Thanks to dedicated Board members, instructors, volunteers, students, and staff, Callanwolde experienced tremendous success in 2021. Callanwolde’s definition of success, however, goes well beyond strong financial stability. We exist to serve the greater Atlanta community as an inspiring home for the arts: specifically, offering arts education to underserved communities, hosting live performances, ensuring the highest quality of arts instruction, and preserving the Callanwolde estate. We started the year determined to make the best of a challenging situation. With many of Atlanta’s music venues still closed due to the pandemic, we capitalized on our beautiful outdoor amphitheater by adding a Spring Concert Series (in addition to our extremely popular Jazz on the Lawn concerts) with four new performances. Investments in a new tent to cover the entire stage and better sound technology contributed to nine consecutive “sell-out” concerts. Callanwolde expanded support of underserved communities by taking advantage of our seven buildings and the large upper parking lot tent we purchased in 2020. Access to classes during these trying times was—as we have been told more than once—literally lifesaving. Increased isolation caused by the pandemic hit our veterans who live with PTSD particularly hard. Feedback proved that our classes provided a creative outlet critical to their wellbeing. Our partnerships with Trellis and the Shepherd Center also flourished. Our newly expanded Ability Garden continued to host more and more students who require wheelchairs due to spinal cord injuries and neuromuscular diseases. “Art in Nature” was also introduced and became a new favorite of the Stroke Recovery Group. 2021 Creative Camps and Teen Summer Studios received the best parent reviews in our history. For many of the youngest students, Creative Camp was their first- ever experience in a non-virtual classroom setting. Increased financial aid helped diversify our camps to levels we have never experienced before. Some of the practices that we employed because of the pandemic made our classes more personal and enjoyable, and will stay in place.
On the day after Thanksgiving, we kicked off a new interactive holiday event called “Winter House.” Guests had free access to the beautifully decorated mansion with options to experience some of our most popular classes like throwing pottery on the wheel, raku firing, and blacksmithing. Seasonal workshops like gingerbread house and wreath-making were also offered. “Photos with Santa” (including pets!) helped fill the house with children who also had access to Callanwolde coloring books, old fashion board games, hot chocolate, and s’mores toasted over one our many outdoor firepits. In the evenings we offered live performances, including a partnership between the Callanwolde School of Dance and the Ebenezer Baptist Church Choir. Our annual Artist Market, featuring work from Callanwolde students and instructors, broke all previous sales records. Perhaps our greatest long-term achievement was the Board approval of a new mission statement—putting a stronger focus on supporting underserved communities in Atlanta. Thanks to loyal supporters who were encouraged by our updated mission statement and a rekindling of our relationship with Coca-Cola, Callanwolde’s annual Holiday Gala netted more than twice the funds raised in 2019, contributing to our strong financial position. The year ended on a high note, literarily, as DeKalb County began the herculean task of replacing and restoring the entire roof of the Mansion. Every tile was removed allowing the 100-year-old sheathing to be replaced. In addition, the Courtyard received a new roof, HVAC units and ceiling tiles. Contractors estimate that the new roof will last another 100 years. Work will be completed by March 2022. With the tremendous support of the community, Callanwolde Fine Arts Center is poised to emerge from the pandemic better prepared than ever to fulfill our mission.
ANDREW KEENAN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
2021 ANNUAL REPORT PAGE 01
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