Events still happening at Rockmart Arts Center
Those looking for something to do can enjoy gallery exhibits or take a workshop
Since reopening last June, the Rockmart Cultural Arts Center has hosted special exhibits, numerous art classes and workshops.
Center director Peggy Cline said it has been her goal to simply provide local residents with something to do in a time when many activities and events have been canceled or postponed in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We just like to have stuff for people to take part in or come see in our gallery,” Cline said. “And we make sure to follow the guidelines for health safety.”
A workshop this past Saturday at the center, located in the City of Rockmart Municipal Complex at 316 N. Piedmont Ave., focused on the art of psanky, or Ukranian Easter egg decorating.
Instructor Margie Monde, a art professor at Shorter University, led the workshop, which had participants decorate wooden eggs in the style of the psanky tradition.
Cline said they limit the number of people in a class or workshop to allow the appropriate physical distancing and encourage all participants to wear a facemask and not attend if they feel sick. The center has hand sanitizing stations as well.
The current exhibit of the 2021 juried art show runs through March 11 in the gallery, and will be followed by the annual Rockmart High School Student Art Show starting March 18 and running through April 29.
The next exhibit is titled Floral Expressions, with entries submitted from local artists being accepted by April 10.
Pottery, drawing, painting and fused glass classes are ongoing at the center. Those interested can check out a schedule on the arts center’s website at www.rockmart-ga.gov/RCACClassesWorkshops.aspx.
Here is a rundown of upcoming workshops and children summer camps sponsored by the Rockmart Cultural Arts Center:
February 27: Bird in Flight Clay Garden Stake Workshop with Paul Craighead, rivoletti@netzero.net or 770-8435302. Make a clay bird to adorn the top of a garden stake. 10-12:30 — $35, all materials included.
February 27: Atmosphere and Reflections Oil Painting Workshop with Beverly Culver, 770-289-1837. 10 am – 3 pm, $25, Adult (16 and over), contact for supply list.
March 6: Fused Glass in Metal Garden Stake with Elizabeth Mobley, 770-851-4431
or theglassery@earthlink.net, $70 — 10 am — 12:30 pm, All materials included.
March 13: Gnome felting with Hillari Knight, 770-862-2248, $35 — 10 am — 12:30 pm, All materials included knightcreativeart@gmail.com.
March 20: Rain and Sun Oil Workshop with Beverly Culver, 770-289-1837, 10 am – 3 pm, $25, Adult (16 and over), contact for a supply list.
March 27: Alcohol Ink with Metallic Inks Workshop with Margie Monde, margiemonde@gmail.com or 706-767-5139. 10-12:30, $25, All materials included.
March 27: Mini Magnet Mania Workshop with Elaine Southerland, 678-4254595. All supplies included. 10-12 — $12.
RCAC 2021 Summer Camps
Theatre Camp I: Jungle Book, Kids: June 2-11 week days (Elementary)
Theatre Camp II: Wizard of Oz: June 14-25 week days
(Middle & High School) Animation Camp: June 7-11 (Age 10-16) Little Hands, BIG Art Camp: June 2125 (Age 4-6)
Pottery Camp: June 28 — July 2 (Age 7-13) Under the Sea Art Camp: July 12-16 (Age 7-13)
Applications for all of these camps can be found online at www.rockmart-ga.gov/ RCACSummerARTCamps.aspx.
The following public health food inspection scores were provided by the Polk County Health Department and are available online anytime at https://ga.healthinspections. us/georgia/search. cfm?county=Polk.
Feb. 15, 2021 — South Marble Coffee House — 212 S. Marble St., Rockmart — 91
ATLANTA — Gov. Brian Kemp signed a $26.5 billion mid-year budget Monday, Feb. 15, that restores $2.2 billion in spending cuts the General Assembly imposed on state agencies last June due to the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
During a brief signing ceremony, Kemp noted that the early reopening of Georgia businesses forced to shut down by the virus allowed the legislature to adopt the fiscal 2021 mid-year spending plan last week with no new cuts and no furloughs or layoffs of state employees.
“Thanks to our measured reopening and strong fiscal management, Georgia weathered the storm,” he said. “This balanced budget sets our state on a clear path to recovery in the coming months.”
The governor’s original mid-year budget plan called for $1,000 bonuses to Georgia teachers and other school workers saddled with the responsibilities of delivering online instruction to students stuck at home during the pandemic.
Later, as the spending plan went through the General Assembly, lawmakers ordered up the same bonuses for about 57,000 state workers earning less than $80,000 per year, and the University System of Georgia extended the bonuses to income-eligible employees of the state’s public colleges and universities.
The mid-year budget also includes $20 million to extend broadband connectivity in rural Georgia, $1 million in marketing funds to help bring back a state tourism industry rocked by COVID-19 and $289,000 to help the Grady Regional Coordinating Center continue its vital mission of coordinating emergency room use during the pandemic.
The General Assembly moved quickly to complete work on the mid-year budget in order to have state spending commitments through June 30 in place in case the virus forced a temporary shutdown in the legislative session, as happened for three months last year.
With the mid-year budget delivered and signed, lawmakers will focus next on the $27.2 billion fiscal 2022 state budget, now before the Georgia House of Representatives. That budget will cover the period starting July 1 and running through June 30, 2022.