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  • Creative Expressions Studio & Gallery Creative Arts Instructor Jenn Vickery organizes piles of donated items from around the community to gear up for the upcoming yard sale. Vaishali Patel

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March 24, 2010

Local nonprofit seeks funds to replace stolen unit

Vaishali Patel The Union-Recorder

MILLEDGEVILLE — One local art gallery will be raising funds to replace a stolen air conditioning unit through a yard sale this weekend.

Creative Expressions Studio & Gallery provides a unique opportunity for artists with developmental disabilities to display their paintings, photography, jewelry, watercolor portraits, pottery and other pieces to the Milledgeville community.

The gallery’s donated air conditioning unit was stolen from outside the building during the holiday season, despite the locked fence around it. Since the building’s grand opening in 2005, this is the second time a unit has been stolen from the organization.

“We are very upset over the vandalism of our studio and gallery over recent months. Having our air conditioner stolen has been a very unfortunate situation for us and one we hope to resolve before the spring and summer months,” Creative Arts Coordinator Katie Whipple said via press release. “[Vandalism] greatly impacts our programming and ability to provide supplies for our artists.”

After the original unit was stolen, Rogers Johnson, owner of Johnson Heating and Cooling, donated a new air conditioner when he read of the gallery’s situation.

Creative Expressions experienced several break-ins in the gallery’s first North Jefferson Street location. The windows were broken into, computers stolen, a stereo system taken and property damaged, according to the press release. Creative Expressions now shares a building with the American Red Cross. The vandalism, however, still occurs.

“Creative Expressions is such a unique organization. As an art major, I really value what they do for the community,” Jessica Peet said. “When I heard their air conditioning unit was stolen yet again, I was shocked. I hope they can raise enough support from the community and awareness so vandalism like that won’t occur again.”

The profits raised at the weekend yard sale will go toward purchasing a new air conditioning unit as well as improving the studio and gallery spaces.

“We really want to make this a place where locals can come and purchase original folk art and pottery in Milledgeville,” Whipple said. “The prices are very affordable with items $10 and below. Whatever we don’t get out, we will take it to Salvation Army. We will have the building open during the yard sale so people can see the artwork and what they’re actually supporting.”

According to the release, Creative Expressions will create an environment where supporters can browse through gently used craft supplies, computer equipment, videos, cookware, home decor, books and other donated items. The art gallery’s doors will also open so patrons can view a variety of pieces by Creative Expressions artists. The yard sale fundraiser will take place from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

When the stolen air conditioning unit is finally replaced with a new one, Whipple said this time, “an alarm system will be triggered if someone tries to cut even a wire.”

For more information about the nonprofit, located at 1131 N. Jefferson St., call (478) 445-2270 or visit www.creativeexpressionsstudio.org.

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