Members and guests enjoyed a delicious lunch at the River Course clubhouse for their last gathering of the 2023/24 season. Guest speakers were the leaders of Charleston Jazz Orchestra (CJO), a Program Partner for three years, bringing jazz performances and workshops to the local island schools. Alva Anderson, chair of the board, led attendees in an African folk song, demonstrating the community and improvisation features of early jazz, which had its roots in the Gullah traditions, brought to the Charleston area by enslaved people who came here from Africa. Executive Director, Tatjana Belyotte, shared some of the activities of the CJO, such as performance and education through the Jazz Academy, including Arts, etc.-sponsored programs at the island schools. She highlighted the value of jazz and arts education to the students’ overall educational experience and success.
President Amy Creamer, Treasurer Tamara Phalen, and Head of Development Barbara McDuffie reported on the great success of the Art and House Tour in April with almost $200,000 raised. A huge thank you to all the committee leaders and volunteers who made it such an amazing event. Our next big fundraising event was announced, which will be an art auction and exhibition over Valentine’s Day weekend (February 15) at the Turtle Point Clubhouse. The next Kiawah Art & House Tour is scheduled for April 11th.
The arts programs in the schools for this year have almost concluded with several of them held in the last few weeks. Arts, etc. was able to grant over $180,000 in funds to programs in the Johns and Wadmalaw Island schools this year. With the funds raised in April, we have approved applications submitted by our program partners for the coming year that will continue and advance these programs, touching even more students. Past President, Carla Powe, reported that the recommended candidate for the open board seat in Membership was Jennifer Tesoro. She was approved by an enthusiastic vote. Next year, there will several board and volunteer leadership openings. Carla encouraged members to think about which ones they would be interested in and having conversations with her or Amy in the early fall.