Celebrating Hispanic Heritage
This season the Mexican Government sends artists to share their passion with Atlanta and Metro Atlanta in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month. However the foreign artists’ visits are short, and their availability is minimal. The Cultural Arts Council Douglasville/ Douglas County (CAC) jumped on the opportunity to welcome Sindy Gutiérrez to Douglas County, with the help of the Mexican Consulate, Veronica Toscano Leger. The CAC presented a brand new “ARTSventure” to New Manchester High School and its fine arts program, with the help of Principal Casey Bethel and Fine Arts Magnet Education (F.A.M.E.) Director Ashley Cleveland, as well as a grateful student body and staff.
“I’ve already sent out the invites to our teachers,” confirmed Principal Bethel of New Manchester High School, following the CAC’s sudden request to bring the soprano singer Sindy Gutiérrez to their stage. Gutiérrez was sent by the state of Guanajuato to celebrate the September 16th Mexican Independence with a tour of her performances at Atlanta’s City Hall and other great locations. Between the singer’s schedule and the CAC’s planning of multiple events, the opportunity to visit Douglasville came down to one date in September. Sure enough, the Douglas County School was able to make room for this impromptu opportunity, and the CAC announced Gutierrez to an inspired school body on the morning of September 13.
Cross Cultural Lessons & Beautiful Tunes
Señora Gutiérrez has a Doctorate in the arts and sings the classic art of Opera in multiple languages around the world. She spoke with the students about the importance of cross-cultural arts celebrations, and how necessary it is to recognize the arts in the community, especially in the lives of youth. With deep life anecdotes to share, and leaning on the Consulate for help with translations, she inspired the audience by saying, “Music is a language that doesn’t need words, and sometimes it isn’t necessary to talk.” From a woman who speaks and reveres multiple languages, her desire to communicate the preciousness of music is undeniable. It was apparent the students appreciated the traditional songs as great equalizers of the human condition. After the performance, New Manchester students proactively sought footage with Gutiérrez, showcasing their own talent of capturing photographs and interviews for their school’s newsfeed—future journalists in the making!
The CAC plans more opportunities with Mexican artists in the month of October. Keep an eye on the CAC website for an impromptu workshop and artist talk with Ray Gonzalez, sculptor of papier-mâché. These experiences are one-time chances, true treasures sent from our neighbor, Mexico. ARTSventures are made possible through support from the Georgia Council for the Arts, Greystone Power Foundation, and the Douglas County School System.
About the CAC
Celebrating over 35 years of service, the Cultural Arts Council presents a sophisticated and diverse mix of programs: monthly exhibits, arts education in schools, hands-on workshops and classes for children and adults, gallery talks, Taste of Douglasville, Chili Cook-Off, Cheers to the Arts, Public Art, the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, and so much more!
The Cultural Arts Council of Douglasville/ Douglas County, located at 8652 Campbellton Street in historic downtown Douglasville, Georgia, is open Mondays through Fridays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For directions and more information, visit www.artsdouglas.org or contact the Cultural Arts Council at 770.949.2787.