The Dekalb Champion recently published a feature article about Callanwolde Fine Arts Center’s Art Scholars Camp, with a special jazz music lesson taught by Karla Harris and the Joe Alterman Trio.

This summer, almost 100 low-income elementary school students received free art enrichment at Callanwolde thanks to a donation from Every Day People Group as well as support from DeKalb County. They also worked with Atlanta jazz vocalist Karla Harris to write “Crazy Summer Blues” — a song based on their summer vacation experiences — which they performed at one of metro Atlanta’s premier outdoor concert venues, Callanwolde’s Jazz on the Lawn.

Callanwolde’s Art Scholars camps are part of the initiative created when Callanwolde Fine Arts Center expanded its mission in 2021 to provide Atlanta’s underserved with premier, accessible arts education while promoting the enjoyment of the arts at the historic Callanwolde estate. This year, almost 100 kids participated in the Art Scholars camp, which offered five full days of free art enrichment to support low-income elementary school students during the summer.

Callanwolde brought in renowned jazz musician Karla Harris and the Joe Alterman Trio for an extra camp day because the kids had so much fun with her music lessons last year. Harris has been recognized for her educational outreach through Jazz. She has been a longtime volunteer with Young Audiences, a national arts outreach organization, and helped to develop a music curriculum for children when she was in college.

“I like how this place lets you express yourself in all of the classes and how they show you different forms of art and how you can use them to your own advantage,” 10-year-old Cedar Grove Elementary fifth grader Kyle McGuire said.

In 2023, Callanwolde launched our Young Professionals Board (YPB) in partnership with the leading international law firm Alston & Bird LLP. Comprising talented and passionate young individuals, the YPB will play a vital role in our nonprofit’s growth and impact.

The YPB’s primary focus will be to develop and execute fundraising strategies in close collaboration with the Callanwolde Board of Directors, aligning proposed strategies with our organizational goals and priorities. This involves organizing fundraising events, securing donations from individuals and corporations, and pursuing grant opportunities to sustain our mission.

Moreover, the YPB will actively identify and cultivate new donors, particularly among young professionals in the vibrant Atlanta community. Through relationship-building initiatives, engaging events, and leveraging social media platforms, they will expand our supporter base while raising awareness of our mission and impact.

Beyond fundraising, the YPB will provide invaluable leadership and support by offering insights on critical issues and increasing opportunities for our organization. Serving as ambassadors in the Atlanta community, they will participate in public speaking engagements, represent us at networking events, and advocate passionately for our mission and priorities. Together with the Callanwolde Board of Directors and staff, the YPB propels us forward towards a brighter future.