Bringing art to the streets!
By Jacquie Brasher
Emanuel Arts Council hosted its first ever Block Party for the Arts on Thursday, Oct. 6th. The event was held outdoors on the 100 block of North Green Street in Swainsboro. The weather couldn’t have been better if we had ordered it from Mother Nature herself, and a brilliant blue sky was our canopy.
Art teachers Mark Lillquist of Emanuel County Institute, Luci Metz-McNeely of Swainsboro High School, and Desmal Purcell of East Georgia State College facilitated the project in their respective classrooms and submitted artwork by their students. The art was then inserted into magnetized frames and attached to magnet boards that were installed in front of the Gifts Galore store.
Donald Jenkins provided entertainment for the event, delighting everyone by singing classic Sam Cooke tunes and traditional gospel favorites. Mark Lillquist did double duty that day by also setting up the sound system for Mr. Jenkins.
Sponsors for the event were Advanced Metal Components, Citizens Bank, Daniels Chevrolet, Durden Banking Company, Hotset America, Mill Creek Foundation, and Swainsboro Rotary Club. Monetary funds from these sponsors allowed the EAC to award cash prizes to winners of the art contest, and also provide 30 pizzas from Little Caesar’s. The Swainsboro-Emanuel County Recreation Department provided 40 chairs for the crowd, and Swainsboro Supply provided the ice for sodas.
Entries for the art contest were judged by Neil Kalmanson, Syvetta Young, and Kim Youmans. Entrants from each school were judged for first, second, and third places with one prize for Best in Show. First prize was $75; second prize, $50; and third prize, $25. Best in Show received $50.
Art Winners:
Emanuel County Institute: First place, Malaina Nasworthy; second place, Emmi Lai Tyam; and third place, Evan Wilson.
East Georgia State College: First place, Dormeshia Elam; second place, Adam Harvey; and third place, C.J. Gresham. (Dormeshia was also awarded the prize for Best in Show.)
Swainsboro High School: First place, Jessica Harter; second place, Sadie Boulineau; and third place, Emily De La Garza.
In the Sidewalk Chalk Contest, four winners were chosen. Two $50 checks went to Best Sidewalk Chalk and two $25 checks went to Honorable Mention. Winners were Dormeshia Elam, Emmi Lai Tyam, C.J. Gresham, and Maddie Romley.
On behalf of the Emanuel Arts Council board of directors, I would like to thank the community for its continued support. We couldn’t do any of this without you. ALL the money donated to the EAC for this event went directly to buying supplies and to cash prizes for the participants. We look forward to our second annual Art Block Party in 2023! (For more photos of the event, check out the EAC on Facebook.)