Local News
Holmes Sworn in on Georgia Juvenile Justice Board
From left: Bridges Holmes, Joyette Holmes, Gov. Brian Kemp, Juvenile Justice Board Chair Sandra Heath Taylor and Department of Juvenile Justice Commissioner Tyrone Oliver.
Gregory Doyle Calhoun & Rogers attorney Joyette Holmes has been appointed and sworn into office on the Georgia Juvenile Justice Board. Prior to joining GDCR, which has offices in Marietta and Atlanta, Holmes served as the district attorney for Cobb Judicial Circuit. Her extensive public service experience led to her appointment by Gov. Brian Kemp in July. She was selected as the 2019 Cobb County Citizen of the Year, and she serves on the boards of the Cobb Chamber of Commerce, Must Ministries, the Cobb Community Foundation and the Davis Direction Foundation. Holmes also has held positions as the chief magistrate judge for Cobb County, assistant district attorney and assistant solicitor general. She made Cobb County history by becoming the first woman and first African American to serve as both chief magistrate and district attorney.
Smith-Gilbert Gardens Awarded Grant The Georgia Council for the Arts (GCA), a division of the Georgia Department of Economic Development, awarded a grant to Smith-Gilbert Gardens as part of its initial disbursement of grants for fiscal year 2022. A total of 218 organizations were awarded 266 grants, which provide more than $2 million in funding to arts organizations throughout Georgia. Additional grants for vibrant communities and cultural facilities programs will be awarded this fall. “As we emerge from this past year’s quarantine, the arts sector is vital to restarting the economy by attracting tourists, assisting with classroom learning, and igniting events to bring communities back together,” said GCA Executive Director Tina Lilly. “The 266 grants we have awarded will help cities and organizations leverage additional funds and bring people back to work, while providing fun and educational opportunities for Georgians across the state.” The grant will help Smith-Gilbert Gardens grow Art Blooms, which aims to provide emerging artists with a new exhibit platform. Art education programs for local students, weekly art programs for visitors, and a new temporary exhibit with regional and national artists will be added to complement the permanent collection, thanks to the grant. 8
AROUND ACWORTH | August 2021
Sculptures at Smith-Gilbert Gardens.
