Class of 2025 Arts & Culture Day
November starts the season of many memorable celebrations and marks the end of fall and the approach of winter. From cozy sweater weather to heartfelt moments of gratitude, this month offers a special time to slow down, reflect, and appreciate the beauty around us. Leadership Augusta Class of 2025 had the opportunity to experience the beauty of the arts in Augusta. From the Morris Museum of Art to the Jessye Norman School of Arts, a brief stop at the Westobou Gallery, a performance at W.S. Hornsby Middle School, a tour of the renovated Bell Auditorium, and a debrief at Second Chance turned this rainy into a day of sunshine.
The first stop on the LA Arts Tour was the Morris Museum of Arts, which happens to be the oldest museum in the country dedicated to the art and artists of the American South and the only art museum in the Central Savannah River Area. Kevin Grogan provided us with a rich history of incredible art and artists, from the 1800s to the current day. During this stop we divided into musical groups, created our band name and logo that we would later perform at another stop!
The second stop on the LA Arts Tour was the Jessye Norman School of the Arts (JNSA), where we were hosted by Executive Director and LA Alum Gary Dennis. The Jessye Norman School of the Arts was founded in 2003 by the Rachel Longstreet Foundation and was funded in large part during its first year by its namesake, the celebrated opera singer and the late Augusta native Jessye Norman. The school is a 501(c)(3) organization, offering courses in dance, drama, visual art, music, digital art, and creative writing. During this stop the LA 25 musical bands came to life with the help of the JNSA creative team.
The third stop on the LA Arts Tour was a brief stop at the Westobou Gallery, which is a nonprofit arts organization dedicated to enriching the cultural fabric of Augusta’s River Region. LA 25's very own Matt Porter provided an overview of the art gallery and allowed us to view the work of artists from the community.
Our fourth and highly anticipated stop on the LA Arts Tour was to W.S. Hornsby Middle School, where the LA 25 bands performed for the third-grade students. We learned the students who witnessed the band performances had done extremely well on their standardized testing. The LA 25 bands performed our amateur, same day created versions of popular songs we added our own lyrics to. This stop on the tour turned out to be the best part of the day! The students joined in the fun and danced and sang along with us.
The Class of 2025 then had the chance to tour the Bell Auditorium, which is undergoing a major $17.5 million renovation. The tour provided a back-stage look at the new amenities like a larger entry hall, updated dressing rooms, and additional restrooms. A standout feature is the new speakeasy and club area.
To wrap up their visit, the Class of 2025 gathered for a reception and end-of-day recap at the Second Act, a unique thrift store owned and operated by the Jessye Norman School of the Arts. The store supports the school’s mission to provide arts education and opportunities for local youth. During the event, students were gifted custom screen-printed totes featuring their band logos, designed by local artist and Jessye Norman teacher Carmen Moses. These one-of-a-kind bags not only served as a thoughtful keepsake but also highlighted the creative talents within the community. The reception offered a chance for the class to reflect on their experiences of the day, further strengthening their connection to Augusta's cultural landscape and the people who contribute to its vibrant arts scene.