Politics & Government

Cultural Artist Hopes to Partner with City

As the unfinished Cultural Arts Center draws closer to completion, Karen Shirley wants to help further the facility and utilize it.

Karen Shirley, an art enthusiast and professional, approached the Powder Springs City Council at Wednesday’s work session with some ideas on how she could partner with the city as it pushes the Cultural Arts Center at the to completion.

“I’ve always believed the arts are a great foundation to any community,” she said. “It brings hope, it brings vibrancy, it connects the community as a whole.”

The 7,000-square-foot center became victim to a faltering economy amid the latter stages of the Coach Ford Center’s construction. Its other three facilities—, and —are complete.

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But the Cultural Arts Center, which is attached to the library, only has its outer shell finished. that an estimated $300,000 is needed for its innards to be completed—money included in the Cobb County Special Purpose Local Option Sales tax referendum .

Shirley said she’d like to partner with the city and also help in gathering funds for the center.

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She said she was at the library three weeks ago checking out theater books. The librarian asked her if she was getting her children involved in theater, and Shirley explained she was looking for a space to do art programs. 

“She said you know what? You need to take a look around the back adjacent to the library,” she said.

Shirley said her first objective would be to get the center ready for an 8-week summer arts program that would include music, drama, dance, video production, photography, storytelling and cultural arts trips—which would all lead up to a major production.

With the building already equipped with air conditioning, all that would be needed is the restrooms to be fit for occupants. Shirley said she is already talking with contractors about them.

The unfinished open space inside would be good for programs because it’s versatile, she said.

Fundraisers Shirley mentioned include: galas, business sponsorships, silent auctions, dinner theaters and ticket sales from productions. She said she would keep with the city’s blueprints for the building.

“I wouldn’t deviate from any plans you’ve already started,” she said. 

Shirley discussed the surrounding arts facilities: Marietta’s Earl Smith Strand Theatre, Mableton’s Mable House and the Cultural Arts Council of Douglasville/Douglas County. 

“We don’t have anything here in Powder Springs,” she said, “and so that does bring in traffic, positive traffic, as well as revenue for the city.”

Following Shirley’s verbal presentation, Mayor Pat Vaughn suggested she meet with the Coach Ford Center Board to discuss her plans.

“They have not met in quite a while,” Vaughn said. “The Ford Board is ready to get back together, and they would be excited to hear this.”

Councilman Al Thurman asked if there would be any liability to the city, and Shirley said there wouldn’t be because she would be carrying insurance.

Shirley expressed her excitement on furthering the Cultural Arts Center project. She said that once she begins work and showing people what the center could become, more people will want to join in the effort.

“Nothing is impossible,” she said, “because when you get a group of people together that’s anxious and focused, you can get it done.”

Also discussed at Wednesday’s work session:

  • to the new Powder Springs police station
  • Hashing out an environmental employment contract and studies
  • Adjusting the current fiscal year’s budget
  • A land deal that was discussed in executive session

The council is scheduled to meet Monday at 7 p.m. at the .


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