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DECEMBER 24, 2002 A home for the arts 18. JpvßHk & HP" ; .;0 ■ ;0y •■■'■.' -0. .;0 |||pP|P Photos by Luci Joullian Warner Robins Art Association President, Shirley Driggers. By Luci Joullian Staff Writer The Warner Robins Art Association needs a new home. Founded in 1969 to promote the arts in the Warner Robins com munity, it has been in its cur rent Houston Mall gift shop location for five years. The shop, which does double duty as the association’s meeting place, showcases arts and crafts creat ed by local artists and by the association’s membership of approximately 45 families. Until recently, the association resided at the mall while paying a reduced rent. Now that Houston Mall is under new ownership, there is a quandary. The association’s gallery is in prime retail space that the new owner must rent at a higher rate. Says President Shirley Driggers, “his thought on the subject was that if our gallery was having trouble making it in this prime retail space, then we wouldn’t be able to make it in any other spot in the mall.” The new owner has been willing to work with the non-profit organ * WE WILL FILE YOUR TAXES FOR YOUR DOWN r PAYMENT! : f *^Uoß9C**^W r IB i f Mr. _ -fg^g ‘ i»* \ \s4flj|^B” Mr^H - ■■....////.i , 'n "' ization, though. He is letting the association rent the retail space until January at the dis counted rent. After January, he will let them continue to rent at the increased rate on a month by-month basis rather than making them sign a three-year lease (which is required by many retail space owners). The increased rent will put a strain on the association and they will have to move anyway if the owner can rent the space at a higher rent with a long-term lease. “Of course, it’s business and we realize that,” says Driggers. The association not only oper ates the gallery, it also performs a variety of civic functions and outreach programs including a starving artist sale in January of each year, a student art show in March, a “meet the artist” showcase in August, a craft show in October and a Christmas bazaar from November through December. Driggers says that the associ ation’s main function is to give a SI,OOO scholarship to a high school senior interested in pur- s 0 DOWN WITH APPROVED CREDIT, ASK FOR DETAILS. IWI £\ ■ I c| t«f , o ■* 1856 Watson Blvd. LdrlCr Warner Robins Auto Sales 922-2444 suing an education in the arts. When they are able to, the asso ciation provides the scholarship to two students. “That’s our main function,” she says. “The gallery is an added bonus. What percentage we take on the pro ceeds from the shop helps fund the scholarship.” The associa tion does other charitable activ ities including collecting Christmas presents and Easter baskets to distribute at the Rainbow House. Says Driggers of the associa tion’s present situation, “We don’t have any hard feelings. We just hope that we can get something worked out and we can get some help in regards to getting a new location. With some financial assistance it may even be possible for us to stay in this spot.” Those interested in providing a new location for the association or giving financial assistance can contact the Warner Robins Art Association at 987-0254. ~. Sbm i I*L ■ ‘ *««£ I * * 1 * • -- • ■ ■ *' ‘iiftftyj t - *• - 8 **’®v J .*\ •ywi£, : ' A EfP * ' -IS 3r .... t abflfe - * S^Fi The association’s Christmas Bazaar runs from November through December. L- If We Can’t Get You Financed, ' We’ll Give You A Dollars! . ‘94 CAMERO Loaded, 5 Speed, T-Tops *4,995 ‘97 CADILLAC DEVILLE Leather, Loaded, Sunroof *9,509 (Elje pCmtettm plume Sjnurnal HK . '.-.v ‘9B SILHOUETTE 7 Pass., 4 Door, Leather, Rear Air *4,995 ‘95 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE Sunroof, Auto, Spoiler, Wheels! *99 Down! Nll§te ; yjßSiSg V ? 1 jvo. r> ' ami# I *j4Uj&Ll r | TT: jffgff' Cwlgf n¥f g] W *m .• • HJHH HPfp.’ orw'f9 '•Mp HI HfiFflf wßb t Eg . jm HU ‘ *,Vv . WgffjklsWJfHi M£w Hi fffffcelt IIS' fn The association’s gallery in Houston Mall showcases a variety of arts and crafts created by local artists. Where Your Friends Meet & Eat! After Christmas 1 Day Sale! Of Warner Robins Your Independently Owned Christian Resource Center For your convenience, we’ll be open at 8:00 AM on Thursday, December 26th. All Christmas decorations will be 40% off. 115 Margie Drive Warner Robins, Georgia 478-971-2677 Open Mon., Tues & Thurs. • 10AM - BPM Fri. & Sat. • 10AM - 9PM - Wed. • 10AM - 7PM V \\ jpaak \ ' ACURA VIGOR Leather, Sunroof, Auto *8,995 ‘9B DODGE RAM SLTISOO V 8,4 Door *11,900 Boxed Christmas Cards 40% Off On Selected Books aa a# iiffc 90 /© Oil Christmas Music 30% Off All Christmas Gift Books 25% Off Selected Ceramics & Gifts ‘95 HONDA ACCORD EX V 6, Auto, Sunroof, Leather, 4 Door *129 Mo. 2000 DODGE NEON Auto, Nice Car *139 Down! PAGE 3A