Another Free Public Piano to Open at The Woodruff Arts Center This Month

The Woodruff Arts Center announces the unveiling of its second public piano, provided by Play Me Again Pianos, which will take place in a public celebration on Callaway Plaza on Sunday, October 16, at 2 PM.

The event will commence with a ribbon cutting ceremony and will include a performance by 11 year-old pianist Nico Brett. After Nico's performance, the piano will be open for all guests of The Woodruff Arts Center to play and enjoy! This can't-miss event will take place during CREATE ATL Family Sunday, held from 1 - 4 PM throughout The Woodruff Arts Center.

This permanent installation is the second of two pianos planned for The Woodruff Arts Center in Midtown. The first, located on Sifly Piazza, was unveiled to the public on August 21, 2016 during CREATE ATL Family Sunday. It continues to be a popular attraction for Woodruff Arts Center guests of all ages and skill-levels.

In keeping with Play Me Again Pianos' tradition of naming each installation, this piano will be called "Liam" after its nine year old artist, Liam Agans. In 2014, Liam was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, an incurable disease where life expectancy past age 35 is rare.

Liam began painting regularly as part of his physical therapy. "While Duchenne may take his body, it will never steal his joy. We are fighting back by creating beauty in the place of sitting in despair," explained Liam's parents, Ray and Gretchen Agans. Liam's style of painting is created through the freedom and fearlessness of youth.

"As the home of world class art for all, The Woodruff Arts Center is excited to continue its partnership with Play Me Again pianos in bringing community engaging street pianos to Midtown, the cultural hub of Atlanta and Southeastern U.S.," said Gary Sayers, Director of Patron Services & Brand Experience for The Woodruff Arts Center. "This second piano in Callaway Plaza will continue adding to the cultural and exuberant atmosphere of The Woodruff Arts Center and Midtown Atlanta," continuEd Sayers.

Family Sunday is part of the larger CREATE ATL Family Fun at The Woodruff Arts Center initiative, in which families can participate in art-making, interactive musical story times, composers-in-training sessions, instrument making, drop-in acting classes and more, for free, every Sunday from 1 - 4 PM. In addition, families have the opportunity to experience world-class productions and exhibitions at The Woodruff Arts Center.

To register for the upcoming Free Family Festival on November 27, visit woodruffcreateATL.org.

CREATE ATL is sponsored by a $6.6 million dollar grant by The Lettie Pate Evans Foundation, which is part of the family of foundations that also includes the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation. The Lettie Pate Evans Foundation is an independent private foundation that invests primarily in education, arts and culture.

Founded as a Georgia non-profit charity in 2016, Play Me Again Pianos installs and permanently maintains free publicly accessible pianos throughout the Atlanta area for the community to play and enjoy. For more information, visit www.playmeagainpianos.org.

The Woodruff Arts Center in Atlanta, Ga. is one of the largest arts centers in the world, home to the Tony Award-winning ALLIANCE THEATRE, the Grammy Award-winning Atlanta Symphony Orchestra (ASO) and the High Museum of Art, the leading art museum in the Southeast. One of the only arts venues in the United States to offer both visual and performing arts on a single campus, The Woodruff produces outstanding theater, music and exhibitions for nearly one million patrons each year. Through The Combined efforts of the Alliance, the ASO and the High, The Woodruff also offers remarkable educational programming, with approximately 200,000 students taking part annually, making The Woodruff the largest arts educator in Georgia. www.woodruffcenter.org.

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