msn.com.
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