This program, brought by Esther-Marie Lawrence, will feature Jill Taylor, director of community partnership and 2Gen Outreach for the Quality Innovations and Partnerships Division at Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL).

Britt Shiver is the Director of Programs and Engagement at Thomasville Center for the Arts. There, she cultivates relationships with community members, partners, artists, and instructors, and is responsible for shaping the vision for day to day programming. 

Britt has established 5 new programs in the past year, all of which are open and accessible to a wide-ranging audience, including newcomers and beginners. 

With a background that includes small business ownership, classroom teaching, community building, and journalism, Britt utilizes her diverse knowledge and experience to catalyze positive change and nurture long-term community growth.

When not working on developing strong, sustainable programming, she is writing a book of essays on being a Mother in the Deep South. 

Sam McCoy is the Director of Exhibitions at Thomasville Center for the Arts where she works with artists and is part of the curatorial team that brings shows to our main building as well as Wall Space at Grassroots Coffee Co.  She works with established artists who showcase contemporary exhibitions three times a year, with emerging artists to develop and build their professional practice as fine artists, and our local collective of artists, the THOM Collective, in juried exhibitions.  With a mission to make lives brighter through the arts, Sam connects with artists who connect with our community through engaging programming and thoughtful shows while offering encouragement to aspiring creatives in our region.  

Sam is also an instructor in the Interior Design and Architecture department as Florida State University, as well as a contemporary painter with her MFA from FSU.  Her work focuses on contemporary landscapes with a focus on hyperlocal flora and fauna.  She’s interested in how tourism has shaped our ecology and the roles of curated gardens and the ecotourism industry.  You will find her work at this year’s Wildlife Arts Festival, Venvi Gallery, and showcased around the South – and you might find her painting locally en plein air, enjoying the beautiful Red Hills Region.  

Fellowship with fellow Rotarians – no agenda, no program, just an opportunity to fellowship over coffee before you start your workday. 

Questions? Contact Morgan Bailey.

Andre’ and Walter Marria fulfilled a dream during their travel to India earlier this year. They’ll share their experience of administering polio vaccines to children there.