Cultural Arts Commission Puts Art Center Stage in Canton
A commission of deviated art enthusiasts from all mediums will soon use a broad brush to breathe new life into the cityscapes of Canton. The Canton Cultural Arts Commission (CCAC) hopes adding more public art to the city will help celebrate all Canton has to offer in nature, culture, and history.
The aims of the commission are to highlight natural riches, celebrate regional history, and make the city and life in it more beautiful.
The vision of the CCAC is for the streets, parks, events, sites, and lives of Canton to be made more beautiful and meaningful through a collective and sustained effort to incorporate, celebrate, and promote the arts in Canton, Kristin Norton Green shares.
“The CCAC was formed with the understanding that art — be it visual, tangible, permanent, or living — can and should enhance a city and the lives of its residents and visitors alike,” she points out.
Goals are to put Canton on “The Map” and create places and opportunities for community interaction and engagement. The commission also wants to celebrate all Canton has to offer. And, of course, to generate tourism and business through art — both directly and indirectly.
“The Canton Cultural Arts Commission will work to support and fund cultural arts activities, programs, and exhibits. By advancing arts and culture as an essential element of life in Canton, we build community and connectivity while increasing economic development opportunities and promoting tourism. I’m so excited to be working with this group of volunteers on public art initiatives, events, and more as we really try to capture the synergy between culture and commerce,” Canton City Councilor Brooke Schmidt says.
Arts commission members are excited about the plans and ready to see art take center stage in Canton. Each of the commission members brings a positive perspective to the group.
Amy Kesler
“Personally, I like art that makes me smile and improves my day. I believe art is important to the community to provide a spark of energy into our daily lives. As a community, we can use art to inspire our neighbors and to help build unity among all of us.”
Elaine Federico
“The arts are important to me because I personally have witnessed the profound impact of performance and visual arts on myself and my family, and it is my mission to bring the same kind of inspiration and soul-healing energy to the community around me.”
Jamie Foreman
“Art is essential to a vibrant community. People don’t often consciously recognize the importance of art to an area, but they feel it when they enter a town where it is embraced. Picture a town without music, murals, good dining, or interesting architecture. Why would you go? Art is a place maker, a human connector, and a way to celebrate the unique attributes of an area and its people. Being a part of the Cultural Arts Commission is not simply about installing murals; it is about celebrating our cultural identity and creating a sense of belonging for our community and anyone who visits the Coolest Small Town in America through the arts.”
Theresa Shampine
“Artists have a deep desire to not only create, but to share their creations with others. Fostering an environment that not only facilitates the ability for artists to grow in their crafts, but also gives them a platform to share their creations with local audiences is essential to having a thriving, diverse, and unique community. I am anticipating a wonderful surge of visual and performing arts in Canton and know that it will impact our city’s future immeasurably.”
Rob Walker-Bunda
“The arts are important to a city because they are a visible, audible, and tangible distillation of the people and history, and culture of that city. Making art public allows both residents and visiting persons alike to learn from and enjoy the diversity of perspective and experience that any city has to offer. Through responsible and intentional implementation of the arts, we can teach, celebrate, commemorate, and improve the lives and quality of life in our city. All while making it a more attractive, inclusive, and inviting place to live in or visit.”
Bryan White
“I am an alumnus of Reinhardt ‘84 and we moved back to the Canton area about two years ago. My wife and I have been entrepreneurs and artists for more than thirty years, and we previously lived in a community that removed many of their historic buildings in the name of ‘progress.’ Canton is unique in its character and charm and I believe it is extremely important to return that while expanding its artistic beauty. I am honored to be a part of Canton’s pursuit of becoming an art destination in the Southeast.”
Haley Whyte
“The arts provide the opportunity to gather with people from all walks of life. It strengthens the bonds between people that live in the area. Art in the community can also lead to setting the community apart and attracting people, which in turn helps boost economic growth.”