ARTS
2 Atlanta cultural leaders named

• Karen L. Paty is the new director of the Georgia Council for the Arts, the state arts agency that moved under the umbrella of the Georgia Department of Economic Development this month. Since 2004, she has worked with GCA as program manager, grants director and interim director.

The GCA recently awarded just under $1 million for fiscal year 2012 to more than 100 arts organizations across the state. “We expect great things from all of our grantees as they continue to provide activities and endeavors that make Georgia culturally sound and economically stable,” Paty said.

• Charisse M. Williams will start on Aug. 22 as president of Young Audiences, a division of the Woodruff Arts Center that provides in-school arts education programming. In 2007, Williams became founding director of Posse Atlanta, a youth leadership development and college access program.

Young Audiences board chairwoman Anne Game said of Williams: “Having someone with a background focused on young people, education and a natural love and appreciation for the arts, will enable us to continue to create and deliver programs that increase literacy and inspire education through the arts.” HOWARD POUSNER

ATTRACTION
Winter wonderland in the works
The Atlanta Botanical Garden plans to boost its holiday light show, but in an eco-friendly way. The Midtown attraction will stage Garden Lights, Holiday Nights, featuring nearly 1 million energy-efficient bulbs in botanical-inspired displays. “An elegant wonderland and not your traditional Christmas show,” is how garden executive director Mary Pat Matheson describes the walk-through experience running Nov. 19-Jan. 7. 404-876-5859, www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org. HOWARD POUSNER