The Arts Association in Newton County recently announced five new members named to its Board of Directors and expressed gratitude to five outgoing board members.

 Joining the board are Dr. Dennis Carpenter, associate superintendent, Newton County Schools, Dr. Myra Frady, dean resource planning and chief financial officer at Oxford College, Bill Loeble, VP and chief operating officer, Beaver Manufacturing, Val Mack, logistics manager Covington General Mills, and Bill Mathieu, attorney with Stites & Harbison.

 Outgoing board members are Dr. Steve Bowen, dean Oxford College, Gigi Capes Cruikshank of Capes Property Management, Deon Gibbs of Ginn Motor Company, Meka Hubbard of General Mills and Deborah Phillips with Primerica Financial.

 "The Arts Association has been and continues to be genuinely blessed by the caliber of individuals who have so graciously shared their time and expertise for the benefit of this community and its children," said Buncie Hay Lanners, executive director of the Arts Association. "Through their involvement, past and present board members affirm the importance of the arts to individuals and to Newton County’s community and economic development.

 "At a time when many arts organizations are dying from lack of funding, these board members are working with staff to keep the Arts Alive for all in this county and region."

 The new board members join returning members: President, Scott White of BB&T, President-Elect, Michael Geoffroy of Telrite, Immediate Past-President, Loy Stone Turner, Secretary, Lucy Molinaro, Treasurer, Gary Boteler of Laney, Boteler and Killinger, CPAs, Walt Davis of Porterdale Mill Lofts, Maria Mobley and Jeff Wagner of Wagner Service Solutions.

 The Arts Association in Newton County is a non-profit (501c3) arts organization, the largest of its kind east of Atlanta, between Atlanta and Augusta. Dedicated to the mission of encouraging youth and adults in the community to participate in the arts both as an audience and as artists, the Arts Association sponsors and presents a diverse arts series including performances and exhibits by Oxford Singing Children, Oxford Youth Singers, Covington Regional Ballet Company, The Community Band, True Colours Youth Art Exhibit and Creative Kids Camp.

 Upcoming holiday performances are the Community Band Holiday Concert on Dec. 7 at 7:30 p.m. at Eastside High School and The Nutcracker on Dec. 12 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 13 at 3 p.m. The arts series will continue in 2010 with a free piano and organ concert by twins, Becky Ramsey and Alice Walker, Jan. 31 at 3 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church.

 For more information, please contact the Arts Association at 770-786-8188 or visit online at www.NewtonCountyArts.org.