Hudgens Arts Center Gets New Director

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA -- Ife Williams, most recently a deputy director with Fulton County Arts and Culture, has been named executive director of the Hudgens Center for the Arts.

A graduate of the University of Michigan with a master’s degree from Syracuse University, Williams’ background includes stints as curator of Vizcaya Museum and Gardens in Miami, development consultant at the Diaspora Vibe Cultural Arts Incubator in Miami and assistant collections registrar for the Henry Art Gallery at the University of Washington in Seattle.

She has been with Fulton County Arts and Culture since 2005, having served as interim director there.

“I fell in love with the Hudgens in my first visit and I am excited to have the opportunity to lead such a forward thinking institution and accomplished staff into the next chapter of programming,” Williams said in a news release.

“I look forward to getting to know the many facets of our diverse community and continuing to grow existing programs through expanded partnerships, community engagement and a broader reach across the region.”

Bill McCargo, chairman of the board of the Hudgens Arts Center, said in the release that Williams “will be a valuable asset to our community and will be able to grow The Hudgens into one of the region’s premier arts organizations.”

Since its organization in 1981, the Jacqueline Casey Hudgens Center for the Arts (formerly the Arts Council) has grown from a grassroots effort into a well established center for the arts in Gwinnett County, hosting exhibitions as well as educational opportunities for both children and adults in the community.