$500,000 Grant Fuels Development of Imagination Station in Georgia

The Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts in Valdosta, Georgia, has secured a significant grant of $500,000 from the Lettie Pate Evans Foundation. This funding will support the creation of the Meta Shaw Coleman Children’s Imagination Station, an innovative facility aimed at fostering creativity and learning for children and families in South Georgia. The new space is set to open in May 2026 and will feature a range of interactive, hands-on exhibits designed to inspire curiosity.

The 10,000-square-foot facility will incorporate STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) activities and immersive experiences. According to the Turner Center, the Imagination Station will serve as a vital community resource, encouraging lifelong learning among its young visitors.

“This substantial gift from the Lettie Pate Evans Foundation is a transformative opportunity for our community,” said Dr. Sementha Mathews, Executive Director of the Turner Center. “The Children’s Imagination Station will provide a safe, engaging, and educational environment where children can dream big and discover new possibilities. We are deeply honored by the foundation’s confidence in our mission.”

The Lettie Pate Evans Foundation has a history of supporting cultural and educational initiatives that enrich communities throughout Georgia. This investment aligns with the foundation’s commitment to accessible, high-quality learning opportunities. It also propels the Turner Center closer to its overall fundraising goal of $8.5 million for the project.

“This project has been years in the making, and this grant brings us closer than ever to opening doors for families across the region,” noted Evelyn Langdale, Chair of the Imagination Station Fundraising Committee. She emphasized that the facility will not merely function as a museum but will act as a hub for creativity and connection, providing pathways to future career possibilities for children.

Community members, partners, and supporters are encouraged to monitor the progress of the Meta Shaw Coleman Children’s Imagination Station through the Turner Center’s website at www.turnercenter.org/childrensimaginationstation. Opportunities for involvement, including naming rights, sponsorships, and end-of-year contributions, remain available. Every donation moves the Turner Center closer to realizing this transformative space for families in South Georgia.

For more information or to pledge support, interested parties can contact Evelyn Langdale at (229) 560-1083 or Sementha Mathews at (229) 247-2787.