Across My Desk
By Brenda Durant
We all get a deluge of emails, mails, texts, Instagram messages, TikToks and more. Some days it’s quite overwhelming — sometimes too much to read in a day, yet the next day brings more and more. Amidst my personal information flood, I’ve plucked some noteworthy bits worth sharing.
Dedication of Washington Hall. When I received the notice of the 25th Anniversary of the Dedication of Washington Hall it brought me back to 1973 at Augusta College. Washington Hall (or whatever it was called then) was our bookstore, cafeteria and second floor lounge. I would often dash up the stairs to the poolroom to pull Ed Durant away from the pool or ping pong table in time for him to make a class. These days it serves as the Art Department. If you would like to hear some great speakers and celebrate Justine and “Ike” Washington, mark your calendar for April 13. You’ll find more details about the event on our calendar: [email protected]
After a very, VERY long 24 months of almost no live events, no festivals and no in-person camps or conferences, I find myself taking the time to read and celebrate the re-awakening of the River Region.
Brenda’s grandson enjoying the Augusta Sculpture Trail
When I received the Gertrude Herbert Spring Catalog of classes, I devoured it. I loved the layout, the variety of classes and their upcoming summer camps. I immediately called my daughter to see if her 10 year old was free for a week this summer to attend camp. When I got the notice that the incredibly talented Jason Craig was teaching a mural camp, I rushed off a note to the Morris Museum asking them to please continue this class until my grandson was 12 and qualified to attend.
Working in Sacred Heart I have been following the trajectory of the Garden City Festival, so when the email hit my inbox with a ticket link, I wrote my annual Garden Festival friend to see if we’re touring Augusta’s gorgeous gardens again this year. Happily, we are, so my ticket is purchased and the day noted with hearts and flowers on my work calendar.
I hope everyone will mark May 7th on their calendars for the “James Brown Birthday Get Down” on the Augusta Common at 5 PM. We are working with Coco Rubio on a super fun and funky event.
While your calendar is open write “Greater Augusta Arts Council Annual Augusta Arts Awards” on June 23. We are planning a stellar event with a delicious dinner, entertainment by President’s Award Winner Russell Joel Brown, and fun “selfie” backdrops in the pre-function room. Cocktail attire so have fun dressing up! By the way, if you nominate someone for an art award, you could see them accept it that night. (Nomination info – Click Here)
Ready to dive back in and celebrate all our amazing arts in Augusta with me? You can find events on our calendar page: [email protected] and the upcoming summer camps at https://events.augustaarts.com/art-classes/.
Thanks all—stay safe and spread joy.
B