New Arts Center Opens Doors

Lois Chisolm fought back some emotions Wednesday morning at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Lilburn’s new youth performing arts center.

The Melanie Thornton Youth Arts Foundation’s new Cultural Arts Center, located in 18,000 square feet of former retail space, marked the most significant expansion for the nine-year-old non-profit organization and its focus on empowering kids through art.

It also marked a personal milestone for Chisolm, sister of the Foundation’s namesake. Melanie Thornton, an aspiring singer, died at the age of 34 in a 2001 plane crash while promoting her first CD.

“Her one love and passion was always children,” said Chisolm, founder and president of the Foundation. “She shared [my children], but didn’t have her own. So the Foundation was a way to honor her memory and give her lots and lots of kids.”

The arts center, located in the old Textile Warehouse at 4230 Lawrenceville Highway, will provide space for live productions as well as youth programs in dance, music, drama, martial arts, photography, video development and editing and more. It also could be subleased for groups looking for large space, such as classes, parties or a new church.

The ribbon-cutting drew local school administrators and teachers, business representatives and city leaders, most of whom agreed that a place for the performing arts is desperately needed in Lilburn.

“I’m really excited because you chose Lilburn,” Lilburn Mayor Diana Preston told Chisolm. “You could have gone anywhere, but you chose Lilburn, so we have a responsibility to help make this a success.”

Chisolm said the center will continue the Foundation’s mission of building confidence and creativity in the kids who enter its doors. Performing-arts camps for ages 5-14 are scheduled throughout the summer beginning next week (cost is $95 per week).

“[The arts] help to squelch out fears,” Chisolm said. “We want these kids one day to not be afraid to ask for that raise. To not be afraid to start their own business. To not be afraid to run for office and make positive changes in this community and in this world.”

For more info on the center and the Foundation’s programs, visit www.foundationforyoutharts.org.