OUR MISSION
The mission of the Kennesaw Art and Culture Commission is to
promote and support community economic viability and quality of life
through the developmentof multidiscipline art and cultural initiatives.
OUR PEOPLE
Karen Backus , Chair
Valerie Dibble , Vice Chair
Kim Meacham , Secretary
Kim R Meacham is the President and Founder of KRM Solutions Group LLC and has over 20 years of marketing experience with an extensive background in research, proposal management, and grant writing. Kim is also an accomplished artist and the studio manager for Ehecatl Art. She holds a B.A. degree in psychology from Western Connecticut State University.
Kim and her husband, Mauro Pradella, moved to Kennesaw from Connecticut in 1997 with their four children. Over the years, Kim’s community involvement has included volunteering with the PTA, Girl Scouts, and La Leche League. She is a member of the South Cobb Arts Alliance, Smith-Gilbert Gardens, Atlanta Botanical Gardens, among other organizations. In her free time, Kim enjoys painting, gardening, and spending time with family and friends.
Clemens Bak, Commissioner
A homeowner and member of his local HOA board, Clemens Bak has been involved in his community since moving to the area in 2002. Active in the arts for many years, Bak founded Gallery 4463 in Acworth in 2007; a cooperative gallery, organizing monthly exhibits for eight years under his leadership. In 2014, Bak founded the Acworth Cultural Arts Center, a 501(c)3 non-profit arts organization that continues to promote local artists and cultural events.
Professionally, Bak has worked for 45 years in various technical positions in manufacturing, including engineer and machine designer around the country. Living in Georgia since 1986, he retired as Quality Lab Manager from EIS, Fabrico in Kennesaw, a division of Genuine Parts Corporation in 2016 after 27 years of service. In 2016, he participated in the launching of the Red Onion Press a non-profit fine arts workshop focused on printmaking and letterpress in downtown Kennesaw where he is using his business and technical skills as Managing Director to advance the arts in our area.
Daniel Barnard, Commissioner
Jessy Patterson, Commissioner
Jessy Patterson serves as the Coordinator for The Art Station at Big Shanty Park. As a Kennesaw resident for the past six years, she takes great pride in her home and community and is grateful for the opportunity to lead a facility that provides her neighbors with access to the arts. She attended Georgia State University where she received her bachelor’s degree in communications with a focus on film and video and creative writing. She furthered her education at Southern Polytechnic and State University in the New Media Arts Department. She collaborated with the High Museum of Art on the #HighWithoutWalls project and engaged in panels on locative media and social media. Jessy is a member of the Kennesaw Arts and Culture Commission, where she strives to aid artistic development to her community. As a member of the North Cobb Rotary Club, she extends her service to the benefit of those in need. For the past year, she has applied her enthusiasm for the arts and public service as part of the Cobb County P.A.R.K.S. In her rare free time, you will find her on her front porch reading with her mutt Zoltan.
Carol Sills, Commissioner
Dr. Carol Sills years’ of experience has merited many commendations as an Organization and Leadership Development professional. She has produced multiple public-private partnerships in corporate, education, federal, state and local arenas. Commendations awarded her include those for design, execution and governance of matrix partnerships. Dr. Sills loves her Cobb county community and enjoys serving to expand and enhance its resources. Her skill set that enables her contributions to the commission on which she serves include: certification Managing Organizational and Individual Change, University of Va. Darden Graduate School of Business; Managerial Coaching certification, Kennesaw State. Dr. Sills earned a residential Ph.D. Univ. of Ill. And the M.A. Purdue University.