Yesterday, the Cultural Arts Council of Douglasville/Douglas County Board of Directors announced that Emily Lightner would be its next Executive Director. She will succeed former director, Davina Grace-Hill, who resigned to pursue other opportunities.
“I am honored and excited to be appointed as the new Executive Director for the Cultural Arts Council,” said Executive Director Lightner.
After graduating from Lithia Springs High School, Emily relocated to Alabama to attend Jacksonville State University, where she graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Management and Human Resources. She subsequently returned to Douglasville, where she provided management support for her family’s business, The Red Cockerill Gallery in Austell.
“Emily was a natural fit for the Executive Director position,” stated Lisa Doney, President of the Cultural Arts Council’s Board of Directors.
She joined the Cultural Arts Council in 2015 as the Office Manager and was later promoted to Assistant Director in 2017. During her tenure, Emily has successfully led popular CAC programs, such as the Taste of Douglasville and its Annual Fundraising Gala. She has over 10 years of arts education, gallery, and management experience.
“I am confident that she will continue to take the Cultural Arts Council of Douglasville/Douglas County to new heights as a result of her work experience, leadership skills, and commitment to the advancement of arts in the Douglas County community,” said Doney.
She is also involved in the Douglas County Young Professionals Connection, Girl Scouts, DC Gamechangers, and Leadership Douglas. She is currently participating in the Atlanta Regional Commission’s Arts Leaders of Metro Atlanta (ALMA) program. Emily was voted by the Douglas County Chamber’s Young Professionals Connection (YPC) as one of the top 10 young professionals in Douglas County of 2017, and she was selected as one of the top Women Trailblazers in West Georgia by West Georgia Living Magazine in 2018.
“I am looking forward to working alongside our dedicated Board of Directors and with the City of Douglasville and Douglas County as we unite to elevate the arts and add value to our growing community,” noted Lightner.
Since 1986, the Cultural Arts Council Douglasville/Douglas County has offered high-quality cultural events and arts activities in its community. The CAC presents a variety of programs including monthly exhibits, free outdoor concerts, arts education in schools, hands-on workshops, and classes for children and adults, gallery talks, book signings and readings, and more. To learn more about the Cultural Arts Council of Douglasville/Douglas County, please visit their website at www.artsdouglas.org.
