UPW - Urban Pro Weekly

“Pillars of the Golden Blocks”, a 10-foot-tall ceramic sculpture crafted by artist Ashley Gray, towers over the center of the Twiggs Circle roundabout near the downtown urban core. The sculpture is a stunning tribute to the history of Augusta’s Black Medical Community, featuring four medical trailblazers.

Pillars of The Golden Blocks

Photo

A tribute to the persistence of excellence

Nurse Irene Jackson

Dr. James Carter Jr.

Dr. Scipio S. Johnson

“I’ve been working on a 10-foot-tall ceramic sculpture for the Twiggs Circle roundabout in Augusta, Ga. The piece is called PILLARS OF THE GOLDEN BLOCKS and the theme of the piece is Augusta’s black medical community. The piece is four figurative sculptures back to back forming a pillar. The individuals featured on the piece are DR. GEORGE N. STONEY, DR. SCIPIO JOHNSON, DR. JAMES CARTER JR., and NURSE IRENE JACKSON . This is the largest sculpture I have made! The ceramic is sculpted, hollowed out, and is currently drying while I finalize the glaze colors.”

Ceramic sculpture overlooking Twiggs Circle is a tribute to Augusta’s Black medical community

“Pillars of the Golden Blocks”, a 10-foot-tall ceramic sculpture crafted by artist Ashley Gray, towers over the center of the Twiggs Circle roundabout near the downtown urban core. The sculpture is a stunning tribute to the history of Augusta’s Black Medical Community, featuring four medical trailblazers. The Golden Blocks project highlights the rich cultural legacy of the historically Black neighborhoods of Laney Walker and Bethlehem, celebrating the revitalization of the area while honoring its past. The City’s Housing and Community Development Department matched Georgia Rehabilitation Institute grant funds to provide the concrete pad and brick base for the new sculpture.

Artist Ashley Gray during the creation of Pillars of the Golden Blocks

Photo courtesy of Ashley Gray Ceramics FB

Image facing forward is likeness of Nurse Irene Jackson. She is flanked on the left by Dr. George N. Stoney and on the right by Dr. James Carter Jr. (March 28. 2023 - Augusta, GA)

Photo by Vincent Hobbs

Artist Interview: Ashley Gray

by Pax Bobrow

Ashley Gray is an Aiken, SC ceramic artist with a love for creating public art. She is one of the four artists who were selected in Phase ONE of the Golden Blocks Project, and she is also a recipient of a 2020 Porter Fleming Foundation grant to create, Basking Turtles, a piece along the Augusta Canal Trail. Her bas relief work is also hanging at the Sweet Auburn Curb Market in Atlanta, Georgia’s Sweet Auburn Historic District.

Ashley graduated from the sculpture program at Boston University in 2003, where she tended to work big, in clay, and then cast her pieces in plaster, training to have work that would be cast in bronze. When she moved to Alfred, NY in 2006, she had the great good fortune to land in a huge ceramics community, filled with both ceramic artists and ceramic engineers. She soon fell in love with the medium. “I like how ceramics look better than bronze,” Ashley tells me. Also, with ceramics, she can control the process all the way through. “But!” she warns, “tiles want to crack, so you have to be very careful.” She has boxes and boxes of test tiles she’s created trying to perfect the look for a particular piece. In the end, she loves creating ceramic tile pieces because it combines the best of both painting and sculpture. “I like how it can combine the figure and its setting at the same time.”

So why public art? “I love doing public art and community art,” Ashley tells me. “The subject matter is always interesting and I love working with and collaborating with other people. Making art can sometimes be very solitary, but I actually really love working with other artists and people from other disciplines.” She also loves learning the history of a place, and just loves asking, “Who was here before, and what was it like?”

In particular, Ashley loved collaborating with artists and historians for the Golden Blocks Project. In her research at the Museum, she loved seeing how things changed over time. Ashley also loves the stories of all the remarkable people who lived and worked and created institutions in the Golden Blocks. What really struck a chord in Ashley’s soul was seeing how slow, steady, lifelong dedication by these remarkable people led to great work. This has inspired her in her own life. “If you dedicate yourself to something your whole life, you can accomplish something.” Ashley also loved interweaving her work and creative ideas with the work and ideas of the other project artists.

You can see Ashley’s beautiful Golden Blocks Map on the side of the Wallace Branch Library on Laney Walker Blvd. The Golden Blocks Map is a tile mural detailing historical locations and people from the Golden Blocks that incorporates the poetry of author, Kristie Robin Johnson. Ashley’s tiles can also be found on top of the actual golden blocks that Sarah Cooks placed at historically significant locations along Laney Walker Blvd. Completed marker tiles include one in front of the Penny Savings Bank, featuring a portrait of Deacon Albert Taylor, co-founder of both the Penny Savings Bank and of Elim Baptist Church, and another in front of where the Burres Sanitarium was, depicting what that building looked like while it stood. Three more tiles are in the works, and Ashley has also been commissioned to create a large commemorative tile of beloved Laney High School science teacher, Marjorie Carter with her science club students, which will be hung inside Laney High.

(ABOVE) Image of Dr. Scipio S. Johnson is facing front, flanked on the left by Dr. James Carter Jr. and on the right by Dr. George N. Stoney.

(LEFT) Image of Dr. George N. Stoney is facing front. Flanked on the left by Dr. Scipio S. Johnson and on the right by Nurse Irene Jackson

Photos by Vincent Hobbs

Highlights from the Augusta Commission meeting 3.19.24

In this week’s Wrap-Up of the Augusta Commission meeting held on March 19, 2024, city officials approved various agenda items, such as adding Brown Street to Augusta, Georgia’s Residential Parking Permit Program. View a list of news briefs below for more details.

New Housing Opportunities for Educators in Richmond County

Augusta, Georgia’s Housing and Community Development Department has received approval to provide HOME Partnership Investment Program (HOME) Funding to Vetted Investments and Acquisitions to develop new construction of four affordable single-family units on Lyman Street.

The units will be geared toward the new initiative T.E.A.C.H., which stands for Tenured Educators Affordable Community Housing. This multi-phased infill development will provide access to homeownership opportunities to Richmond County Board of Education educators and employees within the required income limits for the HOME Investment Partnership Program. This is another initiative to revitalize South Augusta.

Brown Street Added to Residential Parking Permit Program

Brown Street has been included in the Residential Parking Permit Program per Augusta, Georgia Code section 3-5-95.11. The residents of this area requested that their street be added to the program, which was established by the Augusta Commission in September 2017 to give neighborhood property owners an enforceable process for controlling nuisance parking along the streets near their homes.

The program consists of issuing parking passes to all property owners to occupy onstreet parking in front of their residences on a public rightof-way and the overall enforcement of this program. Augusta Engineering will install all necessary warning signs and issue the appropriate number of passes to each property owner. This program already exists in this neighborhood, with Augusta Avenue, Blount Avenue, Florence Street, Mauge Street, and Perry Avenue included.

State Grant to Support Communications Internship

Augusta leaders approved accepting the FY2024 GCIP Grant award totaling $3,259.50 through the ACCG Civic Affairs Foundation to support a 2024 Communications Internship as part of the Summer 2024 Georgia County Internship Program.

Board Appointments

Keiyonna L. Lighten-Solomon was appointed to serve on the Augusta Canal Authority representing District 2.

Upcoming Events

• March 21, 2024, at 6pm: Georgia Initiative For Community Housing Community Meeting being held at Carrie J. Mays Community Center.

• March 23, 2024, from 9am to 12pm: Second Annual Spring Community Clean up. The event begins at the Augusta Municipal Building.

• March 23, 2024, from 11am to 3pm: May Park Easter Egg Hunt at May Park Community Center.

• March 30, 2024, from 10am to 2pm: Family Fun Day and Lead Awareness

Fair at Augusta Common.

Richmond County School System to host Walk-In

Wednesday

job

fair

The Richmond County School System will continue recruiting for open positions and for the 2024-25 school year on Wednesday, April 3 at Robert Howard Community Center. Recruiters and hiring managers will be on-site to conduct interviews and discuss open positions.

This Walk-In Wednesday Job Fair will be held at 103 Diamond Lakes Way, from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

To view the complete list of openings, visit our website at rcboe. info/Work4RCSS

OURTOWNOURGOVERNMENT MEETINGS

Richmond County Board of Education

The following public meetings for the Richmond County Board of Education will be held on the dates listed below at 864 Broad Street, Board Room Auditorium, Augusta, Georgia 30901:

Tuesday, April 23, 2024 - Committee and Regular Board Meeting – 4:00 p.m. (Regular Board will immediately follow the Committee Meeting) –Richmond County Board of Education – Board Room Auditorium – 864 Broad Street – 1st Floor, Augusta, Georgia 30901.

aglba Finance Committee Meeting

Date: Wednesday - April 3, 2024

Time: 1:00pm - 2:00pm

Date: Wednesday - April 3, 2024

Time: 2:00pm - 3:00pm

Location: Enterprise Mill - First Floor Conference Room 1450 Greene Street Augusta, GA 30901

The Augusta Commission Will hold a Special Called Meeting

Tuesday, April 2, 2024 1:30 P.M.

Lee N. Beard Commission Meeting Chamber Second Floor Municipal Building

535 Telfair Street Augusta, Georgia

PURPOSE: LEGAL MEETING

A. Pending and Potential Litigation

B. Real Estate

C. Personnel

Growing

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Thirty-six Artists Selected for Creating the 5th Street Murals

The Greater Augusta Arts Council is pleased to announce the selected artists for the highly anticipated 5th Street Mural Festival! Following a rigorous jurying process of narrowing down over 200 submissions by an impartial panel, we’re excited to unveil the talented individuals who will transform the urban canvas of Augusta’s 5th Street into a vibrant tapestry of creativity and expression. The 5th Street Mural Festival will take place from April 20th to April 27th, enhancing Augusta’s public art profile. A mural ribbon cutting will be held at 11am on Saturday April 27th. Food trucks will be available with refreshments.

Spanning the abutments lining both sides of 5th Street between Reynolds Street and the 5th Street Freedom Pedestrian Bridge, the murals will measure 3 feet high and either 10 feet or 20 feet wide, creating an immersive visual experience for all who pass by.

What makes this project truly unique is that all murals will be painted simultaneously, allowing the public to witness the magic of mural artistry firsthand. As part of a festive celebration of mural arts, the community is encouraged to come out and watch our talented artists bring their visions to life.

With no required theme, the artists have

been given the freedom to unleash their creativity, resulting in a diverse array of designs. Among the standout selections is local artist, Destinee Love, who will install a 40-foot-long mural celebrating Women in the Military—a powerful tribute to the brave women who have served our country.

The selection of artists include: Art Abdon, Gabi Anderson, Emily Bender, Colleen Beyer, Lauren Boykin, Carrie Brooks, Alex Bugg, Theron Cartwright, Si-Long Chen, Donna Cote, Jason Craig, A.C. Daniel, Levi Dilley, Allison Dunavant, Cyndy Epps, Carrie Everitt, Brittany Fields, Jessica Gorman, Tripp Gustin, Sara Harris, Tiffany Jackson, Sway Jones, Destinee Love, Isabel Massell, Brandon Moultrie, Dannie Niu, Jon Paschal, Cole Phail, Rachel Polvadore, Aort Reed, William Sanders, Lindsey Spears, Wesley L. Stewart, Rhian Swain, Jacki Mayo Van Dyke, and Stacey Vincenzetti.

Stay tuned for more updates as we prepare for the unveiling of the murals at the 5th Street Mural Festival. We can’t wait to share this transformative artistic experience with our community!

For more information about the festival, please contact Denise Tucker, Public Art Manager at the Greater Augusta Arts Council, at denise@augustaarts.com

We welcome our new Education columnist SAUNDRA KELLY

Saundra is a dedicated wife, homeschooling mom, children’s ministry director, educator, edupreneur, advocate. Her passion is empowering and supporting families’ educational journey. She has combined her expertise in education with her entrepreneurial skills to co-found DeKel mPact, Beyond the Doors and the CSRA Microschool Network. She is trained extensively in cultural competency, multi-sensory teaching techniques and educational best practices. She has held roles as a Special Education Parent Liaison, Title I Parent Facilitator, K-12 classroom teacher and remedial school tutor. Saundra has most recently focused her research skills on current educational techniques and policies impacting future edupreneurs while aiming to establish nationwide connections among like minded professionals so that families may thrive, not just survive, under those innovative initiatives embraced by modern parents worldwide

Furthermore, Saundra’s advocacy extends beyond her own children and grandchildren, as she diligently promotes the benefits of School Choice and advocates for equitable education. Her

commitment to education is not only evident in her personal and professional endeavors, but also in her community involvement in the Ray of Hope Teen Program where she serves as the Educational Director and her role as Membership Director at Greater Augusta Black Chamber of Commerce.

Saundra’s vision is to cultivate a culture of learning and social responsibility, ensuring that education becomes a catalyst for positive change in society.

Saundra Kelly

Izzy Scott Foundation and The Kroc Center of Augusta Partner to Promote Safe Swimming

AUGUSTA

The Izzy Scott Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to advocating for safe swimming practices, is excited to announce a significant collaboration with The Salvation Army Kroc Center of Augusta. This partnership aims to raise awareness about swim safety and prevent future tragedies in the community.

The Izzy Scott Foundation was founded in memory of Izzy Scott, the beloved son of Walt Scott and Dori Scott. Izzy’s life was tragically cut short almost two years ago during a swimming lesson. Determined to turn their grief into action, the Scott family spearheaded efforts to improve swim safety regulations. Their advocacy led to the passing of Izzy’s Law on January 1st, 2024, mandating a comprehensive swim safety plan for all private swim instructors.

Walt Scott, the organization’s CEO/President, expressed the foundation’s mission, stating, “Ever since Izzy passed, my family has been passionate about doing what we can to ensure that this doesn’t happen to another family.”

In alignment with this mission, the Izzy Scott Foundation is partnering with The Kroc Center of Augusta. Together, they will host a press conference on April 1st, 2024, at 10 am, at The Kroc Center to unveil the details of their partnership and announce plans for an annual fundraiser.

Randall Collins, Kroc Director of Operations, expressed his enthusiasm, saying, “Ensuring that people of all ages have the knowledge to enjoy the water safely is paramount to us. We believe everyone should have the opportunity for a safe and enjoyable time in and around the water.”

The joint initiative aims to raise funds to provide swim lessons for 100 individuals in the Augusta area. By empowering the community with essential swimming skills, the partnership seeks to prevent accidents and promote water safety. The press conference will highlight the collaborative efforts between the Izzy Scott Foundation and The Kroc Center of Augusta, emphasizing their shared commitment to ensuring a safe environment for all swimmers.

artfully done Creative Symphoni Dance Studio’s inaugural Creative Young Urban Dance Convention

“We are absolutely thrilled to present the Creative Young Artist Urban Dance Convention. This is a monumental occasion for Augusta’s artistic community and a fabulous opportunity for dancers of all ages and backgrounds to showcase their talent and passion,” said Augusta native Symphoni Wiggins, founding owner of A Creative Symphoni Dance Studio and event organizer, in a news release. “We believe this event will not only highlight the diverse talent in our

From left to right: Nile Jones, Tanesha Roberts, Daphne Curry, Jasmine Evans and Song Tucker (not pictured: Candis McFalls, Megan Doldron, and event organizer Symphoni Wiggins).

Youth dancers took part in Creative Symphoni Dance Studio’s inaugural Creative Young Urban Dance Convention March 23-24 at the DoubleTree by Hilton.

city but also inspire a new generation of dancers.”

Instructor Daphne Curry, center, teaches students a hip-hop dance routine at the Creative Young Artist Urban Dance Convention on Sat., March 23. Photo by Mike Adams / Augusta Good News

SYMPHONI WIGGINS, founding owner of A Creative Symphoni Dance Studio and event organizer

Instructor Nile Jones teaches girls ages 7 - 11 Professional Dance Prep at the Creative Young Urban Dance Convention on Sat., March 23.

Photo by Mike Adams / Augusta Good News

Jasmine Evans teaches girls 4 - 6 Jazz dance skills at the Creative Young Artist Urban Dance Convention on Sat., March 23.

Photo by Mike Adams / Augusta Good News

Umoja Village awards $30,000 in grants

Allocation grants, which total $30,000.00:

* Aiken County NAACP Youth Council, $3,000.00

* Carolina Snipers AAU Athletic Program, $2,500.00

* Christ Central Ministry, Inc. (New Ellenton), $5,000.00

* Community Medical Clinic of Aiken County, $8,000.00

* Hope & Promise Literacy Foundation, $500.00

* National Society of Black Engineers CSRA Augusta Jr. Chapter, $4,000.00

Left:

At Right: Christ Central Ministry, Inc. redeives $5,000 Umoja Village grant.

* SC Titans Elite AAU Athletic Program, $1,000.00

* SuccessTeam Foundation For Youth Development, $3,000.00

* The Matthews Foundation, $500.00

* The Palmetto Flames AAU Athletic Program, $2,500.00

The seven-member selection committee conducted a very thorough process of reviewing the 10 applications received, which included mandatory attendance of a grant workshop, conducting interviews with each applicant, and holding a thoughtful deliberation with selection committee mem-

LETTERS:

bers. Each grant recipient must submit an accountability report after funds have been expended.

Under alignment with the Umoja Village mission, these projects represent initiatives that provide empowerment opportunities for youth and adults in the underrepresented, underserved, and marginalized communities primarily in Aiken County to help reduce and prevent crime; to educate; to assist in the creation of a more equitable and inclusive environment; and to make positive differences in the lives of those who have been subjected to the effects of systemic discrimination, bias, or inequities in every facet of life. Visit www.umojavillage.com.

Reader is strong supporter of Charles Lyons for Superior Court Judge

I encourage all eligible voters to vote for attorney Charles Lyons to be the next Superior Court Judge for the Augusta and Burke County judicial circuit. It would be imperative, excellent and so right to roll with this extraordinary and quintessential gentleman . . . . . . I see this gentleman as being the man looking in the mirror projecting himself to be all of that more in making sure that his judicial system would be just and fair for all individuals residing in Augusta and Burke County. He has a moral compass that would allow him to be a remarkable and sincere judicial leader for the people to respect and honor. Is this cool or what?

It’s beautiful and wonderful for me to acknowledge the best of the best when it comes to a high and awesome standard to enforce and apply the law fairly without prejudices. I want voters to know that Mr. Lyons is going to keep it real,

relating to the good, bad and ugly behaviors for the people he would be serving under his jurisdiction. Again, I want voters to provide Mr. Lyons the opportunity to honestly and sincerely serve the wonderful individuals who reside in Augusta and Burke County. It’s just the right thing to do because he’s definitely not going to hoodwink, bamboozle, and play his constituents as immature fools for his possible aspiring future agenda because he’s better than that. Voters are you feeling me because I’m speaking the truth.

Presently, Mr. Lyons is half attorney and half amazing, therefore he’s the “It factor” for all of mankind. To paraphrase the iconic musical diva Janet Jackson, electing this awesome gentleman to this judicial office is all that really matters. Augusta and Burke County let’s do this.

Edward Maner

Umoja Village recently announced the recipients of its 2024 Round 1 Umoja Village Funding

At

The Community Medical Clinic of Aiken County receives $8,000 Umoja Village grant.

H.S. Soccer: Westside vs. Richmond Academy

On March 20, the Academy of Richmond County girls varsity soccer team defeated Aquinas 7-0 in a game held at the Musketeers home field. The team is undefeated in region 4-AAA.

Photo by Vincent Hobbs/ Sports Journal

Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History Annual Golf Tournament Honors Four Black Golfers

The Lucy Craft Laney Museum will host its 8th Annual Golf Tournament on May 18, 2024.

The four-person best ball tournament (Captain Choice) will be held at The Augusta Municipal Golf Course, with checkin and late registration at 7AM-8AM. Tee-time will be 8:30AM - Shotgun Start. Early registration is recommended since the tournament has sold-out for the past two years, and there is a limited number of openings.

Golfer’s Entry Fee is $90 EARLY BIRD now - May 12th, or $100 per player on day of Tournament –subject to availability. Early Registration includes

one Museum Tour Admission.

The Museum will be honoring the 60th Anniversary of the four Black Golfers who desegregated the Augusta Municipal Golf Course (The Patch) in 1964: John Elam, Clois Herndon, Raymond Jenkins and Dr. Harry Maurice Thompson.

A Golf Tournament pairing and Reception will be held at the Lucy Craft Laney Museum on May 17th from 6:00pm - 9:00pm. The reception will include beverages, light food, entertainment and a tour of the museum and the current special Golf Exhibition. All funds raised from the tour-

nament will be used to renovate the Museum’s Administration building.

The Lucy Craft Laney Museum has served as a cornerstone for the cultural and historical preservation of African-Americans in Augusta and the surrounding area since opening in 1991. In addition to recognizing Black leaders in Augusta, the museum sponsors numerous community outreach initiatives that include exhibitions, lectures, youth camps, and tours of Augusta’s historic Black sites.

To register visit lucycraftlaneymuseum.com.