Soirée Unveils Plans for Arts Center
By Lindsey Adkison ladkison@thebrunswicknews.com
On Thursday evening, a group of invitees gathered to celebrate a crucial step in a decades-long dream. Designs were officially unveiled for a community performing arts center to be situated on College of Coastal Georgia’s campus.
Attendees, clad in black-and-white attire, milled about a tent erected on the future site of the center. The project, a joint effort between the Glynn County Board of Education and the college, will be partially financed by $20 million in ESPLOST 3 funds approved by voters in 2015. Private donors have also offered significant financial support. The college is a funding and oversight partner for the center.
According to an early October school board meeting, construction is expected to begin in late April or early May 2024. A target completion date is planned for late September or early October of 2025.
While there are still many milestones yet to come, the event was a poignant moment for Dr. Michelle Johnston, CCGA president, who was excited to share a detailed rendering with guests.
“This goes way back. I found evidence of discussions in the community dating all the way back to the 1970s. That’s how long the community has had a desire to build a new community arts center. It’s been a dream in the community for so long,” she said.
“There’s a lot of hope around it … which began materializing in 2015. The event brings together guests who have expressed a passion for the performing arts and arts education. They are both from inside and outside of the area, but all of them have some kind of tie to the community. It’s a great evening.”
Interior and exterior drawings for the center were displayed at the grand reveal. Johnston says it was the first in a long line of milestones that will unfold over the next two years.
“We want to continue to build momentum as we move toward those big moments, the groundbreaking in the spring and 18 months of construction moving toward opening night in the fall of 2025,” she said. “We wanted to show gratitude for the incredible support from those who have made significant financial contributions which we will be able to pair with public funds to be able to build the center.”
Of course, ongoing support will be key throughout the building process. But the celebration, a truly tangible road to the performing arts center was officially underway.
“I think it’s a beautiful story …. it’s a longtime community dream becoming a reality because of leaders’ education and citizens who share a belief in a place where 1,000 people can experience artistic performance, hear great speakers, gather for banquets and celebrations. Those people believe it is important — educationally and economically — to offer a place where our lives can be bettered and enriched,” Johnston said. “It’s just a win-win-win.”
To learn more about the performing arts center, email advancement@ccga.edu.
Republished with the permission of The Brunswick News. Originally in The Brunswick News.