Jacqueline+Casey+Hudgen+Center

http://www.artsgwinnett.org

Since its organization in 1981, the Arts Council has grown from a grassroots effort into a thriving center for the arts. In 1983, the Board of Directors renovated the Council's first home- the 2,000 square foot Williams House in Lawrenceville. The summer of 1989 found the Board and staff once again renovating a new facility. This time it was the historic Lawrenceville Post Office which provided a "spacious" 7,000 square foot building which served the Council until 1993, when its home became the Fine Arts Center. The original 14,000 square foot arts center features 4,000 square feet of gallery space, a large education department, and an additional 28,000 square feet comprising the Weeks Sculpture Garden which graces the eastern side of the building. Enormous commitment and energy was expended in raising private funds to build the Fine Arts Center and to create the accompanying endowment. The addition of the Children's Arts Museum provides an additional 20,000 square feet of galleries, classrooms and performing space designed specifically for the younger generation and their families. The realization of this Center for Arts demonstrates how a dedicated group of citizens can make a tremendous difference in the quality of many lives. How We Grew:

Arts Council announces plans to build a new Fine Arts Center Arts Facility Authority signs lease for site on Civic Center campus the Arts
 * 1981**	 Arts Council is founded and incorporated
 * 1983** Arts Council renovates and opens the Williams House
 * 1989** Arts Council moves into the historic Post Office building
 * 1990**	Arts Council opens the Norcross Studio/Gallery
 * 1991**	Benefactor offers $1 million challenge grant to build Fine Arts Center
 * 1992**	Arts Council moves into new Fine Arts Center
 * 1993**	First exhibition opens / Al Weeks Sculpture Garden opens
 * 1994**	The Glass Pyramid Art Shop opens
 * 1996**	Arts Council receives Regional Designation Award in Humanities from the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games
 * 1997**	Arts Center named "Best Suburban Arts Scene" by Atlanta Magazine
 * 2000** 	Arts Center opens the new Children's Art Museum and changes name to the JACQUELINE CASEY HUDGENS Center for