Contact: Susan Summers, Publicity and Arts Events Director

For Immediate Release

404-872-5338 ext 228

Callanwolde Fine Arts Center presents a Holiday Transformation

(Atlanta, GA, October 17, 2011) The magic of the holiday season begins at Callanwolde Fine Arts Center with Christmas at Callanwolde, a spectacular 14-day event.

Christmas at Callanwolde celebrates the holidays from December 5 through 18, 2011. The 27,000 square-foot historic mansion is transformed by Atlanta’s top interior and floral designers. Period furniture, designer treasures, fine art and breathtaking Christmas trees reflect a glorious era when the Candler family lived in the mansion, from the 1920’s to the 1950s. Visitors young and old will enjoy touring the magnificent mansion as well as the conservatory, home of “Charming ARTifacts” where Callanwolde instructors and students showcase and sell their works of fine art and crafts throughout the event.

Christmas at Callanwolde offers a variety of opportunities to celebrate the season with festive family activities, entertaining cabaret nights, holiday shopping and majestic music played on the Aeolian pipe organ.

Highlights include:

Themed Rooms by Atlanta’s Top Interior & Floral Designers
Breakfast with Santa – Saturdays Dec. 10 & 17 at 9 a.m. (by advance reservation only)
Teddy Bear Tea – Sundays Dec. 11 & 18 at 3 p.m. (by advance reservation only)
Battle of the Ice – Saturday Dec. 10 at 2 p.m.
Charming ARTifacts – throughout the event
Cabaret Nights – Fridays, Dec. 9 & 16; 6 – 9 p.m.
Aeolian Pipe Organ (throughout the event)
Kid’s Crafts – Saturdays, Dec. 10 & 17. 1 to 2 p.m.
Raffles to win Delta Air Lines Tickets (throughout the event)

Christmas at Callanwolde Hours: December 5 through 18, 2011

Weekdays and Saturdays: 10 am – 4 pm; Sundays: 11 am – 4 pm; Evening Hours Fridays: 4 – 9 pm

Tickets: Adults: $20; Seniors: $15; Children Ages 4 – 12: $12; Children 3 and under: Free. Special events may include an additional fee. Tickets may be purchased online at

Where: Callanwolde Fine Arts Center, 980 Briarcliff Road, NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30306 (404)-872-5338.

Free parking and free shuttle bus service available one-half mile north at: Emory University Briarcliff Campus, 1256 Briarcliff Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30306. The buses will run continuously throughout the hours of the event and will accommodate 25 passengers.

Presented by: Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles; The Coca-Cola Company; Point of Vision

Thanks to our sponsors:

The Candler Family; Delta Air Lines; Lenz Marketing; Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Poole; Abbott Brown Wealth Management; Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC; Buckhead Coach; Epps Aviation; Fidelity Bank; Dancing Goat Films; DeKalb Convention & Visitors Bureau; J and D Images, LLC; LandingStar Presents; Law Offices of Timothy A. Baxter, PC; Publix Super Markets Charities; Turner Enterprises, Inc.; Fernbank Museum; CBS Outdoor; WABE FM 90.1; XFINITY

For details about Christmas at Callanwolde visit:

All proceeds from Christmas at Callanwolde benefit the continuing operation of nationally acclaimed Callanwolde Fine Arts Center, a non-profit organization providing fine arts programs including classes and performing arts to thousands of metropolitan Atlantans year-round. For more information visit:

Feature Details:

Premiere Party By advance reservation only. Sunday, December 4, 7 to 10 pm. $75/person
Preview the historic mansion and meet the talented designers while enjoying live entertainment by jazz vocalist Marsha DuPree and the Ron Taylor Band, with festive gourmet delights by The Dining Group. Holiday shopping includes Sensational Baskets, Nature’s Designs, the Callanwolde artists’ “Charming ARTifacts” market and personalized gingerbread houses with a name or sentiment added to the rooftop. Enter raffle to win Delta Air Lines tickets. Tickets may be purchased online at Callanwolde's administrative offices: 404-872-5338 ext 229. Attire: Business/Cocktail. Premiere Party is sponsored by Delta Air Lines.

Breakfast with Santa: By advance reservation only - $20 per person (Includes general admission)
Saturdays, Dec. 10 & 17 at 9 am in the Courtyard.Featuring kid-friendly breakfast from Chick-fil-A, live entertainment and a visit with Santa. Online advance reservations only. Tickets may be purchased online at ChristmasatCallanwolde.org. Breakfast with Santa is sponsored by Abbott Brown Wealth Management

Teddy Bear Tea: By advance reservation only - $25 per person (Includes general admission)
Sundays, Dec. 11 & 18 at 3 pm in the Courtyard

Charming tabletops, tea and hot chocolate, sandwiches, pastries, live entertainment and a visit with Santa will highlight this delightful afternoon for families. Online advance reservations only. Tickets may be purchased online at ChristmasatCallanwolde.org.

Battle of the Ice

Saturday, Dec. 10 at 2 pm at the Outdoor Amphitheatre

Watch the ice fly as talented ice sculptors from four culinary schools compete and show their amazing creative skills. Coordinated by Atlanta Ice Marvels. (included with general admission)

Callanwolde Cabaret

Friday nights, December 9 and December 16

Enjoy holiday happy hour from 6 to 9 pm during special extended evening hours. Refreshments will be served and wine will be available for purchase. Live cabaret performances will add to the festivities featuring Libby Whittemore December 9 and Janet Metzger December 16.

The Historic Aeolian Organ

Majestic sounds ring through the house as skilled organists play music on the historic 3,742 Aeolian pipe organ. The mansion will come alive daily with a variety of holiday music designed to lift your spirits and welcome the holiday season.

The Callan Café

Located on the second floor of the mansion, is Callanwolde Fine Arts Center’s newest amenity. It was designed in the motif of an Irish coffee shop befitting the Callanwolde heritage and architecture. This is a relaxing place where visitors can enjoy a variety of festive hot and cold beverages, desserts and snacks.

Kid’s Crafts
Saturdays, December 10 & 17 at 1 to 2 pm in the Courtyard

“Make It, Take It” holiday craft project for kids with the company of an adult, led by Callanwolde instructors. (included with general admission)Callanwolde Artists’ Studio - Charming ARTifacts

Held in the Conservatory (Greenhouse) throughout the event, Callanwolde instructors and students will showcase their unique works of fine art and crafts. Find beautiful handmade items for yourself or as gifts for friends and family.

Sensational Baskets

On the second floor of the mansion in the Petite Hall, discover one of Atlanta’s oldest and largest gift basket companies displaying sensational holiday gifts. Buy unique stocking-stuffers, beautifully packaged gourmet items, children’s treasures and gifts for the entire family. Sensational Baskets offers fast delivery and will ship anywhere.

Nature’s Design

Inspired by the imaginative creations displayed in Christmas at Callanwolde's decorator rooms? You'll find elegant designer arrangements for the home by Nature's Design in the Petite Hall on the 2nd floor, throughout the event.

Gingerbread Houses

Unique one-of-a-kind gingerbread houses, decorated with candy, will be for sale in the Petite Hall throughout the event.

Holiday Centerpiece Demonstration
Sunday, December 11, 2 p.m. in the Retreat
Learn a fresh approach to creating a unique table centerpiece for the holidays with cuttings from your winter landscape. Floral design expert Cornelia Ohl leads this demonstration with easy-to-follow stepsto make a long-lasting design for your holiday celebrations. (included with general admission)

Win Delta Air Lines Tickets

During the Premiere Party, the Cabaret Nights and throughout Christmas at Callanwolde, guests will have the opportunity to purchase raffle tickets to win Delta Air Lines tickets. Look for details at these events. Delta Air Lines is the official airline of Christmas at Callanwolde.

About the Callanwolde Mansion
The magnificent Gothic-Tudor mansion, set on 12.5 acres in Atlanta’s Druid Hills neighborhood, was built in 1920 as the home of Charles Howard Candler, eldest son of The Coca-Cola Company founder, Asa Candler. The mansion is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The entire 27,000 square foot mansion is centered around a large, courtyard that has recently been enclosed. The attention to fine detail in the home is evident in the excellent craftsmanship of the walnut paneling, stained glass windows, bronze balustrades, the artistry of the delicate ceiling and fireplace reliefs and the pierced tracery concealing the Aeolian organ chambers.

Callanwolde Fine Arts Center

Christmas at Callanwolde originally began in 1977 as a decorator show house to raise funds to benefit Callanwolde Fine Arts Center, and it has developed over three decades into a cherished holiday tradition in Atlanta. It is the signature fundraising event for Callanwolde Fine Arts Center, which has served as a non-profit arts center and hub of cultural activity in Atlanta since 1971. Funds raised benefit this important arts center and architectural landmark that enriches the lives of thousands of metropolitan Atlantans year-round.

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For more information or high-resolution photos contact:

Susan Summers

Publicity and Arts Events Director

Callanwolde Fine Arts Center

980 Briarcliff Road, NE

Atlanta, GA 30306

404-872-5338 ext 228