THOM 1 | Fall / Winter 2013

from the editor
What if we _______________?
Three very simple words with the power
to move mountains, but it’s really the
blank space that makes all the difference.
We were a few friends sitting around a
table musing about something a writer
from Asheville said after her first trip
here last fall, “there’s just something
about Thomasville.” We batted around
what we each thought that “something”
was. People. History. Architecture.
Art. Culture. Geography. Creativity.
Collaboration. And then, BAM! What if
we created something to document the
people and the ideas that are shaping
our community?
Part magazine, part guide, part
documentary, we have designed Thom for
the culturally curious, weaving together
the written word with images to express
and promote the creativity in our region.
We set out to design a special gift for our
community, so we wanted it to be very
different from anything else we have
seen. Naturally, we love working with the
uber creative, so we called on the hottest
young talent the south has to offer. Enter
SCAD Atlanta — and their team of 21
writers, designers, photographers and
professors — and Thom was born.
We were in the late stages of design
when I heard our Mayor, Max Beverly, tell
an audience that Thomasville’s success
is due in large part to a series of good
decisions made by good people over a
long period of time. I fancy the idea that
many of the decisions of yesterday were
made by people just like those we are
profiling today.
We see Thom as the personification
of a community rich in history and
visionary thinking. In each issue you’ll
see Thomasville through the eyes of
Thom and meet the thinkers, visionaries,
muses, artists, entrepreneurs and
professionals who share their talent to
shape our city. We believe in the power
of cross-pollination and collaboration,
so you will also enjoy meeting the
same kind of people who are shaping
communities much like ours. This
season, we traveled to Athens to spend
time with a New York designer who has
blazed new trails as a painter by finding
friendships among the artists who have
shaped their city’s art scene over the last
twenty years.
As the Center for the Arts, we strive to
enrich the creative life of our community
by elevating the literary, visual,
performing and applied arts. Thom is an
entirely new venture for us and we thank
the artists, and 40+ partners who have
helped bring it to life.
If you are a member of the Center, you’ll
receive Thom by mail twice a year with a
special gift from our presenting partner.
If you’re not a member, I encourage you
to become one so you don’t miss out on
the coolest happenings in town. But, you
can pick up a complimentary copy at any
of our partner locations.
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If you have a few minutes, drop me a line
and let us know what you think. Thinkers
make the world go ‘round!