What an amazing and wild ride it’s been! I kicked off my Executive Director journey right in the middle of hurricane cleanup, and it feels like I haven’t sat down since. (Does anyone know what a full night’s sleep feels like?) The Arts Council has been firing on all cylinders—not only getting ready for our Annual Arts Day Luncheon on November 14th, but also finding ways to support our creative community through this challenging time.

One fun new initiative we launched is our Amazon store (click here for more info), filled with supplies to help our artists rebuild—everything from canvases and paint to clay, jewelry-making tools, and even cameras. (And yes, there are bigger items too for those feeling particularly generous—we won’t stop you!) Gifts have already started trickling into the office. Artists will soon be matched with supplies and can claim what they need to get back to creating.

We’re also working with the Community Foundation to explore additional support—fingers crossed on that one! So many artists have been hit hard, losing gigs, studio spaces, artwork, and supplies, but if there’s one thing Augusta knows how to do, it’s bounce back with style.

Somehow, between meetings, grants, and hurricane cleanup, I’ve managed to find time to laugh with my kids, play with my grandbabies, share some special moments with my husband and Dad, and thank God that my family made it through the storm okay. It’s a wild ride, but it’s also a beautiful time to be alive.