Snellville Arts Council Moves Forward

Artists, art lovers, and artsy people - rejoice!  An official arts council is in the works to promote the arts in Snellville.

Snellville's Economic Development, along with the Snellville Trade and Tourism board and a host of volunteers, are coming together to form an official Snellville Arts Council.  Modeled after the North Gwinnett Arts Association, the group has goals of encouraging local artists to prosper in our town.  Mayoral candidate Kelly Kautz was one of the first to show interest in such a group about four or five years ago.  While nothing happened immediately, her ideas are finally coming to fruition through the passion and dedication of a handful of local creatives. 

“There have been a lot of people who have been interested in promoting the arts in Snellville,” Kautz said. “There are several different groups, but they are not organized as one cohesive group. It's my goal to bring all those different groups together.” 

Under the direction of Eric Van Otteren, Snellville's Economic Development Manager, the council has the potential to become as important to the community as the North Gwinnett Arts Association is to Suwanee. The NGAA only became active in November of 2010, but they are a strong presence in their town. The Snellville Arts Council may grow to become the South Gwinnett Arts Association, if things go as well as current members and volunteers hope. 

“We are trying to gauge the community's interest,” said Van Otteren. “It could be larger than just Snellville.” 

There is an art and entertainment district planned for the Center.  Van Otteren hopes that the new Arts Council will have a significant presence there, and may even be the catalyst for a large performing arts theater. The council, however, is not a city initiative.

“We don't want to be another Decatur or Suwanee,” Van Otteren continued. “We want to see what works for Snellville, and our community of artists. What is arts in South Gwinnett?” 

Deborah Kepes, owner of the Cobble Creek Studios art gallery on the corner of Hwy. 124 and 78, has been very vocal in her desire for the council. Kepes' gallery opened in November of 2010, and offers space for local artists, as well as lessons for adults and children. Kepes would like to see Snellville become a prime destination spot for artists and art lovers. Right now, her studio is host to Haitian artist Raphael Sagage and his collection of “Jazz Greats and the Female Form.” 

“The council is for all of the arts,” she said, including dance, theater and music. The NGAA encourages digital photographers, potters, woodworkers, metal workers, jewelers, writers, poets and performing artists to join their assocation. 

With Kepes' art gallery and Dan Hall's Gwinnett Ballet Theater, Snellville has the opportunity to become a major destination spot for artists. The New London Theater, located on Main Street, is very active, with new shows and performances nearly every month.  They have also recently branched out to include the Viral Flash Theater, a performance group that does spontaneous acting and unique, nontraditional acts.  

Current members of the arts council will have a booth displayed at the Fall Festival. As of now, the council is trying to determine how many people are interested and what they can accomplish in the near future. Nothing has been decided for certain as of yet, but all ideas and dreams can be brought to the table. Even the name is uncertain – it may be called the Snellville Arts Council, Snellville Art Alliance, South Gwinnett Arts Association, the Snellville Arts Guild, or any number of things along those lines. 

The next meeting will be on October 3, at 7 p.m. It is open to the public. If you are interested in volunteering or brainstorming, contact Eric van Otteren at (770) 985-3502 for more information.