Gigantic Art Party Coming to 4/5 Academy in Decatur

The brand new 4/5 Academy at Fifth Avenue in the city Decatur will be bustling with more than 30 performing artists this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The second Annual Decatur Arts Live! will feature puppeteers, dancers, comedians, musicians and many more audience pleasing acts in the 600-seat auditorium and several classrooms.

Whether you are a student at the new 4/5 Academy, a parent or just curious about the brand new school building in Oakhurst, you are invited. The 4/5 Academy PTO and Young Audiences Woodruff Arts Center have teamed up for the fundraiser which will support enrichment programs at F.AVE with its profits.

“Young Audiences Woodruff Arts Center approached us at Glenwood last year because the cultural arts is an important focus for the 4/5 Academy,” said Michele Hillegass, co-chair of the Decatur Arts Live! “The event makes a great showcase for their artists.”

YAWAC is an organization that places art programs in schools through assemblies, workshops and residencies with a mission to transform the lives and learning of young people through the arts.

Last year more than 700 attended helping the PTO raise more than $7,000. This year, organizers are hoping to attract 1,000 visitors and are aiming for the $10,000 mark, said Hillegass.  

“This event kicks off our fund-raising campaign for the year,” Hillegass said. All the profits will go into the general PTO fund campaign to fund projects such as the art assembly programs and the playground. 

Rotating performances on the stage and in classrooms as well as demonstrations with potters, artists and crafts will entertain. Take home what you make and leave a little of your creative side behind when you put your special touches on a metal square that
will be part of a larger composite of art work that will decorate the school.

Get there early. From 9:45 a.m. to 10:15 everyone who comes through the door will be entered into a special drawing for a birthday party for 20 at Leapin’ Lizards.

New this year is a raffle that will feature 22 baskets filled with goodies with different themes.  For example, “Skills on the Grill” includes a
bucket of grilling goodies from Intown Ace Hardware, a $100 gift card for meat in a box from Oakhurst Market and a $50 gift certificate from Iberian Pig all valued at $215.

Purchase raffle tickets for the baskets in advance on line or at the event. The more you buy, the more you save. The drawing will be Aug. 27 at 2:45 p.m. at the event and winners will be notified by phone or email.

When hunger strikes, pizza, hot dogs, and baked goods will be available for purchase at the Café. Street parking is available around the school and in the new Oakhurst Church parking lot in downtown Oakhurst and at church lots adjacent to F.AVE.

Advance tickets for the all-day event are $10 for adults, $5 for a child and $20 for a family. Tickets the day of the event will cost $15 at the door, $8 for a child and $25 for a family.

Art Shots

HomeGrown Gallery. “Earth, Wind and Fire,” an art opening at , Aug. 27, 7 to 9 p.m. Gallery will showcase artists who work with wood, paper, clay and glass. Enjoy food and drink while you mingle with the artists. HomeGrown is also collecting new and used art supplies for “The Creatives Project” and the Addo Foundation, a citywide summer art supply drive through Aug. 31. The supplies will be used for programs mentoring “at risk” youth through the arts.  

50 Cents Period. Photography contest sponsored by for photos incorporating RED. A project of Just Cause, Inc. and the LaVya initiative, 50 Cents Period represents a worldwide network of women dedicated to creating more options for girls by providing supplies facilities and education related to menstruation. There is no charge to enter and the gallery will have the top 5-10 photos printed and will raffle them off on Oct. 22. Send your entries to red@thruourlens.com.

Clothesline Show and Find Arts Exhibition, Sept. 3-4.  Sammiches N Stuff, 515 N. McDonough St. Show from 5-8 p.m. Let your emerging artist shine through by bringing your art to hang from 5-8 p.m. on Saturday.  Fine art pieces from local
artists will be on display all weekend. 

AutumnFest Poster Contest, date extended. The
Avondale Arts Alliance has extended the deadline to Aug. 25 to submit artwork for the first annual AutumnFest. Anyone with a creative idea who lives in Avondale is eligible. The winning poster will be unveiled at the ArtsParty on Sept. 17 at The Little Wine Shop and will be featured all over town to promote AutumnFest. For submission guidelines see www.avondalearts.org. For
more info, contact Jen Singh, jennifer@jensingh.com.