Inspired by the community’s enthusiastic celebration of the United States Bicentennial in 1976, area residents began to dream of bringing the Arts to Emanuel County. When a group met to explore the possibility of a Savannah Symphony concert in Swainsboro, they also began to make plans to establish an agency for the arts. By April 25, 1979, the Emanuel Arts Council was incorporated with the mission "to promote and sponsor cultural programs in all areas of the fine arts for general community betterment." Soon a community theater was formed. In August 1979, the Emanuel Arts Council sponsored "Oklahoma." This was the first of many live presentations, some professional and many with local performers. After the success of the theater group, the Community Band and the Community Chorus were soon created. In 1981, Emanuel County Junior College Art Professor Neil Kalmanson began organizing gallery exhibits. The early ones taking place in the Mitchell Building located "where the Main Streets meet" at the intersection of US 1 & US 80 in downtown Swainsboro. Towards the end of that year, a drive to purchase a building as an arts center began. The Church of the Nazarene’s property at the corner of Green and Church Streets was available. The historic site began as a Methodist Church in 1875. By 1896, a new wooden structure had been built at that location: it was later incorporated into the larger brick building which was erected in 1937. Given a brick veneer at that time, the older section now houses the art gallery. Continuing under the direction of Neil Kalmanson, the Gallery presents a large variety of art created by artists from various locations as well as local artists. In honor of the director’s dedication, the Gallery became the Kalmanson Gallery in 1998. Complete with beautiful stained glass windows, the sanctuary of the former church serves as the auditorium. Presently undergoing renovation, the EAC Auditorium continues to host a wide range of events including Community Theatre and musical performances such as the Emanu'Ole Opry and some Second Saturday Art Stroll Concerts. Following an extensive renovation in 1994, the lower level Social Hall is the site for gatherings and workshops. Former Sunday school classrooms which are also known as the Loft provide studio space for local artists. A source of pride and of concern to the EAC Board, the Arts Center is an historic building in need of attention to bring it up to acceptable condition to serve the entire community. The Board of Directors is looking for ways to make the improvements possible while maintaining the integrity of the structure.
As the initial renovations to the building neared completion in 1983, the need for an Emanuel Arts Executive Director was recognized. Robert Johnson was hired for this position, followed by Linda Lamb, Cindy Flanders, Janet Puryear, and Kathy Outlaw. Bobbie Daughtry has been the EAC executive director since 2002. The Emanuel Arts Council, Inc. is overseen by a board of directors and receives funding from the State of Georgia through Georgia Council for the Arts, local sponsors, the City of Swainsboro, the Emanuel County Board of Commissioners, and its members, along with special fund raising events.
Since its early days, Emanuel Arts has reached out to the children of the community. Along with various workshops and art-related camps, the LaPetite Series for Young Audiences has provided live professional theater experiences to area school children. Arts Emanuel offers art exhibits, interactive art projects for children, and Family Fun each year.
Over the years, Swainsboro and Emanuel County have become recognized as a community that appreciates the arts. With excellent gallery exhibits, exciting entertainment, and a desire to bring a better quality of life to the area, Emanuel Arts has been key to establishing this reputation. Because of this, artists are drawn here, further attracting patrons of the arts. The Stillmoreroots Group, an artist cooperative, came to Swainsboro, strengthening our local art scene. Seeing the possibilities of Art as a defining point for the community, the Georgia Rural Economic Development Center at East Georgia College helped to establish Gallery RFD in Swainsboro. Artists from all over the world are submitting work to be shown in this gallery. Swainsboro's Second Saturday Art Strolls which visits several art venues including the Kalmanson Gallery and Concerts are coordinated through the gallery. The Emanuel Artists Guild has been established to promote local artists and to provide a creative atmosphere to work in. The Artists Guild oversees Arts Emanuel each fall. This arts festival is a showcase for visual and performing arts that takes place in downtown Swainsboro; this event and activities are free to the public.
The Emanuel Arts Council is beginning its thirtieth year because of the dreams and efforts of a small group of people with hopes of providing the Arts Experience to Swainsboro and Emanuel County.
