Athens Arts League Celebrates Volunteers and Friends

ATHENS-On May 18, 2018, Athens Arts League celebrated the volunteers and friends who have joined us in giving back to our community through efforts in support of the arts. We honored them with dinner by violin thanks to Kristi Kargic and by highlighting some of our successes. We also gave special awards to some of our most ardent volunteers who have given back in special ways.
Five of the winners received awards created from the vintage wallpaper found in the Scout Music House during part of the renovation there. The pieces were framed by Earl Glaze of Southern Framing and Prints and honorary plaques were placed on the back of each piece so the recipient would know what their award represents.

Bert Bradford received The Friend of Scout Music House Award Bert accepted the award from Athens Arts League PR Committee Chair, Holly Hollman and President, Jennifer Hilton Sampieri, for his dedication in acting as the volunteer construction manager for the renovation of Scout Music House. Bert works to make certain that the project retains the iconic design it is known for while serving our mission.

Kathy Shafer received The Friend of High Cotton Arts Award Kathy received the award because of her joyful and helping attitude as she volunteers at receptions & children’s classes both on and off site. Kathy readily accepts the opportunity to volunteer and always represents High Cotton Arts in the spirit of service to the Athens Arts League mission.

Randall Lewter received The Steward of the Arts Award  Randall works as an artist at High Cotton Arts & at Apple. He received the award because he works each Friday as a volunteer manager at High Cotton Arts, and Apple donates up to $10,000 annually to Athens Arts League for his hours, because Apple encourages their employees to give back through volunteerism.

Lowe’s representative, Darwan Kerr accepted The Trailblazer Award Lowe’s received this award for donations made for a handicapped bathroom, for use of plants and flowers for special occasions, and for supplies needed for a stage to be built in Cotton Alley behind High Cotton Arts.

City Councilman Frank Travis and Mayor Marks accepted The Legacy Award on behalf of The City of Athens. The City of Athens received this award for dedication to all facets of the Athens Arts League mission including leasing Scout Music House to Athens Arts League for $1 per year having faith in Athens Arts League to renovate it and transform it into a music venue with a music lab for students. The City sponsors Art After Hours, a free music event held at High Cotton on the second Friday of each month.

Jim McDole received a special thanks from Girl Scout Troop 1922 who have adopted Scout Music House as a project.  Jim McDole serves on the Scout Music House Committee and is teaching Girl Scout Troop1922 to play guitar.They gave Mr. McDole a speciat gift of thanks at The Volunteer Appreciation Dinner.

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Amy Golden (second from left) accepted a gift from Vice President, Diane Lehr,on behalf of Athens Arts League. Amy received the gift of thanks from Athens Arts League for her service as President during 2017-2018

Jim & Sissy Thompson received special volunteerism awards created by students at East Limestone High School and at Spark Academy for their working together to take photos of special events throughout the year and for their unfailing willingness to serve at receptions or children’s events sponsored by Athens Arts League. Lee Eskridge received special volunteerism awards created by East Limestone High School students and Spark Academy students for her joyful and willing spirit of volunteerism with children’s projects and classes held both on site and off.

‌ ‌ Mike Lehr received special volunteerism awards created by students at East Limestone High School and at Spark Academy for his work last year mowing and weed-eating the outdoor space known as Cotton Alley which serves as an outdoor classroom to teach or create art in downtown Athens.

Friends of Athens Arts League had a magnificent evening celebrating our volunteers and supporters. ‌

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The Athens Arts League Board Karen Middleton, Trisha Black, Maria Taylor, Jennifer Hilton Sampieri, Gail Bergeron, Diane Lehr, Jerry Threet, Holly Hollman,& Vickie Camp