On Tuesday evening, March 18th, the Averitt Center for the Arts honored the late Kelly Berry as its 2025 Legend of the Arts in a moving ceremony that celebrated his extensive contributions to the arts in Statesboro.
Berry, who served as Professor of Theater and Director of Theater at Georgia Southern University until his passing in June 2023 at the age of 50, was remembered for his profound impact on both the university and the broader arts community.
Surrounded by his wife Holly and daughter Skylar, along with his closest colleagues and friends gathered inside the Emma Kelly Theater, Berry became the eighth member of the Averitt Center for the Arts Legends of the Arts Gallery, joining Emma Kelly, Blind Willie McTell, Michael Braz, Roxie Remley, Del Presley, Betty Foy Sanders and Mical Whitaker.
A Dedicated Listener and Respected Leader
"Kelly was a dedicated individual. Kelly's personality was one of understanding—an understanding individual who had time to listen and always respected other people's opinions. Though he may have disagreed, you normally could not tell, he respected everyone's opportunity to have a voice," shared Tracy Joiner, Averitt Center Board President and owner at Joiner Anderson Funeral Home & Crematory, during the evening's ceremony.
Joiner elaborated on Berry's character, noting how he prioritized others' perspectives: "He always seemed to want and respect people's opinions."
Even in his final days, Berry's thoughts were focused on others rather than himself.
"His primary concern during our call was number one, his wife and daughter, and their desires as he traveled this different and new path in life. Next was his concern with the Averitt Center and its future. He spoke of all the board members and their contributions to this organization," Joiner recalled.
The Definition of a True Gentleman
Ralph Cowart, Averitt Center Board Vice President and owner & CEO at Southern Manor Senior Living who served with Berry on the board, delivered a moving tribute that began with John Wayland's 1899 definition of a true gentleman: "The True Gentleman is the man whose conduct proceeds from good will and an acute sense of propriety, and whose self control is equal to all emergencies; who does not make the poor man conscious of his poverty, the obscure man of his obscurity, or any man of his inferiority or deformity; who is himself humbled if necessity compels him to humble another; who does not flatter wealth, cringe before power, or boast of his own possessions or achievements; who speaks with frankness but always with sincerity and sympathy; whose deed follows his word; who thinks of the rights and feelings of others rather than his own; and who appears well in any company, a man with whom honor is sacred and virtue safe."
Cowart reflected on how perfectly this description matched Berry: "I think that describes him to the tee. He had this great ability to meet people where they were and to lead them into the right direction with candor and a whole lot of diplomacy that many lack."
The loss of Berry has left a palpable void in the community. "There are no words to express the profound way that his passing left us; he gave tirelessly of himself to this organization and so many others," Cowart said. "He touched our lives, and he left us with this remarkable program through his dedication and his leadership. And we're better for being called his board members, fellow thespians, artists and, most importantly, his friends."
A Presence That Remains
For Trish Tootle, Averitt Center Board member and Community Relations Officer at Morris Bank, who came to know Berry while working with him on the Averitt Center Board, his presence is still felt throughout the building.
"When I walk into this building, I see Kelly and I sense his presence," she said. "I see him in the stairway. I see him sitting in the workroom making decisions that led the Center to success. I see the smile on his face and the twinkle in his eye. And from this day forward, everyone who comes through our doors will be able to see the face of a man that lived forward with passion and he made us all better. We are better because Kelly Berry came our way."
Tootle emphasized the many roles Berry played in the community and what he valued most: "He was a leader. He was a visionary. He was a teacher. He was a mentor. He was a friend. And he was a confidante. But most of all, he was a husband and he was a father. We never started a conversation, Skylar, that I didn't hear about what you were doing that day and how wonderful you were."
A Master of Theatrical Magic
Mical Whitaker, himself a 2021 Legend of the Arts recipient and Georgia Southern professor emeritus of the Theater Department, shared a touching personal memory that highlighted Berry's role as both a dedicated professional and a family man: "It was late in the day around dusk and I was sitting in my office in the old Comm Arts building, a big old trailer that was the home of a small black box theater. It was right before rehearsal scheduled to begin at 7 o'clock. Kelly and Holly showed up with their new baby. Because my office was nearest the entrance to the building, I was the first—and I remember this—I was the first Comm Arts faculty member to greet the beautiful brand new baby girl named Skylar."
Whitaker recalled their professional collaboration that began when Berry joined Georgia Southern in 2003: "And in 2003, when he began teaching at Georgia Southern University, we began our director/designer teamwork. Working with Kelly was easy. Always easy. He loved the challenge, his creation of the soundscape for my productions of 'Our Town' still ranks as one of the most innovative feats of theatrical magic. I've ever seen in academic theater."
Their professional relationship was marked by mutual respect and shared vision. "For both Kelly and me theater was a way to bring about change. Social change. Art does that—the great artists, actors, singers, writers, dancers, designers do that. They find ways to open portals and give us windows in so that we can see all of the thoughts, all the struggles, all of the contradictions hidden within ourselves and within our communities. Kelly did that," Whitaker explained.
Creating Space for Others to Grow
Dr. Sarah McCarroll, Professor of Theater at Georgia Southern University and colleague from Georgia Southern's Theater Department, spoke about Berry's gift for nurturing potential in his students and fellow professors.
"(Kelly always looked to give his students) enough space to grow into the potential that he saw in you," she said. "That was true for me, too, as a junior faculty member. I know it was true for his colleagues across campus. There are students of his sitting in the house this evening for whom I know it was true."
McCarroll emphasized Berry's student-centered approach: "Kelly was always the first to remind any of us that our priority was our students and if we made a decision that put them first, we were on the right track. He said that our students don't need us to give them their voices. They know what their voices are, they know what they have to say. What they need is for us to help them make the space to use their voices. That's what Kelly did. He made space. In planned ways, and in impromptu and off-the-cuff ways at every moment along the way."
Two Decades of Service
Berry moved to Statesboro in 2003 when he began his career with Georgia Southern University as a Professor of Theater. Over his 20-year tenure, he worked with hundreds of students, instructing them in stagecraft, set design, lighting design, stage management, and theater management. He was active in the Averitt Center for many years and served in several capacities and offices, including president of the Center's Board of Directors in the two years prior to his death.
In addition to his extensive career with the University, Berry held a position on the Averitt Center Board of Directors and served as Board President for two years. He was also a member of the Bulloch County Historical Society and was involved with many other organizations and theaters along the East Coast and Hawaii, where he was a part of the OHIA Family.
Prior to his time in Statesboro, Berry grew up in Latta, South Carolina, and attended Coastal Carolina University where he received a Bachelor of Fine Arts. During his time at Coastal Carolina, he was employed with the Gatlin Brothers Theatre in Myrtle Beach, which later became the All-American Theater, where he served as a Technical Director until 1999.
After leaving Myrtle Beach, Berry taught for one semester at William and Mary, the second-oldest institution of higher learning in the country, located in Williamsburg, Virginia. In August of 2000, he moved to Hawaii where he attended the University of Hawaii and received his Master of Fine Arts.
A Legendary Honor
The emotional highlight of the evening came when, with Holly and Skylar Berry on the Emma Kelly stage, the stunning portrait of Berry painted by local artist Penny Marz was unveiled. A smiling, relaxed Berry is depicted with a stage behind him. With tears, the Berrys marveled at the painting together.
"I can't express what I'm feeling," Holly Berry said. "Thank you all for loving him like you did and do."
Holly shared that the portrait perfectly captured her husband's spirit. Initially, the plan was to depict him in a suit, but something didn't feel right about that formal presentation. Instead, the artist painted him in an aloha shirt—attire he wore every day and that better reflected his personality.
She remarked that the painting was perfect and even captured the characteristic twinkle in his eye that so many had mentioned throughout the evening.
As the eighth member of the Legend of the Arts Gallery, Berry takes his place alongside other distinguished artists who have made significant contributions to the arts in Statesboro. The Legend of the Arts recognition, bestowed every odd-numbered year, celebrates local artists who have made substantial contributions to the Statesboro/Bulloch County area.
To be eligible for Legend in the Arts status, an artist must have been born in the Statesboro/Bulloch County area, reside or have resided there and/or worked there for two or more consecutive years. Nominees are evaluated on their level of achievement which includes the scope of their artistic endeavors, their influence on others, and their professional conduct and image.
Whitaker concluded the ceremony with heartfelt words for his friend and colleague: "And now, at the eighth seat of this table, my friend, Kelly Shumpert Berry. Ladies and gentlemen, my heart sings. I can't tell you how proud I am to be part of the welcoming unit to the Gallery. My friend, Kelly Berry."
After the portrait unveiling, the dedication concluded, and guests moved to the Rosengart Gallery for a reception where they continued conversations in honor of Berry's memory. As visitors walk through the doors of the Averitt Center for years to come, they will now see Berry's portrait—a lasting reminder of a man who, as Tootle said, "lived forward with passion and made us all better."