Gladys Wyant Performing Arts Pavilion
The Gladys Wyant Performing Arts Pavilion is a 6,300 sq. ft. multi-functional facility used for concerts and other performing arts events in Gainesville, Georgia, US. The venue is also used to host weddings, corporate events and dinners. The venue is located on The Arts Council's Smithgall Arts Center complex in downtown Gainesville.
Groundbreaking and Construction edit
Actual groundbreaking was in early January, 2020.[1] Ceremonial groundbreaking for this facility was on January 29, 2020 with community leaders, volunteers, arts patrons and Arts Council staff in attendance.[2] Executive Director of The Arts Council, Gladys Wyant, and Gainesville Mayor, Danny Dunagan spoke to the crowd about the importance of The Arts Council and this new venue, stressing the importance of the organization's ability to serve Gainesville and the broader North Georgia community for both a cultural and economic impact. Also in attendance was Lessie Smithgall, who, with her late husband Charles A. Smithgall Jr, have been longtime patrons of the arts and The Arts Council, lending their name to the complex where the pavilion resides.
Work completed on the venue early January 2021.[3] The official ribbon cutting and dedication took place on April 16, 2021 and the venue was officially named after the Executive Director, Gladys Wyant,[4] who had held that role for more than 37 years and was instrumental in the acquisition of the original property from CSX Transportation in 1992. the complete renovation and expansion that followed shortly after, as well as the addition of the new pavilion.
Performances edit
Since opening, "The Gladys", as the venue is affectionately known by the local community, has hosted numerous acts like Banks & Shane, Northwards Symphonic Band, Back in Time, The Highwaymen Live, Riverstreet,[5] Nashville Yacht Club Band, Mike Farris, Peabo Bryson, Jonathan Moody Band, Electric Avenue, Fly Betty, Tribute: A Celebration of the Allman Brothers Band, The Marcel Portilla Band and Mary Kate Farmer.[6]
The venue is the host to Gainesville's annual Oktoberfest celebration; a community event feature all day entertainment, beer, food and activities for all ages.[7]
Possible Changes edit
In early 2024, rumors of a possible name change to the venue began circulating in the Gainesville community. This speculation is driven by a few Facebook posts from and about the Arts Council containing edited photos of the pavilion, with the name digitally removed. The Arts Council's webpage also removed the name from the venue's description and digitally covered the name with a banner on their picture of the venue.
It's been no secret in the Gainesville community that the current Executive Director of the Arts Council, Pamela Williams-Lime,[8] has made multiple moves, beginning her first day on the job, attempting to distance herself from her predecessor and deemphasize Wyant's many accomplishments during her tenure building the organization. Wyant's shadow over Williams-Lime is always there, and there's no shadow that looms larger than the one created by their flagship venue, the Gladys Wyant Performing Arts Pavilion.
On April, 8, 2024, the Arts Council Facebook page teased some upcoming changes to the venue, with a picture of the pavilion showing the missing letter "G" from the name of the pavilion. The letter was pulled off in the fall of 2023 when a banner was hung in front of the pavilion name. This is the first picture of the venue that did not either crop the name or digitally remove the name from the building that The Arts Council has posted in almost a year.
The next morning, on April 9, a vague rebranding message was posted to both the Arts Council website as well as their Facebook page. The message refers to a new "brand identity" and states more changes are coming.
References edit
- ^ "Arts Council breaks ground on new 'one-of-a-kind' outdoor venue". www.gainesvilletimes.com. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
- ^ "Smithgall Arts Center begins expansion project". AccessWDUN. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
- ^ "Here's a look at The Arts Council's newly finished stage and pavilion". www.gainesvilletimes.com. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
- ^ "New pavilion named after Arts Council official, first concert Friday". AccessWDUN. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
- ^ "Riverstreet wrapping up Gainesville summer music series". www.gainesvilletimes.com. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
- ^ "Mary Kate Farmer". events.ajc.com. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
- ^ "Gainesville Oktoberfest 2022 - The Arts Council". Explore Gainesville. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
- ^ "'I did my homework': How The Arts Council's newest director aims to connect North Georgians with the arts". www.gainesvilletimes.com. Retrieved March 14, 2024.