Graham Johnson Cultural Arts Endowment

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      Welcome to our Graham Johnson Cultural Arts Endowment Site ( GJCAE )!

For short video on successes of GJCAE click here.



    The GJCAE foundation has been set up to foster development of our Wake Forest community with emphasis on  our historic arts and entertainment district.  Graham played tuba for his band, loved music, and also delighted in caring for his plants, especially herbs which he grew, cooked with, and created crafts with.

    For his 10th birthday all Graham wanted was a "sushi cooker" so he could create sushi for his family, teachers and classmates.  He would meticuously roll his rice with any variety of tuna, meats etc. flavored with herbs he had grown.  His afternoons after school would be spent volunteering to help his friend, Jennifer, in her garden shop and he would work for a plant which she would give to him and describe the attributes of that plant.  He nurtured his topiaries, bonsais, and other plants.  

   One of Graham's most favorite activities was to help his family hosting the annual "HerbFest" in historic downtown Wake Forest at "Festival Park".  He loved to carry the herbs to the cars of the customer, talking as he went about the attributes of the herbs purchased and how to grow and harvest them.  He was very polite though and only offered assistance when requested.  His pride gleaned when he told folks his Mom had a gift certificate for them to The Cotton Company.  This was his hidden unexpected gift he would give them as a "surprise" for shopping at HerbFest.  He also loved to sit with his grandfather, and his "Uncle Rock"  and work the check out counter as the customers checked out their purchases.  


       In his memory his family, his classmates, the administration of Franklin Academy and his community friends created the endowment to enrich the lives of the members of our community through the enjoyment of cultural and performing arts.   To this end we are dedicated in our collective efforts.

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Graham Patrick Johnson

   Graham loved people, especially his classmates at Franklin Academy, music, plants, and socializing.

   He was 15 years and 6 months old when his life ended on Jan. 17, 2006.  This site and the GJCAE foundation was established to foster the memory that "Life is For The Living" in his memory.

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