OUR MISSION
The Hudgens Center is devoted to showcasing artwork in its permanent collection and collaborate with local, national artists and curators to develop a range of exhibitions for its galleries. To achieve its mission to further education, the center offers an array of classes in a variety of mediums.
OUR STAFF
The dedicated staff of the Hudgens Center provides our community with the best exhibitions and educational opportunities.
LAURA BALLANCE
Executive
Director
CRICKET ELLIOTT
Business Operations Manager
KATE DRISCOLL
Curator, Exhibitions & Permanent Collection
YESHA PANCHAL
Ceramics
Studio Manager
ADDIE RIVERA
Associate Director of Education and Outreach
MELISSA WILBURN
Education
Coordinator
CHRISTINA KING
GAS SOUTH DISTRICT
SALES
Rental &
Event Coordinator
Guest Services
Associate
OUR HISTORY
The Gwinnett Council for the Arts was formed in 1981 and renamed the Jacqueline Casey Hudgens Center for Arts and Learning in 2016. The organization’s first home was the 2,000-square foot Williams House in Lawrenceville. It moved to the 7,000-square foot historic Lawrenceville Post Office and remained there until 1993, when it moved to its current location and renamed the Jaqueline Casey Hudgens Center for the Arts in 2016.
The center is named in honor of the wife of Scott Hudgens, one of the most influential businessmen in the history of Gwinnett County.
A native of Atlanta, Mr. Hudgens began his career by developing single-family moves and graduated to constructing apartments, medical centers, nursing homes and office parks. He is best known for developing shopping centers in the Atlanta area, starting with Greenbriar Mall and Towne Center before building Gwinnett Place Mall, the first major shopping complex in Gwinnett County. He completed the Mall of Georgia in Buford on his 75th birthday.
Mr. Hudgens was a philanthropist who gave money to projects like the Gwinnett Children’s Shelter and the Peachtree Christian Hospice, which was built on the land he donated. He also donated the land for the Georgia National Cemetery for veterans in Canton.
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Mr. Hudgens died in 2000 at age 77. His legacy continues through the Scott Hudgens Family Foundation, which funds local charities.
OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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KEVIN JONES
DWAIN VAUGHNS, II
QUENTIN MOSES
DEBRA KAY JEFFERSON
NANCY HARRIS
Board Chair,
Oconee State Bank
Board Vice Chair,
GAWWN
Outdoors
Board Secretary,
Queue Health
Board Treasurer,
Attorney at Law,
Private Practice
Past Chair,
Former Mayor of Duluth
AARON ACKERMANN
CAMERON ARCHER
MELISSA BOWEN
MICHAEL BROWN
JAY DENNARD
Alfa Insurance
Gas South District
Buice Center, Gwinnett County Public Schools
Artist &
Fabricator
Northside
Hospital
MELISSA HARDEGREE
City of Lawrenceville
BRANDOM ODUM
Pinnacle Financial Partners
AMY REHN
Cetera Financial Group
JT WU
Meadowlark
Title
OUR BOARD OF TRUSTEES
KATE AWTREY-KING
Immediate Past Chair,
Awtrey Media Group
DANIEL SOSEBEE
Past Treasurer,
MST
JOE MIRANDA
Graphic Designer &
Artist
KRISTEN NELSON
Georgia-Pacific
CHARISSE THOMAS
PayChex
KRISTEN JOINER
Gas South District
