Thirteen turned into good luck for one arts organization.
When water damaged 13 guitars at 440 Instruments at 1131 Broad St., its owner Deveran Roof looked for a productive way to pass them on.
Some were hardly damaged at all, but Roof couldn’t sell them as new, so he reached out to Gary Dennis at the Jessye Norman School of the Arts.
“We’re very excited about this,” said Dennis who picked up the guitars on July 22.
Music lessons are part of JNSA’s free curriculum. For students who show a love of the instrument and a commitment to learn and practice, but don’t have the resources to buy one, the school has filled that need.
“We’ve given away two or three pianos” and more than a dozen guitars, he said.
Roof is also donating guitar racks, Dennis said.
Roof isn’t stressed about the situation which is closing the shop for a few days while crews do repairs. Roof said the donation goes to help kids, and he’s getting some new inventory.
Music lessons are only part of JSNA’s free offerings. The school has after school programming and as well as summer camps.
Dennis is planning for the organization’s signature fundraiser on Oct. 12 which will feature four rising opera singers — paying tribute to the school’s namesake Jessye Norman who was an internationally renowned opera star.
Another casualty of Hurricane Helene was last year’s fundraiser. Helene, combined with construction in front of its thrift shop this year, have impacted the organization’s bottom line. Some of the summer camp programming was cut this year.
Dennis said they are adding a special VIP after party with a twist to the fall fundraiser to enhance the experience. “Flights of Fancy” will include several different flights. Yes, there will be wine flights, but others include whiskey, tea, macaroni and cheese, collard greens and grits.
To learn more about JSNA and ways to support its programs, go here.
Charmain Z. Brackett, the publisher of Augusta Good News and Inspiring: Women of Augusta, has covered Augusta’s news for more than 35 years. She’s won multiple Georgia Press Association awards and is the recipient of the 2018 Greater Augusta Arts Council’s media award. Reach her at charmain@augustagoodnews.com. Sign up for the newsletter here.
