On Friday, December 13, 2019, Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools hosted the Third Annual Superintendent’s Gala for the Arts.  The black-tie event held at the Yamacraw Center for Performing Arts, featured performances and art exhibits by students and staff from schools throughout the district – including a performance of Amahl and the Night Visitors by the Esther F. Garrison School for the Arts & Garrison Voices.

In addition to the performances, SCCPSS Superintendent Dr. Ann Levett, honored community leaders who have supported arts programs in the district over the years. The honorees were:

CATRIONA SCHAEFER GALA FOR THE ARTS HONOREE:

VISUAL ARTS: HEART IN THE ARTS AWARD

For her years of dedication to Arts education in Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools, Catriona Schaefer is being honored with the Heart in the Arts award. She worked in Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools for more than 20 years, beginning as a teacher, transitioning to the role of Professional Learning Coach and then to Program Manager for Visual Arts in the District. Mrs. Schaefer retired earlier this year, but her legacy of service to the district makes her a deserving recipient of this recognition.

JOHN TISBERT GALA FOR THE ARTS HONOREE: PERFORMING ARTS

John Tisbert is a long-time employee of Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools.  He is the current Choir Director and Music Department Chairman at Garrison School for the Arts.  He previously worked for seven years at Shuman Middle School where he taught Choral Music and Computer Assisted Composition.  Each year, he provides invaluable assistance in planning the music performances at the Superintendent’s Gala for the Arts.

MOLLY LIEBERMAN – LOOP IT UP GALA FOR THE ARTS HONOREE: CULTURAL ARTS

Molly Lieberman is the Founder and Executive Director of Loop It Up Savannah. She grew up in Northampton Massachusetts and moved to Savannah in 2006. She started Loop it Up in 2008 as a young children’s knitting and crochet class with the help of the Craft Yarn Council of America. The program quickly grew to include a broad spectrum of art forms in weekly classes for children and adults throughout Savannah’s urban neighborhoods.  Ms. Lieberman has spent the last 10 years sharing her love of art with the children of Savannah.

DAVE WISH – CEO of LITTLE KIDS ROCK GALA FOR THE ARTS HONOREE: INSPIRATION AWARD

Little Kids Rock transforms lives by restoring, expanding, and innovating music education in our schools. The organization’s network of thousands of K-12 participants across 45 states, which includes more than 500,000 kids and 3,000 teachers lead a national movement that brings innovative and inclusive music education to students including in Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools. Using rock, pop, Latin, and rap, Little Kids Rock programs empower teachers to build music programs as diverse as the kids they serve. Little Kids Rock also donates necessary instruments, and curriculum, meeting a key need of many school music programs.

Following the presentations, the evening continued with a seated dinner at Savannah Station for most of the guests, where music from local celebrity performers continued to entertain guests throughout the night. We thank those from the community who have contributed as sponsors for this event.  Funds raised from this ticketed event totaled nearly $100,000, and will be used to support arts programs at schools throughout the district.