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The Colorful Arts Society Inc., to host Sixth Annual Gala and Scholarship Awards Ceremony

By EMILY BALDWIN

When Dr. Mona MacDonald moved to Fayetteville eight years ago, she was surprised to discover that there was no cultural or fine arts center in Fayette County. Having moved from Connecticut, a state that heavily supports art education, awareness and promotion, MacDonald was disheartened that her new home did not seem to place much emphasis on the world of art.

She asked around about art communities in the area, and while there were a few, she felt none offered the kind of ethnic diversity needed in the community. So, she decided to follow the advice her mother always offered her while growing up, “If you want something to happen and no one else is doing it, you better do it yourself.” So, she did.

In 1999, MacDonald met with a small group of friends to discuss what would become the Colorful Arts Society, Inc. (CAS). Part of their mission is “to further the arts, to aid in the advancement of education to promote public support for the arts, to promote the enjoyment and appreciation of the arts and involvement in the arts by the general public.”

The first open meeting for the Colorful Arts Society took place February 15, 2000 at the Holiday Inn Express in Fayetteville. “We found out that there were a lot of people looking for the same thing. We had 25 charter members that day,” MacDonald recalls. CAS, a non profit organization, now has about 75 active members from all over Atlanta.

The group meets monthly and often goes to plays, exhibits or concerts together in an effort to support art events in the metro area. CAS provides a year round calendar of events that cross all disciplines in the art world. Every February the organization partners with Barnes & Nobel for literary nights that range from poetry readings to book signings.

The organization’s signature event, however, is the annual Gala and Scholarship Awards ceremony. This Sunday evening will mark the sixth year of the CAS Gala. This event helps fund the scholarship program as well as other events.

The first scholarship was awarded in 2001 to Jennifer Mack, a 2002 graduate of Clark Atlanta University. Mack designed the logo for the Colorful Arts Society that is still in use today. Her design represents four aspects of the arts: dance, music, theater and painting. The scholarship is “designed to recognize and honor outstanding undergraduate students majoring in art.” MacDonald knows all too well that when budgets are cut, the arts are the first to go. Her goal is to help the next generation pass on the arts to future generations.

This year’s Gala will begin at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday at the Atlanta Life Insurance Building’s Herndon Plaza, Eugene Marcus Martin Auditorium. The Atlanta Life Building is located in historic downtown Atlanta at 100 Auburn Ave. The gala will showcase a pre-professional artist from the community and feature world renowned jazz violinist, Ken Ford. Alicia Barnes of WXIA 11 Alive and Terrance McKnight of Georgia Public Broadcasting will serve as the Mistress and Master of Ceremonies. In addition, a silent auction and reception are planned as part of the affair. The silent auction will include original artwork, services such as spa treatments, and a variety of other items. Tickets for the event are $50 and may be purchased from Dr. MacDonald through the end of today.

“The gala is the culmination of our year,” says MacDonald. The chair of this year’s event is Michelle Thornton. Thornton has overseen the 21 subcommittees that have organized this year’s event. MacDonald remarks that “Every person helping to plan this event is a volunteer, not one of them is being paid. I am so grateful that all these people love the arts and are willing to give their time to it.”

The Colorful Arts Society is always open for membership. The group meets the second Sunday of every month at 3:30 p.m. Contact Dr. Mona MacDonald to find out where the meeting will be held.

“We don’t have a permanent location yet. We would like to have one, it just hasn’t happened thus far,” explains MacDonald. Membership for the year is $30 to help cover expenses that are incurred throughout the year.

CAS is always on the lookout for partners who want to help further the mission of the organization. Silent auction donations for this year’s Gala will be accepted up until the day of the event, to donate contact Arnold Martin at 770-719-2645.

To purchase a ticket for Sunday’s event, or for more information about the Colorful Arts Society Inc., contact Dr. Mona MacDonald at 770-719-3766.