FIRST SUNDAY LECTURE: Celebrated Author & Vintner Martha M. Ezzard Presents

THANK YOU, Martha M. Ezzard, for your delightful and wonderfully informative presentation this afternoon on the History of Georgia Wine at the library. The crowd thoroughly enjoyed your lecture!

Ms. Ezzard spoke for 1-hour. She discussed the history of the Georgia wine industry as a whole since the 1800s. That was followed by a detailed discussion about her award winning winery, Tiger Mountain Vineyards, where she pioneered fine wine in Georgia with her husband John Ezzard. The discussion ended with a reading from her award-winning book, The Second Bud. Ms. Ezzard was named Georgia Author of the year in 2014 when The Second Bud was published.

The First Sunday Lecture series is sponsored monthly by the Friends of Smyrna Library and Smyrna Library. 

Mixed Media Masks by Jennifer Thomas Opens at Smyrna Public Library Display Gallery

The January/February 2018 Display Gallery exhibit has opened – Mixed Media Masks by Jennifer Thomas.  Ms. Thomas’ exhibit is on display until February 28. The Display Gallery is located on the 2nd floor of the Smyrna Library. The Display Gallery exhibits are sponsored by the Friends of Smyrna Library.

Artist Statement:

From an early age, Jenifer Thomas felt a need to express herself artistically. She is continuously exploring various forms of visual media. She considers herself a student of life, of the arts always captivated by new techniques and materials.

Expressionistic in nature she relies on feelings, impressions and life experiences as motivational themes for her work. A storyteller at heart, she incorporates calligraphy, images and symbols with a textural quality to impart visual information to the viewer.

Her mixed media artwork has been recognized internationally in Art Doll Quarterly magazine. She is available for workshops, private classes and commissioned work. 

Acrylics by Sue Pezely Opens at Smyrna Public Library Art Gallery

The January/February 2018 Display Gallery exhibit has opened – Acrylics by Sue Pezely.  Ms. Pezely’s exhibit is on display until February 28. The Art Gallery is located on the 2nd floor of the Smyrna Library. The Art Gallery exhibits are sponsored by the Friends of Smyrna Library.

Artist Statement:

Sue has been a resident of Smyrna, Georgia for 18 years. In the past few years, she has developed a popular portfolio of watercolors of local Smyrna historic sites, as well as landscapes of travels from both her friends and herself. These images are available in prints - as well as decorative household items such as coffee mugs, trivets, and coasters.

Sue has maintained a passion for art and music throughout her life - she has focused in the areas of drawing, painting and photography, as well as being an avid piano player. She studied part-time at the Corcoran School of Art in Washington, DC and participated in several printmaking shows there. She enjoys creating images that invoke a warm, emotional connection for the viewer. Her pastel work has won awards in Foley, Alabama, and Covington, Georgia. Sue's work is on display at Mezza Luna Pasta and Seafood Restaurant, as well as available for sale at The Nest Home and Garden - both of which are in Smyrna, Georgia.

Entrepreneurial Seminar Announced

Mini Business Plan
A Road Map to Entrepreneurial Success
Saturday, January 27, 2018
10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Smyrna Library, Meeting Room
Workshop is free of charge. Sponsored by SCORE, the Friends of Smyrna Library, and Smyrna Public Library.

Space is limited. RSVP: sreference@smyrnaga.gov.
A workshop focusing on these components of a successful business plan:

• Clear, succinct writing style
• Compelling business description
• Importance of market research
• Effective development of meaningful financial projections

About the Workshop

This business plan consists of four sections: Business Description, Management and Operations, Marketing and Sales and Financial Projections. Also included is an application for funding along with a discussion of funding resources, both conventional and alternative.

The workshop teaches you to analyze the strengths and weaknesses of your business and your competition; which helps you determine the overall feasibility of the plan. The important aspects of starting and operating a business will be discussed along with applying financial data to the decision processes.

About the Instructor

The workshop is presented by Jeff Dykes, a Northwestern University graduate and SCORE mentor who started and developed three successful businesses. He shares stories from his business career that highlight key points discussed in this interactive workshop. He also provides important handouts that are excellent resources in writing a successful plan.