DAA Pack Night Brings Creativity and Community Together with Record Breaking Kits Packed
On Wednesday, May 6th, members of the Dahlonega Arts Alliance gathered at the Lumpkin County Library for one of DAA’s most cherished traditions: Pack Night. Filled with laughter, teamwork, and plenty of colorful supplies, the evening was dedicated to preparing this year’s Summer Art Kits for local children participating in the Library’s Summer Reading Program.
This year’s Summer Art Kits carried special meaning, as they were dedicated in memory of Sue Lay. Read more about Sue and her love of life, learning, and travel here. Through the generous support of Sue’s Patagonia Family, DAA was able to assemble a record-breaking 400 kits this year — effectively doubling the number of kits distributed in previous years. The expanded effort means that, in addition to the Lumpkin County Library, kits will also be donated to ConnectAbility, Community Helping Place, and Jeremiah's Place to help spark creativity and imagination for even more children throughout the community.
Each year, these art kits are lovingly assembled by DAA volunteers to encourage artistic exploration and hands-on creativity during the summer months. The kits provide children with supplies and activities that inspire them to create, experiment, and discover the joy of art while participating in local summer programs. Enjoy this video walkthrough of our 2026 kits with DAA Member at Large Bobby Youngblood:
This year’s Pack Night was made possible thanks to the dedication and generosity of an incredible team of volunteers:
Sarah Clark, Tom & Betty Hubbard, Juliet Rose, Bee Wilder, Agnes Gore, Carl & Pattie Pirone, Meagan & Bryan Garris, Bobby Youngblood, Chelsey Lawrence, Brian & Tanya Mack, Richard Lay, Kathy Swacina, and Connie Aufderheide.
Together, the group carefully packed hundreds of kits that will soon find their way into the hands of excited young artists across Lumpkin County. Special thanks to the Lumpkin County Library for hosting Pack Night, lending a helping hand, and being such a wonderful annual partner.
Beyond assembling supplies, Pack Night serves as a reminder of the strong community spirit that defines DAA. By partnering with local organizations and supporting youth creativity, DAA continues its mission of making the arts accessible and meaningful for all ages.
The Dahlonega Arts Alliance extends heartfelt thanks to everyone who volunteered, donated, and supported this year’s Pack Night. We cannot wait to see the creativity these Summer Art Kits inspire throughout the summer season.
The fun’s not over yet though! Don’t miss DAA at Lumpkin County Library’s Summer Reading Program Kick Off Event on Saturday, May 30th starting at 10:00 AM at the Lumpkin County Library. We’ll be giving out kits and hosting a guided craft session! Stay tuned!
Learn more about DAA’s annual Summer Art Kit Initiative Here