Talk Artsy To Me: The Art of Navigating New Beginnings and Hurricanes
September 2024
What a way to tumble—literally—into my journey as the new Executive Director of the Greater Augusta Arts Council! September has felt like one giant, unexpected cartwheel into this position. Fresh off an amazing Arts in the Heart Festival, I ended things with a big, dramatic finale—taking a pretty spectacular fall that left me with a fractured chin and a mild concussion. Not quite the graceful end to the Festival I had in mind!
Just as I started to get my balance back, Hurricane Helene swept in, upending not just trees and power lines, but our entire community. In a matter of hours, life as we knew it changed. Power gone, water scarce, gas lines a mile long, and the streets looked like a giant game of pick-up sticks—branches and debris scattered everywhere.
Despite these challenges, I’ve been deeply inspired by the efforts of our community. From neighbors helping neighbors to total strangers becoming heroes, I’ve witnessed acts of kindness and generosity that have truly lifted my spirit. People have come together to pick up the pieces—literally and figuratively. And amidst the chaos, I’ve seen laughter, hugs, and shared stories that make me proud to call Augusta home.
Please know that our Arts Council family, small but mighty, is right here with you. We’ve had our own struggles—loss of property, power, and water—but we’ve stayed focused on what we do best: supporting our creative community. We’re out in the streets helping with cleanup, donating time and resources, and actively looking for Artist Relief opportunities to assist our nonprofits and local artists in recovering a little more easily.
Transitioning into the role of Executive Director after someone who wore these fancy shoes for 27 years is a challenge in itself. But considering everything we’re going through as a community; I feel like we’re all transitioning together. Let’s make this chapter great, magical, and let’s come back stronger than ever before.
Know that I am here to support, encourage, and uplift you in every way I can in this new role. Together, we’ll create something beautiful from the rubble. Remember, whatever you do… Talk Artsy to Me!
With love and resilience,
Denise