Colquitt County Arts Center

by Karen Sasine, CCAC Art Instructor.  Courtesy of the Moultrie Observer.

Seven years ago, myself and husband at the time, our four children and dog drove into Moultrie for the start of a new chapter in our lives. On the bypass I looked out the window and saw the most beautiful sight -- a full double rainbow. I happened to have my camera on my lap and snapped a picture. Little did I know at the time how richly colorful and rewarding my life would become from this wonderful little town.

Being a graduate from The Savannah College of Art and Design, the importance of art in my life has always been natural. As an artist, it was time to find my passion. The Colquitt County Arts Center has provided me with a home to make that happen. Finding mosaics six years ago and wanting to be on top of my game, I started to create my life one piece at a time. I built a career and a life for myself and my children.

A few years ago, the position for the United Way funded Senior Art program became available. Delighted at the opportunity to teach, but not having painted in many years, I knew that I would have to study and bring myself up to par. Little did I know that the class that I teach on Tuesday mornings would be such an important and life changing experience. I teach acrylic painting and, recently, we’ve started mosaics. But more important to me than teaching is all that my students have taught me. With age comes wisdom and each one of my students have brought me such joy and knowledge. We have grown together as artists and I cherish the knowledge and friendships that we have developed.

As my mosaic career has blossomed, I keep my roots at the Arts Center. The facilities are incredible and the resources unmatched for this area. The variety of artists, classes, and events has brightened this community in ways that I feel most people don’t realize or understand. It has truly been a blessing for me to find such a comfortable place to call home.

After discussing a proposal to create a spiritual hands fountain for Dr. David Adcock, the arts center was gracious enough to take me in as an artist-in-residence to learn the process of light weight sculpture for mosaics. I started creating a piece of art that was larger and more advanced than I ever thought was possible at the time for me. Once again, piece by piece, I studied and created. During this process, I never passed up the opportunity to talk to anybody about what I was doing.

Today, I sit here, the sculptural aspect behind me, the mosaic challenge in front of me, realizing how much this place has meant to me. There is a natural release of energy every seven years which encourages you to move forward and make changes. Now is that time for me. In a few weeks, I will be hosting a benefit yard sale and open house to see the fountain in progress. Details will be announced soon. A percentage of the proceeds from this sale will go directly to the arts center.

As Michaelangelo once said, “The true work of art is but a shadow of the divine perfection.” Within the walls of this beautiful historic building, the Colquitt County Arts Center, you will find so much talent, love, passion and creativity which allow so many people, young and old, to express themselves in ways that enable them to be free.

Think about a world without artists… There would be no music, no dance and no beauty on which to live and love. I look forward to seeing the community come together to help keep this wonderful place alive. I live to create and inspire and the Colquitt County Arts Center has allowed me to do that.