J u n e 2 2 , 2 0 2 3 | A p p e n M e d i a . c o m | A n A p p e n M e d i a G r o u p P u b l i c a t i o n | 5 0 ¢ | Vo l u m e 4 1 , N o . 2 5
The Alpha Arts Guild finds new home Alpharetta
officials pass $154 million 2024 budget
Group christens The Scene in North Point Mall space By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — No longer rotating between the Alpharetta Arts Center, Joann Fabric and Crafts, restaurants or homes, the Alpha Arts Guild has secured a permanent home 15 years after it began. “We were just vagabonds,” said Barbara Rush, president of the Alpha Arts Guild. She joined the group about two years ago. Opened in mid-May, The Scene is an 11,269-square-foot space on the second floor of North Point Mall that includes a gallery as well as a classroom area. It’s exclusively for Georgia artists, and the Guild is looking for those who want to consign their family-friendly art in a juried selection for three- to six-month contracts. “We're all about the arts,” Rush said. “We love talking with other artists about techniques, and we share information here.” The Alpha Arts Guild, open to all Georgia residents, is a nonprofit arts community with 50 members. Its mission is to learn and inspire one another through their work. Mediums vary. “We have such a melting pot of
See ARTS, Page 11
County issues nonprofits $1.3 million in funding ► PAGE 3
By SHELBY ISRAEL shelby@appenmedia.com
BARBARA RUSH/PROVIDED
Board members of the Alpharetta Arts Guild and employees stand inside The Scene art gallery, a 11,269-square-foot home for the Guild and Georgia artists. From left, bottom row, is Sharmila Roy, member at large; Barbara Rush, president; and Max Lundin, gallery assistant. From left, back row, is Tatiana Mack, first vice president; Ericka Jones-Craven, gallery manager; and Kelly Cook, second vice president.
Roswell High School puts history on display ► PAGE 4
Knockerball service kicks up family fun ► PAGE 8
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Following a nearly month-long recess, the Alpharetta City Council returned to the dais June 19 to adopt the city’s final budget and property tax rate for the 2024 fiscal year. The council unanimously approved the budget and a 5.75-mill levy at the meeting. Most of the levy, 4.87 mills, covers operational costs, with the remaining 0.88 mills dedicated to debt services. It was the third and final public hearing on the budget and mill rate. Just over $99 million of the $154 million budget is reserved for the city’s general fund – which covers day-to-day operation of the city – with an additional $16.2 million allotted for capital projects. Based on the approved tax rate and reassessments on property, the city estimates a $39.83 tax increase on an owner-occupied home with a fair market value of $550,000 and a $164.50 increase for a nonhomesteaded property valued at
See BUDGET, Page 11