Support Ringgold High Arts1) SEND A DONATION:Ringgold High School Art Department, c/o Jennifer FreemanRinggold High School, 29 Tiger Trail, Ringgold, GA 30736(note Art Department in the memo area)2) PURCHASE SUPPLIES from the list below these locally owned businessesoffering discounts to RHS art department:*Art Creations: 423-266-3626201 Frazier Ave., Chattanooga, TN 37405*Gannon Art Center: 423-622-82363250 Brainerd Road, Chattanooga, TN 37411Offering 20% off in-stock merchandise purchased as donation3) DROP OFF new or slightly used supplies from the list at:*Gannon Art Center - 3250 Brainerd Road, Chattanooga423-622-8236 (Mon-Fri 9-5, Sat 10-4)*Planet Altered - 48 E. Main St., Chattanooga423-400-4100 (Tue-Fri 10-5)*Reflections Gallery - 6922 Lee Hwy, Chattanooga423-892-3072 (Mon-Fri 10-5)*Ringgold Art & Frame - 7825 Nashville St., Ringgold706-935-2844 (Tue-Fri 10-5:30, Sat 10-3)*Allied Arts - 406 Frazier Ave., Chattanooga423-756-2787 (Mon-Fri 8:30-4:30)*Michaels Fine Art and Framing - 1325 Dug Gap Road, Dalton706-278-8840 (Mon-Fri 10-6, Sat 10:30-2)4) PLAN A FUNDRAISING EVENT - It could be an art sale, art class or adinner party. The high school students would love to participate.However you decide to help, all donations are tax deductible and every donation matters.Further information about FRHSAD can be found on FaceBook.
When school resumes next month Ringgold High School's campus will be missing one of its salient features, the Beth Kellerhals Center for Visual Arts.
Not only will the building be missed, the materials inside - some acquired at great cost and over a period of years - are no more.
The tornado that struck in April crushed the former public library that had been converted into a gallery, studios and art library. That means art classes will take place in makeshift space for the foreseeable future.
"Maybe in two years we will have something similar [to the Kellerhals Center], but this year we will have two large classrooms in the tech wing," art teacher Lacey Jones said. "It was almost like the art department was their refuge on campus. That [loss of the Kellerhals Center] was a hard hit to the kids. Their work was gone, their classrooms were gone, their place was gone and there was a level of fear that the arts would be dropped from the curriculum."
While space has been found for students, there is a severe shortage - in fact, a lack - of art supplies.
"The difficult thing is supplies are always consumed; we need something to get us started," Jone said. "That and the fact that so much of what took years to accumulate was gone in a matter of moments."
From something as simple as a gum eraser or ruler to something as esoteric as a Raku kiln or MacBook computer loaded with Photoshop software, the department needs supplies if it is to survive.
That is why local artists formed Friends of Ringgold High School Art Department.
"It is an effort driven by individuals wanting to contribute to the restoration," said Peggy Petrey, co-leader of group. "This is a place for kids to find themselves. Many recall their art classes as what saved them - it was a place they could fit in - during high school. It is funny to see how many people who might not have valued the arts during a career turn to art - photography, painting, drawing - in retirement.
Petrey, an artist, graduate of the Holmberg Arts Leadership Institute of the Allied Arts of Greater Chattanooga and gallery owner, believes this is a community, and not just the arts community, effort in support of the arts.
"Athletics and bands are used to fundraising but artists don't even know how to begin," she said.
Because the time between yesterday and the first day of school is so short, artists are being asked to donate unwanted but still good supplies. There is an area-wide drive to either purchase or collect supplies that will allow students to again create and learn.
Local artist Janice Kennedy, co-leader of the Friends group, said cash donations are being used to purchase items that are most critically needed when students resume classes Sept. 6.
"They need everything from staplers and pencil sharpeners to paints, paper and easels to kilns and cameras," Kennedy said. "Our hope is that as they enter their temporary classrooms, the art community in both Georgia and Chattanooga will have reached out and helped provide them with the tools to once again create and learn."
Individuals as well as groups can contribute to the cause, according to organizers.
"I am also a TVA retiree and the TVA retiree organizations have notified me that they are donating $3,500 to the Friends of the Ringgold High School Art Department," Kennedy said. "We intend to put this money toward the purchase of easels."
Those leery of writing a check can visit Art Creations or Gannon Art Supply and receive discounts for items these wish to buy and then donate to the school.
Although Superintendent Denia Reese and principal Sharon Vaughn have repeatedly affirmed their belief that visual arts are an integral part of education, "the school system has done all they can," said Jones.
"I was surprised and pleased that the art community has been so supportive," she added.