Board & Staff
Board of Directors
Sharon Watkins, President
- Teacher, elementary & high school
- College social worker
- UMC Pastor
- Training facilitator, workshop planning; personal development
- Watercolor artist
Anthony Szep, Vice President
- VP, financial services software company, retired
- Amelia Arts Academy, Past President, Board of Directors
- Gilmer Arts, Gallery Director
- Community Chorus, Potter
Betty Reece, Treasurer
- CPA (GA-1972), Retired
- Controller, software industry
- Board Member, large homeowners association , past treasurer, past VP
- Specialist in data analysis, practical approaches and drawing conclusions
Theresa Miller, Secretary
- Business background/MBA
- Fundraising & volunteering for American Heart Association, Literary Action and various schools and other organizations
- Board Member, neighborhood associations
Sharon Stokes, Literary Arts
- Assistant United States Attorney (Northern District GA), Retired
- Owner, Ellishack Collectibles
- Experienced mediator
- Speaker manager, Decatur Book Festival
Steve Jones, Live Music
- Landscape ecologist
- Clemson University faculty (past)
- Owner, Meanders River Restoration, Inc
- Musician (mandolin & harmonica), member of band Downtown Roy
David Richey - Member at Large
John Kilpatrick - Volunteer Coordinator
James Weaver - Member at Large
- Songwriter/Producer/Performer with 2 Top Five Finalist awards in the "VH1 International Songwriting Competition"
- Served on the Board Of Directors for the Atlanta Songwriters Association for three years.
- More than 40 years teaching Children and Adults Piano, Guitar and Ukulele.
Joe Strickland - Member at Large
- Retired Educator, Hall Co. Schools
- Former Member Georgia Mountain Players, Gainesville GA
- Past President - Theatre Wings, Gainesville Theatre Alliance
Lydia Bassetti - Member at Large
Elizabeth Vititoe - Member at Large
Betsy Sheppard - Member at Large
Jennifer Johnston - Member at Large
Staff
Debbi Friend, Gallery Manager
- Owner, Hummingbird Lace - designer and technical editor
- General manager, 25 years experience managing large scale and high rise homeowner associations
- General business experience, MBA
- Theater - acting, directing and stage management.
Pam Burns, Playhouse Manager
- Owner: HG Enterprises, Musician & Educational Consultant
- Owner: Higher Grounds Bistro and Venue, 10 yrs.
- Owner: Nature’s Gifts, Florals & Commercial Displays
- Board Officer: Main Street, Help Network, Pope Literacy, etc.
Martha Harper, Receptionist
gilmerarts@gilmerarts.org