Jonesboro, Ga. - This April, Arts Clayton Gallery and the Clayton County Convention & Visitors Bureau will welcome avid art collectors and nationally renowned artists to Clayton County for the Georgia Watercolor Society's 2012 National Exhibition.  

KENNESAW, Ga. -- The nominees for the 2012 Georgia Author of the Year Awards have been announced.

More than 100 authors have been nominated in 12 categories, including Short Stories, which is a new addition in 2012.

Nine local writers will face off to take home the top prize in the Children's Book category:

Robin L. Gordon
Lift: A Gosling's First Flight
A native of Michigan, Gordon has made it her mission to channel positive messages through her picture books. Her website says that she is certified to teach special education and enjoys watching geese in her spare time.

ATLANTA -- Georgia's film industry is thriving -- a quick glance at any movie theater marquee will tell you that.

On Friday, the film Joyful Noise opened in theaters nationwide. The Dolly Parton/Queen Latifah-helmed musical was shot right here in metro Atlanta, and features several faces and locations that may be familiar to residents.

Here are some distinct Georgia places that fill the big screen in Joyful Noise:

* The beautiful little Pacashau Divinity Church is actually Bethany United Methodist Church (607 Rivers Road, Fayetteville).