Marietta City School Calendar 2018-2019

The Marietta City School Calendar for the 2018 to 2019 school year begins on Thursday, August 2, 2018 and ends on Friday, May 24, 2019.

School holidays:

First Day of School – August 2, 2018
Labor Day – September 3, 2018
Fall Break – September 24 – 28, 2018
Student Holiday/Staff Workday – November 5 – 6, 2018
Thanksgiving Holidays – November 19 – 23, 2018
Winter Holidays – December 21, 2018 to January 2, 2019
Martin Luther King Jr Day – January 21, 2019
Winter Break – February 18 – 22, 2019
Spring Break – April 1 – 5, 2019
Last Day of School – May 24, 2019

Cobb County School Calendars:
Cobb County School Calendar 2017-2018
Cobb County School Calendar 2018-2019
Cobb County School Calendar 2019-2020
Cobb County School Calendar 2020-2021
Cobb County School Calendar 2021-2022

Marietta City School Calendars:
Marietta City School Calendar 2017-2018
Marietta City School Calendar 2018-2019
Marietta City School Calendar 2019-2020

Cobb County Culture

Claire Turner

Learn all about the plethora of museums and cultural centers in Cobb County.

Airplanes, fire engines and romance novels… what do these things all have to do with each other? They’re all part of art exhibits or museum installations that you can visit right here in Cobb County. Whatever your interests or hobbies may be, there’s a museum or cultural center in your community that’s right for you. Let’s explore some Cobb County culture!

Zuckerman Museum of Art
Kennesaw

Bernard A. Zuckerman was an arts supporter in Atlanta and wanted to build a museum for Kennesaw State University’s permanent collection and galleries program, which began in 1984. Displaying work by local and national artists, the Zuckerman Museum of Art is a hub of inspiration and education. Featured inside the Wilson Building is the museum’s Fine Arts Satellite Gallery, which displays KSU student, faculty and alumni pieces. The museum also regularly hosts artist talks and panel discussions that are open to the public.

zuckerman.kennesaw.edu

Marietta/Cobb Museum of Art
Marietta

First a post office, then a library, and now a museum, the Marietta/Cobb Museum of Art resides in a historic Classical Revival building that has almost as much history within its walls as the paintings that hang on them. The museum of slogan, “building community through art,” is made clear in its dedication to social, cultural and educational opportunities like lectures, classes, camps and the beloved Chalktoberfest in Marietta Square in the fall.

mariettacobbartmuseum.org

Marietta History Center (formerly the Marietta Museum of History)
Marietta

Visitors from all over the world have walked among the artifacts in the Marietta History Center. Over 50,000 students have taken field trips to the museum since 2000. It’s not hard to see why the Marietta History Center has so much appeal when its exhibits include old-fashioned playgrounds and toys Baby Boomers would remember. Permanent exhibitions include a military gallery with battlefield relics and gun collections, homelife gallery where housewares from the 19th and 20th centuries are on display, and a general history gallery with eclectic collections of artifacts about the Cobb County area.

mariettahistory.org

Aviation History and Technology Center
Marietta

When the weather is nice, drive over to the 15.5-acre park (555 Perrin Road) where a collection of 10 military and 3 civilian aircraft sit among paved roads and grass lots. Many of the planes were produced in Marietta, beginning with Bell Aircraft in the mid-20th century and ending with aircraft manufactured by Lockheed Martin. Visitors can go inside the C141B Air Force transport and the Lockheed Jet star corporate jet that was owned by country singer Kenny Rogers. The museum is open to visitors Friday through Sunday.

ahtc360.org

Sewell Mill Library and Cultural Center
Marietta

The Sewell Mill Library and Cultural Center replaced the old East Marietta Library and is more than just a home for rental books. The facility includes recording studios, conference and study rooms, two theaters, a digital maker space, a community room and art classrooms and galleries. The facility also offers events for kids, and regularly scheduled art and writing classes as well as a classic movie showing each Thursday afternoon.

cobbcat.org

Gone With the Wind Museum
Marietta

Featuring an extensive collection of memorabilia related to the famous book and movie, visitors can enjoy the vast history surrounding one of the world’s most beloved stories. With the book having never left bookshelves since 1936 and the film holding the title of the number one box-office movie of all time (when adjusted for inflation), it’s clear that Gone with the Wind has a special place in many hearts.

gwtwmarietta.com

The Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History
Kennesaw

As if the “Great Locomotive Chase of 1862” doesn’t sound cool enough, the Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History actually has The General locomotive that was famous for its role in the chase on display. The museum also houses the Glover Machine Works, which was a belt-driven locomotive assembly line that was restored from the early 1900s. There also is an exhibit dedicated to the significant role railroads played during the Civil War. Regular events like the Mommy and Me Preschool Program and S.T.E.A.M. workshops take place in the Southern Museum’s Jolley Education Center.

southernmuseum.org

Marietta Fire Department Museum
Marietta

With artifacts dating back to the 19th century, the Marietta Fire Department Museum has everything you could want to see about firefighters… except for the Dalmatian. The highlight of the museum is a horse-drawn steam-powered pumper called a Silsby Steamer, and it is one of five left in existence. Explore firetrucks that saved lives and pushed the limits of technology like the 1921 American LaFrance pumper, the 1929 Seagrave Pumper, a 1949 Pirsch Ladder Truck and a 1952 Chevrolet Panel Truck.

Marietta.com/Marietta-Fire-Museum

William Root House Museum and Garden
Marietta

Built in the 1850s, the William Root house is the oldest existing home in downtown Marietta. It was sold in 1893 and moved down the street to make room for a library. Through structural analysis, the home’s architecture has been restored and redecorated to depict the average 1850s lifestyle, and even the gardens are potted with plants indigenous to the area in the 19th century.

roothousemuseum.com

The Youth Museum
Marietta

Learning doesn’t have to take place in just a classroom. Trained instructors at the Youth Museum lead elementary and middle school children through three, staged areas depicting a specific historical time. Typically, the process takes about two hours and includes an original puppet show related to the curriculum. Approximately 15,000 people visit the museum each year.

theyouthmuseum.org

The Depot
Kennesaw

Built in 1908, the Depot was once a train station used by the Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis Railroad. After it fell into disrepair, the City of Kennesaw and the Kennesaw Historic Preservation Commission restored the Depot and it is now used as a Welcome Center. From the community’s name to its role in the Civil War, the exhibits shown in the Depot depict Kennesaw’s history and locomotive history in a way that is easily accessible and educational for all ages.

kennesaw-ga.gov/depot/

Open Burning Ban

Marietta.com

Beginning May 1, the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) open burning ban will be in effect for Cobb County as well as 53 other Georgia counties. The annual burn ban begins May 1st and runs through September 30 each year.

During the open burning ban, citizens and businesses cannot burn yard and land-clearing debris. This restriction is in addition to a ban on the burning of household garbage, which is enforced year-round throughout Georgia.

The burn bans were enacted to protect public health, as well as to reduce ground-level ozone. The May through September months are when more people, particularly children, are spending time outdoors. “Limiting open-burning during these hot summer months when ground-level ozone is so readily formed is one of the easiest ways to help Georgia’s air quality continue to improve” says Karen Hays, chief of the Georgia EPD Air Protection Branch.

Some activities, including campfires, cooking food, open-flame devices (blow torch, welding, etc.) and agricultural activities are exempt from the burn ban.

Citizens who do not adhere to the ban may receive a fine. Marietta residents who see illegal burning during the ban can call 911.

For more information, please call the Georgia Environmental Protection Division at (404) 363-7000 or Marietta’s Fire Marshal’s Office at (770) 794-5466.

Atlanta Braves and The Battery Atlanta

Haisten Willis

During the Atlanta Braves baseball season or while the team is gearing up for their next season in Cobb County’s Truist Park, The Battery Atlanta has shown that the area around the stadium is a true year-round destination with food, fun and games for all.

“We’re here all the time, even when baseball isn’t,” said Lauren Abernethy, director of marketing for Braves Development Co., which owns and operates the property.

To see everything that this live/work/play locale has to offer will take more than one trip. Much more. There are over 20 restaurants, many of which are managed by some of Atlanta’s top chefs, plus shops and entertainment destinations such as The Coca-Cola Roxy and Punch Bowl Social.

“The Battery Atlanta is most certainly active year-round with so many great things happening all the time on campus, including shows at the 4,000 seat Coca-Cola Roxy, weekly events at Live! at the Battery Atlanta, and plaza events like our corn hole and wiffleball leagues and the Movie Series,” said Jeremy Strife, SVP and general manager of The Battery Atlanta.

“In the last few months, we have hosted a lot of firsts of our own, including a tree lighting and the New Year’s Eve Bash. The energy here on a game day is undeniable, but the experiences throughout The Battery Atlanta have added to the excitement of those game days.”

When the Braves made the move out of Atlanta and Turner Field, they did so with the intention of creating a year-round destination rather than one only frequented during the team’s 81 home games. It’s safe to say that goal has been accomplished via The Battery Atlanta.

Before games begin, the area swirls with activity as fans take in food and drink at places like Antico Pizza Napoletana, Yard House, Blue Moon Brewery & Grill, and Cru Wine Bar, not to mention the fountain area and entertainment from the Braves’ “Heavy Hitters” drumline and cheerleaders.

But visiting on any given weekend or even on weeknights, guests will find the development still pulsating. Not only that, parking at The Battery Atlanta’s parking structures is usually free on non-game days for up to two hours.

“There is a big misconception with parking,” said Abernethy. “You can absolutely come here for dinner and not pay to park.”

Specifically, parking in the red, green, and purple garages is completely free for up to two hours on most non-game days, and $10 for between two and three hours. A maximum charge of $50 is assessed for stays between eight and 24 hours.

On event days, customers parking in the red, green, yellow, and purple decks who spend $50 or more at a Battery merchant will be provided a validation directly from the tenant even if they stay for longer than four hours. Groups splitting checks will receive one validation per every $50 spent.

Other transportation options include Lyft/Uber and public transportation (CobbLinc and the Cumberland Circulator). Bicycle parking stations abound as well, meaning there are many ways to enjoy at night out near the stadium.

Braves players and coaches are far from the only celebrities who can be spotted at The Battery Atlanta. The Coca-Cola Roxy welcomes A-list acts year-round, from The Shins to Billy Idol, Dropkick Murphys to Miguel. Truist Park hosts concerts as well, with acts that have included Zac Brown Band, Def Leppard and Journey, and Jason Aldean.

“To see this dynamic, one-of-a-kind development come alive over the past year is the biggest success (of year one),” said Strife. “It’s truly a one-of-a-kind development with great dining, shopping, and entertainment, plus living, working and a world-class ballpark.” In short, the area does not take a break, whether it’s July or January.

In recent years, more retail and restaurants were added, including Punch Bowl Social, Battle and Brew, El Super Pan, TopGolf Swing Suite, Jeni’s Ice Cream, Garden & Gun Club, Burn by Rocky Patel, H&F Burger, and Ph’east food hall.

Punch Bowl Social is an “eatertainment” concept, announced in January 2017, that spans roughly 27,000 square feet. It features made-from-scratch cuisine, karaoke, craft beer, vintage video games, and of course bowling. Punch Bowl Social already operates in other markets, including Minneapolis, Detroit, Denver, Austin, Indianapolis and Cleveland.

Battery officials said the concept cements the area as an exciting entertainment destination. It’s a place where families or groups of friends can stop by to bowl after dinner and/or shopping. If time allows, the bowling could be followed up by a show at the Coca-Cola Roxy.

Not that Punch Bowl Social is the only new attraction to be excited about. El Super Pan is Puerto Rican Chef Hector Santiago’s innovative take on classic Latino bakery food. “These are all great additions to our line-up of experiential and memory making concepts,” Strife said.

Lastly, out-of-town guests, conventioneers and Braves fans have a place to stay just outside the Truist Park outfield: the Omni Hotel at The Battery Atlanta. The luxury hotel features 16 floors with 236 rooms, 28 suites, more than 20,000 square feet of meeting space, and an elevated pool deck and bar. “The four-star experience at the Omni Hotel at The Battery Atlanta provides a high-quality and convenient option for our out-of-town guests. The addition of a first-class hotel brand is a home run; it’s a phenomenal facility with gorgeous views of Truist Park,” Strife said.

Aside from Truist Park and The Battery Atlanta, the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, Cobb Galleria Centre and Cumberland Mall are all less than a mile away.

Still succeeding

The “work” in live/work/play is alive and well inside The Battery Atlanta thanks to Spaces, a co-working concept opened inside the $1-billion, mixed-use development. All Spaces locations provide 24-hour access to dedicated desks and office space for members. A business club is also open Monday through Friday serving the venue.

Of course, many leading restaurants will continue to serve fans and visitors as well. Antico, which opened its first Atlanta location in 2009, was among the first restaurants announced for The Battery Atlanta and has become the only pizzeria in the U.S. with 4.5 stars on Yelp.

The Blue Moon Brewery & Grill combines the southern favorites of beer, barbecue and baseball, thanks to the team of Blue Moon, Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q and the Atlanta Braves. The microbrewery is located adjacent to Truist Park and offers a rotating tap list and the ATL Brew Lab, including some baseball-themed beers.

Overall, The Battery Atlanta continues to showcase the success the Atlanta Braves and Braves Development Co. have enjoyed, both inside Truist Park and outside. The team hopes to keep that momentum moving forward for years to come. “It’s really fun to be out here at The Battery Atlanta,” said Abernethy. “The retail and restaurants are hopping every night of the week.”

Dining at The Battery Atlanta

There’s no shortage of dining experiences to be had at The Battery. From eat-on-the-go hot dogs to world-class steaks, whatever you’re craving can be found there.

Antico Pizza – littleitalia.com
Burn by Rocky Patel – burnbyrockypatel.com
C. Ellet’s Steakhouse – c-ellets.com
Cru Wine Bar – cruawinebar.com
Superica – superica.com (formerly known as The El Felix)
El Super Pan – elsuperpan.com
Garden & Gun Club – gardenandgunclub.com
Goldberg’s Fine Foods – goldbergbagel.com
Jeni’s Ice Cream – Jenis.com
Ph’east – pheastatl.com
Punch Bowl Social – punchbowlsocial.com
Blue Moon Brewery & Grill – bluemoonbreweryandgrill.com (formerly Terrapin Taproom)
Shake Shack – shakeshack.com
Yard House – yardhouse.com

Shopping at The Battery Atlanta

The Battery Atlanta provides a shopping experience that is unique in metro Atlanta. The collection of boutiques are unlike any other retail complex in the area. Check them out!

Archer Paper Goods – archerpaper.com
Baseballism – baseballism.com
DressUp – shopdressup.com
Mizuno – mizunousa.com
Sugarboo & Co. – sugarbooandco.com
Van Michael Men – vanmichael.com
Xfinity – xfinity.com

Address:
755 Battery Ave SE
Atlanta, GA 30339

Phone:
(404) 577-9100

Online:
MLB.com/Braves/Ballpark

Tours:
Atlanta Braves Stadium Tours

Hotels:
Hotels near The Battery Atlanta and MLB Atlanta Braves Stadium

Atlanta to Host 2025 MLB All-Star Game

Ironmonger Brewing presents Iron & Anvil

Marietta.com

On March 10th, 2018 from 3PM to 9PM at Ironmonger Brewing, Floki’s Forge and Nikki Stitch invite you the second show of Iron and Anvil Artists Alley! This event was such a success that the owners of Ironmonger demanded an encore! Come meet some of Georgia’s most talented artists and craftsmen while treating your taste buds to some of the most deliciously innovative brews around.

There will be a live blacksmith demonstration full of sparks and loud noises! Beer isn’t your cup of tea? Worry not! We will also have a wide variety of Hard Sodas for you to try. Whether it be the vendors, the brews, the food or the tunes, there’s guaranteed to be a little something for everyone at Iron and Anvil.

Date:
March 10, 2018 from 3pm to 9pm

Admission:
Free

Address:
2129 Northwest Pkwy SE, Ste 105, Marietta, Georgia 30067

Parking:
Parking out front of Brewery

For more information, please call 6788222577 or visit https://www.facebook.com/events/1564291376981606/?active_tab=about

Marietta City School Calendar 2017-2018

Marietta.com

The Marietta City School Calendar for the 2017 to 2018 school year begins on Thursday, August 3, 2017 and ends on Friday, May 25, 2018.

School holidays:

First Day of School – August 3, 2017
Labor Day – September 4, 2017
Fall Break – September 25 – 29, 2017
Student Holiday/Staff Workday – October 16, 2017
Thanksgiving Holidays – November 20 – 24, 2017
Winter Holidays – December 21, 2017 to January 3, 2018
Martin Luther King Jr Day – January 15, 2018
Winter Break – February 19 – 23, 2018
Spring Break – April 2 – 6, 2018
Last Day of School – May 25, 2018

Cobb County School Calendars:
Cobb County School Calendar 2017-2018
Cobb County School Calendar 2018-2019
Cobb County School Calendar 2019-2020
Cobb County School Calendar 2020-2021

Marietta City School Calendars:
Marietta City School Calendar 2017-2018
Marietta City School Calendar 2018-2019
Marietta City School Calendar 2019-2020

Reverend Michael Dowd – Faithful to the Future: Big Picture Inspiration for Chaotic Times

Marietta.com

This free program is geared for adults and teens and will focus on 6 points of agreement held in common by tens of millions of religious and non-religious people across the globe and how to stay deeply inspired in the face of changing climate and other large-scale challenges. It will build on Reverend Dowd’s two TEDx talks and bridge-building book, “Thank God for Evolution: How the Marriage of Science and Religion Will Transform Your Life and Our World”. The book is endorsed by 6 Nobel Prize-winning scientists and religious leaders across the spectrum.

“Science and religion are not enemies; indeed, they must work together if we are to survive our impact on Earth’s climate, the seas, and other species.”
Reverend Michael Dowd

Date:
1:00 to 2:30 pm on Sunday, March 11th, 2018

Admission:
Free Program-Free Childcare

Free Childcare is provided for this event with RSVP by noon Friday, March 9th. RSVP with child’s name, age, & any special needs they may have (in order to assure correct child/adult Caregiver ratio) to: dre@emersonuu.org. Please ensure that children have had lunch prior to sign-in: Room 113 at 12:45pm. Parent sign-out for pick-up by 2:45pm.

Address:
Emerson Unitarian Universalist Congregation
4010 Canton Rd
Marietta, GA 30066

Parking:
Free Parking

For more information, please call (770) 578-1533 or visit https://www.emersonuu.org

2025 Taste of East Cobb

Marietta.com

Enjoy some music, food and fun at the annual Taste of East Cobb. The event features delicious dishes from the some of the most popular restaurants in the area. While there, you can also enjoy great live entertainment, the Kid’s Zone with giant inflatables and hands-on activities, unique products from local vendors, and a silent auction. All proceeds go to the Walton High School band program.

Address:
Johnson Ferry Baptist Church
(south parking lot)
955 Johnson Ferry Road
Marietta, GA 30068

Date:
May 3, 2025

Time:
11 am to 5 pm rain or shine

Admission:
Free, tastes are 1 to 8 tickets, cash and credit cards accepted when purchasing tickets.
Kid Zone activities range from 2 tickets to 5 tickets.
Cotton candy, drinks, and activities range from 1 to 5 tickets.

Parking:
Park at the event or across the street at Johnson Ferry Baptist Church athletic field parking lot.

Participating Restaurants in 2025:

Aapka Food Adda (AFA) Indian Vegetarian Cuisine
Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar
Cafe Rivkah
Camps Kitchen & Bar
Chick-fil-A (Woodlawn)
Green Coyote Cantina
J’mz BowlZ CoffeeZ & CustardZ
Kona Ice
La Madeleine French Bakery & Café
Marlow’s Tavern
Mediterranean Grill
Mirko Pasta
New York Butcher Shoppe
Press Waffle Co.
Provision Cafe
Righteous ‘Que
Schmoo Pies
Seed Kitchen & Bar
Sidelines Grille
Smallcakes Cupcakery and Creamery
Taqueria Tsunami
Ted’s Montana Grill
Zama Mexican Cuisine

Performing Groups in 2025:

11:00 am – Dickerson Jazz Bands
12:00 pm – Dodgen Pops Ensemble
12:30 pm – Walton Jazz Band I
1:00 pm – Walton Jazz Band Ii
1:30 pm – Gmea D12 Honors Jazz Band
2:30 pm – Walton Jazz Band Ii
3:00 pm – Kell Jazz Band
3:30 pm – Wheeler Jazz Band
4:00 pm – Walton Jazz Band Ii
4:30 pm – Walton Jazz Band I

For more information, please email tasteofeastcobb@gmail.com.

From Cobb County to the Silver Screen

Claire Turner

Have you ever been watching a movie and thought, “Hey, that place looks kind of familiar…”? That’s probably because it is. Cobb County is a popular location used by the film industry, and with ideal landmarks and resources, it’s easy to see why.

“There are a lot of great things going on in Cobb County for filming. Everyone is working together to foster some great relationships within the production community,” says Holly Quinlan, CEO of Cobb Travel and Tourism. “It’s a really exciting way to put Cobb County on the map.”

Among the recent films that have helped to put Cobb County on the map are “Remember the Titans,” which filmed at Marietta’s Sprayberry High School, and “Footloose” (2011), which used Acworth Mayor Tommy Allegood’s house.

Other recognizable filming locations include the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, Marietta High School, Lake Acworth, Marietta/Cobb Museum of Art, Lockheed Martin, SunTrust Park, and Marietta Square. Rich Buss, Marietta’s Parks, Recreation and Facilities director, said film directors choose Cobb County for its wide range of distinctive locales, so productions do not have to travel far for the shots they need.

“We have antebellum homes, quaint neighborhoods, small streets, [and] little bungalows. We have a fair amount of commercial areas, too,” he said. “I think we have a good reputation for being film-friendly and [the county is] good at turning over a permit quickly.”

For a film corporation to receive a permit to use Cobb County grounds, they must first report to Quinlan. Then the director will fill out a form about what is happening in the movie and what the production’s needs are, followed by any additional meetings to make sure all ends are tied. “It’s the ease of access and cooperation of local government that draws people to Cobb,” said Quinlan.

Cobb County is “big enough to be big and small enough to be small,” according to Buss, and that makes organizing things like road closures easier. Though the current movies and shows filming in Cobb typically are kept under wraps, you can watch out for stars such as Hugh Jackman, J.K. Simmons, and Jennifer Aniston in familiar places for their upcoming films, “The Front Runner,” and “Dumplin.’”

Other movies to watch out for identifiable landmarks include “Pitch Perfect 3,” “Hidden Figures,” “Dumb and Dumber,” “Selma,” “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul,” “The Hate You Give,” “The Resident,” and TV shows such as “MacGyver,” “Atlanta Eats” and “Man v. Food.”

Playing host to big celebrities like Cameron Diaz, Jim Carey and Oprah is not just a cool fact: it’s also beneficial to the community to have these stars and their productions around town. “The economic impact they leave behind is significant,” said Quinlan, explaining that the crews use resources like hotels, restaurants, construction companies, dry cleaners and warehouse space during production.

Local businesses are not the only ones that can benefit. While most film and TV productions turn to social media to announce their need for extras, the Georgia Department of Economic Development’s website — Georgia.org — has further information on how you can get involved. Simply navigate to the “Casting and Crew Jobs” category on the organization’s Film and TV Production page.

The filming locations generally are open to the public, and sites like the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre have become a stop on Atlanta film tours — evidence that the industry is growing.

So whether you’re watching on the small screen or the silver screen, keep an eye open for Cobb County landmarks that could be dressed up to look like the Netherlands, the Old South or anything in between. With a booming industry and a versatile county, there’s no telling what could come next.

Sewell Mill Library and Cultural Center Opens Doors for Creativity

Marietta.com

As the digital age sets in, libraries need to adapt. No longer just the place where books are stored, libraries must become a hub of knowledge, diversity, art and technology.

The new Sewell Mill Library and Cultural Center (2051 Lower Roswell Road in Marietta) embodies all of the things a modern library should be and more. Since its opening on Monday, December 4, the library has outshone its predecessor, East Marietta Library, by merging arts and literature into one facility.

“This consortium allows families to enter one building and then to pursue their own personal interests, whether they be music production, reading novels, taking an art class or watching a performance,” said Jimmy Gisi, Cobb Parks and Recreation director, whose agency partnered with the library on its design and construction. “This concept is another example of how Cobb County is working to maximize our resources for the residents in our community.”

Featuring 28,000 square feet of study rooms, classrooms and more, the Sewell Mill Library and Cultural Center was greeted with wonder by visitors during its opening week. “On opening day, I spoke to a couple who were walking around the library,” said Helen Poyer, library director. “They were amazed at all the special features. ‘Wow’ was the reaction to the beautiful art gallery.”

Wow is right. The facility features an art gallery, children and teen spaces, vinyl music collections, conference rooms, an outdoor amphitheater, a black box theatre, jewelry making equipment and video-conference rooms. The facility also contains a digital maker space commons, where visitors can find a recording studio, practice rooms and access unique software such as Adobe Creative Cloud and ProTools.

In addition to these amenities, the library also will host regularly scheduled classes — such as art, photography and writing — in addition to live performances and classic film screenings.

“By bringing together all of these amazing resources under one roof and adding the talents of Parks and Library staff, along with involvement from the local arts community, this will be a world-class facility for learning and experiencing the arts,” said Library Manager James Mitchell, who developed the concept for the facility. “People of all ages will have access to learn and explore in a way that was never possible before.”

The $10.6-million Sewell Mill Library and Cultural Center is located near the site once occupied by the East Marietta Library, which was demolished in mid-October after 50 years on Lower Roswell Road. Cobb County Chairman Mike Boyce said the facility is a 21st-century library meant to appeal to a large variety of people. When asked about his favorite section of the new library, Boyce said he loves having access to first-edition books, but he also noted the video-heavy portions of the center, which are great for kids.

“The access to recording technologies and having performance series that allows artists to showcase their talents is key to engaging younger generations,” Mitchell added. “The diverse range of new mediums offered, such as graphic novels and comics is also a great way to get the younger generations reading.”

Though the child and teen spaces are wonderful, Mitchell said his favorite part of the new library is the community of artists who make the most of the exceptional amenities. “To see that community get excited about the facility — and in the future to watch them grow as an artist — is an exhilarating experience,” he said.

Poyer had more difficulty choosing a favorite feature. “Each area/feature is special, but I am ‘wowed’ by the art gallery,” she said. “After you walk about the gallery, you can sit and further enjoy the art.”

The art gallery will highlight professional work, while the pieces made by students in the art classes will be exhibited in the classroom area. If a visitor is looking for more than art and books, there will be free concerts available on select dates. Event schedules are available at cobbcat.org.

The partnership between the library and Cobb County P.A.R.K.S. is a true representation of how things have changed for the better in the digital age, and there is still much to which we can look forward. “Libraries are reinventing themselves to be more than storehouses of books,” said Poyer. “Sewell Mill Library & Cultural Center provides an opportunity for all people to connect to the arts and literature. [It] opens the door to the world of literature through theatre, music and performing arts.”

————-

‘Literacy Week’ Brings Authors to Local Schools

During the week of Nov. 6, 2017, students from 43 schools across metro Atlanta received visits from 11 award-winning children’s book authors during Literacy Week, a weeklong celebration of reading and writing hosted by Cobb EMC and Gas South. Throughout the week, authors challenged 24,000 students to expand their creativity through writing and illustration, and to build life-long reading habits. Guest authors included several Georgia writers, as well as NASA author, speaker and space historian Andrew Chaiken, and New York Times bestselling author Brian Lies.

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