Artists of Norcross Gallery and Studio have seen growth in membership, an increased revenue, more classes, and presented a workshop by a nationally recognized oil painter (Bill Davidson). The Gallery saw many successful new projects and a greater collaboration with the city of Norcross.
Two of its most significant events were joint projects with Norcross organizations and residents. The first of these was ‘Reflections at the Rectory,’ an exhibition of the work of the 24 students of Advanced Placement Art at the Norcross high schools. The second was its most ambitious project ever, the photography competition, “Norcross: Life through the Lens.”
Growth in 2023 was primarily because of better organization, new members and strong, sustained efforts by current members. The Gallery grew by a third. Additional classes, events in coordination with other organizations, and a new “Artist of the Month” celebrated artists whose work was on display at Café 45 South. All of these things helped bring growing awareness and recognition of the value of having a prominent art center in Norcross. The events also stimulate the local economy.
The Gallery and Studios also launched a photography competition to appeal to diverse communities in Norcross. It appealed to the Hispanic neighborhoods with postcards and posters in Spanish, promoting Norcross: La vida a traves del lente. The People’s Choice winning photograph was taken by Lisa Mobley, a member of that community. The Gallery has been awarded project grants from the Gwinnett Creativity Fund, as well as Arts Recovery funds through the county and a similar Bridge Grant from the Georgia Council for the Arts.
Educational neighbors collaborate on STEM programs
A mere one half mile apart on Old Peachtree Road in Suwanee, Gwinnett County Public Schools and PCOM Georgia regularly collaborate to provide Gwinnett students with STEM opportunities.
The two entities became neighbors in 2004 when the Gwinnett County Board of Education moved to an existing manufacturing facility to house the school system’s instructional and support personnel. Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine renovated a former distribution facility just down the road and began offering classes in the fall of 2005.
Ten years later, PCOM Georgia signed up to be the presenting sponsor of the Gwinnett Science, Engineering + Innovation Fair, an annual event that encourages Gwinnett County’s elementary, middle and high school students to delve deeply into the sciences. The relationship between the two organizations has flourished ever since.
PCOM Georgia Chief Campus Officer Bryan Ginn serves on the GCPS Superintendent’s Business Leader Council, while osteopathic medicine Dean and Chief Academic Officer Andrea Mann, and Brian Mann, chief of simulation operations for the College, serve on a district-wide advisory board.
In addition, the college sponsors the Principal for a Day event and the STAR Student luncheon held annually. The Office of Diversity and Community Partnerships sponsors an annual weeklong free summer Opportunities Academy to introduce Gwinnett County high school students to the healthcare professions. The college is also hosting quarterly Stem Saturdays to provide enrichment activities for about 25 high school students each quarter.
From September through April, a senior high school student from the Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology in Lawrenceville, Ritika Vakharia, is completing a capstone project in the campus’ Sim Center. She says: “It’s been a super informative experience for me. So far I’ve learned a lot about what exactly medical school is. Observing the simulations that students go through has allowed me to gain a better understanding of what my future entails.”
In turn, for the past two years, 479 Gwinnett County high school graduates who have finished college have applied to one of the six healthcare doctoral or graduate programs offered by PCOM Georgia.
For the next two months, PCOM Georgia students, staff and faculty will be busily preparing for the school system’s science fair. Jessica Holden, EdD, director of science for GCPS, says: “As one of the largest, most competitive regional science fairs in the US, the Gwinnett Regional Science, Engineering + Innovation Fair thrives on partnerships that provide real world relevance for our near 1,000 competitors each year.”
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