Words by Shanice Stephanie
Tina Knowles Lawson and hubby Richard Lawson launched their grand opening of the WACO (Where Art Can Occur) Theater Center on Friday November 3rd followed by a private reception. Tina’s daughters Beyonce Knowles-Carter and Solange Knowles co-chaired a star-studded inaugural Wearable Art fundraiser for the theater back in April. The event featured guests like Magic Johnson, Octavia Spencer, Kris Jenner, Samuel L. Jackson, and Arianna Huffington among others. The purpose of the ‘WACO Theater Center’ is to maintain the arts while making it accessible to all. Long time friend and artist Kelly Rowland and actress Vanessa Bell Calloway were also among the family and close friends who supported the couple on their grand opening. The Theater was filled with rotating art exhibits and a space that housed performances, mentorship programs and workshops. Tina’s Angels for girls and Richard’s Warriors for boys will continue to play a significant role in the mentorship program. Supporting kids between the ages 13 and 14, Tina’s Angels will teach girls etiquette training, professional development, exposure to arts, and trips to see performances. The Knowles being married over two years now as well as longtime friends, have reconnected through their love and passion for the arts. After realizing that they both shared the same dream they came up with the WACO Theater Center.
Richard says:
The center was something that fell together naturally. Even though we were doing it separately it was really driven by the same purpose which is to make a difference and help other people, especially kids, change their lives.
Tina followed up with a response saying:
We just felt like it’s such a time that you need to mentor these young people and try to encourage them and he believes in using the art so this is really important to us.
In addition to the mentorship programs WACO will be expanding with a Mobile Arts Theater which will consist of traveling cargo vans placed in local L.A. communities for weekends of eclectic entertainment.
It’s been a vision of hers for years, so to see it flourish today I’m so excited for her. They are smarter than they think. They are greatness. They have to find what they are passionate about. What wakes you up in the morning. What is the thing that gives you joy every day and completes you as a person. – Kelly Rowland
Congratulations to the Knowles-Lawsons!
