LOOKING
BRIGHT
While many local families
turned to home projects during
quarantine, the DeSoto family
also got some things done
around the house.
Thanks to a generous
community, the Historic
DeSoto Theatre Foundation
was able to complete several
much-needed renovation and
restoration projects to Broad
Street’s jewel, the DeSoto
Theatre.
The building -- and the future
-- is looking bright for the
organization and the building
which have provided (and
continue to provide) the
Rome community with music,
laughter and entertainment,
something in which they can
take great pride.
Michelle Picon, Development
Director for the HDTF said
during the past several
months, the DeSoto has
received unprecedented
financial support that, if it
continues, has the potential to
transform the DeSoto and the
Rome community for the next
generation.
“Both publicly and behind the
scenes, donations and grants
are allowing the theater to
make good use of this quiet
down time,” she said. “Once
activities resume, there
will be announcements and
recognitions to the many
generous donors that are
helping make current and
future projects possible.”
One of the major projects
undertaken to restore the
building, was the installation
of new heat and air units for
the auditorium. The work done
by North Georgia Equipment
is possible thanks to a
competitive $75,000 Cultural
Facilities Grant awarded to
the Historic DeSoto Theatre
Foundation by the Georgia
Council for the Arts. The
COMMUNITY SUPPORT
ENSURES THE FUTURE OF
DESOTO FOUNDATION
By Severo Avila
18 OUTLOOK | MARCH 2021