Upcoming TUAC Events

§ January 5th, 2010 § Filed under Children's Arts Programs, Family Fun Matinees, West Central Georgia Shutterbugs § No Comments

We hope everyone had a wonderful time over the holiday break! Here at TUAC we’re looking forward to the new year and all the possibility it holds. 2010 is sure to be great.

We’re hitting the ground running this year so grab your pencils and mark your calendars!

Saturday, January 9, 2010
The Giant, The Beanstalk, and Jack featuring Lee Bryan “That Puppet Guy”
FREE Program – 2:00 P.M. at the R.E. Lee Auditorium

Based on the timeless tale of a lazy boy named Jack who outwits the Giant, gets the gold and of course saves the farm. This innovative one-man, mini-musical combines original songs with marionette, rod puppets, hand puppets, and shadow puppets all in one clever little show! Fee-Fi-Fo-Fun! For more information on Lee Bryan “That Puppet Guy” visit his website at: www.puppetguy.com.

TUAC is very happy to offer this FREE family event to the community. We work hard to bring a variety of arts and cultural events to the area. Of course, we wouldn’t be able to do it alone and we want to thank the following sponsors: Bank of Upson, QUAD Graphics, Upson EMC, Pasley-Fletcher Funeral Home, and FYCA. This program is also supported in part by the Grassroots Program of the Georgia Council for the Arts through the appropriation of the Georgia General Assembly.

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Regular monthly meetings of the West Central Georgia Shutterbugs will resume on Tuesday, January 12th, 6:30 p.m., at the Thomaston-Upson Arts Council Gallery and Gift Shop. Guest speakers George Bradfield and Gail Stewart will present a program entitled “Up Close and Personal…with Nature.” George and Gail have been photographing and teaching together for over three years. For more info about the speakers and to view their work, please visit their website: www.thrunatureseyesphotography.com. As always, anyone interested in learning more about photography is invited to attend. There is no admission fee.

Good news! The WCG Shutterbugs have been invited to exhibit their photos in the Discovery Center at Callaway Gardens from February 27 through April 11, 2010. The “Through Our Eyes” exhibit will feature beautiful nature photographs from this area’s best photographers. We’re hoping everyone in the community gets the chance to view this wonderful collection of art!

To join Shutterbugs, attend any of the meetings and pay your dues to Dee Hinson, Treasurer. Dues are $12 per year. Please visit the WCG Shutterbugs blog for more information on previous activties and awards, www.wcgshutterbugs.blogspot.com

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Are you an Elvis fan? Of course you are! This Thursday is The Ritz’s Second Annual Elvis Birthday Tribute featuring Todd Allen and his Follow that Dream Band! The show starts at 7:30 p.m. and tickets are $15. You can buy tickets at the Ritz or at the TUAC office during normal office hours.

Bookmark the TUAC Calendar to keep up with upcoming dates & events: http://www.tuac.com/calendar

TUAC Introduces “Family Fun Matinees”!

§ November 23rd, 2009 § Filed under Children's Arts Programs § No Comments

“Hansel and Gretel”
Saturday, December 12, 2009
FREE Program – 2:00 P.M. at the R.E. Lee Auditorium
Two children, one conniving witch and a timeless lesson equal a “fairy tale opera” like no other. To make sure children enjoy the performance from beginning to end, the singers start by reviewing the story and explaining the basic components of opera. Then, the audience is ready to take in the spectacle of drama set to extraordinary music and the equally entertaining spectacle of 5 costumed audience members performing with the company in non-speaking roles. For more information on the Capital City Opera visit: www.ccityopera.com

The Giant, The Beanstalk, and Jack
Featuring Lee Bryan “That Puppet Guy”
Saturday, January 9, 2010
FREE Program – 2:00 P.M. at the R.E. Lee Auditorium
Based on the timeless tale of a lazy boy named Jack who outwits the Giant, gets the gold and of course saves the farm. This innovative one-man, mini-musical combines original songs with marionette, rod puppets, hand puppets, and shadow puppets all in one clever little show! Fee-Fi-Fo-Fun! For more information on Lee Bryan “That Puppet Guy” visit his website at: www.puppetguy.com.

“Dance in Motion”
Saturday, February 27, 2010
FREE Program – 2:00 P.M. at the R.E. Lee Auditorium
The pulsating sounds of Sunu will transport you to the villages of West Africa where popular American dances, such as the Charleston and hip-hop, were born. Manga traces the evolution of these dances from the marketplaces of the Congo to the slave ships bound for the Caribbean to the plantations of the American South and the night clubs of the urban North. You will discover how Africans absorbed elements of other cultures along the way and transformed them into new dance styles that have left an indelible mark on American culture. For more information and photos, visit www.mangadance.org.

TUAC thanks the following sponsors of the Family Fun Matinees:
Bank of Upson, QUAD Graphics, Upson EMC, Pasley-Fletcher Funeral Home, FYCA

This program is supported in part by the Grassroots Program of the Georgia Council for the Arts through the appropriation of the Georgia General Assembly.

TUAC Presents “Kids for America”, November 20th at R.E. Lee

§ November 18th, 2009 § Filed under Children's Arts Programs § No Comments

Friday, November 20, 2009
7 p.m. at the R.E. Lee Auditorium
Tickets are $5.00!

Ever wonder what it would be like to have lived at the time the United States declared their independence from England? That’s exactly what happend in the TUAC youth production of “Kids for America”.
The story takes place in a present day classroom where the students, with the help of their teacher, are preparing for a test on the Revolutionary War. As the class leaves for lunch, one of the students remains and daydreams about life in 1776. What follows includes people who share about the sacrifices needed for freedom, the writing of the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights.
Personalities and symbols who have contributed to the making of our country appear to aid the telling of the story.
Musical numbers include many familiar patriotic selections: “This is My Country”, “Yankee Doodle Boy”, “America the Beautiful”, “You’re a Grand Old Flag”, “Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor”, and more! We have a special and exciting finale planned to “God Bless America”.
Come support these young people and we guarantee you will be blessed and full of patriotism at the end of the evening!
Directed by Anita Fillingim.

In the Gallery: The Clothesline Project, October 2009

§ October 1st, 2009 § Filed under In The Gallery § No Comments

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. To help raise awareness in the community, The Clothesline Project, a visual display bearing witness to violence against women, will be displayed at the Thomaston Upson Arts Council.

The public is invited to a reception at 6 p.m. on Thursday, October 8, 2009 at the Thomaston-Upson Arts Council Office and Gallery, located on the Thomaston square. Judge Johnnie Caldwell Jr will be a guest speaker.

The Clothesline Project began in 1990 in Massachusetts as an attempt to raise public awareness of the impact of violence against women, to celebrate a woman’s strength to survive, and to provide another avenue for her to courageously break the silence that often surrounds her experience. Each shirt has been created by women and children from our community and serves as visual representation of their assault and how many people were affected.

The Domestic Violence Clothes Line will be on display for the entire month of October.

This event is open to the public and sponsored by:
Families, Youth and Children’s Alliance (FYCA)
Promise Place (www.promiseplace.org)
The Thomaston-Upson Arts Council.

2009 – 2010 Performing Arts Series

§ September 25th, 2009 § Filed under Performing Arts § No Comments

“Sounds of the Season”
December 7, 2009
7 p.m. at the R.E. Lee Auditorium

The R.E. Lee Auditorium will be filled with “Sounds of the Season” as local pianists take the stage for a magical evening.
Featured musicians and vocalists will help ring in the season for a show you will not want to miss!

Five By Design presents “Club Swing”
March 1, 2010
7 p.m. at the R.E. Lee Auditorium

Five by Design makes classy cool again – one song at a time! From the up-tempo opening of Benny Goodman’s Bugle Call Rag to the awesome finale of Louis Prima’s Sing, Sing, Sing, celebrate the songs, events, and personalitlies that defined America during the swing era.

So check your coat and grab a seat for a night of unparalleled delight at the fabulous Club Swing!
For more information on Five By Design visit: fivebydesign.com

Comedy Dinner Show
April 10, 2010
6 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church

You’ll enjoy a night of great food and entertainment as Laughing Matters takes the stage for a fun and exciting evening.
Laughing Matters is the longest running improv comedy troupe in Atlanta.
Performing a tasteful brand of hilarious improv, making the evening great for all ages!
Visit the Laughing Matters website at: laughingmatters.com

Tickets are $45 for Adults & $20 for children.
Season & individual tickets can be purchased at the TUAC Gallery and Gift Shop.

October 24th, 2009 – Save the Date

§ September 20th, 2009 § Filed under Special Events § No Comments

This year’s Solstice Event will be held on October 24, 2009 at Dr. Ken Morgan’s Barn. There will be plenty of food, fun, and fundraising! Our Annual Solstice Events are free to the TUAC Membership and you can easily find out how to become a member by visiting www.tuac.com/membership.

WCG Shutterbug Reception at TUAC

§ September 10th, 2009 § Filed under Visual Arts, West Central Georgia Shutterbugs § No Comments

On September 8, the Thomaston-Upson Arts Council (TUAC) hosted an opening reception for the third annual “Personal Best” photography exhibit by the West Central Georgia Shutterbugs. The exhibit includes 45 photos by 23 of the members, ranging from detailed close-up (macro) shots, to beautiful landscapes, to tender portraits of family members.

“We are very happy to see so many people from the community come out and support local artists,” says TUAC Executive Director Carmen Ellerbee, “This was a very successful turnout for the Shutterbugs.” Patrons enjoyed light refreshments, browsed the newly reorganized Gift Shop, and placed votes for their personal favorite photograph. Harolyn Castleberry’s photo “Apparition” received the most votes making her a three-time winner of the “People’s Choice Award”.

The West Central Georgia Shutterbugs formed in January 2006 and now boasts over 50 members from Upson and five surrounding counties.The West Central Georgia Shutterbugs will meet again on October 13 at 6:30 p.m. at the Thomaston-Upson Arts Council (TUAC) Gallery and Gift Shop, located on the square adjacent to the Ritz Theater. Persons interested in developing their photography skills are invited to attend and/or become official members of the club. For more information, including upcoming activities, please visit www.wcgshutterbugs.blogspot.com.

The WCG Shutterbug exhibit may be viewed during TUAC’s regular business hours: Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 10-5, and Wednesday 10-Noon until October 1, 2009. For more information on TUAC and other free gallery events, please visit www.tuac.com or call 706-647-1605.

Linda Best with her husband Ralph and friend Bob Gallman.

Chris Curry talks to Marji Davis-Williams.

Visual Arts Chairperson Fawne DeRosia awards the “People’s Choice Award” ribbon to Harolyn Castleberry.

Photos by Johnnie Ann Gaskill.

Shutterbugs Express Appreciation to TUAC

§ September 4th, 2009 § Filed under West Central Georgia Shutterbugs § No Comments

At their annual business meeting in August, the West Central Georgia Shutterbugs voted to give $100 to the Thomaston-Upson Arts Council (TUAC) because, according to President Johnnie Ann Gaskill, “We are so very grateful for the support TUAC has offered since we organized in Jan. 2006. In addition to allowing us to hold our meetings in the TUAC Gallery and Gift Shop, TUAC invites us to showcase our work there each September and hosts a reception in our honor. TUAC also promotes our activities in various ways, which is very helpful to us as we seek to reach more people who are also interested in photography.”

On behalf of all the 52 members of the Shutterbugs, outgoing Treasurer Melba Brown (center) and Johnnie Ann Gaskill (right) presented the gift to Carmen Ellerbee, Executive Director of TUAC. Photo by King Davis, newly-elected Vice-President of Shutterbugs.