LYNDON HOUSE ARTS CENTER NEWSLETTER Children in a summer program made this banner, visible from as far away as Dougherty Street, to attract visitors to a festival event in the mid-90s. Vol 5 #1 A FACILITY OF ATHENS-CLARKE COUNTY LEISURE SERVICES DEPARTMENT Summer/Autumn 2009 ArtiFacts Staff Editor Madeline Darnell Graphic Designer Van Burns Writers Claire Benson Celia Brooks Madeline Darnell Irene Dodge Nancy Lukasiewicz Mary Padgelek Dale Wechsler Jenny Williams Photography Shannon Williams Nina Civilette-Olsen Nancy Lukasiewicz Ronnie Lukasiewicz Walker Montgomery Lyndon House Celebrates 35 Years of Community Arts and 10th Anniversary of Expansion Looking Back: A Photo History Page 5 Ronnie & Nancy Page 2 Harriett & Robert Nix Page 11 Photo: Nancy Lukasiewicz
Transcript
L Y N D O N H O U S E A R T S C E N T E R N E W S L E T T E R
Children in asummer programmade thisbanner, visiblefrom as far awayas DoughertyStreet, to attractvisitors to afestival event inthe mid-90s.
Vol 5 #1 A FACILITY OF ATHENS-CLARKE COUNTY LEISURE SERVICES DEPARTMENT Summer/Autumn 2009
ArtiFactsStaff
EditorMadeline Darnell
GraphicDesignerVan Burns
WritersClaire Benson
Celia Brooks
Madeline Darnell
Irene Dodge
NancyLukasiewicz
Mary Padgelek
Dale Wechsler
Jenny Williams
PhotographyShannonWilliams
NinaCivilette-Olsen
NancyLukasiewicz
RonnieLukasiewicz
WalkerMontgomery
Lyndon House Celebrates 35 Years of CommunityArts and 10th Anniversary of Expansion
Looking Back:A Photo History
Page 5
Ronnie& NancyPage 2
Harriett &Robert NixPage 11
Photo: Nancy Lukasiewicz
Spotlight
Ronnie & NancyLukasiewiczBy Dale Wechsler
It was 1973 when Ronnie and Nancy Lukasiewicz cameto town. They met at Carnegie Mellon University andhad just gotten married when they were awardedteaching assistantships in the Lamar Dodd School of Artat the University of Georgia. Ronnie was a printmakerand Nancy a weaver, both earning their mastersdegrees. Lucky for Athens, as anyone associated withthe Lyndon House Arts Center at any point in its historywill tell you.
Soon after arriving in 1974 Ronnie contacted theAthens Recreation and Parks Department about teachinga community art class, as he had done in Pittsburgh.His first class was in the Lyndon House, which at thetime was a recreation building.
Through teaching this class, Ronnie became moreacquainted with the Recreation and Parks Department,the community and the students, and talk began ofdoing a juried show. There were no juried shows intown at the time. In fact, Atlanta was the closest city tohave such an event. Ronnie got permission to use theLyndon House for the show, along with a twenty-fivedollar budget, which they used to buy white paint tocover the institutional green walls and rent lightingto supplement the single bulbs in the center ofeach room.
Glen Kaufman, an internationally respected artist andNancy’s major professor, agreed to judge the show.The show was a rousing success. Mayor Bishop, whoattended the show, was very impressed with thequality of the art, the number of artists and thepervasive energy – and saw the need in the com-munity for these types of cultural events. And so theCultural Arts division within the Athens Recreationand Parks Department began. Ronnie was hired asthe Cultural Arts Supervisor.
In these early days, Ronnie created the Mobile ArtProgram – like the Bookmobile, only with art supplies– and the summer outreach program at the Jack R.Wells Neighborhood Center on Pauldoe Street.
Soon Ronnie started the Harvest Festival, which wasa joint program with Christine Howard of theRecreation Department, who worked with theseniors. The focus of the festival was traditional craftdemonstrations and eventually grew to include theCooperative Extension Service and the Council onAging. Although Harvest festival began as a way forcrafts people to get together, it quickly became afield trip enjoyed by Athens’ school-age children.
The juried show continued and always strived to bevery professional and selective. The gallery seasonwas rounded out by other shows and programs thatwere inclusive of different segments of the communi-ty. Ronnie’s and Nancy’s visions all along were of anarts center for the entire community.
In 1978 Ronnie began working at the GeorgiaMuseum of Art as Preparator. Nancy became Director
LyndonHouse ArtsFoundationBoard ofDirectors
Marie GayeskiPresident
Irene DodgeSecretary
Mary Beth JustusTreasurer
Tim Brown
Van Burns
Madeline Darnell
Dana Downs
Jessica Magnarella
MatthewMcKinney
Ken McLeskey
Amy Miller
Montu Miller
Erika Perry
Justin Pettigrew
Lanora Pierce
Sam Pittard
Dan Smith
Dale Wechsler
Don Williamson
Jenny Williams
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of the Lyndon House. In these early days, as Robert Nixexplained, “the staff was Nancy, Nancy, and Nancy withRonnie volunteering countless hours after work and onweekends. They relied heavily on many othervolunteers, too.” Ronnie’s vision and passion for thesuccess of the Lyndon House never stopped and hiswork continued.
In fact, as Nancy surmised, with Ronnie’s access to amuch larger part of the community, the grass rootsinvolvement with the Lyndon House was just gettingstarted. She attributes the success of the Lyndon Houseto widespread community involvement – where therewas something for everyone and lots of different wayseveryone can be involved.
With success came growth – the recreation functionsmoved to a newly constructed building next door(Tommy Lay Park) and in the late 70’s, the LyndonHouse became solely an Arts Center. With a dedicatedspace, there were more exhibits and programs. Thesuccess of these programs outgrew their walls andmore space was clearly needed. Ronnie spearheadedserious community wide discussions for more space andthe Lyndon House Foundation began raising funds.
“It wasn’t just artists talking about this,” Nancyexplained, “but people from business, education,government, the university, social services, and tourism.It had to be more than just artists to be a success – andthis was Ronnie’s vision.” But barely a year before theexpansion’s opening in 1999, Ronnie died suddenly ofa heart attack. The couple’s passion and vision survivedthe tragedy and Nancy, along with many others, con-tinued to carry the torch. With the expansion camemore staff and Nancy’srole became Curator ofExhibitions.
Recalling severalprograms revealed onecommon thread – abroad perspective thatinvolved the many facetsof art and community.Two and three-dimensional projectsincorporated theater anddance. A haunted housegallery installation, forexample, was completewith a literal skeleton inthe closet and batsdescending the staircase.
“Since our focus waseducational and we don’thave to sell art to keepour doors open we hadthe opportunity topresent art as part of life,art as fun. People’s eyesopened to what art couldbe, and kids openedthemselves to experienceabout what making
things could be – not just a widget, but awhole environment with lighting andsound. That’s art, you know.”
Nancy described how Summer Campwould take over the building for a coupleof weeks each year. “You know all the‘isms’?” Nancy said as she described oneof her favorite art camps from the 1980s.“Well the theme for this summer campwas ‘Renewism,’ about recycling, ofcourse. We had a manifesto,” she smiles,“and as a final project, we drafted a pro-posal for the ‘renewal’ of the city parking deck byweaving the metal work of the top deck with handi-wipes. The kids thought we were crazy but they didhave a good time.”
So, I wonder. If someone had told Ronnie and Nancyback in 1974 that the Lyndon House would beimpeccably restored to its period glory; that there wouldbe an expansion with beautiful, state-of-the-art galleriesand eight classrooms (each equipped for differentmedia with classes held in them all at the same time);that sixteen or so community arts organizations wouldpartner with the Lyndon House and use the facilities;that each juried art show would draw around 700submissions; that each year’s juror would be highlydistinguished in the art world; and that it was all dueto Nancy and Ronnie’s vision they shared with ardentsupporters like Tommy Lay (in charge of Recreation),Dan Hope (in charge of Parks) and Lonnie Dickerson(Director of the Department) – would they believe it?I’m guessing the answer would be “why not?”
Opposite:Ronnie & NancyLukasiewiczstanding by thefront porch
Bottom:Installation atMemorial Park.RonnieLukasiewiczworked withseveral artists tocreate thisinstallation ofhelium-filledplastic tubesanchored to thebottom of thelake at MemorialArts Festival. TheTubes wavedwith the wind.
Photo: Ronnie Lukasiewicz
What’s Your FavoriteMemory of TheLyndon House?Several people have reminisced about their yearsinvolved with the Lyndon House Arts Center bothbefore and after the expansion. Their individual storieshelp to tell the many-faceted story of the Lyndon Houseover the past 35 years. If you have a favorite memory ofthe Lyndon House you’d like to share in the next issue,please call the Lyndon House and someone from theArtifacts staff will contact you.
Christie Moody
Without question my fondest memory ofThe Lyndon House is dancing a tango at theopening of my dance art show with LaurenPuls and John Ahee, "The Music Betweenthe Notes" last fall. The magic created bythe live music, dance performances, andwonderful art in the show has given me areserve of inspiration to draw on. Thanks,Nancy for making this possible!
Art BytesBy Irene Dodge and Celia Brooks
Blue Tin Art Studio is a new visual arts spacelocated in the Big City Bread building in the heart ofAthens. They offer classes in a variety of media forchildren, teens, and adults with summer registrationgoing on now. www.bluetinstudio.com, or phone404-556-6884
OCAF continues to offer classes for adults, teens andchildren with summer camp registration going onright now. Classes and workshops include painting,drawing, sculpture, pottery, writing, and music.www.ocaf.com or ph 706-769-4565.
ImaginationStation, an after-
hours artprogram thattook place at
LHAC before theexpansion
Teens draw froma model during adrawing class in
the upstairsstudio in theearly LyndonHouse. Teen
classes are nowoffered in the
expansion
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Town Center Fine Art is now Arcing Sky Galleryand has expanded to include a new teaching facilityand Art School, located at #8 School Street,Watkinsville, GA. Classes for all ages are scheduledincluding adult "student led" workshops instructedby Tracy Jefferies. Contact info: 706-255-1344,[email protected]
A Visionary Journey: Paintings, Drawings &Sculpture by Ana Anest may be seen at theFlorence Museum of Art, Science & History inFlorence, SC from June 19 through August 8.Visitwww.florencemuseum.org for details.
Ten years, a decade, seems like a long time, and yet, forme, it has been fleeting, full of wonderful memoriesand extraordinary patrons, staff and volunteers.
Not only are we celebrating the ten years in our newlyrestored house museum and expansion space for artprograms, but also the 35th anniversary of our community arts program supportedby local government.
In 1974, the first Juried ArtsExhibition was held at LyndonHouse and Ronnie Lukasiewicz washired by the Athens Recreation andParks Department as the firstCultural Arts Supervisor. Shortlyafter that, I began my connectionto Lyndon House as a grad studentin Athens and I have been connect-ed to the people and the placeever since then, even during myabsences from this town that I love so much.
Reflecting on the past years, we have seen the growthof a community arts program from a relatively obscurebeginning to one of the finest arts centers in our state.We have even received our share of national acclaim,having won two national awards of recognition.
We have grown from serving a few thousand people toserving over 100,000 people per year with our exhibitions, art classes, workshops, outreach programs,tours, festivals, group meetings, gallery shop, libraryand community rentals.
We have much to celebrate starting this fall and for thenext year. I’m honored to be a part of this fine institution. We have built a strong foundation on whichwe will continue to build. My thanks to everyone whohas contributed to 35 years of excellence.
Special this anniversary year and lucky timing for us is our collaboration with theGeorgia Museum of Art. They are displacedfrom their building during renovation andconstruction of their own museum expansion space. What a wonderful opportunity for us to be their partner for exhibition and art education.
Lord Love You, Works by R.A. Miller fromthe Mullis Collection, is on view in our UpperAtrium Gallery. This GMOA/LHAC partnerexhibition includes 75 paintings, drawings,sculptures and whirligigs created by the
Georgia self-taught artist, Reuben Aaron “R.A.” Miller.The exhibition runs until October 24.
In conjunction with the exhibition, public tours, 5th-grade tours, curator gallery talks and seminars, senioroutreach, suitcase tours to local schools and a FamilyDay will enhance the educational experience.
Aerial photograph of the pre-expansionLyndon HouseArts Center
Lyndon House Arts Center presents continually changing art exhibitions which feature the broad rangeof works by practicing local and area artists in a varietyof media, styles and concepts. From traditional to avant-garde, works by professional, novice, young or elderartists can be seen in Lyndon House Arts Center galleries. Some exhibitions are theme presentations,some are competitions, and some are targeted to a specific media or a local patron’s collection. Children visiting the galleries must be accompanied and supervised by an adult for the safety of the artwork and for artwork content. Lyndon House Arts Centerwelcomes proposals for future exhibitions - call 706-613-3623 (ext.226) with ideas.
Light After Dark: Karekin and Ginger GoekjianMay 31 – August 15, 2009
A selection of work by husband-and-wife photo-graphers Karekin & Ginger Goekjian. Their photosdepict dream-like landscapes from the coastal regions of Georgia, suffused with moonlight and light fromhand-held sources such as flashlights and filled with the decaying grandeur of old mansions, objects beingconsumed by their environments, and ghostly figures.
Southeastern Pastel Society2009 Members ExhibitionJune 12 - August 15, 2009
The Southeastern Pastel Society is dedicated to promoting pastel as a fine art medium. SPS memberscreate artworks in a variety of styles using colored chalksand pastels. 79 artists submitted 226 works of art forthis juried exhibition and 65 works by 53 artists wereselected by juror, Greg Biolchini, a Pastel Society ofAmerica Master Pastelist.
Rainforest InstallationJune 1 - July 25, 2009
A growing gallery installation featuring works by youngartists in art camps at LHAC this summer.
Lord Love You: Works by R.A.Miller from the Mullis CollectionAugust 8 - October 24, 2009
Including 75 paintings, drawings, sculptures andwhirligigs created by the Georgia self-taught artist,Reuben Aaron “R.A.” Miller, this exhibition is a partner-ship between the Georgia Museum of Art and LHACduring the time GMOA is closed for renovation andexpansion. The public is invited to a reception sponsored by Friends of the Georgia Museum of Art on Saturday, August 15th from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Surrealist Tropical PopAugust 30 - October 31, 2009
Paintings and mixed media works by Stanley Bermudezof Athens and Carlos Solis of Kennesaw, both of whomare originally from Venezuela and have been living inthe U.S. over two decades. The vibrant colors found inthe works of both artists undoubtedly reflect exposureto the colors of their country, the urban and rural land-scape, the influences of folk art, traditional arts, contemporary artists in South America as well asSurrealism and Pop Art. Together they have about 30years of experience in the visual arts.
Through Our Eyes: Portraits and Self-Portraits by theStudents of the Clarke CountySchool DistrictNovember 8, 2009 - January 20, 2010
Exciting works in a wide range of media by hundredsof Clarke County School District students Pre-K – 12thgrade created during the entire 2008-09 school year.First American Bank & Trust sponsored a beautiful publication of the exhibition. The public is invited toattend the reception for students, families and friendson Sunday November 8, 2009 from 2 – 4 p.m. sponsored by CCSD.
Period Decorative Arts c. 1840 -1890 & Athens History MuseumOngoing in the historic Ware-Lyndon House
This two-story brick house represents a blend of theGreek Revival and Italianate styles and is listed on theNational Register of Historic Places. Interior furnishingsshowcase period decorative arts of the mid and late1800s. Museum quality memorabilia in the HistoricDisplay Room highlight significant aspects of Athens history.
If you have any information that you wouldlike to see included in the next issue ofArtiFacts, please email: [email protected]
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EventsGGaalllleerryy TTaallkk**MMoonnddaayy,, AAuugguusstt 1100,, 22000099 aatt 22 pp..mm..A talk by Georgia Museum of Art Curator of AmericanArt, Paul Manoguerra
A free day long event featuring local artists demonstrat-ing their craft in the arts center studios and an open airmarket of artists selling their wares on the back lawn.
A special event featuring traditional Ruana garmentshandwoven by students of Erika Lewis worn by livemodels. The event is co-sponsored by the Weavers Web.
LHAC Library Resource RoomA part of SPLOST IV and joint partnership between theAthens-Clarke County Library and Lyndon House ArtsCenter, LHAC’s Library Resource Room provides an artsrelated research collection of publications, including arthistory and artist biographies, business and law forartists, art education curriculum and methods and studio art techniques. Resources are available duringoperating hours on a reference room basis. Book donations are welcome. Open during operating hours.
Monthly Art Meetings at Lyndon House Arts CenterVisitors and artists are invited to attend programs atmeetings of these art organizations. Free for visitors, butmembership dues are required for monthly attendance.For more information call LHAC at 706-613-3623
Lyndon House Arts Foundation (meets quarterly)PO Box 187, Athens, GA 30603 • [email protected]
Athens Area Arts Council(fourth Tuesday 5:30 p.m.) • www.athensarts.org
Athens Area Porcelain Artists(second Friday 10:00 a.m.) 706-743-8436
Printmakers Cooperative(every Friday 10:00 a.m.) • 706-613-1948 or 706-549-9923
Teen Cartoon Illustrators Club(second & fourth Thursdays 5:30 p.m.)706-613-3623 ext.225
Visual Arts Guild of Athens(as needed) • 706-613-3623 ext.224
Patricia BrownMy favorite memory is back when I was a teenager, I would go to the Lyndon Housefor Friday night dances. There would bemaybe about 50 kids there. Someone wouldplay records for music and we’d have punchfor refreshments.
(Patricia worked at LHAC in the mid- to late-90s and still helps out at the expandedArts Center)
The Lyndon House Arts FoundationBy Jenny Williams
The Lyndon House Arts Foundation played a remarkable role in securing for Athens the 40,000square foot expanded arts center and restoring the original arts center to its grandeur as a prominent
house of the secondhalf of the 19thcentury.Established in1993, this groupof artists, artspatrons and community leaders, began tovisualize how thearts center couldgrow to accommo-date the broaddemands of theoutgrown arts cen-ter as it then exist-ed in the original LyndonHouse Arts Center.The Foundationhas continued toserve as a supportfor the Arts Centerin both service andfunding, playing avital role in its life.
Many artists andcommunity members joinedtogether in 1974when the LyndonHouse Arts Centerwas first conceivedas Athens’ first government-sponsored visualarts program.Through years ofgrowth LHACexperiencedincredible success.The center servedlocal artists as anexhibition space,provided bothyouth and adultclasses, meetingspace for many arts
and community groups, a summer day camp for children and annual events such as the craft market,juried exhibition and the Harvest Festival. By the early90s the space in the brick building just couldn’t meetprogram demands. It was time that LHAC expanded.
Mary Padgelek
By far my favorite memory and height ofgratefulness for Lyndon House Arts Centerhappened in September 2004 when the firstperformance run of my musical “Hands ofthe Spirit” was produced by Athens CreativeTheatre and staged in the front gallery withthe backdrop of the two staircases. Thestage was constructed between the stair-cases and the orchestra was seated upstairsin the atrium over the room. This all happened because of the positive,adventurous spirits and expertise of LyndonHouse staff, specifically the vision of NancyLukasiewicz , and director of Athens CreativeTheatre, Tom Coleman. They both said, “Yes, why not?” The first performance wasin conjunction with an extensive folk art exhibit organized by Tim Flinn.
“Hands of the Spirit” is scheduled for its thirdperformance run this February. Terry Powell,present director of Athens Creative Theatre,directed it at the Morton Theatre in 2007. I am hoping to have more future perfor-mances of “Hands of the Spirit,” yet I willalways remember that it got its start—its firstperformance-- at Lyndon House Arts Center!
Far right: Boothat Art Attack festival in the
early 1990s, partof the fund-raising for an
architect's drawing to illustrate thevision for theexpanded Arts
Center
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Photo: Ronnie Lukasiewicz
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A Visual Arts Task Force, a group of22 citizens, held a 2-day planningretreat and considered manyoptions. They concluded theywanted an expansion of theLyndon House, which for 19 yearshad served the community well, tobe incorporated into the plans forthe future. The group made it apoint to look at all sides of the storyto be sure that the outcome wouldbenefit the whole community. Atthe end of the initial planningprocess, they felt unified in theirrecommendation.
The Lyndon House Arts Foundationwas formed to guide the planningfor the expansion. This group thenfocused on the next step, fund-raising, and began the process topropose their plan for the first special-purpose local-option salestax (SPLOST) referendum.
“The Foundation was reallyfocused,” said Celia Brooks, anactive member of the group. “Theywanted to have all their ducks in arow so that the proposal wouldhave a good chance of beingaccepted.”
In 1994, LHAF incorporated andreceived 501c3 tax exempt status.Fundraising became its focus.Through donations and imaginativeevents such as the Wearable ArtFashion Show and benefit concertsincluding Woodstock legend RichieHavens, they hired architect DavidCox, who provided the Foundationwith cost estimates, a concept narrative and renderings of thegroup’s vision.
The Foundation had the detailedproposal it needed to present itsdream jointly with ACC LeisureServices to the SPLOST CitizensSelection Committee that acceptedthe proposal and put the project ona referendum. They campaigned bysending a “Note to Vote” to artistsand arts patrons across the community, and voters approvedthe $6 million allocation to theLyndon House Arts CenterExpansion and Renovation Project.
Ground breaking on July 30, 1997was a proud moment for theFoundation and the Athens community. Through the effort ofLHAF member H. Randolph Holder,state dignitaries, LieutenantGovernor Pierre Howard and
Senator Paul Broun,were invited to speakat the ceremony.
In October of thatyear, Athens-ClarkeCounty partneredwith the Foundationto furnish the historichouse. With fundsraised and con-struction underway,the Foundation refocused its efforts tothe restoration of thehouse and LHAFmembers served onall project committeesof the SPLOST usergroup. Throughgrants it supple-mented the houserestoration budgetand allocated someof the funds to a con-servation specialistand wood flooringfor the new galleryspaces.
In May 1998, theFoundation, whichbecome like a family,suffered the loss ofone of its most influ-ential charter mem-bers, Ronnie Lukasiewicz. Ronnie had spearheaded notonly the expansion project, but also the Arts Center’s initial opening in 1974. His sudden death affected theentire community deeply. The Foundation decided tohonor his life’s work by a request to the ACC govern-ment to name one of the annex’s galleries in his honor.
In the beginning of 1999 The Foundation planned yetanother successful proposal to the 2000 SPLOST. Thistime the initiative funded the restoration of the muralsdiscovered in the dining room during the first restoration process. It also provided for the completionof the floors in the downstairs annex and landscapingthe exterior spaces.
On August 20, 1999, the Foundation kicked off a week-end of activities to celebrate the reopening of theLyndon House Arts Center with its beautiful expandedspaces. The evening, entitled First Impressions, beganwith a preview party that included patrons’ tours and asilent auction and brought in hundreds of communitymembers. That Saturday, the opening weekend continued with the official ribbon cutting and dedication ceremony.
The Foundation continued to work to support the ArtsCenter. They purchased a sound system for the expand-ed part of the Arts Center and other equipment notcovered in its budget. They continue to offer vital volun-teer support as well as a bi annual newsletter ArtiFacts.
Center, from top:May Pole performance artproject led byErika Lewis at aMemorial ParkArts Festival;
ThursdayPainters celebrate EdnaEllis' birthday,1993. They metin the art studioupstairs in whatis now the director's office.The group continues tomeet in the newpainting anddrawing studio;
Toni Carlucciteaching children's class in the LyndonHouse before the expansion.Toni still teachesboth childrenand adults atLHAC
Photo: Nancy Lukasiewicz
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Art Parade,a community
project directedby Michaelangelo
Pistoletto, a visiting artist
who judged the5th annual
Juried Exhibition.Pistoletto is inthe second rowon the left. (SeeRichard Olsen's
Memory on page14 for related
story)
Lower right:Peter and SandyLoose and dog
Bongo watch thededication
ceremony fromthe upper atrium
balcony
Pat Shields
I grew up down there (at the LyndonHouse), as my Pappy was the first recreationdirector for the city of Athens, and had hisoffice in the Lyndon House in the late 40'sand early 50's... and I helped with the historic restoration when I worked with theACC government. Nancy Lukasiewicz hasbeen there longer than dirt.
Photo: Ronnie Lukasiewicz
Photo: Shannon Williams
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Lyndon House Arts Center is operated by the Athens-Clarke County Department of Leisure Services as a center ofexcellence for the benefit and cultural enrichment of youth
and adults. Festivals, art classes, workshops, gallery exhibitions, art meetings, special events and historic house
museum aim to provide area citizens with a positive experience in the visual arts, encouraging them to
appreciate the arts and to develop their creative talents.
Mary Jessica HammesI spent several summers of my childhood atart camp, and that's when I started feelingreally validated as an artist. My parents hadalways been encouraging, but I remember little moments at art camp in which I startedto have that very special feeling that I wasreally, actually, truly an artist and could pursue that. Art camp also helped me makefriends with some children who opened myeyes to larger social issues. I've been veganas an adult for 10 years, but it was an artcamp friend who introduced me to my firstbite of tofu. And it was with art camp friendsthat I began talking about animal welfareand rights (we even had a short-lived clubdevoted to animal rights that was born outof conversation at art camp - I'm not surewhat we planned to do with it, but it madeus feel united for a special cause). I willalways remember the fantastic quirkiness ofmy teachers, too. As a young adult, Ivolunteered a few times at art camp, too,and it was great fun to watch the kids havethose growing and expanding moments thatI remembered and held close.
When my husband and I got married onApril 6, 2002, we had our wedding reception at the Lyndon House, in thegallery and community room. It was during one of the annual juried shows andwe had many photos of us taken againstsome very interesting pieces of art.
My son Tommy is two years old, and I can'twait until he's old enough to go to art camp!
NancyLukasiewicz leadsa gallery tour foran English as aSecondLanguage classin the 1980s
Art byPreschoolers(1990) was aparticipatory artexhibition in thegalleries. Withthe help of theirteachers, 3 - 5year-olds whowere enrolled in21 area pre-schools and day-care centers produced anarray of hands-(& feet-) ongames that visitors to thegalleries playedand enjoyed.Over 500 children participated. The game shownat left taught children to knowthe differencebetween rightand left
Harriet and Bob enjoy
refreshments inthe lounge
during one ofthe many galleryreceptions which
they regularlyattend
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Spotlight
Harriett & Robert NixBy Madeline Darnell
Harriett and Robert Nix have been an integral part ofthe successes of Lyndon House since it began. They’vehelped it grow from the time it was a place to storesports equipment to its current expanded building witha large variety of programs and galleries.
Harriett describes the arts center in its early days as aplace everyone loved to be. “It was a casual atmosphere, and people seemed to have good feelingsabout it. There were “regulars” who stopped by often tovisit with each other.” She was a “regular” herself, helping out wherever she was needed. One of herfavorite volunteer jobs was assisting with exhibitions byreceiving the art, collecting fees, and helping with thepaperwork.
Early in the life of the Lyndon House, Bob concernedhimself with the “crazy” dream of a couple of younggraduate students, Nancy and Ronnie Lukasiewicz, ofestablishing an arts center in Athens. Bob, who justrecently retired from his position as a professor in theUniversity of Georgia Art Department, used his ties inthe art department (including drama and music, as wellas visual arts) to help connect the Lyndon House withartists and art educators who needed a place for theirprojects. It was mutually beneficial, described Nix. “I knew who to call.”
In fact, Bob is often referred to these days as aGrandfather of the Lyndon House. When asked how hegot that title, he smiled and said, “Like any grandfatherwho likes to spoil the grandchildren, I don’t say no tothe Lyndon House.” He was and still is a loyal advocate,chairing committees, serving on the citizens advisorycommittee and actively involved, along with Harriett, inthe Historic House committee. Both attend many of theart center’s public events, especially the openings of thejuried shows.
Harriett and Bob are alsovisual artists. They haveexhibited at the LyndonHouse over the past 32years in several art mediums. Bob, a photo-grapher who has recentlygifted his photographs tothe university’s special collections library, is also ametal smith, creating jewelry, knives, and cutlery.Harriett is a watercolorist,sculptor, and printmaker.They recently recalled ajoint show in Marchof1984 (Images of PastTime) before the expansion.Bob exhibited photographyof a vanishing ruralGeorgia, and Harriett exhibited her watercolorsof angels and her doll col-lection. “It was a majorshow. We had the wholefirst floor,” they explained.
The couple played a part in obtaining the expandedfacility as well. “Over theyears, the Lyndon Housewas so successful it was stifled. The events were so
big you couldn’t move. So, a community of artists, busi-ness people and UGA faculty began to meet and planfor growth,” Bob explained. Harriett took notes andmade diagrams of ideas for the group, which met everytwo weeks. Harriett said of the process, “It was verystimulating to plan something like that. Everyone wastrying so hard to get everything right.”
Harriett recalled the evening celebration of the newexpansion. “We were gathered in the Atrium Gallerywhen it started to rain very hard. The sound of the rainon the skylights was so loud, it made us think it wasraining inside. It’s one of my favorite memories.”
Bob and Harriett were reluctant to talk about their individual contributions to the growth and success ofthe Lyndon House. Instead they mentioned a host ofother people, but chiefly they emphasized the “totalcommunity involvement” it took over the years to get itstarted and to expand the building.
Photo: Shannon Williams
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Lyndon House AnnualJuried ExhibitionAn important part of the Lyndon House arts program-ming is the annual juried show. There have only beentwo times in the history of the Lyndon House whenthere wasn’t a juried exhibition. Those two were duringthe construction of the expanded facility. Following isthe list of the prestigious jurors who selected the showfrom hundreds of entries.
Joy of Art (1974)Glen KaufmanArtist/Art Professor, Athens GA
2nd Juried Exhibition (1975)Douglas Pickering Artist/Art Professor, Pittsburgh PABernie Solomon Artist/Art Professor, Statesboro GA
3rd Juried Exhibition (1976)Gudmond Vigtel Director, High Museum of Art, Atlanta GA
4th Juried Exhibition (1977)Edwin Ritts Curator, Greenville County Museum of Art, SC
5th Juried Exhibition (1978)Michaelangelo Pistoletto Artist, Italy and Germany
6th Juried Exhibition (1979)Annette Cone-Skelton Editor, Contemporary Arts Southeast Magazine
7th Juried Exhibition (1980)David Heath Owner, Heath Gallery, Atlanta GA
8th Juried Exhibition (1981)Leon Arkus Arts Consultant/Director Emeritus Museum of Art, Carnegie Institute, Pittsburgh PA
9th Juried Exhibition (1982)Nina Parris Curator, Museum of Arts & Sciences, Columbia SC
10th Juried Exhibition (1983)Marge Goldwater Curator, Walker Art Center,Minneapolis MN
11th Juried Exhibition (1984)Gerald Nordland Director, Milwaukee Art Museum WIRoy SladePresident, Cranbrook Academy of Art, Bloomfield Hills MI
12th Juried Exhibition (1985)Thomas M. MesserDirector, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, NYC
13th Juried Exhibition (1986)Judy Chicago Artist/Writer, California & New Mexico
14th JuriedExhibition (1987)Lee FlemingArt Writer,Washington DC
21st JuriedExhibition (1994)RichardWaterhouseVisual Arts Manager,Georgia Council forthe ArtsDebra WilburDirector, City Galleryof Chastain, Atlanta
22nd JuriedExhibition (1995)Eva ForgacsHungarian Art Critic/Art Historian, Los Angeles CA
23rd Juried Exhibition (1996)Susan Lubowsky Previous Director NEA Visual ArtsPrograms, Executive Director SECCA, Winston-Salem NC
(continued on page 14)
Art Rosenbaum
I have many fond memories of Lyndon Houseover the years. I think the best was the publication party Lyndon House hosted backin 1983 on the occasion of the release by theUniversity of Georgia Press of two books,Folk Visions and Voices: Traditional Musicand Song in North Georgia which I wrotebased on my Georgia field collecting startingin 1976, and Brothers in Clay: The Story ofGeorgia Folk Pottery by John Burrison,Georgia State University folklore professor.
As I remember, we exhibited my drawingsand Margo Newmark Rosenbaum's photographs that were part of our project,along with some examples of the potteryJohn studied. But the high point of the eventwas the musical performances by Georgia traditional musicians and singers whom I hadinvited.
I recall the moving and beautiful singing ofthe Brown's Chapel Choir of Bishop, Doc andLucy Barnes' more upbeat gospel singing,and the intense banjo picking and singing of Lawrence Eller of Towns County. I have spoken with people recently who vividlyrecall the afternoon; the traditions werereborn in live performance by masterfulartists.
We were and continue to appreciate thatLyndon House has not only been willing toput art on its walls, but to host events thatadd new dimensions to our understanding of our culture.
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Jurors (continued from page 13)24th Juried Exhibition (1998)William Wiley Artist, Sausalito CA
25th Juried Exhibition (2000)Gary Sangster Executive Director, Contemporary Museum in Baltimore
26th Juried Exhibition (2001)James Dean Founding Director, NASA Fine Art Program and former Curator of Art at theNational Air & Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution,Washington DC
27th Juried Exhibition (2002)James Rondeau Co-commissioner for US Pavillion atVenice Biennale
28th Juried Exhibition (2003)Rachael Blackburn Director, Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, Kansas City MO
29th Juried Exhibition (2004)David C. Levy President/Director,Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington DC
30th Juried Exhibition (2005)Benny Andrews Artist/former NEA Visual Arts Director,NYC
31st Juried Exhibition (2006)William A. Fagaly Curator, New Orleans Museum of Art
32nd Juried Exhibition (2007)Leslie A. Przybylek Curator of Exhibitions, ExhibitsUSA,Kansas City MO
33rd Juried Exhibition (2008)Charles Wylie The Lupe Murchison Curator ofContemporary Art, Dallas Museum of Art
34th Juried Exhibition (2009)Karen Shaw Chief Curator Islip Art Museum andCarriage House Workspace, Long Island NY
Richard OlsenBy Mary Padgelek
Dick Olsen’s Lyndon House memory involvesthe Italian artist Michelangelo Pistoletto, the1978 juror for the Lyndon House Exhibit. Hisfriendship changed Olsen’s concepts of art.When Pistelletto judged the show, everyonegot in. He didn’t believe art should be a competition. If you made art, you’re in. His attitude was, “What’s this thing about being so fussy?”
Olsen recalls an example of Pistoletto’s concept of art demonstrated at an art reception. Olsen and Pistoletto were standing on the front porch of LyndonHouse with three women. Two of thewomen were in the show. The third womanwas noticeably dressed to attract attentionby her grooming, dress, and high heels. Sheknew everyone was looking at her.
At that time, the Lyndon House porch haddeteriorating boards. This woman sidles upseductively to Pistoletto and says “I adoreartists. What is it that makes the artist?How do you make the art?” Pistoletto looksdown at the porch with a big crack and hesaid “That’s art.” She looks down puzzled.And he says, “Why don’t you step overwhere I am and as we cross the line, we’regoing to make art.” So then she steps wherehe is and he steps over where she was.Before she was on sure footing and shemoved to an unstable area. Instead of poise,she exudes unease. “Oh my gosh! This is so difficult. It’s so hard.” She knew she was looking funny. And Pistoletto said to her,“Now you’re in art.” He made her decomposeand not be who she thought she was. Shewas in the grips of something that wasunknown and that she was unaccustomed toand that was art.
Omowale Dance StudioAn Early Lyndon House TreasureBy Madeline Darnell
Just a few years before the Lyndon House became anofficial arts center, Nina Civilette-Olsen and ChristineSimmons, Recreation Supervisor for Rock SpringsRecreation Center, began the Omowale ContemporaryDance Theatre of Athens for the purpose of bringingdance education to children and youths from neighbor-hood families in Athens. Because of its success the program was moved to Lyndon House where TommyLay was head of the Recreation Division.
First Nina had to remove stored parking meters to clearenough space for a dance studio in what soon becamethe Lyndon House Arts Center and is now the historichouse museum. At this time she received two back-to-back grants from the Georgia Council for the Arts forthis venture. She and Tommy Lay became great friends,as they both believed that arts were just as important as sports for children. The program eventually moved toTommy Lay Park.
The Omowale dance studio flourished for 20 years,teaching over 300 children. Nina gave her students thebest training possible, augmenting their regular trainingwith lessons from competitive workshops in theSoutheastern region and once from visiting artist, PearlPrimus, who stated that the Omowale Dancers "werebetter than 50% of professional dance organizations."The young dancers were invited by Mary ElizabethBusbee, wife of former governor George Busbee, torepresent 'Athens in the Arts,” performing their dancingfor the Grand Opening of the Georgia World Congress Center.
Encouraging creativity in her students she allowedfree style dance movements of their own whichmany times became a part of the choreography insome of the dances. Becausefunds for the program werevery scarce, Nina encouragedher students to give their ideas for costume design, and with a little help from the mothers, Nina designed and sewed the costumes.
Before moving to Athens with her husband Richard Olsen, professor ofart at UGAs Lamar Dodd School of Art,Nina earned wide recognition as aprofessional dancer. As a child andyoung adult Nina studied with theJack Bowman and Gene Kelly dancestudios in Pittsburgh and became aprofessional dancer at age 19. Latera member of the American Guild ofVariety Artists, she danced in NewYork, Chicago, and all over theMidwest, Canada and Mexico as asoloist in the original contemporaryinterpretive and jazz style.
The Omowale studio was “my dream from childhood to give to children what I had,” explained Nina. Thedream actually began when she saw her first perfor-mance of the great dancer, Pearl Primus, who was ananthropology doctoral student at New York Universitywho returned to Nigeria to study native dance. As Pearlwent from village to village to learn the dances, theNigerians from one village would drum a message of“omowale” to the neighboring village to alert them shewas coming.“Omowale” meant “child returns home.”
That performance of Primus was so powerful for Ninathat her mother found her dancing, after it, in herhome studio in Pittsburgh well after 3 a.m. Pearl Primuswas an influence in Nina's long development as adancer. Nina taught the children ballet, tap, acrobatic, jazz, Afro Cuban, Hula, and Spanishstyles as only a dance artist in original contemporaryinterpretative and jazz style dance could do.
Her students, who were elementary, middle andhigh school age, became trained in the “T-bone”technique of centering the body, the core of
dance, which Nina learnedfrom her teachers. Ninareflected that after
leaving Omowale, “manyof my students had thepotential to be professionaldancers.” Many, however,used their skill and poise toparticipate in various danceopportunities associated withhigh school sports and theylater became part of Athens’professional community.
In 1984, Nina was namedWoman of the Year in the Artsin Athens, and received theCommunity Cultural Awardfrom Athens-Clarke County in 1985.
Photo: Nina Civilette-Olsen
Photo: Nina Civilette-Olsen
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