At its regularly scheduled business meeting on Tuesday, April 12, the Brookhaven City Council unanimously approved the purchase of the property that currently serves as the leased headquarters of Brookhaven Police and Municipal Court. In 2023, the facility at 2665 Buford Highway will be repurposed as the Brookhaven Development Services Building.
Ismaili council signs agreement with KSU
On April 13, 2022, the Ismaili Council for the Southeastern United States and Kennesaw State University (KSU) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) as part of their efforts to promote culture and pluralism, and specifically education on the role of architecture in improving the quality of human life. Salima Jaffer, President of the Ismaili Council for the Southeastern USA and Edwin Akins, Interim Chair of the Department of Architecture at KSU, signed the MoU.
Dr. Kathy Schwaig, President of Kennesaw State University, thanked the university’s Department of Architecture and the Ismaili Council for the Southeastern USA for their efforts to work together to educate and generate positive impact on our community. She said, “I appreciate the collaboration between the university and the Ismaili Council to help showcase the positive impact that architecture has on individuals and on society.”
“This partnership conveys a collective commitment to go beyond common boundaries and build bridges fostering a healthy dialogue among participants in the architectural process, intercultural dialogue, dialogue that will blend the inspiration of the past with the demands of the future, and a dialogue between nature on the one hand and human creativity on the other,” said Dr. Behnoosh Momin, spokesperson for the Ismaili Council for the Southeastern USA.
Architecture is seen as a powerful interchange, one that can embrace a variety of diverse perspectives. The Ismaili Council for the Southeastern United States recognizes and appreciates the importance of high-quality education, and specifically the role of architecture in improving the quality of human life. The Department of Architecture at KSU is dedicated to the demonstration and support of diverse voices within our academic environment and seek to promote the pluralistic discipline of architecture through words, actions, and resource investments. Their newly drafted vision for the Department of Architecture echoes these thoughts through a call for environmental leadership and diverse community engagement. Their mission supports the holistic understanding of architecture through a multiplicity of perspectives that are scalar, collaborative, and synergistic.
Therefore, these objectives will be achieved through collaborating on educational community outreach initiatives. Specific activities of this collaboration include academic exchange in the area of mutual interest related to the agencies of the Aga Khan Development Network, its programs and projects; showcasing the triennial shortlisted and winning projects of the Aga Khan Award for Architecture (AKAA) through a lecture and gallery exhibition; and hosting an annual Diversity and Pluralism lecture and workshop with an internationally renowned architect that showcases the role of architecture in promoting pluralism.
The evening concluded with the opening of the Building for Change exhibition, which showcased the Global Centre for Pluralism and Ismaili Center Houston projects, both of which serve as examples of pluralism in action and are buildings designed to create change.
Canton is getting a new public art project
This spring will see bright blooms take over the 62-foot-long white wall at North and Lee streets in Downtown Canton as professional artist Madison Beaulieu begins a new public art project.
A finalist in the City’s search for the Railroad Street muralist in 2020, Beaulieu grew up in Cherokee County and has worked as a creative in graphic design and printmaking for the last 8 years. Her studio is located in Woodstock’s Made Mercantile. She has previously created murals in Duluth and Woodstock among others.
Beaulieu’s wildflower mural concept is bold and whimsical. A perfect backdrop for visitor photos, the public art piece will not only create community but highlight the City of Canton’s focus on sustainability. Georgia’s popular purple coneflowers are a native perennial while the state’s smooth coneflower variety is listed as endangered. Native wildflowers in local gardens and yards are encouraged to help bolster pollinator populations.
“I chose cheery wildflowers as the subject for this mural because they are so important to our local ecosystem,” explains Beaulieu. “Our native wildflowers help make Georgia a beautiful place to live and play! I’m so excited to create this mural with the City of Canton. They are so supportive of public arts and the arts community; I’m honored to work alongside them.” Members of Canton’s new Cultural Art Commission (CCAC) are thrilled to see their first public art project brought to life. “Whether we are painting a landscape, telling a story, or simply appreciating the artistic experience,” says Jamie Foreman, member of CCAC and owner of Menagerie on Main, “we are all connected. Art is a partner of progress.”
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