May 22, 2023: Evans County Charter School System (ECCSS) hosted its first Fine Arts Extravaganza on Monday, May 15, at the Claxton Middle School (CMS)/ Claxton High School (CHS) Cafetorium. The event celebrated and showcased the talents of ECCSS students and highlighted the importance of our fine arts program. The event was open to the public, and no admission fee was charged.
Mr. Adam Kennedy, Director of the Claxton-Evans County Economic and Development Authority, served as event emcee. Guests were treated to live performances by our CMS and CHS band and chorus and our CHS dance auxiliary teams. Guests also had the opportunity to purchase paintings and culinary creations during silent and live auctions. Mr. Bo Eason, the representative for District 3 for the Evans County Board of Education (BOE), served as auctioneer. Guests could also purchase the 2024 ECCSS Fine Arts Extravaganza calendar featuring art from Claxton Elementary (CES), CMS, and CHS students. A notepad featuring art by Joselin Baltazar-Venegas, a CHS student who qualified for the Beta Club National Convention in Kentucky, was also available for purchase.
Proceeds from the auctioned pieces of art will benefit our student creators and the Arts and Cultural Authority (ACA) of Claxton and Evans County. Proceeds from concessions and calendar sales will also be donated to the ACA. The current total for proceeds is approximately $5,900, and calendars are still available for purchase for $20 each at CES, CMS, CHS, and the Evans County BOE office.
Ms. Holly Durrence, CEO of the Evans Region College and Career Academy, stated, "Our college and career academy was proud to be part of this event that showcased our talented students and supported the restoration of this venue that our community will enjoy for years to come.”
Dr. Marty Waters, Superintendent of Evans County Charter School System, stated, “This was just a foretaste of what is possible once the Jack and Muriel Strickland Arts & Cultural Center is completed. Thank you again to our wonderful students, teachers, parents, and community members for their support!”