The Jackson-Butts County Council for the Arts

08/27/2026

🎭✨ CAST ANNOUNCEMENT: *Singin' in the Rain Jr. & Sr.* ✨🎭

The Butts Acting Guild is thrilled to announce the cast of Singin' in the Rain Jr. & Sr.!

Originally planned as a senior production, this show has evolved into something even more special—a truly intergenerational experience featuring performers who are either 18 and under or 55 and older. Bringing these two generations together on stage creates a unique opportunity for mentorship, friendship, learning, and fun, and we couldn't be more excited to watch the magic unfold.

At BAG, one of our core values is building community through the arts. We believe theatre has the power to connect people across ages, backgrounds, and life experiences. This production embodies that vision perfectly.

This collaboration aligns beautifully with our ongoing commitment to increasing engagement, fostering participation, and strengthening the sense of community that makes local theatre so special.

Congratulations to every cast member! We can't wait to begin this journey together and share this joyful, toe-tapping classic with our community.

🌧️☔ Stay tuned for cast photos, rehearsal updates, and behind-the-scenes fun as we bring Singin' in the Rain Jr. & Sr. to life!

Please congratulate our cast:

Dora Bailey - Monaree McClure
Don Lockwood - Levi Blake
Lina Lamont - Molly Blythe
Cosmo Brown - Dennis Gallegos
Roz - Marian Varner
R.F. Simpson - Linda De Duonni
Kathy Sheldon - Emma Van Ormer
Josephine Dexter - Lonnie Keeler
Miss Dinsmore - Karen Brannon
Sam - Charles Jones
Zelda Zanders - Emily Manross
Ensemble - Carrie Anderson, Alivia Chromi, Layla Gilmore, Darrion Johnson, Earnestine Mayfield, Ava Novotny, Orelene Pass, Mattie Nash

08/24/2026

It's festival time!! Whether it's your favorite park, your hometown, or a place you've never explored, celebrate our 60th park anniversary by joining us on Saturday, October 3rd for live music, arts and crafts vendors, food trucks, a local history spotlight and more. Day or annual parking pass required. Message this page for more information.
Artist credit: Kelley P Dunn

08/24/2026

👻🎃 Something spooky is coming to the Woodland Garden Trail! 🎃👻
From September 15 – November 1, our Woodland Garden Trail is getting a spook-tacular Halloween makeover! 🕷️🦇💀
Think you can spot all the spooky surprises hiding along the trail? 👀🌲 Keep your eyes peeled—there may be some creepy characters, mysterious creatures, and Halloween surprises waiting for you!
🕸️ Trail clues will be available in the office to help you on your spooky scavenger hunt!
Gather the family, put on your best detective skills, and come see what’s lurking along the Woodland Garden Trail! 🎃🌳
📅 September 15 – November 1
📍 Dauset Trails Nature Center
Do you think you can find them all? 👀🦇

08/24/2026

07/14/2026

Sketching with Watercolor: Journaling Nature, Travel, or What Inspires You

Working in a watercolor sketchbook offers a creative way to document your world— a visual diary that captures what makes your heart sing. Like a written journal, it reflects what’s meaningful to you, allowing you to preserve moments, memories, and inspiration in a deeply personal way.

This class will help you find your artistic voice as you begin the habit of journaling. The focus is entirely your choice—whether it’s everyday life, travel experiences, nature, or something else that speaks to you. I will use watercolor in this abbreviated workshop to simplify the supplies.

You will be introduced to traveling light so you can create anywhere with minimal supplies. I will share how I discovered the freedom that comes with quick intuitive sketching and a variety of ideas and techniques while using the water brush and controlling your paint. I’ll share with you ways to capture your memories from looking at journals I have completed. You are welcome to take photos for reference later if you desire.

Many artists find that time spent in their journals enhances their studio work, builds confidence, and strengthens their ability to work from life.

Since this class only lasts three hours, I will include a handout that will include QR codes to link some of my YouTube videos for your reference after class to reinforce and practice what we did in class.
I'm including my most watched video that explains much of my process.
https://youtu.be/7kvDaEZsuMY?is=IQC2KZm0-tqJHybD

Included in the price will be the use of my paint palettes, a small handmade journal, and some loose paper for practicing. You can bring the other supplies listed, but if you need me to provide them, the purchase price is listed.

Supplies needed:
1. Pencil (mechanical)
2. Kneading eraser
3. I will have sets of paints you can borrow, but they are not for sale. If you have your own, I would suggest you bring those so that you can practice with them.
Basic colors I use:
• red
• blue
• yellow
• magenta, hot pink or opera rose
• turquoise or peacock blue
• different yellow
• purple
• green
• burnt sienna (reddish brown)

4. I will provide a small handmade journal and some loose paper for practice, but if you want to bring your own you will need these:
• Watercolor journal - 140lb. Cold Pressed
• Loose sheets of paper 140lb Cold Pressed

100% cotton is preferred, but not required. The journals I provide are 25% cotton and work quite well.
5. Water brush (my favorite is Pentel Large) + $8
6. Black OO5 waterproof pen (Micron or other) + $3
7. Black waterproof pen larger point. I like Uniball EYE micron rollerball. +$3

07/01/2026

Our annual Heirloom Tomato Picnic is Thursday July 9, 2026.
Members should check your email for formal invitation, including address and directions, as well as information on what to bring! We look forward to seeing all of our members there!

06/04/2026

It’s time to make plans to attend the June 11th meeting of the Jackson-Butts County Council for the Arts, beginning at 6 pm at the Daughtry Foundation Building, 221 College st. in Jackson.

Our hosts for June are Taylor Moncrief, Cheryl Hilderbrand and Kathrine Allen. The theme is appetizers and finger foods. They will provide egg rolls and bacon wrapped shrimp, sweet tea, 1/2 tea 1/2 lemonade, and water. All members are asked to bring appetizers or deserts that can be eaten without a knife and fork, plus any other beverage of their choosing.

Social time starts at 6, dinner at 6:30 and our program begins at 7. Our speaker, Michael Kurth is a bass player and occasional composer for the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, music director of the critically acclaimed Ridibund Chamber Music Society, and Emory University Artist Affiliate.

06/03/2026

Congratulations to Michael Farris and Anslie Atkinson, our 2026 Scholarship Winners!
Michael is a 2026 graduate of Jackson High School and will be attending Mercer University this Fall. He received our annual Jackson-Butts County Council for the Arts Scholarship.
Anslie is a 2026 graduate of Jackson High School and will be attending Georgia Military College. She received the Dale Hill Memorial Scholarship.
Both awards were presented at Jackson High School Honors Night on May 14, 2026, at the Performing Arts Center.

05/26/2026

This class was such a hit last October, that we are offering it again on June 25. Don’t miss out-call and register today!

05/23/2026

Check out our Paint in the Park event for June run by our beloved Friends of Indian Springs State Park!
Celebrate America's 250th with us and an awesome art piece of your own making! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/monumental-moments-americas-250th-paint-in-the-park-tickets-1990117529102