March 7, 2025 

Family and friends of Don Kordecki, the beloved Cartersville resident and promoter of the arts, are honoring his memory by having a life-size bronzed statue placed in the Shakespeare Garden between Ross Diner and RocknShop Vinyl Records on North Wall Street.

 

Work on Kordecki’s likeness began in November 2021 and, in October 2023, the City of Cartersville accepted the permanent gift of the statue from the family. Local sculptor, Julia Knight whose art studio is in Chamblee, was retained to create the effigy. Art in Bartow will be responsible for maintenance of the artwork. “I knew Don, like other members of the community, and am thrilled to be part of this project to keep his memory alive,” said Knight.

 

Statuary Unveiling:    Saturday, April 5, 2025 at 11:30am

The Shakespeare Garden,

19 N. Wall Street, Cartersville, GA

Reception to follow:  Saturday, April 5, 2025 at 12:00pm – 1:00pm

The Grand Theatre

7 N. Wall Street, Cartersville, GA

 

Don Kordecki, well-known and active community member since 1961, was the inaugural award recipient of The Kordecki Award for Contribution to the Arts, nominations for which are solicited from the Cultural Arts Alliance. A former Technical Director of the Grand Theatre, Don helped found and organize several community theatre groups, including the Pumphouse Players. An actor, director, producer, voice talent, set designer, lighting and technical director, and not in the least, Master of Ceremonies, Don performed in over 100 local theatre productions until his death in 2010.

 

Kordecki was a Past President of the Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club of Bartow County; Past Chairman of the Cartersville Downtown Development Authority, the Cartersville-Bartow County Convention Center and the Cultural Arts Alliance. He served on the advisory board for the Council of the Arts under Governor Carl Sanders and the Georgia Film and Video Advisory Board under Governor Joe Frank Harris, and he was a Past President of the Georgia Citizens for the Arts.

 

“Don was a friend, and his wonderful example of kindness and selflessness still impacts my life and many other lives to this day. His influence on the arts here is certainly immeasurable,” says Cartersville Mayor, Matt Santini.

 

Kordecki’s children are underwriting the cost of the statue and welcome community support. You can make a tax-deductible donation towards the completion of the sculpture by going to https://www.artinbartow.com/donkordecki. Checks should be made payable to “Bartow County Government” with Memo: AIB/Don Kordecki. Mail checks to Art in Bartow, Attn: Hannah Cook, 20 Peppermill Dr SW, Cartersville, GA 30120.

Press Release