Welcome to the 2019-2020 performance season for the Center for the Arts at George Mason University. Without you, we couldn’t exist!
Allow me to introduce myself: I’m Merle Mulvaney, the new President of the Friends of the Center for the Arts, succeeding Walt Smith, who was one of the initial founders and leader of the organization. He leaves big boots to fill—but I have his phone number!
For those of you who do not know me, my late wife and I, both natives of the Midwest, arrived in Northern Virginia in 1969 and soon became enthralled with all the performing arts opportunities available in the greater D.C. area. Over time, we learned our way around, and one day, quite by accident, we stopped by a new building that was just ready to open on the GMU campus (such as it was back then). The building was the Center for the Arts—flyers and posters adorned the walls advertising upcoming events. One featured Jeffrey Siegel performing the music of Aaron Copland—whom we both enjoyed. Since then, we have not missed a performance at the Center by Jeffrey and the many other artists that we have grown to appreciate. In that process, we gained insights into what makes certain venues appealing to artists—attractive enough that they will sometimes make concessions to make them affordable to the Center patrons. I can’t say that I never go to Kennedy Center, nor National Theater, nor Wolf trap, nor Richmond, nor Baltimore anymore; but it is a lot less frequently—and a whole lot less costly. I won’t even get into traffic and parking issues.
Bottom line, we have a little treasure right here in our backyard; we just need to take ownership of it! We can do that by filling the seats (Performers love playing to a full-house); volunteering for something that interests you; letting us know when we don’t measure up; and when all else fails, give money!
Let’s have a wonderful 2019-2020 season at the Center!
- Merle
The Friends of the Center for the Arts provides volunteer and financial support to the Center for the Arts. For more information on how you can help or join, please call 703-993-4749 or visit fcfa.gmu.edu.