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The History of the Peachtree Corners Area and the City that Grew from it

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The Nesbits, the Medlocks, and the Neelys were part of the rich history of the Peachtree Corners area, along with other well-known families, native American Indians and European settlers that came here. Author Carole Townsend talks about her new book – The History of an Innovative and Remarkable City.

Rico Figliolini hosts a talk with Townsend about her two-year journey in researching and writing the book that lays out this area’s history from 1770 to 2020. Listen in to hear Carole’s experience writing the book and get a sneak peek of all of the incredible history Carole and her team have dug up.

Resources:
City Website: https://www.peachtreecornersga.gov/home
Carole’s Website: http://caroletownsend.com

“In the overall scheme of history, we’re very new. So to see a family with such a love and reverence and respect for their ancestors. For their history, for a true work ethic, a dedication to family, and a deep love of education. Which to me defines the way the American dream came about for so many here.”

Carole Townsend

Timestamp, where to find it in the talk:
[00:00:30] – Intro
[00:01:29] – About Carole and the Book
[00:04:26] – Picking the Right Stories
[00:08:04] – Original Settlers
[00:11:35] – Important Families
[00:15:21] – Book Release
[00:16:15] – Honeycut Inn
[00:20:59] – Neeley Farms
[00:26:12] – About Pinckneyville
[00:28:11] – Paul Duke and Rise of Technology
[00:32:26] – Carole’s Experience with the Book
[00:38:09] – Closing

Rico: [00:00:30] Hi everyone. This is Rico Figliolini host of Peachtree Corners Life. I appreciate
you guys joining me. We have a special guest tonight and we’ll get to her shortly and the subject
matter that we’re going to be talking about. But before that, I just want to introduce our sponsor,
not only an advertiser in Peachtree Corners Magazine, but a supporter of the family of podcasts
that we do. And that’s Hargray Fiber. They’re a company that is big in the Southeast. They’re a
cable company that provides fast internet connection and business solutions. Not only for small
businesses, but for enterprise size businesses. So check them out. They’re not the cable guy.
They are really in their community that they are in. They’re involved with the communities that
they work in. So HargrayFiber.com. Visit them and thank them. So let’s get to our guest. Our
guest here tonight is, let’s bring her on, Carole. Let’s get you up here with me. Hi, how are you?
Carole: [00:01:28] Good. How are you?
Rico: [00:01:29] Good. So Carol is an author, journalist. I’m plugging as I engineer now so bear
with me everyone. But Carole’s an author and journalist, she’s a native of Atlanta, lived 30 years
here in Gwinnett County. And she’s had, she has about six books under her belt and an award
winning book called “Blood in the Soil”, which is about the 78 shooting of Larry Flint and his
attorney in Lawrenceville, Georgia. Check out that book too. But the book that we’re going to be
talking about tonight actually is a different book. Maybe there’s some history there and there’s
some, some stuff going on there as well. But the book itself that we’re going to be talking about
is the history of an innovative and remarkable city. The city of Peachtree Corners. Two years in
the making, reaching back to 1777 and up to 2020 and dealing with a lot of history, a lot of
families. Some places that, some families that people know already. Certainly if not, know of the
families they know of the street names of those families. So tell us Carole a little bit, let’s get
right into it. Let’s, you know, tell us a little bit about, you know, what did it take and how did you
actually come to this part of writing this book two years ago?
Carole: [00:02:40] Oh my goodness. I was honored to have a Judy Putnam, the city’s
communications director come to me. And she was aware of the fact that I was an author and a
longtime journalist in the area. And she had come to me with a passion of hers, which was
preserving the history of the city of Peachtree Corners. And as anybody who is familiar with
Gwinnett County, certainly who grew up in or around Gwinnett County knows, development here
skyrocketed. It just exploded. Really, I want to say in the late seventies, eighties, and has
continued as we all see. And that’s been a wonderful thing for this area. For the business
community and for residents. The downside to that, as we all know, those of us who love history
know. So much is lost to progress. And progress is certainly not a bad thing, but I think, and
Judy is certainly of the opinion that we must know where we came from in order for where we’re
going to matter to mean as much as it can. And so she was passionate about preserving the
rich history of the Peachtree Corners city and the surrounding, the area that surrounded it
before Peachtree Corners was actually formed as a city. So she came to me with this project
and I love research. All of my books involve a great deal of research. So I was thrilled and I of
course jumped at the opportunity. And here we are a few years later. It’s been an amazing
journey and process.Rico: [00:04:26] I’m sure. So many people are involved in a book like this right? I mean you
have dozens of people you have to interview not only the interview process, but then the writing
process, what goes into it? You know what, I mean I’m sure all the research you did could
probably fill several volumes of books. But you had to really fine tune where you were going with
this right? You had to pick the right families that you felt had a good enough story to be able to
carry a book like this a bit right?
Carole: [00:04:52] Right. Exactly. The city itself is, we just had this conversation, nine, ten years
old. And as we had laughed and said a book, a history book with nine or ten years of history is
going to be more of a brochure than it is a book. So we said really the history of any area
reaches far back into its roots. So we said, let’s just go back and take a look as far back as we
can find historical factual data about Western Gwinnett County. Which of course is where
Peachtree Corners sits. So we did. We are back in Creek and Cherokee and habitation and
early settlers. And as is so true when the research really hits that sweet spot. The history is
fascinating. The stories are fascinating.
Rico: [00:05:44] Not only that. I think it also feeds into the stories that would come later, right?
Kids during the fifties and sixties, seventies growing up in this area that would find arrowheads
in certain places and stuff. You know, I mean, yeah. And walk, and even like, for example, the
the old broken bridge that’s no longer there that crossed that Chattahoochee, you know, when
that was built. And then even later when it became Brust and Toking bridge, the kids were still
jumping off that bridge into the river.
Carole: [00:06:12] I mean, this will really I guess date myself, but as a teenager, you know my
friends and I would go and we always went up to Jones bridge. And you did. You know, you
shimmied up and jumped off. Our parents would not have been happy to know that, but that’s
just those kinds of a rite of passage if you grew up in this area.
Rico: [00:06:31] And we were talking a little bit before we started recording about and I know
from friends that, Gwinnett County a long time ago was a place that when you were a kid, I think
it was during maybe the fifties and sixties. And you thought you had to cross Gwinnett County
and you were like 18 years old, you had your driver’s license. Your parents would say, go
around the County don’t you dare go through that gap.
Carole: [00:06:52] Right? They did. That was a rule in our household and there were seven of
us children. So they weren’t kidding. I was the next to the youngest. So they had it down to a
science by then. But yes, we as kids, you know, growing up around here, you always wanted to
go to Lake Gwinear, for one reason or another. And if you live in DeKalb County, you must go
through Gwinnett County to get to Hall County. And we were required to drive around Gwinnett
because of, you know, it yeah. A lot of the history of the County is not a secret. There were
some wild and wooly things that took place here because Gwinnett was so, it was sparsely
populated. It was country. I think that’s being generous. It was sparsely populated. People
called it the wild, wild West. Let’s put it that way. I don’t know why they called it West because
it’s, there’s nothing West about it, but it’s just kind of the way things were done in GwinnettCounty for a long time. Just bizarre, unusual things happened here. I mean the County is
peppered with really interesting, fascinating events that took place.
Rico: [00:08:04] And isn’t it interesting how we’ve come up to a point where we are a smart city
now on the edge of doing things that other cities are not doing. So it’s grown. So let’s dig deep a
little bit into the history of this area before Peachtree Corners. Obviously Native Americans
inhabited this area as well as other European settlers. But what drew them here? I know the
Chattahoochee river was probably a big draw, but tell us a little bit about what you think and
what you found that drew settlers here, kept natives here.
Carole: [00:08:35] Certainly the river, my goodness. For native Americans this was, the
Chattahoochee river was the lifeblood of the area. So from North Georgia as the river flows
down really to the Southern most part of the state. And then West a little bit that’s, the banks of
the river are where the early, early Native Americans settled. And as the Europeans started
making their way into the new world and then pushing their way South, they brought with them
diseases that wiped out a great number of the Native Americans simply because they just had
not ever been exposed to them. So then we had tiny, tiny gatherings and tribes and groups of
people who migrated along the banks of the Chattahoochee came together South of Gwinnett
County. But I think it was, if my memory serves me correctly, 16 different groups of native
Americans came together. And they formed the Creek nation eventually. And it was largely
Creek that then settled here in the area that we now know is Gwinnett County. There were
Cherokee, but really the Chattahoochee served as a dividing line for the two nations. And so
sometimes there were skirmishes over, a little territoriality and who’s encroaching on whose
territory, but typically the Chattahoochee served as a dividing line between the two nations.
Rico: [00:10:12] And then American, I say American, they became American later, I guess.
European settlers came and they inhabited and became residents of this area. How, you know,
there were families, obviously the, you know, when we look at Holcomb bridge road, we look at
Nesbit ferry, we’d look at Medlock bridge road. These are just not names just pulled out of a hat
or even of recent history. They go back a long ways. What of what families, if you will, were the
earliest settlers to this area?
Carole: [00:10:45] I can tell you the absolute earliest family were the Medlocks. And I can say
that with certainty because Isha Medlock, who was the first recorded Medlock in the area was a
squatter on land that would, the federal government had set aside strictly for Native Americans.
And he just decided that he wanted to settle on some of those lands and he did. So Isha
Medlock was the first, certainly the first Peachtree Corners family. Although the Medlocks, as we
know, goodness, they’re in Atlanta, they’re let’s see up around in Forsyth County and in North of
that even. But in this area, Isha Medlock came 1777. Settled in Western Gwinnett in what is now
Peachtree Corners.
Rico: [00:11:35] Now, and we should let people know that that’s one of the two families that you
highlight in the book.Carole: [00:11:40] Yes, that’s true. So I picked the Medlocks for obvious reasons. They are so,
their name is so well known in the area for very good reasons. And they were the first family to
settle. The other family that I chose, if you want me to, am I jumping ahead to share that? Okay.
The other family is the Nesbit family. And I chose this family, of course there are many important
families that settled the area, but the Nesbit family the Perry Nesbit family struck me as another
group that really needed to be part of the story. Because the patriarch well, and the matriarch of
that family were born into slavery. They were born before, well before the civil war ended in fact,
the grand patriarch, they actually called the gentlemen Perry P. Nesbit. The family refers to him
as grand. He was also born into slavery and was emancipated at age nine. But he became a
prominent landowner in Pinckneyville, Peachtree Corners. And that was highly unusual. I mean,
I think we all know that. You know, from that time period in our history, it was very unusual for
someone who had been born into slavery to become a well-known, a prominent landowner. And
that was done strictly through work ethic and a love of education. And it was a story that had to
be told.
Rico: [00:13:13] And that’s amazing to me. I mean, African American in the South, South of the
Mason Dixon and with the things that went on down here for a long period of time. Now, you
know, obviously there may have been pockets where everything was fine, maybe. But overall
the South was not a friendly place, always to African-Americans and certainly to business
owners. Unless you had a pocket of, you know, a town that was African-American, let’s say. Or
a pocket area like that. So you know, I can appreciate the history that goes there because there
was probably a lot of struggles there as well to a degree, right? So again, can you tell us a little
bit more about what you found out about the Nesbit family?
Carole: [00:13:53] Well, I can tell you that it’s very gratifying for me to see in every single family
member with whom I spoke from that family, the deep pride and the continued love for
education. The knowledge of their own family history and the history of the area. That struck
me, you don’t, you really don’t see that that often anymore. In my experience, you don’t. We are
in the overall scheme of things, new. Georgia is new. Gwinnett County is new, in the overall
scheme of history. We’re very new. So to see a family with such a love and reverence and
respect for their ancestors. For their history, for the way a true work ethic, a dedication to family,
and a deep love of education. Which to me defines the way the American dream came about for
so many here. But that’s, it’s held dear by every single family member, whether they’re young
today, or you know I spoke with people in their nineties. They all share that same thing. So I
have a lot of respect for that. And I really enjoyed and felt privileged to share their stories and
experiences in this book.
Rico: [00:15:21] For those that may be joining this live simulcasts or maybe later, as it’s on
demand, we are speaking to Carole Townsend, author and journalist. And author of the new
book that will be coming out, when about? When is that? When is the book coming out?
Carole: [00:15:36] This spring, that’s, I’m comfortable saying this spring. We are, I hope nobody
kills me. We’re probably looking at April release. Those are our hopes. COVID has affected somany things. So we are in the final phase of production of the book, which is of course the
printing.
Rico: [00:15:56] So, okay. That’s good. We’re past the proofing part. So that’s always good. And
anyone that knows about proofread knows that proofread is an adventure all by itself.
Grammarly does not work.
Carole: [00:16:14] Not for everything.
Rico: [00:16:15] No. Nope, nope, nope. So the History of Innovative and Remarkable Cities, the
name of the book, will now be coming out this spring, we’ll say. But there’s other things within
the book. We talked about the Medlock family and the Nesbits, you know, obviously you learned
also a lot about the railroad, the agriculture, stagecoach, post office, the militias, the Honeycutt
inn. Can you me? Cause that was like one thing that sort of stuck out. Can you tell us a little bit
why that’s?
Carole: [00:16:40] So when Pinckneyville was first really a gathering of families. So we’re talking
late 17 hundreds. An interesting thing that I learned, I guess I knew this, but it was kind of
solidified for me in this research. So when the settlers trickled South and then they came to
Georgia. And there were many draws. Once they found out about the gold, that was in North
Georgia. That was a big draw. And the Chattahoochee was perfect climate for growing certain
crops, corn front and center. They love, the corn loves the humidity, the red clay soil. So here
are these people come in first trickled in, and then, you know, the populations in these little
centers grew. Well Pinckneyville was a gathering of families and individuals. The first to be built,
typically in these little towns was a saloon. The more things change, the more they stay the
same. But you know, revenue. It was a big revenue generator.
Rico: [00:17:47] The saloons were also hotels maybe?
Carole: [00:17:50] Well, there was a saloon that was adjacent to the Honeycutt inn, and in fact,
some accounts say it was inside the inn. Some say it was adjacent. More accounts that I’ve
read, say that it was actually adjacent to the Honeycutt inn. So you had your saloon then
typically the church. And then in Pinckneyville’s case came the Honeycutt inn, built by of course
the Honeycutt families. So it was hand hewn board, nails that were, nails and wooden pegs that
were hand fashioned. Mr. Honeycutt was a blacksmith by trade. And they tell me, so we know
where oh, the nursery is it Benson?
Rico: [00:18:33] Yes.
Carole: [00:18:34] Okay. Bentley? The nursery. I apologize. I can flip through my working copy
here, but you don’t want to wait for me to do that. Bentley’s nursery, I believe. So there’s a
storage place right next to the nursery. Is that ringing a bell? Public storage or something like
that? So they tell me that still, if you go back on the site where the public storage place is, and
you dig around a little bit, you’re going to find some of these hand fashioned nails and woodenbeams that made up a part of the Honeycutt inn. So the inn was a stagecoach stop. So that is
an indication that Pinckneyville was on the map already way before you know, some accounts
by date, by you know, noting the gathering of people here is second oldest. It wasn’t actually a
city, but it’s been around for a long time. So the Honeycutt inn was a stagecoach stop. One of
the interesting things and I’ll have to stop myself. I don’t want to give all the interesting stuff
away. But so it was built when, you know, this was still very raw and unsettled land as far as the
English European settlers knew. So and being right here at the river, the Cherokee and the
Creek would get into these skirmishes every now and then. You know, you’re on my side, you’re
on your side and some would try to take a little bit of land on one side of the Chattahoochee,
and then there would be retaliation. So in the porch in the front porch of the Honeycutt inn was
built a big trap door so that people could hide. You know, people staying in the inn or the guy
driving the stage coach or whoever needed to take refuge could hide under the inn. Open that
trap door and hide under the porch, just in case one of these skirmishes broke out you know.
And you’re in the line of fire. A long way to go about telling that story.
Rico: [00:20:37] Little details like that though right.
Carole: [00:20:39] Yeah. I’m going to find, I’m embarrassed. I’m going to find this family’s name.
Because I don’t want to, but you can go ahead and ask me another question. The nursery, it’s
the Bentleys.
Rico: [00:20:53] I think it’s the Bentleys. Yeah, that is.
Carole: [00:20:55] I am so sorry. It was one of those senior moments. Forgive me.
Rico: [00:20:59] I think you’re correct. It is the Bentleys. But let’s move on a little bit. We could
go to, we could talk about Neeley farm. Because Frank Neeley was an interesting personality
also, right? Cutting edge agricultural practices. And how he dealt with his farm workers. And of
course there’s the big house. And the clubhouse now at Neeley farm. So tell us a little bit about
that.
Carole: [00:21:20] Right. Well, Neeley himself, I mean my goodness, I’m sure books have been
written about him. He’s certainly memorialized down at Georgia tech. He and his wife, both.
Georgia tech graduated engineer. Goodness gracious his list of accomplishments. He was on
the board of Rich’s department store, the federal reserve. His list of accomplishments is a mile
long. And again, if I looked it up, I could be more specific. But the man was just a powerhouse.
He was, I had the pleasure of speaking with his granddaughter and she said he was just, he
was very intense, but he was so bright. It was almost as though he couldn’t contain it. He
constantly had to be involved in something that was bigger than life. And he certainly was. He
bought land out in what is now Peachtree Corners, is what we know as the subdivision Neeley
farm, to build a getaway. A weekend retreat for his family, because his work in the city of Atlanta
was very intense and very demanding. And so he built this farm, it was a dairy farm. He also
raised pigs on the farm, but they weren’t just any cows and any pigs. They were exceptional
Guernseys and Holstein cows. He worked with the university of Georgia on actually trying tocross breed the two. Because one, and I’m probably going to get this backwards. One of the
cows was known for the high fat content of the milk and the other was known for just the overall
nutritional value of the milk, I believe. But anyway, he was trying to crossbreed those two to see
if he could come up with this super product of the milk. And the pigs, even the pigs were not
normal. They were called Tamworths and they could forage on their own. They could go out
into, because there was a lot of the property was wooded. They could just go on their own, out
into the woods and forage and feed themselves basically. But there was an unusual looking
reddish hair on the pigs. And anyway, so he did just over the top. But he worked with UGA
because he had seen so many farms, especially in Georgia with rutted you know, the Georgia
clay and the rain runoff and the ruts that you see in the dirt. And he didn’t want that. So they had
said you need to do two things. You terrace your fields, which he did, and you get cows to
fertilize the earth, which he also did. So it was a working dairy farm. But it was also. I’m sorry?
Rico: [00:24:04] Up until when actually? Was that up until like, the sixties, I guess, as a working
farm?
Carole: [00:24:10] I don’t know that it was as recent as the sixties, I want to say probably fifties,
yeah. And I would have to verify the dates, but probably the fifties. But as was true of so many
of the farms they not only produced what, some say a dairy farm, it wasn’t just milk and it wasn’t
just the pigs. It was, there were gardens that are vegetable gardens and the families, there were
seven families that lived on the farm and worked the farm. Interestingly enough, some of the
Nesbit descendants that are featured in the book worked Neeley’s farm, Frank Neeley’s farm.
And they knew a great deal about what their jobs were. But they would have huge gardens. So
canning, preserving, and eventually freezing became part of their collective knowledge. And, but
that was true of pretty much every farm, you know, that you would find during that time period. It
was, they were self-sufficient.
Rico: [00:25:10] So even Frank Neeley wanted to get away from all the city stress. He decided
that farms stress was okay I guess.
Carole: [00:25:17] He came down here and started some country stress. And in fact, his wife
would fuss at him about that, according to Neeley’s granddaughter Ms. Eve Hoffman. Who so
graciously spent a good deal of time with me. She and her brother Nathan spent a lot of time
with me recollecting their years growing up. Because there Mr. Neeley built their mother, his
daughter, a house, which is known, I think still commonly as the Dean house. That was where
they grew up with their mother. And so their stories were just…
Rico: [00:25:52] Now they’re still living? Are they still living in Neeley farm?
Carole: [00:25:55] Ms. Hoffman is. She does. She doesn’t live in the subdivision. She lives on a
piece of the proper, part of the property that did belong to her grandfather.
Rico: [00:26:07] Right. So lots of history here. We even had a militia post at one point, right?Carole: [00:26:12] Militia post 406. Pinckneyville yes. So all of these things, plus the fact that
there was a post office in Pinckneyville really spoke to the importance of the settlement of
Pinckneyville. Which of course evolved into Peachtree Corners.
Rico: [00:26:29] And interestingly enough. I mean, through Gwinnett County, from the little I
know about the history, a lot of the train stations you know, like across Duluth, Sugarhill maybe,
even at Buford. That the trains would run through those towns and there were train stops, right?
And now, you know, those downtown areas during the, I guess the eighties and nineties, you
know, tried to come back also. Because at one point there were train stops, even in Norcross. I
mean, train runs through it, the train stop itself, the Depot is now a restaurant or it was a
restaurant. But so seeing that Pinckneyville stagecoach stop and all these other things near
where the trains were running through, but they were still a place of traffic, if you will. It’s an
interesting thing that this is where we’re coming out of, right?
Carole: [00:27:20] Right. And in truth, when the railroad came through and it was, it went
through Norcross. People who were business owners in the Pinckneyville area, Western
Gwinnett County, of course all went toward or to Norcross because that was the fastest
transportation. That was the latest and greatest you could get to Atlanta in no time and get back.
So the Western Gwinnett County area was certainly agricultural at first of course. Then
businesses started to open and thrive. And then the railroad came through and then it went
back largely agricultural for a long time. And I will say that was certainly the fifties and sixties. It
was still very rural.
Rico: [00:28:11] And then we come up to, you know. I know because of the magazine, because
of the podcasts I’ve done over the last three years, we’ve talked a lot about Technology Park,
Paul Duke. All that development that came after, technology, a lot of the major companies that
have been here that still continue to grow here. They’re all high-tech companies. But before the
technology and maybe after the farming, what did we see? Was there anything, you know,
between that? Between the farming part and the high tech part of the seventies later, I guess.
Carole: [00:28:44] I want to say once, you know, Western Gwinnett County stayed very rural.
There wasn’t even much infrastructure here in the early sixties. Or I say here, in Peachtree
Corners, in Western Gwinnett County. Even, you know, as recent as the early sixties. Which is
shocking, you know, if you see Gwinnett County today, you can’t imagine a square inch that’s
not fully developed. I think when Paul Duke, this young bright engineer that came out of
Georgia tech saw that when Georgia tech engineers graduated, their bags were already packed
to go elsewhere. They were leaving Georgia, we all knew that for a fact. There was nothing for
them to do here or very little. And he wanted to change that. He and his wife lived in Atlanta. But
he had, he worked for LB Foster for a while in his early career. And part of his job with them was
to acquire properties on which to build their facilities and as a result of those responsibilities, he
ended up in Western Gwinnett County. And he immediately dubbed it God’s country. He thought
it was the most beautiful place he had ever seen. And that’s when he got the idea to build this
cutting edge technology campus, or business campus, with a focus on technology to attract
those engineers. He wanted to build this beautiful campus. He wanted to build, surround it withneighborhoods that would appeal to engineers and jobs of that caliber, I guess. You know, for
lack of a better word. He wanted to build a community that would attract and keep engineers. So
he began amassing the land to do that. And as we all know, I mean, gosh, I’ve lived here
forever. I remember when technology park was developed. And you know when businesses
started moving in we thought, and I remember my parents saying who on earth is going to
locate a business way out there in the sticks. Who’s going to make that drive. And of course,
you know, we see the answer to that. It was hugely successful.
Rico: [00:30:59] It certainly, and it’s evolved, right? And it’s interesting how Georgia tech grads,
if you will, from Georgia tech, UGA, have all helped the development of this whole area. How
technology back then Hayes Modem, companies that people are not familiar with today. Unless
they’re old enough to remember dialing into AOL you know. Or even laser printers. I mean, they
were developed here as well, right? So those are just some of the technology and now we’re
moving into the smart city, right? The cutting edge, innovative city of tomorrow, hopefully one
day. Because things do change, right? We’re an urban area. We’re not that far. Maybe we were
not too long ago. And I think part of, I think when the Olympics came in 96, that even
accelerated part of what was developing here, right? Cause it drove a lot of technology, a lot of
business growth. I remember coming here in 95. If you were a sales person back then you didn’t
need to know how to sell. You needed to get through the door to be able to sell. Anyone could
sell. It was amazing. You know, of course there was the shakeout later, you know, and stuff in
2008 later and things. But you know, we continued to grow, right? So this history is still unfolding
in front of us. Do you have any takeaways? Any favorite parts of the book that you want to share
with us?
Carole: [00:32:26] I will say that talking with members of both of the families that are spotlighted
in the book was, that was an experience. It’s a once in a lifetime thing to hear history being
really narrated for you. I mean, the people with whom I spoke, I spoke with a 101 year old
gentlemen, a member of the Nesbitt family who worked on Frank Neeley’s farm. Sharp as a
tack, wonderful memory. Told me some stories that just, I don’t know, just listening to him tell the
stories puts you there. You know a hundred years ago and you can smell the dirt and you can,
you could see the pride he took in his work. That to me is really where, you know, your
research is, you’re not talking at people anymore. You are there in it. And it’s my sincere hope
that readers feel the same way when they read some of those accounts that we share in the
book. It’s just you know, waiting even five years. And this is, I really am getting around to
answering your question. My takeaway from this book is the fact that Peachtree Corners is
undisputedly the crown jewel of Gwinnett County. I mean, with what’s going on there now, the
vision. And everything it took to take technology park, which was state-of-the-art in the late
sixties and seventies, and really it had become kind of a dinosaur. You know, when Peachtree
Corners became a city, city leaders were presented with that really more as a problem than a
solution for the city. The American dream today is not what it was in the late sixties and
seventies. Millennials, you know, the workforce now, they don’t want the big house and the two
cars in the driveway and the 2.2 kids, and they don’t want that. They want smaller, more efficient
housing. They want walkability, they want and the careers are different. I mean, Paul Duke, I’m
not sure as visionary as he was. I’m not sure even he could have understood where technologywas going to go by this time. So technology park has been re-imagined. And, you know, we’ve
got the Curiosity Lab, which is just, it’s an example for the world, not just for the nation, but for
the world. So you’ve got this city that puts so much stock in progress and technology and being
cutting edge paying homage to its history. Because the people in the city who made the decision
to move forward with this book knew that if we didn’t get all this on paper, so to speak, it would
be gone. And the stories that the people shared with me for this book would be nothing but
myths and urban legends and lost. Just lost with the last breath of some of these family
members. So I have such respect. This was not an easy project. But it’s something that is so
worthwhile and now we’ve got it documented. And you know, maybe in another fifty to a
hundred years, somebody will be brave enough to come along and add to it. And I’m sure that
Peachtree Corners will have amazing things to add to it. So I just, innovative and remarkable
certainly describes the city, but for them to reach back into their past and give it this much effort
I think is truly remarkable.
Rico: [00:35:59] I agree and things are still unfolding. COVID-19 has really continued to change
the way the city has to adapt even further, right? Because of people staying home, because of a
year of pandemic. How does traffic change, dwellings, how people live and stuff. So ever
evolving, history needs to be put down on paper though, or on a recorded device or on digital
device, right? To be able to keep that history archived. So I’m glad that the city did this, that you
were able to do this. I know it’s a two year struggle of getting this and being able to put
everything down in a book. It’s not easy. So I respect your abilities to be able to get it done.
Carole: [00:36:47] Thank you. It was certainly a team effort.
Rico: [00:36:49] I’m sure.
Carole: [00:36:50] And I will say too, we see so many city history books popping up here and
there. This book is truly organic. We didn’t run down to the state archives and, you know, pull all
the pictures we could from Western Gwinnett County and put captions and call it a book. We
went to the families and these are family photos. Some are 10 types that we’ve got in this book.
When I dunno, are we out of time? I have a cute story to share. So there’s a lady named Jane
Garner who was a member of the Medlock family. And she, my goodness, she was 94 when she
and I first started talking for the purposes of writing this book. And she shared with me hundreds
of family photos as the Nesbit’s did. But she had pulled out a few 10 types. And there were two,
I think that we were actually able to use in the book and some were really good photos. But she
and her siblings had some of the 10 types were photos of infant babies. She and her siblings
had drawn glasses and mustaches on the babies. Just like all kids do with some family photos
and you get in trouble for it. But I thought, you know, the more things change again, the more
they stay the same. I just, I thought it was so funny that they had done that.
Rico: [00:38:09] Yeah, kids are kids. No matter what. I’m sure if they had the Sharpies back then
really done a job. So, listen this has been a great conversation though. I can’t wait to see the
book. I’m going to be getting my copy. Hopefully it’s sometime this spring when it comes out. I
know it’s at the printers. So we’ve been together here with Carole Townsend, author, journalistthe person that tackled along with a team of people, but she’s the point person on this, the book,
the History of an Innovative and Remarkable City. The history going from 1777 to 2020. The two
year struggle of putting that history on paper and I’m sure you have even recordings of
interviews I bet. Which would be interesting to hear even. But yeah, so it’s been a good
interview. I appreciate you spending the time with me doing this and thank you. And everyone
else, that’s listening to this, go to the city website. But you’ll know that the book will be out
because we’re going to let you know. Plus Peachtree Corners Magazine with the April-May
edition I believe, we’re going to have an excerpt from the book. So look for that. And we’ll have
more information about when that book’s available and pre-sales. If you want to be able to
purchase a copy of it as well. So, but thank you, Carole. I appreciate you being with us.
Carole: [00:39:36] Thank you, this was fun. Thank you. I’m so excited to be able to talk about it.
Rico: [00:39:42] Yeah. So am I, I mean, this was great. Love it. Thank you, Carole Goodnight

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Arts & Literature

8 Theatrical Performances Coming to the Peachtree Corners Area

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Discover local theatrical performances: mystery, musicals, comedies, and Shakespeare in the Park. Support the arts with every ticket.
Photo by cottonbro studio

Mean Girls: High School Version
Thursday-Friday, April 11-12
Thursday and Friday, 6 p.m.; Saturday, 2 p.m.
Paul Duke STEM High School
5850 Peachtree Industrial Blvd., Norcross
Tickets: Adults, $12; students, $10 and children (ages 5 and under), $5

Adapted from Tina Fey’s hit 2004 film, the Mean Girls musical has been nominated for a staggering 12 Tony Awards. Now, Paul Duke STEM brings the high school version of the show to life.

Tickets are on sale and can be purchased here.

The Curse of the Hopeless Diamond
Thursday, April 18. 6:30 p.m.
Anna Balkan Jewelry and Gifts
51 S. Peachtree St., Norcross
Ticket: $25, includes snacks and one glass of wine

The audience-participation murder mystery is a fundraiser for Lionheart Theatre’s summer theatre camp for kids and teens; it’s being hosted by Anna Balkan and 45 South Coffee House.

About the show: Reginald and Daphne Potter are touring extensively, along with their world-famous Potter Diamond, in the company of four detectives. It’s well-known that the Potter Diamond is beautiful…and cursed!

Purchase tickets here.

Anastasia
Thursday-Sunday, April 25-28
Thursday and Friday, 7 p.m.; Saturday, 2 and 7 p.m.; Sunday, 3 p.m.
Valor Christian Academy
4755 Kimball Bridge Rd., Alpharetta
Tickets: $20 per person

About the show: Presented by CYT Atlanta, the show spans from the twilight of the Russian Empire to the euphoria of Paris in the 1920s as a brave young woman sets out to discover the mystery of her past. Pursued by a ruthless Soviet officer determined to silence her, Anya enlists the aid of a dashing con man and a lovable ex-aristocrat. Together they embark on an epic adventure to help her find home, love and family.

Click here to learn more.

Little Shop of Horrors
Thursday-Sunday, April 25-28
Thursday, Friday, Saturday, 7 p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m.
Norcross High School
5300 Spalding Dr., Norcross
norcrosshigh.org, nhs-drama.com, 770-448-3674
Tickets: $10

About the show: A horror comedy rock musical, Little Shop of Horrors centers around a florist shop worker who raises a carnivorous plant that eats humans.

Secure your spot.

Seussical
Thursday-Saturday, May 2-4
Wesleyan School Powell Theatre
5405 Spalding Dr., Peachtree Corners
wesleyanschool.org, 770-448-7640

About the show: The fantastical, magical musical is based on the children’s stories of Dr. Seuss.

Discover more here.

Breaking Legs
May 3-19
Fridays and Saturdays, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, May 18 and Sunday matinees, 2 p.m.
Lionheart Theatre Company
10 College St., Norcross
lionhearttheatre.org, 678-938-8518
Tickets: Adults, $18; students and seniors, $16

About the show: In this madcap comedy, an Italian restaurant is owned by a successful mobster and managed by his beautiful unmarried daughter. When the daughter’s former college professor asks for financial backing for a play he’s written about a murder, the three main Mafiosi are intrigued with the idea of producing a play. The daughter becomes enamored of the playwright who discovers, through the ‘accidental’ death of a lesser thug, that his backers are gangsters.

Find tickets here.

Finding Nemo JR
Friday-Sunday, May 10-12
Greater Atlanta Christian School King’s Gate Theatre
1575 Indian Trail Rd., Norcross
greateratlantachristian.org, 770-243-2000

About the show: The hour-long musical adaptation of the Pixar film features Marlin, a nervous clownfish who lives with his adventurous child, Nemo, in the Great Barrier Reef. When Nemo is carried off to Sydney, Marlin must overcome his fears and travel across the ocean to find him.

Learn more here.

Much Ado About Nothing
Saturday-Sunday, May 11-12
Saturday, 2 and 5 p.m.; Sunday, 3 p.m.
Simpsonwood Park
411 Jones Bridge Circle, Peachtree Corners
crewofpatches.org

About the show: Contemporary Classics Theatre presents Shakespeare’s romantic comedy May 11-26 at Simpsonwood Park in Peachtree Corners, Christ Church Episcopal in Norcross and Autrey Mill Nature Preserve in John’s Creek. Director Susanna Wilson’s version of the play is set in Italy during a 21st century film festival. Love at first sight, jealousy and confusion, an illegitimate sibling, mixed-up lovers, three weddings and a funeral fill this amusing look at love, betrayal and acceptance. Performances will be outside for a “Shakespeare in the Park” experience. Audience members should bring blankets and lawn chairs as no seating is provided. Shows run approximately 100 minutes with no intermission. 

Click here for more information.

Want more event happening in and around Peachtree Corners?

Check out our recent article: 25+ Free Events Happening at Peachtree Corners Library in April and May

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Arts & Literature

Wesleyan Artist Market 2024: Spotlight on Three Artists

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Singing birds, blossoming flowers and warmer days — the delights of spring herald the 26th annual Wesleyan Artist Market (WAM).
Painting by Meagan Brooker

Singing birds, blossoming flowers and warmer days — the delights of spring herald the 26th annual Wesleyan Artist Market (WAM) in Peachtree Corners, a vibrant celebration of art. 

Discerning art enthusiasts head to Wesleyan School, located just north of Atlanta, for a chance to explore paintings, photography, mixed media, ceramics, jewelry and beyond from over 80 professional artists.

Mark your calendars: this year’s market takes place Friday, April 26, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday, April 27, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Stop in and immerse yourself in creativity!

Ashley Skandalakis

Returning to WAM for the second time is an artist who combines colors and textures not on canvas, but in an array of unique and lovely flowering vessels. Ashley Skandalakis, owner of Atlanta Planters, LLC, creates custom designs of planted pots to adorn your home or business and can fit all styles and budgets.

Ashley Skandalakis

Before this southern belle raised in Americus, Ga. started playing in the dirt, she tried several different careers — from interior design to pharmaceuticals, technology to entrepreneurship. Skandalakis took a sprout of an idea and turned it into a blooming, multi-million-dollar business with her Lappers dining trays. Now she’s well on her way to growing Atlanta Planters.

For the past five years, Skandalakis has been making metro Atlanta more beautiful one potted planting at a time. She attributes the company’s growth to her unique style, attention to detail, outstanding customer service and beautiful products.

Start before you’re ready

After quitting her stint in the technology field, Skandalakis was in search of the next sensation that would produce the same rush her tray invention and eight patents gave her. A friend opened a new Buckhead restaurant and Skandalakis offered to replant her waning orchids. The restauranteur, lacking time and funds, agreed.

Self-taught Skandalakis took the vessels home, gathered orchids and supplies, and created striking compositions embellished with interesting stakes, moss and other plants. Dining patrons were so impressed by her eye-catching creations that they requested her business card as she carried them through the restaurant during delivery.

“When you’re passionate about something, you figure it out as you go,” she said. “Every day you wonder, ‘What am I going to learn today?’”

Rental truck road trip

At the suggestion of a painting class comrade, Skandalakis submitted photos of her fanciful florals to the Thomasville Antique Show. Two days later she committed to being a vendor in a show taking place in a week’s time.

“I had to source planters, orchids. I didn’t have a business license. I didn’t have business cards. I didn’t have a credit card processor. I didn’t have anything, but I pulled it all together. I stayed up till 1 o’clock in the morning making 45 orchid compositions. I really didn’t know how to do them, so it took me a long time,” Skandalakis shared.

Turning a $5,000 profit at that show in February of 2020 made her realize she had a new business. When the pandemic shut everything down in March, Skandalakis pivoted to outdoor containers and embraced her budding bailiwick with verve.

Busy beautifying outdoor spaces

Applying for a business license, building a social media presence and advertising led to some scheduled appointments. By May of that year, Skandalakis was fully booked creating seasonal planters for clients.

“Twice a year, I go to clients’ homes and make their planters gorgeous. If they need planters, I source those too. I love working with people to find the best containers for their space,” Skandalakis beamed.

It’s a carefully orchestrated juggling act to get everyone’s plantings done. The season begins on April 15, when frost no longer poses a threat, and runs through the end of June. Winter pots are cleaned out and planted for the spring and summer. In October, the remnants of summer plantings are removed, and containers are replanted for fall and winter.

During the Christmas season, Atlanta Planters decorates fireplace mantles and front porches with handtied greenery, garland, lights and wreaths.

Perfect planters and plants

The quest for unusual urns from across the globe excites the impresario who works with vendors to source the best, whether modern or traditional. Preferred supplier Elegant Earth makes handmade products in Birmingham, Ala. The owner is an Atlanta native who is featured in Veranda magazine this May.

Skandalakis searches online auctions for vintage and antique vessels. She also scours the trade market in High Point, N.C. When associates have shipping containers arriving from abroad, they often give Skandalakis first dibs at their treasures.

Annual trips to Europe further the flowerpot obsession. Her travels usually entail securing planters while endeavoring to piggyback on friends’ cargo containers to get them across the pond.

Several hundred planters can be found at her Marietta store on any given day. Skandalakis intentionally purchased a deep lot to house them all.

A variety of wholesale nurseries around the southeast supply Skandalakis with the highest quality plants. Annuals and perennials usually come from local nurseries. Larger landscaping plants come from all over the region where the heartiest plants intersect with competitive prices.

Continuous growth

Though planters make up the majority of her business, those entrusting Skandalakis with their pots naturally began to ask her for landscaping advice as well. To better assist clients with landscape design, Skandalakis sharpened her skills at Emory University.

“I enjoy landscaping projects. Inspired by some of the world’s best landscape architects, I am constantly learning. It’s important to continue to grow,” she asserted.

A $600 minimum per planting session covers plants, healthy soil, fertilizer, plant toppers and labor. Skandalakis’ green thumb leaves clients happy with their containers.

Clients old and new

Customers who’ve been with Atlanta Planters for a while trust the gardener’s judgment. They’re happy to allow her artistic liberty. Skandalakis knows her clients’ favorite colors and which locations require shade or sun plants.

New clients are asked to provide pictures of their home, yard and planters. She believes the outside of the home should be an extension of the inside in terms of style — whether it’s modern, traditional or transitional.

Next, Skandalakis inquires about her clients’ sun/shade situation, access to irrigation, whether they have pets and if deer are an issue.

Floral designs to suit your lifestyle

Are you a good plant parent? Skandalakis can plant superb succulents for those who may habitually “forget” to water their containers. A building’s architecture and the client’s taste also can dictate what types of plants and containers are used.

Boxwoods in planters that tell a story look best on traditional properties. Grasses in sleek metal or concrete white pots are typical of modern estates.

Bright and happy

Every day brings joy; clients are happy to see her arrive and enamored with their containers when she leaves. Skandalakis once daydreamed about people who loved their job; now she professes to be one of them.

“When you enjoy what you do, it’s not a job at all,” she smiled.

The same look of satisfaction spreads across her face when she speaks about having shown her children that we’re capable of anything we put our minds to, without limitations.

WAM

Last year Skandalakis was blown away by the phenomenal show where she made new acquaintances and gained clients. Her large planters adorned the Wesleyan campus outside as well as the gym. The show takes place during her busy planting season, so Skandalakis and her team worked on weekends to prepare.

Expect to find a variety of planter sizes and types in her booth — some planted — in addition to orchids, other plants, indoor compositions and appealing merchandise from her shop. Last year she brought cowhide chairs from a Texas auction.

Book Atlanta Planters

An enterprising lady behind two successful businesses, Skandalakis enjoys sharing her inspirational story with women’s groups.

Listen to her friendly Southern drawl as she introduces loads of products and her latest “Five Favorite Things” on Instagram @atlantaplanters.

To learn more about Atlanta Planters or to obtain a quote, visit atlantaplanters.net or call 706-289-5736.

Stop by the Marietta flower shop for swoon-worthy, seasonal merchandise at 324 N. Fairground St. and find beautiful indoor plant compositions, orchids, gifts and an eclectic selection of indoor and outdoor planters. Skandalakis and her team can “plant them up” for you on site.

Elaine Jackson

In the quaint setting of Madison, Ga., Elaine Jackson finds her muse. The quiet town allows for easy access to the mountains where she often escapes to stock stores like Dogwoods with her paintings.

Highlands, N.C. is like a second home for Jackson. She and her husband have been visiting there since before they were married; the town hasn’t changed much since then.

A self-taught floral and landscape painter, Jackson started her journey into creativity with an art class in her teen years. It wasn’t until much later that she fully embraced her passion for painting.

Born and raised in Macon, Ga., Jackson’s artistic journey took shape gradually. After obtaining a degree in advertising, she found herself working in a bustling Buckhead PR firm where she met her husband. 

Upon starting a family, Jackson put her artistic pursuits on hold to focus on motherhood. Today, from her converted carriage house garage studio, she creates captivating works of art.

Discovering the artist within

Once her daughters were grown, Jackson found the time to delve into her passion for painting. She began honing her skills, initially starting with watercolors and eventually transitioning into acrylics; she now uses both mediums.

Over the past twelve years, Jackson has dedicated herself to her art full-time, tirelessly perfecting her métier through trial and error, self-exploration and occasional workshops.

Capturing Southern tranquility

Inspiration for Jackson’s artwork comes from various sources, whether it’s a place she’s visited, the picturesque landscapes of her surroundings, art galleries, design studios or even from pieces requested by clients.

Jackson finds comfort in exploring the scenic vistas where she’s lived and drawing from the unique beauty of each location. Her paintings are infused with personal significance.

“Many of the landscapes are reflective of where I’ve lived or visit often in the South which have special meaning to me. The coastal scenes reflect the Georgia/South Carolina coast or the Gulf in the Santa Rosa Beach area. The countryside pieces and pathways are inspired from when I lived in Franklin, Tenn. or visited North Carolina,” she said.

The painter’s preferred subject matter often revolves around hydrangeas. Her floral paintings exude a sense of serenity and harmony, drawing viewers into a world of lush foliage and vibrant colors.

The space between realism and abstract art

What sets Jackson’s work apart is her distinctive style which she describes as abstract impressionism — a delicate balance between realism and abstraction. Through loose brushstrokes, palette knife sgraffitos and a harmonious blend of colors, she captures nature in a way that resonates with viewers, inducing feelings of tranquility. 

“It’s not abstract to the point where you can’t recognize what you’re looking at. I want people to still identify with it, but it’s looser than a realistic painting. It’s like a transitional in between,” Jackson explained.

Embracing blue-green

Her signature blue-green palette, inspired by her love for the color green, has become synonymous with her artwork, sought after by collectors and interior designers alike.

It’s helpful that it’s a popular color scheme in decorating. Working with several interior designers, Jackson stays abreast of trends. People moving to Lake Oconee often commission work from the artist. Her shades of green and blue are ideal for lake houses. 

“I’m trying to work myself into other hues. I have to keep those colors off my palette, or I’ll gravitate back to them,” Jackson said. She plans to explore different colors in new paintings and collect customer feedback received by the shops carrying her work.

Super-size

Jackson paints large canvases (48”x48”) as requested by designers. Though she was once “scared to death” of them, the large-scale pieces allow her to immerse herself in the creative process, granting her the freedom to express herself with fluidity and spontaneity.

She often incorporates texture into her paintings using palette knives, sponges and even unconventional tools like sticks from the yard, adding depth and dimension to her compositions.

A growing presence

Despite the demands of maintaining inventory for shows, her website, multiple galleries and interior design shops across Georgia, Tennessee and the Carolinas, as well as fulfilling commissions, Jackson remains dedicated to her craft. Her work ethic and perseverance have paid off, earning her recognition and admiration from art buffs and collectors.

Initially, it was challenging to get her artwork into stores. However, Jackson’s influence has grown in step with her social media presence. She’s paid her dues and today shops pursue her. 

The artist is thankful to have built up her business. “I’m slowly trying to spread myself across the country,” Jackson revealed. 

Although her daughters encourage her to take time off, Jackson finds it difficult. She’s in business for herself and feels the studio, just two doors away from the kitchen, calling.

A steady base of realtors keeps Jackson painting watercolor home portraits that they gift to their clients. They’re popular at Christmas, too. 

As Jackson’s artistry continues to evolve, she remains grateful for the opportunity to share her passion with the world. With each painting she invites viewers to immerse themselves in the beauty of nature for a moment of respite from the chaos of everyday life.

Framing the narrative 

The cost of framing large pieces is so prohibitive, Jackson paints the edges of gallery-wrapped canvases so they don’t require a frame. This leaves framing up to clients; some like gold, others want silver or wood. Many prefer to keep the paintings frameless. 

Jackson does frame some of her smaller pieces (24”x24”, or 16”x20”). Usually, she uses modern floater frames. They’re not too expensive and they elevate the presentation of the work.

Her watercolor pieces are normally framed, but the artist also keeps some in a folder. People can purchase them loose and select frames to fit both their space and aesthetic. 

Everything old is new again

Recently, Jackson has been exploring antique stores in search of old frames. There’s a treasure trove to be found with intricate designs and aged beauty. The artist has identified a growing appreciation for blending vintage elements with contemporary decor. She loves the thrill of the hunt!

Jackson repurposes the frames for special paintings that she thinks are fitting. Their ornate, almost gothic appearance reminiscent of a bygone era finds renewed admiration.

Other than applying a subtle wash to tone down excessively dark gold hues, the artist prefers to leave the frames untouched, allowing their original splendor to shine through. This endeavor has proven fruitful; her ornately framed pieces quickly find appreciative homes.

WAM

Preparing for art shows requires careful consideration. Jackson strives to offer a diverse selection of paintings in various sizes, styles and price points from $150 to $4,500, catering to the preferences of different patrons.

A mix of florals and landscapes — from small, intimate pieces to large, statement-making canvases — ensures there’s something for everyone.

The painter suggested a series of framed landscape paintings 20”x by 20” as a good idea for shows. Each one works as a standalone piece or can be configured in groupings. Instead of having to purchase one huge piece, people might get a few smaller ones to fit a space.

Jackson has been exhibiting at WAM since 2015, gaining a number of followers in the area. She appreciates the indoor luxuries and looks forward to client interactions.

“It has consistently been a good, well-attended show each year,” she said.

Find Jackson’s work

Those seeking to experience Jackson’s talent firsthand can find her work in galleries and design studios across the South. To inquire about purchasing a painting or commissioning a custom piece, visit her website at ejacksonart.com or follow her on Instagram @ejcolors.

Jackson’s artistic journey is a testament to the transformative power of creativity and the profound connection between artist and audience. Through her paintings, she invites us to pause and find solace in the timeless beauty of nature.

Purchase Jackson’s work in Georgia

  • WebbMarsteller in Peachtree Hills, Atlanta
  • Sunshine Village Art Gallery in Watkinsville
  • Dogwoods Home in Clayton
  • Ocmulgee Arts in Macon
  • Julep Gallery on St. Simons Island
  • Zeb Grant Design Home in Madison

Meagan Brooker

In her childhood days in Fort Oglethorpe, Ga., Meagan Brooker longed to paint the sky and clouds on her bedroom ceiling. Her earliest memories include a yearning to express her creativity.

The little girl who once begged her mother for art supplies and classes was first encouraged to pursue her passion and develop her skills by a high school art teacher.

“I was doing a Georgia O’Keeffe replica in oil pastels. She walked up behind me and said, “Whoa, you’re really talented!” You always remember those who encourage you to do what you love,” Brooker stated. 

Despite an early penchant for photography, Brooker’s family encouraged her to pursue pre-med studies at the University of Georgia. “Use your brain,” they told her. “You’re smart, make some money.”

But Brooker realized she didn’t want to study science for four years, much less practice medicine for the rest of her life. It simply didn’t interest her. Conversely, shifting to art second semester caused her to flourish, feel divinely inspired and never look back. 

Nurturing creativity

While her mom was supportive, her dad would’ve likely continued to endorse a medical school path had he not passed away when she was in secondary school. She majored in Art Education at the University of Georgia.

Brooker transitioned to Wesleyan School after teaching elementary art in Gwinnett County for two years and participating in a year-long mission trip to Kentucky. During her second year at Wesleyan, she began working towards a Master of Studio Art degree at New York University.

Brooker has been a freelance artist for decades. She currently resides in Duluth. She’s been teaching high school art and witnessing the growth of Wesleyan’s visual arts program for 17 years.

From photography and ceramics to drawing and painting, Brooker loves working with and teaching about all types of art. Painting with a plenitude of textures and washes of color is her favorite.

Art teacher by day, artist by night

Once her young sons have gone to bed, Brooker can be found painting in her home studio surrounded by her work, an easel, tables and storage shelves.

The industrious working mom laments a lack of time. She craves longer stints in the studio to develop more robust work, both conceptually and physically.

For Brooker, painting is meditative self-care. It takes her away from the tasks of her daily life, fulfilling a need for self-expression and recreating the world around her. She derives satisfaction from depicting on canvas what she’s experienced while traveling.

Imagination takes flight

Brooker’s fascination with winged creatures began with seeing Raphael’s cupids when she was young. Later, she became enamored with birds on a wire and recently, she’s been painting birds and butterflies in flight. To the artist, they represent hope and resilience.

Her work is a pictorial ode to her father’s passing with spiritual undertones. Brooker finds flying animals and insects enchanting because they’re harbingers of something bigger than us. The artist believes there is more to this world than what we know and see. 

Little loves 

Wishing to spread beauty, calm and joy in the universe, Brooker creates artwork that reflects her personal experiences, wishes and dreams.

“When clients are moved by the same sentiment, it is a beautiful, spiritual connection,” she said. 

The artist calls her 3”x3” and 6”x6” canvases “Little Loves.” Inspiration for these fast-selling pieces stems from a sentiment, quote or Bible verse featured on them. 

Reflecting on the chosen words inspires the colors, textures and patterns the artist uses to represent them. Seeing clients emotionally drawn to her work warms Brooker’s heart. It tickles her to know that some pray and meditate with her tiny paintings before them on mini easels.

Brooker’s art 

Brooker produces whimsical, textured and painterly acrylics on canvas ranging in size from 8”x8” to 46”x60”. Most of her canvases are 20”x30”. She works primarily with thicker acrylic paints, spellbound by the effects of experimenting with washes to create layers of unpredictable textures. 

Palette knives are her tools of choice when creating texture with thick body Liquitex acrylic and Golden high flow acrylics. Intrigued by the unexpected, Brooker described her process.

“I cover every canvas with a layer of acrylic washes [water dotted with different colors of acrylic that bleed like watercolor and create a textural background] and however they land, color and texture-wise, I build from that as I’m inspired. I love that you don’t really know how it’s going to turn out at first,” she explained.

Robin’s egg blue, Payne’s gray (a dark blue-grey), golds, teals and some neutrals dominate Brooker’s palette. She’s drawn to abstraction because it’s harder than it looks, she said.

“Travel far enough, you meet yourself.” – David Mitchell

Traveling inspires Brooker’s landscapes. Working from pictures taken on her trips, she paints sceneries that captivated her, aiming to replicate their loveliness and the emotions she felt there.

“Italy is my heart,” she said, recalling her Cinque Terre series. She also painted an Ecuador series, enthralled by its mountains and verdant hills.

Wesleyan Artist Market

As an art teacher, Assistant Director of Fine Arts, Head of Visual Arts and a veteran exhibitor, Brooker has an insider’s perspective on the market. She sees how it comes together full circle.

She witnesses parents volunteering to put on this hugely successful event, giving generously of their time to the school. In turn, the faculty has more funds to better support students.

“It’s a beautiful testament to how much they care about the school and our mission. I’m very thankful,” she said. 

Find Brooker’s paintings

Through her dedication to art education and her unwavering commitment to her craft, Brooker inspires others to embrace their creativity. 

To view and purchase Brooker’s work, find her on Instagram @meaganbrookerfineart.

Learn more about Meagan Brooker in this episode of the Peachtree Corners Life podcast.

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Arts & Literature

Wesleyan Artist Market 2024: Meagan Brooker

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The Wesleyan Artist Market takes place in Peachtree Corners on April 26-27, 2024

Listeners are taken on a journey into the colorful art world through the eyes of high school art teacher Meagan Brooker. With 17 years of experience at Wesleyan School in Peachtree Corners, Brooker shares her passion for creativity, sharing how art has become a form of therapy and a source of inspiration in her life. From discussing her artistic process and inspiration to highlighting the importance of art for mental well-being, Brooker’s infectious enthusiasm for art will captivate and inspire listeners of all backgrounds. Brooker’s art will be displayed at the Wesleyan Artist Market 2024, April 26-27.

Tune in to discover the transformative power of creativity and art in this enlightening and uplifting Peachtree Corners Life Podcast episode.

Timestamp:

00:00:00 – Introduction of Artist Meagan Brooker
00:01:32 – Teaching Art at Wesleyan School
00:04:00 – From Science to Art: Following My Creative Passion
00:08:42 – Balancing Creativity and Exhaustion
00:10:18 – Painting as Meditation and Process
00:13:53 – Tuscany Landscapes to Inspire Artists
00:17:29 – Finding Inspiration in the Unexpected
00:20:32 – The Healing Power of Art in Challenging Times
00:23:16 – The Pros and Cons of Social Media for Artists
00:25:49 – Embracing Digital Art Tools and AI in the Creative Process
00:29:08 – Exploring AI’s Role in the Creative Process
00:31:23 – Closing

Podcast Transcript

Rico Figliolini 0:00:00

Hi, everyone. This is Rico Figliolini, host of Peachtree Corners Life. This year, this month, today we’re doing an interview with an artist that’s going to be at the Wesleyan Artist Market, Meagan Brooker. So let’s say hi to Meagan. Hey, Meagan.

Meagan Brooker 0:00:13

Hello.

Rico Figliolini 0:00:14

Thanks for being with us. Appreciate it. Thank you for being with us. Before we actually get into all of this, I just want to say thank you to our sponsor, EV Remodeling, Inc. They do a great job when it comes to remodeling, design and build, start from scratch up. Eli, him and his family live here in Peachtree Corners, does a great job. Lots of people know them. Anything from your bathrooms and kitchens to your whole house almost. So check them out at evremodelinginc.com. We appreciate the support of these podcasts. So now let’s get right into it because we’ve done this, I just did this interview a little while, a few weeks ago with two student artists that are going to be featured at Wesleyan Artist Market. Their stream is actually going to happen Wednesday. For Meagan and I to know you all that are listening won’t know which Wednesday that is, but it’s going to be on a Wednesday. Actually, before we go to press with the next issue of Peachtree Corners Life magazine, which has three profiles, including Meagan, of the Wesleyan artists, three of the artists that are going to be there. So this is a compliment to that. We’re going to be talking a bit about art and what inspires Meagan. So let’s get right into it. Meagan, why don’t you tell us a little bit about yourself and maybe how you started at Wesleyan.

Meagan Brooker 0:01:36

Yeah. So I teach at Wesleyan school. I teach high school art. I teach all levels of AP photography, and I’ve been there for 17 years, which makes me feel very old.

Rico Figliolini 0:01:51

You’re not, though. You look fine.

Meagan Brooker 0:01:54

Thank you. So I went to the University of Georgia and went after getting my degree in undergrad of art education. I taught elementary art in Gwinnett county for two years. And then I did missions work for a year, actually, and was looking for a high school job because I thought the idea of the challenge of high school would be really interesting. And, yeah, I just love my job and I love Wesleyan. And I’m very grateful to be there because obviously I’ve been there for 17 years.

Rico Figliolini 0:02:29

Yes, it’s a great school. Wesleyan school is in the city of Peachtree Corners, and they do a fantastic job and they’re growing. I mean, they’re in the middle of actually a building project right now for their STEM building. So lots going on at Wesleyan. This is just one facet of what they do. So you’ve been there 17 years and you’re teaching high school students, I believe the high school, the upper level class. Upper school, yes. In particular, what are you teaching at this point? What subject or mediums are you working in?

Meagan Brooker 0:03:01

So currently I’m teaching all levels of 2d art. So drawing, painting, mixed media, anything that’s 2d from foundations all the way up to AP, the AP level, which is kind of college credit courses. And that includes AP photography. Previously I taught photography and way back in the day I used to teach 3d as well. But I love now that I get to specialize in two d. And then we have amazing teachers who teach focus on photography and focus on 3d. So we have a great team.

Rico Figliolini 0:03:33

Excellent. Cool. Let me ask you something, because as we grow up, as we’re young and we’re getting into school and we’re in elementary and middle school, we start discovering ourselves a little bit, right? We start discovering what we like, what we don’t like and stuff. Of course, people around us, including parents, may sometimes tell us what we should like and we shouldn’t like or what we should become. I know that you inspired early on to be an artist, to go down that route. Well, maybe not to be an artist, but to go down the route of the arts versus the science. So tell us, what inspired you? At which point did you decide you wanted to be creative versus being, let’s say, a doctor or something?

Meagan Brooker 0:04:17

Yeah. Well, that’s interesting, actually. I tell all my students, like, follow your innate gut and what fulfills you and stirs you up and makes you want to do more. I, from a very young age, was always wanting to paint, create, take classes, paint my ceiling in my bedroom, even though my mom wouldn’t let me paint furniture. I was always wanting to create or create my own space or do something creative. I had a very fast working creative brain and I came from a small county up in north Georgia, and there weren’t many opportunities in the arts. So in high school I had a great art teacher who was the first one who looked at my work and said, you know, you’re really talented. And I was, you know, so I got that encouragement and that fed in, which made me want to work harder. It made me want to do more and try more and get better. So I actually went to college and started in premed because I had good grades and was smart and my family was like, you, listen, go make some money. Don’t become a teacher.

Rico Figliolini 0:05:27

Not good money there.

Meagan Brooker 0:05:30

So I started off in premed and I just was bored to tears. And it was not life giving anyway. So I decided to switch to art and have never looked back ever since then. My family sometimes wishes I might have, but they see how life giving it is for me now and how innate it is and how much I’m able to do with the creativity. So it’s come around.

Rico Figliolini 0:05:56

So you’ve never really looked back and said, maybe I should put my brushes away and do something else.

Meagan Brooker 0:06:02

No, it’s too natural. I have too much of the creative and too much to put out there to stop. I’m not really that great at anything else either. Have too much fun with it to stop now.

Rico Figliolini 0:06:18

Right? Okay. And I can appreciate that. My parents wanted me to be an accountant, hated numbers, could never do that. And just not for me. My brain didn’t work on that side for that. But teaching art, this is one of the things I learned from my youngest, right? He says to me, I asked him, I said, what do you want to be? He says, I’d love to be a writer. I want to write. I want to write novels and stuff. So he’s creative, but he doesn’t want a job, that he has to write a lot during the day, because then all his creativity is gone by the end of the day. So how do you work that? How do you balance. It’s a life balance, right? Work life. How do you balance that creativity with the work that you do all day long with other kids? How do you do that?

Meagan Brooker 0:07:05

Honestly, that is probably the toughest part of my job. And I have two young boys, so that to complicate the.

Rico Figliolini 0:07:14

How old resources.

Meagan Brooker 0:07:18

One’S twelve, he’s in fifth grade and one is eight. And they go to Wesleyan with me, which is also a huge blessing. When I started off in art education and I got into the courses and started doing the practicum teaching, I loved being able to impart the knowledge of creativity and the natural working of all of the brain work that working with your hands does in every way. And it’s not about teaching methodology to me, as much as it is like pulling out this natural creativity. And I was always fascinated with art therapy. I considered studying that, but I think art is very much a natural therapy. And there’s so many studies about how when we’re working with our hands, how our brains calm down, they can think better. They’re clearly so. Even just a 30 minutes break in the middle of the day or an hour break to work with your hands and not have to just use a different part of your brain is so good for anybody. You think about how it works with four year olds. It’s the same with 80 year olds. Being able to use my creativity during the day, it is exhausting because I feel like being asked 20 questions every five minutes. I do come home depleted, but at night, when the boys go down, when I can, I will go down and just let it all out on canvas. I will say, currently, my work is not the most conceptual. It’s more reactive, but it’s kind of more guttural and things that I. It’s emotional in a way of things that I’m reacting to in my current life. And I feel like most artists do that. It’s like where you are, your work is breathing out of where you are.

Rico Figliolini 0:09:17

I think that makes sense, right? Because inspiration is in the moment when you’re doing these things. It’s not like most artists plan these things out. Sometimes you may have in your head, but you’re working in the medium you’re working in. It could appear different, and you’re trying to rough it and do different piece from it. When you are like that, when you have to be in your space, if you will. I know writers, for example, will write with the door closed, if you will, and they know that pages and chapters will go away at some point because they’re just getting into that space. Do you find yourself doing that with art? How’s the process? Do you sketch first and then go to the medium that you choose for it in the paper or the surface that you want to put it on? How do you do that part?

Meagan Brooker 0:10:04

That’s a really good question. I love sketching and planning in my current stage, just don’t have that much time. So I tend to work out my process as part of the process and build up my layers and build it up until it’s a complete being. So the art is very much a process as opposed to being a super planned, which is my personality, more free spirited by nature. And so sometimes I will write verses or quotes or things that are on my mind kind of in the canvas as I’m going as a meditation. And then I’ll build the color, texture, and design up as part of that meditation of whatever is on my heart at the time. And the art will kind of come out of that longing or prayer or moment that I’m having there. I do small ones that are, I call them little loves, but they’re all based off of an attribute or a thought, like prayer, contentment, love. That they’re kind of prayed over in a way.

Rico Figliolini 0:11:21

I know there’s one behind you, but I put one of your pieces on the feed right now. Tell us a little bit about that one.

Meagan Brooker 0:11:29

This one. If I had a gallery show, which I hope to one day, I would call it something like an affinity for winged things. I’ve always had loved angels. I love birds, butterflies. There’s something about them that represents such hope and freedom. And so the past few years, I’ve done quite a few butterflies. And so the one on the screen here, I love the color tone in it, but I recently started adding in kind of a duo tone background with the gold and white. That almost represents a duality of. It. Kind of brings in a contrast of emotion, if you will.

Rico Figliolini 0:12:11

I see two different color spaces. A border, ragged border. Same way with. I see this. Right. This is another piece that you’ve done. Same type of ridging, same type of look. Duality. Two different worlds, two places. What were you doing here in this one?

Meagan Brooker 0:12:33

Yeah. Similar to this one here behind me. I feel like there’s always a tension in our humanity of light and dark. Right. There’s a tension we’re pulled between right and wrong, light and dark, hope and failure, or anything that could pull us down easily if we don’t pull toward the light. So when combining these hopeful creatures like birds and butterflies, with that tension, to me, it’s this representative of choosing the hope, choosing freedom, choosing to do what you can do, to move yourself to a higher purpose and to truth and to light and to all the things that God offers us in this life. So it’s just kind of representing like, yes, sometimes life’s really hard, but there is hope.

Rico Figliolini 0:13:29

Let’s go to something a little different that you shared with us. This one, it’s a bit different than the other two. Can you tell us a little bit about this one?

Meagan Brooker 0:13:39

Yeah. This one was inspired by, actually, Tuscany and the green hills of Tuscany. I love traveling. I love Italy, especially has my heart. I’m actually taking a group of the high schoolers to France this summer, and I’ve not been this part of France, so I’m excited about that. But I often will recreate images or know certain landscapes of pictures that I take when I’m traveling. Not all overseas, some here, and recreate them. And so this is kind of representing, loosely, the villas that you’ll see dotted all over the hillscape. The landscape of. And Tuscany is dotted with farmland everywhere. And these are just hilly wineries and orchards.

Rico Figliolini 0:14:29

So this was done in acrylic? Correct. And you chose that over. Do you work mostly in acrylic now, or do you work in.

Meagan Brooker 0:14:38

I love oil, love watercolor. I love mixed media. For artist market, I choose to do acrylic in the same vein. And I hope that you don’t hear this as an excuse is more. It’s just a stage of life where it’s quicker. The acrylic, I’m able to move quickly and work quicker and layer in it and get the effect, because I don’t necessarily have time to sit and make 30 oils in this stage of life. So acrylic offers me the ability to work a little quicker in it.

Rico Figliolini 0:15:10

Okay. And this particular piece, I mean, they’re all relatively big pieces too, right? Like 30 x 30 or something along those lines.

Meagan Brooker 0:15:17

That one’s huge. That one is, I believe it was 40 x 60. It’s about the size of this one behind me. And a friend bought it for their piano room in their house. So it looks really good on that big wall.

Rico Figliolini 0:15:29

Nice. When people do buy your stuff, do you recommend certain framings for your pictures, or you let them do their own thing?

Meagan Brooker 0:15:37

Usually they have something in mind that fits their aesthetic, but I love float. Personally, I think float frames look so good.

Rico Figliolini 0:15:46

So when people buy your paintings like this, I’ve asked this of other artists, how do you feel about it? You’ve done it. It’s not like it’s the 30th piece that you’ve done of the same exact thing. So you’ve spent your time doing it, and it’s leaving you. It’s almost like a baby. It’s going away. It’s going to be in someone’s house. How do you feel about that?

Meagan Brooker 0:16:09

This new series with the duality are some of my favorite new ones. And to see one of my favorite parts of doing work for clients, when people are choosing work, like at artist markets as opposed to galleries or collected and stuff like that, is seeing people’s reaction to it and why they choose it. That is such a precious moment, because I think every artist, or most artists at least, pour so much of themselves into it. And to your point, some of them have trouble letting go of it because they become precious. But when they stop in their tracks and have a visceral moment of like, oh, my mom just died, and she loves birds, and that’s her favorite color, and they’ll just start, my goodness, there are tactile things that they will hold on to that become meaning to them, that may not be the eye assigned to it, but it doesn’t matter. That’s what the beauty of art is. The expression of the color, the movement, the feeling, and the hope that people will hold on to.

Rico Figliolini 0:17:16

Wow. Yeah. I can’t imagine that feeling. I’m not an artist, so I can’t imagine that. I’m a graphic designer, but not an artist, so I don’t know how that feels. I do know how it feels to put together a magazine and send it to the printer and then have it come back in a palette of, like, 10,000 copies or something. I don’t know how that feels.

Meagan Brooker 0:17:39

That’s a relief, is what that’s called.

Rico Figliolini 0:17:42

Yes. In fact, I have two deadlines this week, so it’s going to be a relief when this week is done. Yeah, it’s just one of those crazy weeks, actually. So we talked about keeping fresh and continuing to evolve. Well, actually, we didn’t talk about evolving as an artist. You touched upon it a little bit. But how do you do travel? You do find, like you said, Tuscany was a great, beautiful landscape to be inspired by. You can’t go wrong with Tuscany. Right? Do you find inspirations in some of the simpler things in life or places that you didn’t even think inspiration would come from, or moments? Does any of that happen sometimes?

Meagan Brooker 0:18:23

Yeah. Sometimes I think back to COVID, and we were so limited, and I’m a mover and a shaker. I don’t sit still well to a fault. And so having to sit still kind of shook me. But I found myself grabbing my camera and going out in the beautiful spring light and catching these abstracted flowers that were blooming across the street and the way that the light hit them or life, noticing trees in our yard that were blooming. And I hadn’t noticed how beautiful they were at the time. Things that I hadn’t stopped long enough to appreciate. And, of course, the beauty of my children and their just innocence at their ages. And so just taking time to stop that makes me want to highlight the beauty of life as opposed to the hardship. Because anytime we can have a moment, and if my art is a moment to stop and be like, okay, let me just take a beat and find some hope and find a little moment of truth and hope in our day.

Rico Figliolini 0:19:33

Okay. COVID was an interesting period. Right? It was a bad time for many families, but it was also, in some ways, a good moment in time because things stopped. We were forced to stop what we were doing. So it was so bad at one point that if you remember the supply chain issues, ships stopped delivering, and in fact, the sea woke up more. The creatures in the sea, the whales, things were happening, air was a little cleaner. It was just different time. Right. So I can see that quiet. But you’re basically forced into doing things that we weren’t. We were forced to stop doing what we’re doing. The inspiration, I guess, can be found in many places. You’re teaching lots of kids through the years, 17 years of teaching at Wesleyan. I’m sure there’s been talented, very talented kids across that time frame. Is there any story, inspirational time, particular student or group of students or class that you felt was a moment that you want to remember? Maybe that inspired you, maybe that inspired other kids. Maybe there was something going on at that moment, or maybe even creativity out of students that you didn’t think would be creative because maybe art wasn’t their thing.

Meagan Brooker 0:20:54

Well, for one thing, that just because we came out of the conversation of just talking about COVID is how important art was to the ones who had it during that time. Teaching hybrid was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. And when we were, like, on camera and trying to teach art from home and all of that. But I have multiple stories of students who. Art was their lifeline at the time, because whether home was not safe for them or whether they just needed to be out and be social or whatever it was, art was their way of their identity, of finding some way of expression that pulled them out of the anxiety, the mire, the scariness, the loneliness of the time, and a way to express themselves and kind of think outside of themselves. When you’re so glued to your phone or your computer trying to do a thing, art pulled them back out. So that was a beautiful thing and a testament to the purpose, I think, of our dedication, and I think what comes to mind, and I’ll shout out to my current AP art class, who are just, they’re so much fun, and we’re actually having our art show next week, so I’m excited about that. And they’re so creative. But I think that in this culture of, again, what we’re seeing post COVID is a lot more anxiety, a lot more pressure, a lot more peer pressure. The social media is out of control, and culture has a lot of expectations. And I think that what is beautiful is seeing the kids respond to these pressures through their art and subverting them with truth and with showing their own personality and identity in a way that they wouldn’t in social media. So their own personality and their truth is coming out. So they’re becoming more confident through their expression of art in a way that they wouldn’t without it. Right. So it’s like, oh, I am good at something.

Rico Figliolini 0:23:01

Right? No, I get where you’re going. You’re right. I could see that. But I can also see social media is good and bad. Right? Instagram, TikTok. I mean, there’s different various levels. If you allow yourself to scroll for 30 minutes, you’re losing a bit of your life. Maybe. But there are artists out there that actually share online also, and they use that medium to be able to share their art, whether it’s ceramics they’re doing or whether it’s actually watching them create something in the moment. Yeah, because that’s TikTok. I mean, does that. Right. Instagram, to a lesser degree, I think. But you could be watching an artist, a street artist, or just an artist in a studio painting, sketching the whole process for an hour or two, which is kind of interesting, right? Because you get to see the creative process. Most people don’t see that. They see the finished piece. They don’t know what Meagan Brooker to make that piece or what. Brie Hill, who was one of the students I interviewed, what it took her to make a painting and what she invested in that painting. Or Esther Cooper, who’s the other student I interviewed who does creative pastries. Right. That’s a whole different long. There’s no longevity to that. It expires at some point, you either eat it or it goes bad, but in the moment, it’s a good looking piece, maybe. Right. Talking about 3d art. More than that. Right. The scent of it and stuff. So I could see how social media can be helpful in some ways with some students.

Meagan Brooker 0:24:33

Yeah. I think with social media, we have so much at our fingertips now we can appreciate art in a whole new way, because, like you said, you can see the process. You can understand it more, but it also makes you want to try more. And there’s always going to be cynics. There are going to be people who will try to poke a hole in it. But I think we will be students until we die. I think that’s part of the creative part of teaching. Like, we always have more to learn. And so that’s what’s so fun about social media, is being able to go on and try something new or to see new work, because we’re to be inspired by something outside of us which broadens our perspective and opens our worldview a little bit.

Rico Figliolini 0:25:22

Yeah. Now, just to stick with technology a little bit, because there are students that use Photoshop, procreate, other digital products and software where you can create online in layers, brushes. We create your own brush palette, if you will. Do you delve into any of that? Do you see students using that as part of the process of what they’re doing? Are they using it even to pre plan a physical, tactile piece of art? What’s the final piece?

Meagan Brooker 0:25:59

It’s such a big question right now in the art world, and my co worker Drew Phillips has actually done a lot of research and given some talks on this. I currently do not teach any AI in what I am teaching, but I see the value of. Well, also I will say there’s inherent AI almost in everything now, like in my AP photography, and know there’s always the option of generative fill. But AP doesn’t allow any type of AI, but I think the use of it for know. So speaking of Rehill, she’s one of my students. She’s amazing. She just did with a girl being lifted up by doves with a sheet and ropes. That’s hard to take a picture of. She just finished it yesterday and it’s stunning. So maybe we can do a recap and show the finished piece. Not yesterday, today, but it’s hard to take a reference picture for that, to get her full concept in there. And we made it happen. But you could put that kind of prompt into AI and have it kind of create a reference for you, but then you are drawing it. So there’s a lot of debate about that and the crossover of what’s allowed. And, but, and there’s a lot of people who think that AI is going to take over a lot of jobs. But I’ll tell you, and this is coming from conversations with people who are working with Microsoft, AI creatives will never be out of a job because AI needs creatives to be able to create the prompts to do the job. And so the people who can think outside of the box and creatives, there will always be a place for us.

Rico Figliolini 0:27:45

Yeah, there’s so many forms of AI too, right? There’s language based, generative, there’s very various levels of AI. So you’re right though, because you need to be able to, I’ve played in it a little bit as far as writing and stuff like that, and even dolly and some of the visual elements and even a different form of sora, which is more video based. Right. And it’s not everything that people make it out to be. It takes the process of doing it almost, like you said, in some ways you have to be an artist to be able to pull out from that anything artistic that makes sense. Yeah. So it’s not as easy as people think. I get that question sometimes. Can’t you just do this in Photoshop? AI is in there. It’s like, no, you can’t just do that. You have to really think about what you’re doing here. It’s never going to look like what know, you could go into AI and you could go chat GPT and Dolly and tell it what you want and say, good, close, you got to where I need it. Add this and this, but don’t remove that and it’ll give you something completely different. So I know the prompts might be a little, you have to work the prompts the right way and stuff, but yeah, AI is a good tool to derive inspiration from. I think I agree with you there. You’re going to need creative people still, but I’m sure that’s still within the next five years that probably will be part of being taught in the creative process. Right. How to use AI as an intern or apprentice, if you will, for yourself in some ways. So you’re going to be at the wesleyan artist market. You’re going to be showcasing some of your work. I’m assuming some of the work that I showed, that we showed may be there. What type of work will you be actually showing at the show?

Meagan Brooker 0:29:33

Yeah, I’m doing some more of the, like what we were talking about with the dual duality and kind of playing around with that more, trying out some new subjects and content, but mostly that. But I want to try out some landscapes and build in some more looser sunset sunrises along with the birds and butterflies and see what I can turn out there.

Rico Figliolini 0:29:59

Cool. Anything you want to share with us that we haven’t touched base, I really.

Meagan Brooker 0:30:06

If you haven’t been out to the artist market, I highly recommend it. Okay, again, I’ve been at Wesleyan for 17 years, and I’ve been displaying at the artist market for 17 years. And believe me, I’ve grown a lot. I would be embarrassed to show you what I sold the first few years. I think my first year was actually, I taught ceramics, and so I did some ceramics, but I’ve grown a lot. But the funds of the market come back to the students. So it funds the fine arts and so the marching band, the visual arts, the theater, and so it comes back to the students there at Wesleyan. But beyond that, it is such a high level event put on by volunteers from the school, which is almost hard to believe because it’s such a professional looking event and it’s indoors. It’s one of my favorite things that we do throughout the year and I’m so grateful for those who put it on. So come out to see us. It’s a really fun event for the family.

Rico Figliolini 0:31:10

It’s going to be April 26 through the 27th, so that Friday, Saturday, and if you want to find out about it, it’s Wesleyan artist market. Just google that and I’ll show right up. Do you want to leave a last maybe word for any aspiring artists or educators? Anything you want to leave advice for them before we end the show?

Meagan Brooker 0:31:32

Yeah, I think if you feel like the need to create, whether that be writing, singing, writing out songs, it doesn’t matter if you’re good at it. The act of creating is fulfilling and there’s a reason that you are stirred to do it. And I think personally, I think that’s God working in you to bring you to a higher light and a higher purpose. And so just do your thing. It doesn’t matter what everybody else thinks, as long as it’s for you and for him or for whoever else you want to see it. Just let your light shine.

Rico Figliolini 0:32:03

Cool. We’ve been talking to Meagan Brooker. She’s a 17 year veteran teacher at Wesleyan school, teaching high school kids about art, and she’s going to be showing at the Wesleyan Artist Market. So stay with me for a second, Meagan. I want to just say thank you to our sponsor, EV Remodeling, Inc. Does a great job design, build home remodeling, kitchen, bathrooms, everywhere that you can think of. Eli and his family live here in Peachtree Corners. They’re just wonderful people. You should check them out. Evremodelinginc.com. So check those out and thank you, Meagan. I appreciate you being with us.

Meagan Brooker 0:32:38 Yeah, my pleasure.

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