Jones County Arts asks commissioners to replace Knox Center curtains, relocate projector and provide storage

Lisa Mullis, director of Jones County Arts, asked the Jones County Board of Commissioners on April 15 to fund new stage curtains and other immediate repairs at the Knox Center, saying current equipment is unsafe and limits the program’s ability to expand.

Mullis told the commission the volunteer-run program has grown since 2016 and now serves dozens of students, and that stage and rigging problems have created safety and functional issues that need county attention.

Jones County Arts has produced 26 musicals since 02/2016, Mullis said, involving “over 200 students” overall and as many as 48 children in a recent production. She described the current front curtains as damaged and temporarily patched: “I have them taped with gaffing tape. I have them pinned at that literally, we’ve had kids fall through them, so that is the biggest need.” Mullis said the projector screen is mounted where it catches and rips the curtain and asked the county to move the screen, replace curtains and improve rigging.

The presentation included two student speakers. Aaron Varnado, a junior at Jones County High School, told commissioners the program had helped him overcome shyness and gain leadership and teamwork skills: “Seven years and 13 shows later, I can tell you I did make the right choice.” Melody Dixon, also a junior, said theater had improved her communication skills and inspired her to pursue musical theater professionally.

Commissioners discussed the request and moved to have county staff gather options and pricing. Parks and Recreation staff member Bert (last name not specified in the transcript) was directed to check curtain and rigging vendors and provide quotes; commissioners and staff also discussed relocating the projector screen to a back-stage position to avoid future damage. The board did not adopt a funding appropriation at the meeting; commissioners instructed staff to return with cost estimates and installation options.

Mullis also requested secure storage and a climate-controlled room for costumes and equipment; she said much of the group’s gear remains at her home because the Knox Center’s back room is not climate controlled. Long-term, Mullis described a vision for the Knox Center as a cultural arts hub offering adult classes, visiting performers and art camps.

Commissioners and staff broadly praised the program’s youth impact and said the county would pursue near-term fixes. Commissioner Martin said the arts program “gave [the Knox Center] facility use agreements, which was great,” and signaled support for pursuing curtain replacement. Parks and Recreation director Bert said he would check vendors and pricing and work with staff to bring options back to the board.

The board’s direction at the meeting: staff were to obtain vendor options and pricing for new stage curtains, review rigging repairs and evaluate relocating the projector screen; no appropriation or contract was approved that night.

Because the board asked staff to return with specific options and pricing, further action will require a future vote if commissioners choose to allocate funds.

Ending

Lisa Mullis and two students stayed after the presentation while commissioners took photos and thanked the group; staff will present vendor quotations and installation options at a subsequent meeting for formal action.