MACON, Ga. – Each year, Macon Arts Alliance celebrates National Arts and Humanities month by recognizing outstanding people and organizations that have made significant contributions to arts and culture in Central Georgia.

“Every year we are impressed by the quality of nominees who have invested so much time and talent into the arts and cultural community in Central Georgia,” said Jan Beeland, executive director of Macon Arts Alliance. “We’re proud to honor seven Cultural Award winners this year, including one who has been selected to receive the Rosalyn Elkan Lifetime Achievement Award. That doesn’t happen every year, and we’re honored to be able to make that distinction this year.”

The 2013 Cultural Awards will be held at the Historic Douglass Theatre in Downtown Macon on October 15 beginning at 6 p.m. A reception will immediately follow the awards ceremony and annual meeting of the Macon Arts Alliance.

Admission is free of charge, but reservations are required. Please call (478) 743-6940 to RSVP today.

The 2013 Honorees are:

Marianna Gebara – Rosalyn Elkan Lifetime Achievement Award

The 2013 Rosalyn Elkan Lifetime Achievement Award Honoree for 2013 is Marianna Gebara, managing director of Nutcracker of Middle Georgia. Gebara exemplifies dedication in her contributions to our area’s cultural life by working to ensure, largely behind the scenes, that the arts have the financial and human support needed to thrive. She’s been an integral part of Nutcracker of Middle Georgia since 1985, when she was a member of the founding group of ballet supporters. She’s served as a board member, officer, and since 2001, as managing director. The cultural landscape of Middle Georgia is defined by the events and organizations that last. For more than 27 years, Nutcracker of Middle Georgia has stood as a tradition, a rite of passage for local ballet students, and a treasured event for the multitude of families who attend each year. It’s impossible to imagine the past quarter century without Nutcracker of Middle Georgia, and it’s impossible to imagine Nutcracker of Middle Georgia without Marianna Gebara.

Janice Brice

Janice Brice has been a patron of the arts in Central Georgia for many years. In that time, she’s served in a multitude of roles and been an integral part of the cultural fabric of the area. Brice has served as the treasurer of the Central Georgia Opera Guild and the Macon Concert Association. She has been a board member of Macon Arts Alliance and was instrumental in bringing the Metropolitan Opera Live in HD to the Douglass Theatre. Her efforts go far beyond managing money. She works tirelessly to bring wonderful music and art to the community. Brice is currently on the board of the Morning Music Club.

Kathleen “Kam” Cook

Kathleen “Kam” Cook has been an encouraging, positive force of volunteerism and advocacy throughout Central Georgia and in her home of Crawford County. She has a “can-do” attitude that brings vitality and energy to every project of which she is a part. Her civic involvement has included numerous organizations such as the Crawford County Historical Society, Crawford County Kiwanis Club, History Club of Macon, Macon Heritage Foundation (now Historic Macon Foundation), and the Museum of Arts and Sciences, just to name a few. She was even an administrative assistant at Macon Arts Alliance in its early years. Cook has been a strong supporter of the Georgia JugFest and Old Knoxville Days in Crawford County, and a staunch advocate for historic preservation throughout the area.

Kenneth Hammond

Kenneth Hammond loves the arts and isn’t afraid to share that love with everyone. Some have called him a “town crier” for the arts, or a “pied piper,” if you will. He has a personal email list with which he shares regular updates about local arts and cultural events and personal invitations to attend. He convenes groups of friends to attend local events, and spreads the word about what’s happening however he can. As a member of the board of the Opera Guild, he works diligently on every event and tirelessly towards its success. He is admired for his culinary talents, his willingness to share those and many other talents, and his desire to see everyone enjoy the many arts offerings in our community.

Macon Film Festival

Macon is quickly becoming known throughout the state, and the country, as a place to make movies. From 42 to Need for Speed to Trouble with the Curve, Hollywood has taken notice. There’s no question that the Macon Film Festival has been a driving force behind Macon’s introduction into the film industry. Created in 2006 as a project of the Cox Capitol Theatre, Macon Film Festival has grown to attract high-quality films and visits by prominent filmmakers. In 2011, the festival expanded to five venues, featuring three screening venues, a workshop location, and a headquarters for ticketing and hospitality. Through its independent film competition, special screenings, workshops, community events and its subset, the Macon Film Commission, the festival has elevated Macon in the eyes of the film industry and in the hearts of all who call Macon home.

Claire Smith and Nancy Shurling

The dynamic duo of Claire Smith and Nancy Shurling have been nominated and awarded a 2013 Cultural Award together. Each has made significant contributions on an individual basis, but their work together has had an impact on the Museum of Arts and Sciences that will live on for years to come. They were the co-chairs of the 2007 event that inspired the annual event known as the Festival of Trees Luncheon. The first year was a quite an experience – Smith and Shurling volunteered to cater the luncheon which turned into a massive hit. They sold more than 200 tickets and inspired a new tradition. Their work has been phenomenal, as they’ve continued to work together over the past half decade, but 2013 marks the end of an era. This year, they will hand the tradition off to new co-chairs making this award both timely and well deserved.

Gina Ward

Gina Ward has been the manager of the Historic Douglass Theatre in Downtown Macon since 2003. She is responsible for every aspect of the theatre including keeping the seats filled through regular performances, musical events, political forums, family gatherings and film presentations. She does this all while maintaining a historic facility that requires special projects, upgrades and repairs. Those who work with Ward on a regular basis know that she is dedicated to the preservation of the Douglass and its best use as a performing arts center for Downtown Macon. She always has a smile on her face and a warm-hearted word for anyone she meets. Her demeanor is reflected in her work. She is the common denominator in all the successful events at the Douglass and in the success of downtown as a whole.

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Macon, Ga. — The Gallery at Macon Arts Alliance will hold a First Friday opening reception on May 3 for “The May Social,” an exhibit featuring artwork by members of the Middle Georgia Art Association and the Fine Arts Society of Middle Georgia. The reception will be from 5-8 p.m. and is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.

“The work in this exhibit is representational of the types of the work being produced in Central Georgia,” explained Heatherly Wakefield, director of fine art at Macon Arts Alliance. “Sometimes people perceive a competitiveness among arts organizations, but we are promoting the same thing… some of the same artists.”

Ever since the arts alliance was founded, part of its mission has been to foster collaboration and communication among arts groups. Quarterly meetings of more than 60 arts and cultural organizations, called the Arts Roundtable, are convened to share ideas and build community spirit. “The May Social” offers Macon Arts Alliance the opportunity to showcase two of Central Georgia’s fine arts groups and bring that spirit to life in a tangible way.

The Middle Georgia Art Association (MGAA) was established in 1967 by a small group of local artists. Membership was originally by invitation only, but today the group is open to the entire community, artist and non-artists alike. MGAA operates a gallery in Ingleside Village, displays work on the walls of Market City Café, and is the sponsor and organizer of the Mulberry Street Arts Festival.

Mae Thurston, president of MGAA, explains, “We want everyone in the community to work together and that’s our goal.” The collaborative spirit is shared by all the organizations participating in “The May Social.”

Martha Tisdale is a local artist and member of MGAA. She paints mostly in watercolor and acrylic, and her subject matter ranges from landscapes to animals. An avid traveller, she collects photographs and sketches from the places she visits. Back in her home studio, she scours her collection for subject matter and inspiration.

“My last trip in November was to Hawaii and that is where I saw those fish,” Tisdale explained, referring to a recent watercolor. “…I tried to look them up. I’m not sure what they were. But they were blue, the bluest blue. It just grabbed me and I thought ‘I’ve got to paint these.’”

The Fine Arts Society of Middle Georgia (FAS) is based in Houston County where they seek to bring the arts to the community. They achieve this goal by offering workshops and by conducting monthly meetings with guest speakers. FAS offers weekly sketching sessions for members and raises money for a local scholarship program. The prize is awarded to the Best of Show winner at a student art exhibit for Houston County middle and high school students at Galleria Mall each year.

Beth Smith is the vice president of the Fine Arts Society. Though she’s not academically trained, she has studied art history, which fostered a deep interest in Surrealism. She’s read the “Surrealist Manifesto” and books on the Surrealists like Dali and Magritte.

“I like to create art, other people can draw their own conclusions, get their own interpretations from it,” explains Smith. “I found in my previous exhibits that the Surrealism really has a powerful impact.”

Leslie Hoops-Wallace is a member of both the Fine Arts Society and the Middle Georgia Art Associations. She specializes in animals and landscapes and is a trained illustrator. She recently illustrated “Bullminia: The Courageous Bulldog.” In her spare time she teaches workshops on animal painting and watercolor.

“I always drew. I was adopted at 18 months old and I was drawing the first time my parents saw me,” she recalled. “I thought I’d be a veterinarian, but I was terrible at math. So I went into illustration instead.”

Collaboration and community spirit are the inspiration for “The May Social.” Learn more about these fantastic organizations and the artist who they all work to support by visiting The Gallery at Macon Arts Alliance on May 3 from 5-8 p.m. Or stop by The Gallery during regular business hours: Monday­‑Friday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.