Georgia Magazine - January 2021 - 8

GEORGIA News

Compiled by Jennifer J. Hewett

Small kids, big roles

Walking trail

W

A walkable Augusta Sculpture Trail
debuts this month in downtown
Augusta and features 10 sculptures by
nationally celebrated artists. The trail's
opening ceremony is set for Feb. 6, with
monthly special events planned along
the route. The sculptures will be on
display through January 2023. For more
information and to download the
companion app, visit augustaarts.com.

LEONARD URSACHI

AMANDA ABELITA

COURTESY THE WELLS FAMILY

hile some sixth graders are coping with the challenges of middle school,
two young Georgians have also taken on the struggles of breaking into
Hollywood. Newnan native Mason Wells and Acworth's Cruz Abelita are
making names for themselves beyond Georgia on both big and small screens.
Abelita, 11, has been in the business since he was 6, acting in commercials for
Publix and Bojangles. He gradually expanded his resume to include " Step Up: High
Water, " a Starz show about a performing arts high school; the film " Words on Bathroom Walls " ; and " Christmas on the Square, " a film with Dolly Parton showing on
Netflix. The work often takes him to Los Angeles, but as Atlanta's film production
has mushroomed, he's also
finding roles closer to home.
But being bicoastal isn't his
biggest challenge.
" You really have to know
your lines, " Abelita says. " And
you have to keep thinking
when someone else is talking
about what the next line is.
You need to practice a lot so
you get it right every time. "
Wells, 10, says he's happy
in both Georgia and California. For him, getting the
roles is the toughest part of an
Mason Wells
Cruz Abelita
acting career.
" You go to a lot of auditions, but people have to see that you're connected to the character, " Wells says. " But
it's also fun. I get to eat a lot of snacks and sometimes meet famous people. "
Wells got started when a family friend helped him get a role in a short film. He's
acted in the Lucy Liu TV series " Why Women Kill " and is featured in " Emily's Wonder
Lab, " a series on Netflix.
His advice for other young folks looking to break into showbiz?
" Start small and work up to the lead roles, " he says. " And most of all, be yourself. "
-H.M. Cauley

" What a Wonderful World " sculpture by
artist Leonard Ursachi

You may be familiar with Georgia's official state vegetable (the Vidalia
onion), the official bird (brown thrasher) and the official state flower
(Cherokee rose). But did you know that Georgia now has an official
grape?
Gov. Brian Kemp signed SB 358 in August, designatGeorgia leads
ing the muscadine as Georgia's official grape beginning
the nation in production
Jan. 1. Sen. Tyler Harper of Ocilla introduced the bill,
of muscadines, and the
which recognizes his district and the state for their
University
of Georgia in
production of the fresh fruit grown for wine, jellies
and more, including health and skin-care products.
Athens has the oldest

8

Georgia Magazine

January 2021

muscadine breeding
program in
the U.S.

ISTOCK.COM / LCBALLARD

Georgia grape in the spotlight


http://www.augustaarts.com http://www.ISTOCK.COM

Georgia Magazine - January 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Georgia Magazine - January 2021

Contents
Georgia Magazine - January 2021 - Intro
Georgia Magazine - January 2021 - Cover1
Georgia Magazine - January 2021 - Cover2
Georgia Magazine - January 2021 - Contents
Georgia Magazine - January 2021 - 4
Georgia Magazine - January 2021 - 5
Georgia Magazine - January 2021 - 6
Georgia Magazine - January 2021 - 7
Georgia Magazine - January 2021 - 8
Georgia Magazine - January 2021 - 9
Georgia Magazine - January 2021 - 10
Georgia Magazine - January 2021 - 11
Georgia Magazine - January 2021 - 12
Georgia Magazine - January 2021 - 13
Georgia Magazine - January 2021 - 14
Georgia Magazine - January 2021 - 15
Georgia Magazine - January 2021 - 16
Georgia Magazine - January 2021 - 17
Georgia Magazine - January 2021 - 18
Georgia Magazine - January 2021 - 19
Georgia Magazine - January 2021 - 20
Georgia Magazine - January 2021 - 21
Georgia Magazine - January 2021 - 22
Georgia Magazine - January 2021 - 22A
Georgia Magazine - January 2021 - 22B
Georgia Magazine - January 2021 - 22C
Georgia Magazine - January 2021 - 22D
Georgia Magazine - January 2021 - 23
Georgia Magazine - January 2021 - 24
Georgia Magazine - January 2021 - 25
Georgia Magazine - January 2021 - 26
Georgia Magazine - January 2021 - 27
Georgia Magazine - January 2021 - 28
Georgia Magazine - January 2021 - 29
Georgia Magazine - January 2021 - 30
Georgia Magazine - January 2021 - 31
Georgia Magazine - January 2021 - 32
Georgia Magazine - January 2021 - 33
Georgia Magazine - January 2021 - 34
Georgia Magazine - January 2021 - 35
Georgia Magazine - January 2021 - 36
Georgia Magazine - January 2021 - 37
Georgia Magazine - January 2021 - 38
Georgia Magazine - January 2021 - 39
Georgia Magazine - January 2021 - 40
Georgia Magazine - January 2021 - 41
Georgia Magazine - January 2021 - 42
Georgia Magazine - January 2021 - Cover3
Georgia Magazine - January 2021 - Cover4
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