Nov. 8, 2012

SCAD hosts Writers Boot Camp on Dec. 1: Writing, publishing, promoting and prospering in the digital revolution

Ivy Hall, the Savannah College of Art and Design's cultural arts and writing center presents an interactive writers workshop at SCAD Atlanta's Digital Media Center, 1611 W. Peachtree St. on Saturday, Dec. 1., 1 - 6 p.m.

The impressive lineup of professionals will lend their advice on how writers today must adapt to a fast-changing industry. Some specific topics will include how to navigate and exploit social media, how to break into new and established publishing models, and how to secure funding and make money for creative projects. New to Writers Boot Camp will be a hands-on technology workshop on how to build your own platform through websites, blogs, Facebook and Twitter.

Guests will hear from well-versed experts in the field. Humorist, syndicated columnist, NPR commentator and top-selling author Hollis Gillespie will present her Social Media Survival Guide. SCAD writing professor Catherine Ramsdell will speak on funding creative projects and the pros and cons of self-publishing. Other topics include how to take advantage of small press opportunities, how to emerge as a fiction writer on the Web, and how to build your own platform and extend your reach.

Sessions are open to the public and writers of all levels and genres.

See below for a detailed schedule. A Q&A session will follow each presentation:

1 p.m. - 1:45: Hollis Gillespie -- Social Media Survival Guide - A practical how-to for writers and journalists who want to avoid extinction during the media evolution

2 p.m. - 2:45: Catherine Ramsdell -- Where's the Money? Funding creative projects and the pros and cons of self-publishing

3 p.m. - 3:15: Networking and light refreshments

3:30 p.m. - 4:15: Laura Straub - Behind New York: Opportunities in the growing world of small press

4:30 p.m. - 5:15: Joshilyn Jackson - Liars Online, A Fiction Writer's Guide to the World Wide Web

5:15 p.m. - 6:00: Steve Aishman - You Can Do It! How to build your own platform and extend your reach

Cost is $55 at the door, or $45, for early registration and payment, received by Nov. 23.

Space is limited. Contact Georgia Lee at 404-253-3206 for information


Aug. 20, 2012

Award-winning authors to speak at SCAD’s Fall Ivy Hall Writer Series

ATLANTA - SCAD is excited to have celebrated authors Paul Tough, Elmore Leonard, Peter Leonard and Camille Paglia participate in the university's Ivy Hall Writers Series for the fall.

"The fall Ivy Hall Writers Series has something for everybody," said Georgia Lee, director of Ivy Hall. "The diverse line-up continues SCAD's mission to offer excellence in all aspects of the written word to the Atlanta community."

Paul Tough
Paul Tough will address his recent book, "How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity, and the Hidden Power of Character." Tough, a contributor to the public-radio program This American Life is also author of "Whatever It Takes: Geoffrey Canada's Quest to Change Harlem and America" and acclaimed articles about character in The New York Times Magazine and the New Yorker.

He will speak Oct. 3, 6:30-8 p.m., at SCAD Atlanta, 1600 Peachtree St. This event will be free and open to the public.

Elmore Leonard and Peter Leonard
Legendary and award-winning author and screenwriter Elmore Leonard joins forces with his son Peter Leonard, a fellow novelist, to speak about what they term the "Family Business" and the writing processes of two different generations. Elmore Leonard has written more than 40 books, including The New York Times best sellers "Djibouti," "Road Dogs," "Up in Honey's Room," "The Hot Kid," "Mr. Paradise," and "Tishomingo Blues."

The Leonards will speak Oct. 18, 6:30-8 p.m. at SCAD Atlanta, 1600 Peachtree St. General admission is $10.

Camille Paglia
In her groundbreaking "Sexual Personae," Camille Paglia turned her incisive eye on beauty and decadence in literature, art, and popular culture. In her new book, "Glittering Images: A Journey Through Art from Egypt to Star Wars," Paglia returns to the subject that brought her fame, tackling the great themes of Western art in an enthralling tour through more than two dozen seminal images, some famous and others obscure or unknown.

She will speak Oct. 30, 6:30-8 p.m. at SCAD Atlanta, 1600 Peachtree St. General admission is $10 or free with the purchase of a book at $32. Tickets will also be available at A Cappella Books.

Admission
The lectures are free for SCAD students, professors and staff with a valid SCAD ID.

Following each lecture, a book signing is available with the purchase of a book.

For more information, visit Ivy Hall or follow on Facebook and Twitter.


March 12, 2012

SCAD announces its Spring Ivy Hall Writer Series

ATLANTA, Georgia - The Savannah College of Art and Design is excited to have celebrated authors Lauren Groff, Andre Dubus III, Carol Wallace, Sandra Beasley and Augusten Burroughs participating in its spring Ivy Hall Writers Series.

Lauren Groff
Groff's first novel, "The Monsters of Templeton," was a New York Times and Booksense bestseller, and was shortlisted for the Orange Prize for New Writers. Her second book, "Delicate Edible Birds," is a collection of stories. Groff's second novel, "Arcadia," released in March, focuses on the community and how characters rise, fall and evolve across three generations. She will speak April 3, 6:30-8 p.m., Ivy Hall, 179 Ponce de Leon Ave. This event will be free and open to the public.

Andre Dubus III
Dubus III will speak and read from his recent memoir, "Townie." "Townie" was a New York Times bestseller and was named on many lists of top non-fiction books of 2011 including Publishers Weekly and Esquire magazine. His novel "House of Sand and Fog" was a fiction finalist for the National Book Award and the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, an Oprah Book Club Selection and a New York Times bestseller. It has been published in 20 languages, and the 2003 film adaptation was nominated for an Academy Award. A member of PEN American Center, Dubus III has served as a panelist for The National Book Foundation and is a full-time faculty member at University of Massachusetts at Lowell. His lecture is April 12, 6:30-8 p.m., SCAD Atlanta, 1600 Peachtree St.

Carol Wallace
Wallace will speak and read from her most recent publication, "Leaving Van Gogh." Wallace, co-author of "To Marry an English Lord," has written 21 books and some previous book topics have included humor, parenting and social history. In 2006 Wallace received an M.A. in art history from Columbia University, and the research for her M.A. thesis provided the foundation for "Leaving Van Gogh." She will be the writer-in-residence at SCAD Atlanta in spring 2012. She recently completed the manuscript for a new historical novel, "Madame Manet." Wallace will speak April 26, 6:30-8 p.m., Ivy Hall, 179 Ponce de Leon Ave.

Sandra Beasley
Beasley is the author of "Don't Kill the Birthday Girl: Tales from an Allergic Life," a memoir and cultural history of food allergies. Her previous books are collections of poetry, "I Was the Jukebox," which won the 2009 Barnard Women Poetry Prize and "Theories of Falling," which won the New Issues Poetry Prize. Her work has appeared in Poetry, Slate, The Believer, Poetry Daily, Verse Daily and The Best American Poetry 2010. She serves on the Board of the Writer's Center in Washington D.C. Beasley's lecture is May 1, 6:30-8 p.m., at Ivy Hall, 179 Ponce de Leon Ave.

Augusten Burroughs
Burroughs, the New York Times bestselling author of "Running with Scissors" and "A Wolf at the Table," will return to SCAD Atlanta to present his latest book, "This is How, Help for the Self: Proven to Aid in Overcoming Shyness, Molestation, Fatness, Spinsterdom, Grief, Disease, Lushery, Decrepitude and More. For Young and Old Alike." It challenges the notion of self-help books and is scheduled to be released in early May. Burroughs also writes for numerous magazines and newspapers around the world including The New York Times and New York Magazine. He will speak May 12, 6:30-8 p.m., SCAD Atlanta, 1600 Peachtree St.

The lectures are $10, unless noted, and free for SCAD students, professors and staff with a valid SCAD ID. Following each lecture, a book signing is available with the purchase of a book.

For more information, visit scad.edu/ivyhall or follow us on Facebook and on Twitter.


Jan. 12, 2012

SCAD announces its Winter Ivy Hall Writer Series

ATLANTA, Georgia - The Savannah College of Art and Design is excited to have celebrated authors Robert Olen Butler, Gin Phillips, Susan Rebecca White and Alexandra Styron participating in its winter Ivy Hall Writers Series.

Robert Olen Butler
Robert Olen Butler won a Pulitzer Prize for his short story, "A Good Scent from a Strange Mountain" and is a two-time National Magazine Award in Fiction winner. He also has received two Pushcart Prizes. His 12th novel, "A Small Hotel," will be released this August. Butler's stories have appeared widely in publications such as The New Yorker, Esquire, Harper's, GQ, The Paris Review, The Hudson Review and The Sewanee Review. He is a Francis Eppes Distinguished Professor holding the Michael Shaara Chair in Creative Writing at Florida State University. Butler will speak Jan. 26, 6:30-8 p.m., at SCAD Atlanta, 1600 Peachtree St.

Gin Phillips
Gin Phillips' first novel, "The Well and the Mine," received the Barnes & Noble Discover Award in 2009. Editions are available in the U.K., with German, Italian, Brazilian, Korean and Taiwanese editions to come. Phillips worked as freelance writer for nearly a decade. Her lecture is Jan. 31, 6:30-8 p.m., at Ivy Hall, 179 Ponce de Leon Ave.

Susan Rebecca White
Atlanta native Susan Rebecca White's debut novel "Bound South" was a Southern Independent Booksellers Association bestseller and shortlisted for the Townsend Prize in fiction. White's second novel, "A Soft Place to Land," was greeted with critical acclaim from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Vanity Fair magazine, which listed it as "essential reading." She will be the visiting author at SCAD Atlanta in Winter 2012 and is currently working on her third novel set in café society in New York City in the 1940's. White will speak Feb. 24, 6:30-8 p.m., at SCAD Atlanta, 1600 Peachtree St.

Alexandra Styron
Alexandra Styron is the author of "Reading my Father" and "All the Finest Girls." The New Yorker, The New York Times, Vanity Fair, The Financial Times and The Wall Street Journal have featured Styron. She teaches memoir writing in the M.F.A. program at Hunter College. Styron's lecture is March 7, 6:30-8 p.m., at Ivy Hall, 179 Ponce de Leon Ave.

The lectures will be $15 each for the general public and free for SCAD students, professors and staff with a valid SCAD ID. Following the lecture, a book signing is available with the purchase of a book.

Follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/ivyhallofscad and on Twitter at @scadivyhall.


Sept. 21, 2011

Ivy Hall Writer Series welcomes authors Karen Russell and Philippa Gregory

ATLANTA, Georgia - The Savannah College of Art and Design is excited to have celebrated authors Karen Russell and Philippa Gregory participating in its fall Ivy Hall Writers Series. The series provides an idyllic forum in which notable authors such as Augusten Burroughs, Bret Easton Ellis, Colson Whitehead, Kathryn Stockett and Margaret Atwood have presented and discussed their work.

A native of Miami, Karen Russell has been featured in The New Yorker's debut fiction issue and on The New Yorker's 20 Under 40 list, and was chosen as one of Granta's Best Young American Novelists. In 2009, she received the 5 Under 35 award from the National Book Foundation. Russell is the author of the novel "Swamplandia!" and "St. Lucy's Home for Girls Raised by Wolves," a collection of short stories. Three of her short stories have been selected for the Best American Short Stories volumes. She will speak Oct. 13, 6:30-8 p.m., at SCAD Atlanta, 1600 Peachtree St.

Philippa Gregory will speak about her new books "The Women of the Cousins' War," a collection of biographical essays on the women who have inspired Gregory's historical fiction, and the novel "The Lady of the Rivers." Gregory studied history at the University of Sussex and received a Ph.D. at the University of Edinburgh. She is a recognized authority on women's history; the author of several bestselling novels including "The Other Boleyn Girl," and a regular contributor to TV, radio and international newspapers. Her lecture is Oct. 18, 6:30-8 p.m., at SCAD Atlanta, 1600 Peachtree St.

The lectures will be $15 and free for SCAD students, professors and staff with a valid SCAD ID. Following the lecture, a book signing is available with the purchase of a book. Books are available for purchase by personal check or cash only.

Follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/ivyhallofscad and on Twitter at @scadivyhall.


Aug. 9, 2011

SCAD Ivy Hall hosts 'Beyond Print - Writing in the Digital Age' workshop

ATLANTA, Georgia - Ivy Hall, Savannah College of Art and Design's cultural arts and writing center, in partnership with the Decatur Book Festival, will host a day-long interactive workshop Friday, Sept. 2., from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Through breakout sessions, "Beyond Print - Writing in the Digital Age" will focus on how today's writers can fund, publish and promote their work, as well as how print is successfully migrating to digital formats. The workshop will take place at Ivy Hall, 179 Ponce de Leon Ave. in Atlanta.

The seminar will kick off with "Social Media Survival Guide," by NPR commentator and syndicated columnist Hollis Gillespie. The session is a practical how-to for writers and journalists who want to avoid extinction during the media evolution.

SCAD writing professor Catherine Ramsdell will speak next on how authors can find new ways of funding literary projects and even start their own fundraising campaign.

Fiction writer Darby Sanders will present to writers of all genres how to navigate the dynamic new world of online publishing.

The workshop will conclude with PASTE magazine co-founder and Editor-in-Chief Josh Jackson, who will discuss the future of magazines and how stopping the presses enabled his publication to re-imagine what a magazine can become in the digital age.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Decatur Book Festival is an annual free event that takes place over Labor Day weekend at several venues located in and around the downtown Decatur Square. Launched in 2006, the festival hosts Pulitzer Prize-winning and best-selling authors in readings, talks and panel discussions.

The workshop is free and open to the public. Space is limited to 65 people, and registration is required. To register, email name, phone and address to Georgia Lee or call 404.253.3206.

For media inquires, call 404.253.2759. Follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/ivyhallofscad and on Twitter at @scadivyhall.


March 3, 2011

Award-winning authors added to SCAD's Spring 2011 Ivy Hall Writers Series: Elizabeth Kostova, Gary Shteyngart and Sarah Vowell to speak

ATLANTA, Georgia - The Savannah College of Art and Design is excited to announce critically acclaimed writers Elizabeth Kostova, Gary Shteyngart and Sarah Vowell to the spring 2011 Ivy Hall Writers Series lineup. Notable writers Kathryn Stockett and Susan Rebecca White will kick off the series as guest lecturers on Wednesday, March 30, from 6:30-8 p.m. at SCAD Atlanta, 1600 Peachtree St. The events are free and open to the public.

Vowell, a New York Times best-selling author, is loved by critics and readers and is best known for her unique take on American history and culture. Her newest book, "Unfamiliar Fishes," investigates the history of Hawaii since the United States annexed it in 1898. Vowell will speak Tuesday, April 5, 6:30-8 p.m., at SCAD Atlanta, 1600 Peachtree St.

Elizabeth Kostova, known for melding history and fiction, will speak about her novels "The Historian" and "Swan Thieves." An international bestseller, "The Historian" tells the story of Vlad the Impaler, the dark figure who inspired the Dracula legend. "Swan Thieves" tells the tale of a beautiful woman, a mysterious painting and a historical art secret. Kostova's lecture is Thursday, April 21, 6:30-8 p.m., at SCAD Atlanta, 1600 Peachtree St.

Gary Shteyngart's recent novel, "Super Sad True Love Story," instantly hit The New York Times Best Sellers list and more than 40 "Best Books of the Year" lists, including NPR's "Fresh Air," The New York Times, The Washington Post and O Magazine. His other works have met similar acclaim from major newspapers around the country. His novels have been translated into more than 24 languages, and his fiction and essays have appeared in The New Yorker, Granta, GQ, Travel & Leisure, The New York Times Magazine and Esquire, among others. Shteyngart will speak Monday, May 9, 6:30-8 p.m., at SCAD Atlanta, 1600 Peachtree St.

A book signing will follow with the purchase of a book. Books are available for purchase by personal check, cash or credit card.

For more information, visit scad.edu/ivyhall or follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/ivyhallofscad and on Twitter at @scadivyhall.


Feb. 8, 2011

Two Best-selling Atlanta Authors for One Night: Kathryn Stockett and Susan Rebecca White at SCAD's Ivy Hall Writers Series

ATLANTA, Georgia - The Savannah College of Art and Design will begin its spring 2011 Ivy Hall Writers Series with Kathryn Stockett and Susan Rebecca White as guest lecturers. Both belong to "a new wave of Southern female writers who might look like belles but who write fearlessly," according to Vanity Fair (February 2011). The two will appear together Wednesday, March 30, from 6:30-8 p.m. at SCAD Atlanta, 1600 Peachtree St. The event is free and open to the public.

"We are thrilled to present two young Atlanta authors who write about the Southern experience through new, intriguing voices," said Georgia Lee, director of Ivy Hall. "Both Kathryn Stockett and Susan Rebecca White resonate with local and national readers alike. As popular, acclaimed authors who are also hometown favorites, they are a perfect pair for the Ivy Hall Writers Series."

Kathryn Stockett delighted readers with her thought-provoking novel, "The Help." A movie based on the book is scheduled for release in August. "The Help," on the New York Times Bestseller list for 79 weeks, is a tale of three ordinary Mississippi women taking one extraordinary step together despite complications of living in a segregated town. The 1960s setting reflects Stockett's childhood experience in Jackson, Miss., with a black caregiver.

After graduating from the University of Alabama with a degree in English and creative writing, Stockett moved to New York City, where she wrote her first novel. She now lives in Atlanta with her husband and daughter.

Atlanta native Susan Rebecca White also made the New York Times Bestseller list with her critically acclaimed novel "Bound South," followed by "A Soft Place to Land." She is known for translating human flaws into traits that evoke compassion in her readers. White lived in San Francisco before returning to Atlanta with her husband. She teaches creative writing at Emory University.

A book signing will follow the lecture. Books are available for purchase by personal check or cash only.

For more information, visit scad.edu/ivyhall or follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/ivyhallofscad and on Twitter at @scadivyhall.


Dec. 6, 2010

SCAD announces its Winter 2011 Ivy Hall Writers Series

Rebecca Burns, Martha Grimes, Sloane Crosley and Chris Abani to lecture at SCAD

ATLANTA, Georgia - The Savannah College of Art and Design offers another outstanding and diverse lineup of world-class writers for its Ivy Hall Writers Series. The winter schedule is sure to satisfy any literature admirer with its collection of acclaimed writers Rebecca Burns, Martha Grimes, Sloane Crosley and Chris Abani. The lectures are free and open to the public.

Rebecca Burns, former editor-in-chief of Atlanta magazine, will discuss her latest book, "Burial for a King: Martin Luther King Jr.'s Funeral and the Week that Transformed Atlanta and Rocked the Nation." Her journalist background influenced Burns to focus on Southern history and the intersection of race, religion and politics in her writing. She is also the author of "Rage in the Gate City: The Story of the 1906 Atlanta Race Riot," a finalist for the 2007 Georgia Author of the Year awards. Burns wrote the Atlanta edition of the "Yesterday & Today" book series and is a frequent speaker at colleges and community organizations. She now serves as the new director of digital strategy for Emmis Publications. Burns will speak Thursday, Jan. 20, 6:30-8 p.m., at Ivy Hall, 179 Ponce de Leon Ave. N.E.

Martha Grimes is the bestselling author of the Richard Jury mysteries that have captured readers for more than two decades. Her recent book, "The Black Cat," is the 18th installment of the mystery series. Grimes is also the author of the acclaimed fictional novels "Foul Matter," "Cold Flat Junction," "Hotel Paradise," "The End of the Pier" and "The Train Now Departing." Her lecture is Thursday, Feb. 10, 6:30-8 p.m., at SCAD Atlanta, 1600 Peachtree St.

Sloane Crosley is the author of the New York Times bestseller "I Was Told There'd be Cake" and "How Did You Get This Number." The New Yorker's latest book of humorous personal essays has been compared to David Sedaris, but with a twist. The charming and witty author has earned widespread acclaim and award nominations for her work. She will speak Thursday, Feb. 17, 6:30-8 p.m., at SCAD Atlanta, 1600 Peachtree St.

Chris Abani is the award-winning author of "GraceLand," a tale of a Nigerian teen living in the ghetto and his journey to a better life. Imprisoned as a teenager by the Nigerian regime for his writing, Abani has transcended his adversity into creativity. The PEN Freedom-to-Write Award recipient has continued sharing his gift of storytelling with the world with "Becoming Abigail," a New York Times Editors' Choice for 2006 poetic novella, and his latest novel, "The Virgin of Flames." Abani's lecture is March 3, 6:30-8 p.m., at SCAD Atlanta, 1600 Peachtree St.

A book signing follows each lecture. Books are available for purchase by personal check or cash only. For more information, visit www.scad.edu/ivyhall or follow us on Facebook and on Twitter at @scadivyhall.


Aug. 19, 2010

SCAD announces its Fall 2010 Ivy Hall Writers Series

William Gibson, Adam Penenberg, Chuck Klosterman and Arliss Ryan to lecture at SCAD

ATLANTA, Georgia - The Savannah College of Art and Design announces its upcoming fall schedule for the Ivy Hall Writers Series. The series, which showcases writers of all genres, will feature critically acclaimed authors William Gibson, Adam Penenberg, Chuck Klosterman and Arliss Ryan. Quickly becoming one of Atlanta’s premier literary events, last year’s series included an array of notable authors such as Bret Easton Ellis, Colson Whitehead, Augusten Burroughs and Margaret Atwood. The lectures are free and open to the public.

"The Ivy Hall Writers Series combines critically hailed, popular authors of cultural relevance," said Georgia Lee, director of Ivy Hall. "The series typically features a diverse line-up, from cyberpunk legend William Gibson to the hilarious pop culture critic Chuck Klosterman.”

Gibson will discuss "Zero History," his new novel slated for release in September. Before the rise of the Internet, he conceptualized the information age, coined the term "cyberspace," and popularized the concept in "Neuromancer," his debut novel. He is credited with predicting the reality television phenomenon and with laying conceptual foundations for virtual Web applications, such as video games. Gibson will speak Monday, Sept. 20, 6:30-8 p.m., at SCAD Atlanta, 1600 Peachtree Street.

Adam Penenberg’s new book, “Viral Loop: From Facebook to Twitter, How Today 's Smartest Businesses Grow Themselves,” reveals the successful strategies of influential companies, including Netscape, eBay, PayPal, Skype, Facebook, and Twitter, that have harnessed the power of viral loops to achieve billion-dollar valuations at incredible speed. Penenberg is an award-winning contributor to Fast Company. His work has appeared in The New York Times, Wired, Forbes, Slate, The Economist, Mother Jones, and Marketwatch. Penenberg is a journalism professor and assistant director of the Business and Economic Program at New York University. His lecture is Friday, Sept. 24, 6:30-8 p.m., at Ivy Hall, 179 Ponce de Leon Ave., N.E.

Chuck Klosterman has been called this generation's Hunter S. Thompson. He depicts pop culture as permeating every aspect of our media-saturated lives. Best known for "Sex, Drugs and Cocoa Puffs," he also authored the New York Times bestseller "Downtown Owl," "Chuck Klosterman IV," "Killing Yourself to Live," and "Fargo Rock City." A contributing editor for Esquire, he also contributes to The New York Times Magazine, Spin, The Washington Post, The Guardian, The Believer, A.V. Club, and ESPN. Klosterman graduated from the University of North Dakota, and has written for the Fargo Forum and the Akron Beacon Journal. He will speak Thursday, Oct. 7, 6:30-8 p.m., at SCAD Atlanta, 1600 Peachtree St.

Arliss Ryan's novel, “The Secret Confessions of Anne Shakespeare,” released in June 2010, depicts the little known life of the talented wife of the Bard of Avon. In 1623, Anne, widowed and dying, breaks a lifetime silence, to reveal that her husband did not write his famous plays. Often dismissed as a country spinster who seduced an innocent boy, Anne emerges as a smart, resourceful woman who discovers her own talents. Arlis Ryan has written numerous short stories and books. An alumna of the University of Michigan, she has worked in advertising and public relations. Her lecture is Tuesday, Oct. 12, 6:30-8 p.m., at Ivy Hall, 179 Ponce de Leon Ave., N.E.

A book signing follows each lecture. Books are available for purchase by personal check or cash only.

For more information, follow us on Facebook and on Twitter at @scadivyhall. Media inquires may be directed to 404.253.2759.


Aug. 2, 2010

SCAD’s Ivy Hall Lecture Series presents Glenn Wallace; Lead designer for SCAD Design Group and Senior Vice President for College Resources to lecture at Ivy Hall

ATLANTA, Georgia - The Savannah College of Art and Design is excited to announce that Glenn Wallace, senior vice president of college resources and the visionary behind SCAD Design Group, will participate in the university’s Ivy Hall Lecture Series. Wallace will tell the story of Ivy Hall and its award-winning restoration by the university. The lecture will be held at Ivy Hall, 179 Ponce de Leon Ave., Sunday, Aug. 15, 3 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. Reservations are required and can be made via e-mail or by calling 404.253.3324.

Wallace’s talk will explore the extensive historic preservation process of the iconic Atlanta mansion—from the recreation and rediscovery of the original interior elements to the creation of an all-new contemporary interior with furnishings, fixtures, artwork and more. He also will speak about the history of the home, the legendary Peters family who built it, and the building’s new life as a cultural and writing center for SCAD and the Midtown Atlanta community. It also has become the ideal setting for prominent authors to share their works and professional experiences.

SCAD, with its rich legacy of historic preservation in Savannah, Ga., and Lacoste, France, rehabilitated the historic landmark in 2008—one of the first homes in Georgia thought to fully embody the Queen Anne-Victorian architectural style.

“Ivy Hall is SCAD’s first preservation project in Atlanta,” says Wallace. “The community really embraced us coming in and saving it. It's really a treasure . . . and one of the most impressive buildings I've been in." The local community has recognized the restoration of the facility with several accolades such as the Georgia Trust 2009 Preservation Award for Excellence in Restoration and the Atlanta Urban Design Commission Award of Excellence for Historic Preservation.


May 10, 2010

SCAD's Ivy Hall Writers Series presents writer Michael Largo

ATLANTA, Georgia - The Savannah College of Art and Design's Ivy Hall Writers Series presents Michael Largo as the next notable author to speak at the university's popular lecture series. The lecture will be held at Ivy Hall, the historic Atlanta landmark recently restored by SCAD, Tuesday, June 22, 6:30-8 p.m., 179 Ponce de Leon Ave., N.E., Atlanta, Ga. The event is free and open to the public.

Largo, dubbed "the Capote of kaput" by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and "the curator of death" by Esquire, for his irreverent books on human mortality, takes on religious fanaticism in his new release, "God's Lunatics: Lost Souls, False Prophets, Martyred Saints, Murderous Cults, Demonic Nuns, and Other Victims of Man's Eternal Search for the Divine." His latest work examines celebrated mystics, martyrs, wizards, shamans, cult leaders, founding fathers of Utopian experiments, victims of demonic possession and the originators of New Age movements. The novel presents a composite image of the ways communities have sought to know the unknowable.

Largo is also the author of "Genius and Heroin," "The Portable Obituary" and the Bram Stoker Award-winning "Final Exits: The Illustrated Encyclopedia of How We Die." The Miami-based former editor of New York Poetry, Largo was previously the researcher/archivist for the film company Allied Artists in Atlanta.

A book signing and sale, courtesy of A Cappella Books, follows the lecture. Media inquires may be directed to 404.253.2759.


April 14, 2010

Best-selling author Bret Easton Ellis is the latest addition to SCAD's Ivy Hall Writers Series

ATLANTA, Georgia - The Savannah College of Art and Design is excited to announce Bret Easton Ellis, author of "American Psycho," as the next writer to lecture at its popular Ivy Hall Writers Series. This year's series has included an array of notable authors such as Colson Whitehead, Augusten Burroughs, Margaret Atwood and comedy writer Joel Cohen. Ellis is scheduled to speak Friday, June 18, 6:30-8 p.m. at SCAD's Atlanta location, 1600 Peachtree St. The events are free and open to the public.

"We are thrilled to have Bret Easton Ellis at SCAD to launch his new novel, ‘Imperial Bedrooms,' says Georgia Lee, director of Ivy Hall. "His visit to the university continues our goal of presenting a fascinating and diverse group of authors to our students and the community as part of the Ivy Hall Writers Series."

"Imperial Bedrooms," the latest novel by Bret Easton Ellis, is a 25th- anniversary sequel, "of sorts," to "Less Than Zero." Ellis' 1985 novel, created during a writing workshop at Vermont's Bennington College, his alma mater, catapulted him to fame as a member of the so-called "Literary Brat Pack." The bleak tale of Los Angeles teenagers became a New York Times bestseller, was translated into 20 languages and released as a feature film in 1987 by 20th Century Fox. After graduating, Ellis moved to New York to write his second novel, "The Rules of Attraction," which addressed campus life at the height of the Reagan Era. "American Psycho," another New York Times bestseller, was released as a feature film in 2000.

A book signing and sales, courtesy of A Cappella Books, follows the lecture.


April 5, 2010

SCAD showcases Helen Simonson in Ivy Hall Writers Series

ATLANTA, Georgia - The Savannah College of Art and Design is pleased to have Helen Simonson, author of “Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand,” as part of the university’s Ivy Hall Writers Series. Simonson is scheduled to speak Monday, April 12, 6:30-8 p.m., at SCAD’s Atlanta location, 1600 Peachtree St. The lecture is free and open to the public. The series provides an idyllic forum in which notable authors such as Colson Whitehead, Augusten Burroughs and Margaret Atwood have presented and discussed their work.

The Times of London describes Simonson’s debut novel, “Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand,” as “a slow burning pleasure,” and The Washington Post praises its “crisp wit and gentle insight.” The book has received critical acclaim from The New York Times and currently is listed as number 20 on The New York Times Bestseller List.

The novel, like the rich 19th-century novels that inspire her work, is as much a tale of small town manners and morals as it is a unique love story. Set in the fictionalized community of Edgecombe St. Mary in the English countryside, the tale features Major Ernest Pettigrew, an honorable though irascible gentleman whose safe, predictable life is forever changed when his relationship with Jasmina Ali, an enchanting shopkeeper, evolves beyond friendship. A colorful cast of village characters, all set in their ways, trys to stand in the way of the budding romance. But with a perfect balance of wit and wisdom, Simonson creates a world where happiness, while not necessarily preordained, is possible.

Simonson was born in England and spent her teenage years in a small village in East Sussex. A graduate of the London School of Economics and former travel-advertising executive, she has lived in America for the last two decades. A longtime resident of Brooklyn, she now lives with her husband and two sons in the Washington, D.C., area.

A book signing, courtesy of A Cappella Books, follows the lecture. Media inquires may be directed to 404.253.2759.


Nov. 24, 2009

mental_floss magazine joins SCAD’s Ivy Hall Writers Series line up: Margaret Atwood and Joel Cohen also to lecture at SCAD’s Atlanta location

ATLANTA, Georgia - The Savannah College of Art and Design announces the addition of Will Pearson, president and co-founder of mental_floss, to its Ivy Hall Writers Series. This year’s series has already featured critically acclaimed authors Colson Whitehead, Ray C. Anderson and Augusten Burroughs. Notable writers Margaret Atwood and Joel Cohen are scheduled to speak in early 2010. The series provides an idyllic forum in which the writers present and discuss their work. The events are free and open to the public at SCAD’s Atlanta location at 1600 Peachtree St.

Will Pearson developed and published the first issue of mental_floss with Mangesh Hattikudur while they were both still students at Duke University. The magazine recently was chosen by The Chicago Tribune as one of its "50 Favorite Magazines" and has garnered national recognition from media outlets such as Newsweek, Entertainment Weekly and The Washington Post. Pearson is scheduled to lecture Tuesday, March 2, 6:30-8 p.m.

Margaret Atwood, the Booker Prize-winning author of “The Handmaid's Tale” and “The Blind Assassin,” will discuss her highly anticipated book “The Year of the Flood,” Tuesday, Feb. 23, 6:30-8 p.m. Joel Cohen, the Emmy award-winning writer for the longest-running American sitcom and animated program, “The Simpsons,” will speak Thursday, March 25, 6:30-8 p.m.

A book signing follows each reading. Book sales are available by personal check or cash only. The events are free and open to the public. For more information, call 404.253.2759.


Nov. 2, 2009

SCAD professors featured at the Ivy Hall Lecture Series: Rebekah Adkins, Gabriela Jasin and Bruno Lima to lecture at Ivy Hall

ATLANTA, Georgia - The Savannah College of Art and Design announces its upcoming Ivy Hall Lecture Series that features a trio of distinguished faculty members, each of whom is an expert in the field of art and design. The lecture series, an extension of SCAD’s outstanding academic program, focuses on a wide range of topics, including fashion, art history, writing, interior design and other subjects of interest to SCAD students, faculty, alumni and the local community. This year’s topics range from tips on recreating new outfits to examining the role of women in 18th--century art. The lectures are at Ivy Hall, the historic Atlanta landmark recently restored by SCAD, Sunday afternoons, 3 p.m., 179 Ponce de Leon Ave., N.E., Atlanta, Ga. All lectures are free and open to the public.

Sometimes it seems like there is nothing in the closet to wear, but by investing money in pieces that are a “fashion must,” a variety of wardrobe options can be created that accentuate one’s own personal style. Sunday, Nov. 8, SCAD fashion professor Bruno Lima will discuss selecting key pieces and how to put the right look together to revamp your wardrobe for different occasions.

Rebekah Adkins, SCAD interior design professor, whose expertise includes exploring personal environmental autobiographies, relates this information to the use and programmatic purpose of interior space. Adkins will lecture on the role of the interior designer in the creation, development and execution of the built environment, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2010.

The works created by 18th-century French artists reflected the collective hopes, desires and, sometimes, impossibilities of their contemporary society. SCAD art history professor Gabriela Jasin will discuss two pendant paintings by the artist Jean Raoux, “The Virgins of Ancient Times” and “The Virgins of Modern Times,” and how they pit the ancient vestal virgins of Rome against the young virgins of contemporary 18th-century French society. Jasin will present Sunday, Apr. 18, 2010.

For more information, call 404.253.2759.


Aug. 14, 2009

SCAD showcases award-winning authors during Ivy Hall Writers Series

Ray C. Anderson, Margaret Atwood, Augusten Burroughs, Joel Cohen and Colson Whitehead to lecture at SCAD’s Atlanta location

ATLANTA, Georgia - The Savannah College of Art and Design announces its upcoming Ivy Hall Writers Series schedule, featuring critically acclaimed authors Ray C. Anderson, Margaret Atwood, Augusten Burroughs, Joel Cohen and Colson Whitehead. The series showcases authors of national and international acclaim by providing an idyllic forum in which the writers present and discuss their work. The events are free and open to the public at SCAD’s Atlanta location at 1600 Peachtree St.

A MacArthur Fellow and Pulitzer Prize finalist, Colson Whitehead’s recently released book, “Sag Harbor,” explores a 15-year-old boy's summer in a predominantly black Long Island, N.Y., neighborhood. In this high-spirited novel, Whitehead focuses on the character’s desperate quest for reinvention. The author of several novels, including “The Intuitionist” and “John Henry Days,” Whitehead also has written a collection of essays about New York City. His fiction, criticism and reviews have appeared in several publications such as The New York Times, Harper's and Granta. Whitehead will speak Thursday, Oct. 22, 6:30-8 p.m.

Noted by Time and Elle magazines as a hero of the environment, Ray C. Anderson presents his upcoming book, “Confessions of a Radical Industrialist,” which focuses on practical ideas and measurable outcomes that businesses can use to improve their bottom lines while being eco-friendly. A sought-after guest lecturer and adviser on environmental issues, Anderson served as a co-chair of the President’s Council on Sustainable Development during the Clinton administration. He recently co-chaired the Presidential Climate Action Project, which presented the Obama administration with an action plan that addressed key issues related to climate control. As the founder and former chairman of Interface, the world’s largest manufacturer of modular carpet, Anderson now serves on the boards of several private and nonprofit organizations. His lecture is Monday, Oct. 26, 6:30-8 p.m.

Augusten Burroughs, The New York Times bestselling author of “Running with Scissors” and “A Wolf at the Table,” presents his forthcoming book, “You Better Not Cry.” The book is a series of seven stories that focus on his Christmas experiences from childhood through today. Twice honored by Entertainment Weekly as one of the 25 funniest people in America, Burroughs chronicles everything that makes the holidays troublesome and magical through his witty prose. Burroughs will speak Wednesday, Nov. 4, 6:30-8 p.m.

Margaret Atwood, the Booker Prize-winning author of “The Handmaid's Tale” and “The Blind Assassin,” follows up her award-winning narrative, “Oryx and Crake,” with the highly anticipated book “The Year of the Flood.” Her latest novel focuses on a group called God's Gardeners, a small community of survivors of the same environmental catastrophe depicted in “Oryx and Crake.” In her 30 years as a writer, Atwood has authored more than 25 volumes of poetry, fiction and nonfiction. She is also the recipient of numerous awards and honorary degrees. Atwood’s lecture is Tuesday, Feb. 23, 6:30-8 p.m.

Joel Cohen, the Emmy award-winning writer for the longest-running American sitcom and animated program, “The Simpsons,” first found success in the corporate world before making a career move into comedy writing. With the “greatest TV show of the 20th century” under his belt, according to Time magazine, Cohen provides a unique perspective to discuss innovation and creativity in business. He will speak Thursday, March 25, 6:30-8 p.m.

A book signing follows each reading. Book sales are available by personal check or cash sales only. The events are free and open to the public. For more information, call 404.253.2759.


Oct. 17, 2008

SCAD receives an AIA Georgia Design Award for Ivy Hall

ATLANTA, Georgia - The Savannah College of Art and Design received an Honorable Recognition Award from AIA Georgia, an association of The American Institute of Architects , on Saturday, Oct. 4 at the AIA Georgia Design Awards Gala.  

SCAD was commended for its foresight, perseverance and dedication to the preservation and restoration of Ivy Hall, as well as the many other restored structures in Savannah.  The award was open to any individual or organization that made a significant contribution to the profession of architecture and the built environment.

The Peters House, called Ivy Hall by the Peters family, was designed by noted architect Gottfried L. Norrman in 1883 – one of the first homes in Georgia thought to embody the Victorian Queen Anne architectural style. With its rich legacy of historic preservation in Savannah and France, SCAD began rehabilitation of Ivy Hall in April 2007, when the donation of the historic Edward C. Peters House from William Swearingen of S.D.H. Investment Corp. Inc., William Dunaway and Harry Hill became finalized.

Ivy Hall has been restored to its original grandeur and reopened Oct. 3 as SCAD's new cultural arts and writing center book readings and lectures by prominent authors, chamber music concerts and visiting scholars in residence.


Sept. 8, 2008

SCAD announces grand opening of rehabilitated Ivy Hall Oct. 3

ATLANTA, Georgia - The Savannah College of Art and Design announced the grand opening of Ivy Hall Oct. 3. After nearly two years of rehabilitation, planning and construction, the historic Midtown mansion at 179 Ponce de Leon Ave. N.E. will reopen as a cultural arts and writing center.

Rehabilitation of Ivy Hall began in April 2007, when the donation of the historic Edward C. Peters House from William Swearingen of S.D.H. Investment Corp. Inc., William Dunaway and Harry Hill became finalized.

The Peters House, called Ivy Hall by the Peters family, was designed by noted architect Gottfried L. Norrman in 1883. After Swearingen and Dunaway purchased the building, it was converted into The Mansion restaurant in 1973. After a debilitating upper-level fire in 2000, it remained vacant and unused until it was donated to SCAD.

Under the leadership of SCAD historic preservation specialist Bob Dickensheets, SCAD's adaptive rehabilitation of the home as a cultural arts and writing center for the college and the community has taken shape.

"This project was different than previous SCAD rehabilitation projects in that we are restoring not only a residence, but, in a way, the memory of one of Atlanta's earliest and most industrious families," Dickensheets said. "Ivy Hall will provide a very stimulating environment for learning. The residence will prove an excellent space for student and faculty interaction and an ideal setting for visiting authors and artists to share their professional experiences."

The opening celebration of SCAD's Ivy Hall will be generously sponsored by The Providence Group.


May 15, 2007

Savannah College of Art and Design receives grant for rehabilitation of Atlanta’s historic Peters House

SCAD Atlanta recently received a third grant for the rehabilitation of Atlanta’s historic Edward C. Peters House, formerly known as The Mansion restaurant, located in midtown Atlanta at 179 Ponce de Leon Ave. N.E.

The Price Gilbert Jr. Charitable Fund donated a grant in the amount of $5,000 for the restoration of the Peters House. The Price Gilbert Jr. Charitable Fund was established in 1973 under the will of Price Gilbert Jr., a retired Coca-Cola executive, to benefit charitable and educational institutions in the Atlanta area.


April 6, 2007

SCAD rehabilitation of Atlanta's historic Peters House begins

The donation of midtown Atlanta’s historic Edward C. Peters House to the Savannah College of Art and Design has been finalized. Formerly known as The Mansion restaurant, the Peters House was donated to SCAD by the property’s most recent owners, William Swearingen of S.D.H. Investment Corp. Inc., William Dunaway and Harry Hill. Under an agreement, SCAD has agreed to rehabilitate the Peters House, one of the first homes in Georgia thought to embody the Victorian Queen Anne architectural style, and surrounding acreage for use as a cultural arts center. The rehabilitation is expected to take 18 months to two years to complete at an estimated cost of $2.2 million.

Meanwhile, Jolly Develop­ment plans to construct condominiums on the land surrounding the home, which is located at 179 Ponce de Leon Ave. N.E.

“I am so happy that we’ve been able to work out something that saves the Peters House and also makes sense for the city and the developers. I don’t know of any better situation than to have SCAD restoring this property,” said Swearingen.

In March 2005, Swearingen of S.D.H. Investment Corp. Inc., Dunaway and Hill signed an agreement to donate the facility and surrounding acreage to SCAD, contingent upon the donors’ ability to develop the outer property as residential. SCAD historic preservation specialist Bob Dickensheets is project manager for SCAD’s planned adaptive rehabilitation of the home as a cultural arts center for the college and community.

“Thanks to the vision of SCAD President Paula S. Wallace, one of Atlanta’s few remaining historical structures will become a community asset and an architecturally significant home will live on,” said Dickensheets. “SCAD has a proud record of distinction in architectural preservation, restoration and adaptive reuse. Our thanks [go] to the many individuals and organizations who helped make this project a success, including William Swearingen, S.D.H. Investment Corp. Inc., Jolly Development, Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin, the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation, the Atlanta Preservation Center and Home Depot.”

Atlanta-based Jolly Development plans to construct Ivy Hall Condominiums on the land surrounding the historic home. The Providence Group LLC is the builder partner of Jolly Development Corp. Inc. Founded in 1986 by Pete and Warren Jolly, Jolly Development and the Providence Group specialize in building for a contemporary lifestyle in prime locations throughout metro Atlanta. Livable and unique floor plans, stunning exterior designs and premier locations are trademarks of homes built by the Providence Group.

“Ivy Hall is a result of the hard work and cooperation of many dedicated individuals, without whom a project of this complexity would never have happened. To be able to blend new construction with historic architecture and retain a significant Atlanta landmark makes this opportunity unique and exciting,” said Warren Jolly.

Rehabilitation of the Peters House will begin immediately, with restoration and stabilization of the exterior facade, the slate roof and masonry. The Peters House, called Ivy Hall by the Peters family, was designed by noted architect Gottfrid L. Norrman in 1883 and is Atlanta’s oldest, most complete and single most important residence from the city’s “New South,” post-Civil War period, according to Boyd Coons, executive director of the Atlanta Preservation Center. When completed, the facility — which will again be known as Ivy Hall — will serve as a cultural arts and writing center where students and community members can gather for poetry and book readings, seminars and lectures by prominent authors, as well as chamber music concerts. Many authors already have visited the college’s Savannah and Atlanta locations, including Tama Janowitz, Robert Hicks, Maya Angelou, Edward Albee, Roger Ebert, Augusten Burroughs and Tom Wolfe. Ivy Hall will also house an artist in residence.

The Peters House was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972 and was designated an Atlanta Landmark Building by the Atlanta Urban Design Commission in 1989. In 2001 and 2003, the Atlanta Preservation Center listed the house among the most endangered buildings in Atlanta.

In Savannah, SCAD has rehabilitated four other Norrman-designed buildings for college instruction and administrative space, including the 1892 Henry Street School, the 1896 Anderson Street School, the 1906 Barnard Street School and the 1895 Citizens Bank.

The college has been internationally recognized by organizations such as the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation, the Art Deco Societies of America, the American Institute of Architects, the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the International Down­town Association for its rehabilitation efforts throughout the southeastern United States.

Undergraduate and graduate students from the SCAD historic preservation program, one of the college’s first programs to be offered as a major, have contributed crucial research and analysis to the rehabilitation effort. SCAD students will continue to have the opportunity to assist with the Peters House rehabilitation through the duration of the project. The college has provided many similar “living labs” for historic preservation students to gain hands-on experience.

On Feb. 17, SCAD Atlanta hosted the 30th annual Beaux Arts Ball for the first time, following the transition of the Atlanta College of Art into SCAD in June 2006. The ball had been a longstanding tradition of ACA. This year, proceeds benefited the renovation of the Peters House. Approximately 350 guests attended a black-tie gala and watched a video presentation profiling the Peters House rehabilitation effort. The event also included dinner, dancing and musical performances by SCAD students. Patrons and guests were also treated to two special exhibitions in the college’s newest Atlanta gallery, Gallery See: a series of 10 specially commissioned paintings by outstanding SCAD alumna Rose Casterline that were inspired by historic photographs taken of the Peters House at the turn of the 20th century, and a collection of historic photographs and artifacts from the Peters House.

In 2006, SCAD was awarded two grants to help fund the restoration of the Peters House. The David, Helen and Marian Woodward Fund awarded SCAD $100,000. The Woodward Fund was established exclusively for the benefit of nonprofit institutions and associations that are located in Georgia or one of its neighboring states and are organized and operated exclusively for religious, educational, charitable or scientific purposes. The James M. Cox Foundation also donated an additional grant in the amount of $25,000. The foundation was formed in 1957 from the estate of Cox, founder of Cox Enterprises. The foundation makes grants to organizations involved in arts and culture, environment, health, human services or education that are located in areas where Cox Enterprises operates a business.

The Ivy Hall property was originally acquired by Edward Peters’ father, Richard Peters, who, along with a friend, helped rename the tiny Marthasville settlement Atlanta. Richard Peters is remembered as a multifaceted industrialist and financier; he was credited by a friend with Atlanta’s first telegraph, its first flour mill, its first banking building, its first family residence and its first Episcopal church.

The Peters family was responsible not only for the shaping of midtown Atlanta but also for the creation of the Peters Park area, a 200-acre tract that Edward Peters eventually donated for the campus of the Georgia Institute of Technology. Peters served on the city council for decades and also served as a county commissioner and alderman. He supported the extension of Atlanta’s city limits in 1904 from Sixth Street to 15th Street and was instrumental in the city’s purchase of Piedmont Park.

After Edward Peters’ death in 1937, the house became the property of his only son, Wimberly. Wimberly’s wife, Lucille, inherited the home after her husband’s death in 1948, and she continued to live in the house until her death in 1970. The house was nearly demolished in 1971 but was saved through its designation on the National Register of Historic Places. Ponce de Leon Investors Ltd. bought the property in 1971 and converted it into The Mansion restaurant. The owners remodeled the building in 1973 and commissioned Alan Salzman to create an addition, which won the Atlanta Urban Design Commission Award. Fire damaged the upper floor in November 2000, and the house was abandoned shortly afterward.

The adaptive rehabilitation by SCAD will not only restore physical aspects of the Peters House, but it also will ensure that the historic building remains a vital part of the Atlanta community.