“My Colorful Community” Perry event, a success despite showers

The date of September 11 automatically dredges up horrific memories in the minds of all those who are old enough to recall the terroristic acts that took place on that date 19 years ago. It was a day that shook our nation at its core. In middle Georgia, however, the opportunity was presented to focus on more pleasant things this year as Perry kicked off its “My Colorful Community” event last Friday. Because of it, the date of 9/11 brought bright hues of vibrant art to an otherwise solemn date etched in history.

Houston Home Journal arrived on the scene of the brewing event even as some of the participating artists were in the midst of designing their creations. Though showers were in the forecast, Rotary Centennial Park was already looking brighter as some had already come out to make their colorful marks on the assigned walking path.

Fawne DeRosia had been commissioned by the city of Perry to do a special piece that would embody some of the wonderful things for which the community is best known. Her creation was quite detailed and still in the making, but DeRosia had made good headway by 3:45 p.m.

“I got here around 10:00 this morning,” she informed. “I’m hoping to get it done by 5:00.” She paused her work long enough to take time to describe the dimensions of her artwork-in-progress. “As you can see, in this one drawing, I’ll showcase fishing, a Ferris wheel, Bob the Buzzard, dogwoods and of course, the Perry logo.”

DeRosia’s experience as an artist could be seen in her precise strokes and lifelike details. By looking at her work, one would probably never guess that drawing in chalk was fairly new to her. “I’ve been an artist all of my life, but I’ve just gotten into chalk paint maybe four years ago,” revealed DeRosia. “I did an event with Perry in the downtown area back in April. That was my first time partnering my artwork with a Perry city event. I’m glad to be doing it again.”

Rain clouds loomed as DeRosia and others who had gathered on the grounds did their work. Because she was the designing the main drawing for the event, there was a tent over the area where she painted, but DeRosia confirmed that a good downpour would probably mar the beauty of what she and other participants were creating.

“I’m also using temper paint, so if it rains, it will hold up a little bit better than regular chalk,” she mentioned. “I use the paint on purpose so there’s a better chance that the art I’m doing will last all weekend. We had a few sprinkles of rain to come through today, but I’m hoping we don’t get any hard rain.” DeRosia’s thoughts were with those who didn’t have the benefit of a tent as she did. “I’ll have a little shelter from the rain, but others who will be coming won’t have that, and I want theirs to last too,” she said.

“This is a lot of work, so we definitely want it to be here throughout the event,” said Cara Heard, owner of Lush Art who stood nearby one of her staff artists, Heather Deloatch, as she worked on a piece that represented their business. Deloatch had seen the advertisement of the event on social media and shared it with Heard, who thought their participation would be quite beneficial—both to the city of Perry and to Lush Art.

“We’re going to have a location opening in Perry starting in January,” Heard said. “We had been looking for ways to go ahead and get involved in the community as much as possible leading up to that, so this was a great opportunity. This lets us be involved in the community now and be involved when we get started in business here as well.”

The new Lush Art will be located on Main Street and will become an expansion of the company, which also has a site on Russell Parkway in Warner Robins. Heard said the pandemic has hindered people from doing so many of the things that they were able to freely go out and do prior to COVID’s onset, but she feels that events like “My Colorful Community” help to brighten people’s day. In fact, she feels that art, as a whole, has a way of doing that.

“Lush Art has been in business for almost seven years,” Heard pointed out. “It’s been important to try to keep things like this available during the pandemic. We’ve done kits that people could come by and pick up to draw and paint at home, and we’ve also done virtual classes to try to keep people’s spirits up. Now, we’re back to doing in-studio classes where people have to wear masks, but we’re still offering the kits because there are still so many that aren’t feeling comfortable with coming out.”

Deloatch agreed that outings like the one held in Perry are much needed. She continued to draw while Heard used a large device as a hand fan to try and offer a break from the humidity. “It’s hot, but it’s worth it,” Deloatch remarked with a laugh. “We arrived around 2:15, and I’ll be done by about 4:15 or 4:30. I like chalk art a lot. I do a lot of lettering, so I like that part of it most of all.”

Not only does Deloatch teach at Lush Art, but also art is a part of what she does even when she’s away from the art studio. She and her husband run a small home-based art business in Crawford County called Lumber in Ink, where they make signs, furniture and other woodcraft.

As DeRosia neared completion of the main focal piece, she said, “The hope is to have the whole trail walk out here covered in artwork that people in the community will come out and do. Hopefully as people come out here and draw, they will post their pictures to Facebook and places like that so that others will see it, and it’ll make them want to come out and participate too. That’s how these things work most of the time—word of mouth. People tell other people or people will see it on social media, and then they’ll come out and be a part too.

A follow-up post made to the City of Perry Government Facebook page indicated that the event was indeed successful, stating, ” Artists of all ages and abilities have visited Rotary Centennial Park to participate in our colorful community chalk walk!”

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