Over the past four years I have been in the process of leading an effort to protect the historic Georgia Avenue Church building so that it can be transformed into The Anchor—a sanctuary for artists. This storied space has been the site of my family’s community and spiritual devotion for the past 40 years, and is now gradually becoming a creative refuge for artists attempting to remain living and working here in the state with the least arts funding in the nation.
Below is a visual scrapbook of portions of this journey. I have come across a number of old photos and archival gems from early days of Georgia Avenue Church and their food co-operative activities. The faces of many beloved family members, community elders and revered ancestors are seen here: Constance Hawkins, Keith Anderson, Fay Romero, Lucille, Reese Jackie Palmer, Ella Duffy, Deborah McReynolds among others.
Also seen here are: kitchen cleaning parties with friends, quiet prayer vigils, a surprise elopement, reunion brunches, activities of Kudzu Nation and other dance gatherings, little “helper” Taki working on the gutters, musician Micah Dalton recording a suite of modern spirituals, a youth cello intensive with Marla Majett and Okorie Johnson, artist Tricia Hersey and some of the Nap Ministry gatherings we have held in the space, childhood shots of me on the church grounds, various altars I have created to call blessing to this effort, and the cracks, crannies, and play of time and activity moving through the body of this historic structure.
