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Two Student Artists talk about their art and the Virtual Wesleyan Artist Market 2021

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In this episode of Peachtree Corners Life, Rico Figliolini is joined by two young and inspiring student artists, Kate Adent and Dane Scott. Kate and Dane are two of many young artists that are involved in the upcoming Virtual Wesleyan Artist’s Market. Dane and Kate share their artistic journey, inspirations, and experience with the upcoming artist’s market.

Resources:
Kate’s Social Media: @KatePrints
Dane’s Social Media: @Dane_Scott19

Virtual Artist’s Market www.ArtistMarket.WesleyanSchool.org

Timestamp/Where to find it in the podcast:
[00:00:30​] – Intro
[00:01:45​] – About Dane
[00:04:47​] – About Kate
[00:07:25​] – Kate’s Art
[00:10:54​] – Dane’s Art
[00:15:37​] – How the Virtual Market Works
[00:17:05​] – Online Versus In-Person
[00:19:05​] – What’s Next for Young Artists
[00:22:47​] – Experiences with the Artist’s Market
[00:24:39​] – Closing

“It’s a super fun atmosphere. If there are any students from Wesleyan listening to this right now, I would encourage you to do it. At first I was kind of scared to do it… But it’s super fun and it’s fun to meet people, talk to people and just get appreciation for your work. I would encourage anybody to do it.”

Kate Adent

Podcast Trascrip

Rico: [00:00:30] Hi, this is Rico Figliolini, host of Peachtree Corners Life. And this is the show
that talks about everything about Peachtree Corners. We have special guests tonight from the
Wesleyan Artist’s Market. I’ll introduce them shortly. But in the meantime first, let me introduce
our sponsor for this show along with the family of podcasts that I do, and that’s Hargray Fiber.
They’re a Southeast regional company that provides internet connectivity to a variety of
businesses, whether you’re small or enterprise size. And they provide the tools to keep you
working, whether you’re remote or in office or you’re in a hybrid employment. With the tools that
keep you working and doing the right thing out there on the net. So check them out,
HargrayFiber.com or Hargray.com if you’d like. And thank you guys for supporting us. So we
have two special guests. One of them is a four year veteran of the Artist’s Market and the other
one’s a newbie, if you will, first year on the market. Both talented students of the Artist’s Market.
And this is what tonight’s show is about. So we’re going to be interviewing them. Let me bring
them on. And we have Kate Adent and Dane Scott. Hi guys. Thanks for showing up. I
appreciate you being with me.
Dane: [00:01:44] Thank you for having us.
Rico: [00:01:45] Sure. So you know, Kate has the work that she does is calligraphy and
photography, and we’ll get into that. And Dane Scott. Do I have the names right? Yes. Dane
Scott. Yes, cool. This is what happens during these shows. So Dane is an artist that does a
variety of things along with sticker art graphics. So what I want to do is I want to talk to and bring
them on individually for a minute to talk a little bit about who they are and what they do. So let’s
do, let’s have Dane Scott on first, and you tell us a little bit about yourself Dane.
Dane: [00:02:19] Thank you very much for having me tonight. My name is Dane Scott. I’m in
ninth grade, almost 16 years old, and I will be participating in this year’s Wesleyan Artist’s
market.
Rico: [00:02:34] So tell us also a little bit about, you know, what do you do at school, what your
activities a little bit are like. How’s Wesleyan as far as an environment like that?
Dane: [00:02:43] Wesleyan is a great and fantastic environment. I love all my friends there. We
have really deep spiritual connections and I honestly enjoy every moment there. I participate in
a couple of afterschool activities. I actually participated in marching band in the summer and fall.
And then I now participate in mock trial.
Rico: [00:03:08] Cool. That’s great. So, and tell us, just give us an idea of the type of work you
do artistically.
Dane: [00:03:15] Artistically, I love using programs such as Illustrator and sometimes a little bit
of Photoshop to just express my art. I used to use Tactile art, such as Posca Paint Pens, which
are acrylic paint pens. And I used to draw on basically everything. I would draw on my drum
heads. I would draw on phone cases. I would draw on mint tins even, for Altoids. And Iexpressed my art that way, but some other ways to express my art and I find it easier to create
art and to make new products and images using illustrator.
Rico: [00:03:56] And you were telling me a little bit before the show that one of your inspirations
came from Vexx. Tell us who that is and what inspired you.
Dane: [00:04:05] Yes, sir. Vexx as far as I understand is a Swedish artist who he does a lot of
fun, really fun cartoon work, tons of colors. And a lot of people are inspired by him. I follow him
on my social media platform. And I originally got inspired about a year ago to this date. I got
inspired by him and I wanted to you know, give a twist of my creativity to his art. So I started
drawing and practicing doodling and drawing like he did. I watched tons of his videos about how
to doodle and creative thinking process. And I managed to express my creativity that way.
Rico: [00:04:47] We’re going to be showing some of his artwork a little later in this podcast. So if
you’re listening to this, please check out our video. But let me also bring on now, Kate Adent into
the show too. Hey Kate. Thanks for waiting in the wings.
Kate: [00:05:02] Yes, thank you for having me.
Rico: [00:05:04] Sure. So tell us also a little bit about yourself to the same way that Dane was
able to talk about his experience and what he does. Tell us, I know you do softball also. So tell
us a bit about your experience.
Kate: [00:05:16] Yeah, so I’m a sophomore at Wesleyan. Like you said, I’ve done the market for
a few years now. I play softball and I used to play lacrosse, but that’s over. Oh, but yes, so like
Dane was saying I use a lot of Photoshop and Illustrator Indesign for my art. And when I do my
calligraphy, I’ve started using an iPad. So I use Procreate, which has really just made it easier
for me to get custom work out faster. So that has been super helpful for me. And I’ve also, Oh,
sorry. Were you going to say something? I’ve also been into photography a lot recently, so I use
Lightroom to edit those photos.
Rico: [00:05:53] So, right. So as far as inspiration, I mean, I know that Dane had Vexx inspire
him. Where do you find your inspiration to do some of the artwork or calligraphy that you do
even?
Kate: [00:06:05] Honestly, it’s just like influencers that I follow on Instagram. A lot of different
calligraphy accounts. That’s how I found out about Procreate. And I have a lot of friends at my
church that do stuff like I do. So I’ve been able to learn from them a lot.
Rico: [00:06:18] Interesting what you said before about doing, it sounds like commission work is
what you do also. So, and you even, so when someone, what’s a typical commission work that
someone would want from Kate Adent?Kate: [00:06:32] Well, I’ve done work for like weddings, I’ve addressed wedding invitations. A lot
of special events like signs. And my brother got married recently, so I was actually able to
design and produce all of his, like all of the paper needs. Like signage, menus, invitations,
everything for that. So just stuff like that.
Rico: [00:06:55] And when you do, so people actually, you’ve actually set up a website of your
own. Not only can you, can anyone here find your work at Wesleyan Artist Markets soon to be
opened virtual artist’s market, but they can also come to your website, right? And what’s that
website address?
Kate: [00:07:15] KatePrints.com.
Rico: [00:07:17] Cool. So, and if they wanted to buy specific custom commission work, they can
do that through that site with you?
Kate: [00:07:24] Yes, sir.
Rico: [00:07:25] Excellent. So let’s do a little bit of show and tell here and we’ll start. We’ll start
with you Kate first. So I’m going to bring on some pieces that you’ve done. So bear with me a
second. So some of the work that you sent me. So tell us, so obviously calligraphy is part of the
market, right? Is being sold at the market, I guess?
Kate: [00:07:48] Yes, sir.
Rico: [00:07:49] Excellent. So you want to tell me a little bit about this one?
Kate: [00:07:54] Yes. So this was just a piece of commission work I did for a friend just for her to
give as a gift. Just a Bible verse for one of her friends.
Rico: [00:08:03] Okay. And you have another one there let’s do this one.
Kate: [00:08:06] Yeah, so I think there was a couple of those just examples.
Rico: [00:08:10] Right. So there’s another one there that you did that was also commission work
I’m assuming.
Kate: [00:08:17] Yes, sir.
Rico: [00:08:18] Right. And actually you even have almost like a font library.
Kate: [00:08:25] Yes. So all of that was handwritten. Like I said, I do that in Procreate. So that’s
actually a print that I have for sale on my website.Rico: [00:08:32] And you’re also putting, so if someone wanted to buy, let’s say a pen. Let me
get this one up. I’ll show you. Like that one. That’s one of yours too, I think right?
Kate: [00:08:43] Yes.
Rico: [00:08:44] So tell us a little bit about that and what you’re, what you’re doing with this.
Kate: [00:08:48] Yes. So like about this time, last year I started my website and for the most
part, it was just like paper prints and stuff like that. So I wanted to add something else. And so,
like I said, a person I follow on Instagram had started to make these flags. So I designed like the
writing on my computer and then I print them out on my silhouette machine and he pressed
them and they’re yes. And they’re all hand-sewn.
Rico: [00:09:18] So you have a silhouette machine? That’s cool.
Kate: [00:09:21] Yes.
Rico: [00:09:23] So you’re a maker in Peachtree Corners.
Kate: [00:09:26] I am. Yes, sir.
Rico: [00:09:28] And so the flower on that decorative portion of it, does that also come with the
banner or is that just part of the photography?
Kate: [00:09:35] That was just part of the picture.
Rico: [00:09:37] Okay. But anyone can commission these types of banners with you, I’m
assuming?
Kate: [00:09:41] Yes, sir. I’ve made a bunch of customs for people, for different events, and for
gifts.
Rico: [00:09:46] Okay, cool. And of course we were talking before about photography as well.
And you’ve done some photography work it seems also. Are you is that also again, I mean, is
that commissionable too? If you do photography?
Kate: [00:10:04] Yes, it is. I’ve been doing some senior pictures recently. That’s that. Yes, sir.
That’s one of my friends from school. And then I’ve also been asked by the varsity baseball
coach at Wesleyan to be the team photographer this year. So that’s been super fun getting to do
other stuff and to learn other things.
Rico: [00:10:25] Well, it’s good to see the work that you’re doing. And you know, you’re young.
Although this is your fourth year, has it changed from what you did the first year to what you’re
doing in the fourth year?Kate: [00:10:36] Yes sir. So the first year I actually did the market with a friend and we did
monograms. This was in sixth grade. So with my silhouette, like cutting machine, I made
monograms and stickers for, and I sold those. But now I’m just doing more calligraphy type work
Rico: [00:10:54] Alright. Now let’s bring on Dane. Dane? I want to be able to show some of your
artwork also. And maybe you can give us a little explanation of some of the artwork that I’m
going to be putting up here.
Dane: [00:11:07] Awesome.
Rico: [00:11:09] So give us some background on some of these pieces.
Dane: [00:11:14] So this is my, actually, this is my most recent piece that I’ve done. And I always
start my process by outlining everything. So I take a black marker and Adobe illustrator and I do
all the lining for it. And then the next step, I create like the facial expression. So I create the
lining of the character and that little orange guy, right there will be totally blank. And I will come
up with what I want the scene to be. So say I wanted him to be sad. You know, I might’ve added
a frowny face and the eyebrow to be lowered and the cloud might be gray and crying or
something like that. But in this case I needed it to be a happy picture. Like most of my works. So
I proceeded in that way and it turned out as this.
Rico: [00:12:09] Cool. Now, not a happy guy.
Dane: [00:12:11] No, I have two of those styles. I actually have one with me right here. I have
another one that I did in the similar style is that it’s a storm cloud with big, angry, eyebrows and
a lightning coming out of it. But anyway, in that cactus picture, in that cactus picture I was kind
of, I wanted some inspiration. So I told my family to, you know, think of a random object and my
sister shouted out cactus. So I was like, Oh, that’d be fun. So I drew that one afternoon after I
did my homework. And it turned out like that.
Rico: [00:12:52] And the strawberry that I’m bringing on, now.
Dane: [00:12:55] The strawberry. So originally before I started doing stickers, a big thing of mine
was doing sliced up fruit. Like not, like I drew sliced up fruit and I thought it would be really cool
to translate some of my original works into stickers. So I think I have maybe five fruits in my little
sticker stockpile right here.
Rico: [00:13:19] So you said you earlier, I think while we were up, this was pretty sure you said
you used Sticker Mule to be able to do this?
Dane: [00:13:27] Yes, sir. I send it over to the people at Sticker Mule and they are really quick to
respond. Most of my stickers, I can get ordered within the first, you know, eight hours. They
approve it. They go through and do all your edits for you. It’s fantastic.Rico: [00:13:44] Wow. And how long, what’s like your normal order of stickers when you do
that?
Dane: [00:13:49] I usually purchase the stickers 10 at a time for about $9. So it’s a really good
price. You can look all over the web and other websites. You know, they’ll have it a little bit
higher or a little bit lower, but these are really good quality. They’re waterproof, heat resistant.
They’re 3M which means they’re like super sticky and they’re, you know, what a kayak sticker
is? A kayak sticker so basically, you know, it, you can kayak in it. So it’s super durable. It’s really
heavy grade and it doesn’t scratch easily or wear easily. And I’ve actually had some on the back
of my phone case right now for about six months. And they do not fall off or scratch or wear
anything. They are super durable and high quality.
Rico: [00:14:40] You know, it’s funny because one of the companies I do work with, it’s a media
company and they’ve been sending out stickers that they’ve made. I don’t know where they’re
getting them from, but apparently laptop stickers is the big thing, right? What about this one?
Dane: [00:14:54] This is a pizza. This was actually the third design I ever made. I think the
strawberry was the first. No, the strawberry was the second. This was the third design because I
just like pizza and I thought that was a really fun, colorful design.
Rico: [00:15:09] And this is the last one right, in the series?
Dane: [00:15:12] Yes, sir. So this was originally when I hit 100 followers on Instagram. I actually
put this flaming pickle in the piece and my dad’s like, Oh, that’s a cool character. You should
include that on the stickers on like, yeah, I should. So I drew him in Adobe illustrator, sent him
off to sticker mule, and I got him about seven days later, so.
Rico: [00:15:37] So I’m going to bring us all three on at this point. And just want to be able to go
a little further and just talk a little bit more about the Wesleyan Artist’s Market. So, you know,
how is that working as far as you being able to put your art on and you know, what’s the
process? So if someone wants to buy your work, how would that work out? Who wants to go
first?
Kate: [00:16:00] I can go. So as far as I understand, or as I know it’s a website that’s going to go
live day of market and anybody is just able to go on and shop through the different sites of
different vendors that are all students. And then there’s going to be another section of like the
professional artists that would normally be in market. And you’re just able to shop through there.
Rico: [00:16:24] So now, if anyone has questions about your artwork or if they’d want
commission work? Because, you know, they like the sticker that you do, or they like the
calligraphy that you’re doing, or the banners would they be able to reach you through that artist’s
market as well? I imagine.Dane: [00:16:41] As far as I understand, we, the student artists are not allowed to have our
personal phone numbers. We are allowed to have our social media accounts however, and not
a parent email. I think they will allow people to leave their comments and then forward those
emails to us, where we may respond. Just to add a little bit more security to the student
operation of it.
Rico: [00:17:05] Sure, sure. And then, you know, doing a virtual market is lot different right, than
in-person. So obviously Dane doesn’t know the in-person side of it, but Kate would. So how was
the, you know, the interesting part? Were you at the show also showing your work when like last
year? Not last year, year before.
Kate: [00:17:25] Yes. So, it’s super fun in person. You get to be there for like three days and you
have a booth that you set up with all your work. And since we’re students we have to go to
school during the day. So a parent would like man the booth and like make sales for you, but
then right after school ends, you get to come for like the rest of, I think it’s a Friday. And then all
day Saturday, the market’s open. So you just get to talk to people and it’s super fun.
Dane: [00:17:52] So could I comment on that real quick?
Rico: [00:17:54] Yeah, sure.
Dane: [00:17:55] Well, my sister did the artist’s market last year. I showed up almost every day.
It was super fun to come after school, do my homework. The atmosphere is great. And there’s
so many talented artists there as well. So it’s really, really fun to show up and I’m sad we have to
do it virtually this year.
Rico: [00:18:11] Yeah. I mean, did you get a chance to walk around and see all the artists and
what they do? Yeah, that must’ve been fun too. Did you get a chance to even speak to some of
the artists? Cause I’d imagine, you know, artists to artists, you might have comments or
questions.
Dane: [00:18:25] Oh, sorry. Go ahead. You go ahead.
Kate: [00:18:29] I got to meet a couple of like the professional artists. They’re like on the main
floor of the gym during the market. And there’s a couple of them that I’ve gotten to meet and I’m
still really in contact with. And they’ve been a pretty big inspiration, honestly, for me too.
Rico: [00:18:45] Dane. You were going to comment as well?
Dane: [00:18:47] Yes sir. My dad actually bought a wonderful piece of the American flag and I’m
pretty sure he’s still in contact with the artist. They’ve got so many talented artists. Every one of
them is so kind and it’s really fun to talk to them about their process and how they do what they
do.Rico: [00:19:05] What do you, you know, I mean, obviously you’re in ninth grade, young artists.
What do you want to do? I mean, where do you want to start your path in life? What do you
think is your thing?
Dane: [00:19:18] That is a good question, sir. I am not fully confident in my path in life. I don’t
know if I’ll, I kind of doubt that I’ll go into a full artist career. I do like doing art as a hobby though.
I have many hobbies. I do some prop design. I do some videoing, you know. I do a little bit of
instruments and stuff. So I don’t know if I’ll pursue it professionally, but that’s a very good
question.
Rico: [00:19:47] Well you have obviously a creative vent and you, all the things that you
mentioned are in the creative realm. So maybe that road is kind of broad, but maybe that’s the
path that you might be good at. Sure.
Kate: [00:20:04] I really would love to be a graphic designer. I think that would be so much fun.
That’s been a dream of mine for a long time. I don’t know whether that would be like freelance or
if I would work with a company. But really anything would be awesome. But I’d also love to have
photography as like a part of my business or a part of my job. So that would be super cool. Like
sports photography I think is so much fun.
Rico: [00:20:25] Oh yeah, I would think. Especially if you love sports, it sounded like you started
with lacrosse and then you went to softball. So that’s definitely sports photography. Like food
photography and portrait photography are very different from each other and it does take a
talent to do those things. And you’ve really got to love it to be able to capture I think the right
moments. And have a camera that can shoot a hundred shots before you get that one, one
really good sports shot. Right? So what so now that you know, pretty much where, you know,
what do you think you’d want to do next? As far as artwork goes, Kate? I know, you know,
calligraphy, photography, what would be next years? I know we haven’t even started this year’s
yet, but what do you think would be your next project?
Kate: [00:21:16] Probably really the same stuff. I really enjoy what I’m doing and I don’t really
think I would make any other changes. If anything, I would add other pieces or other elements.
But I think I’m going to stick with calligraphy and photography.
Rico: [00:21:30] Cool. Dane what about you?
Dane: [00:21:33] I may add sort of a mixed bag if you will. I’ve been working on my computer.
I’m working on some prints right now, combining some of my characters into a scene.
Unfortunately, I can’t sell the props I actually make because that’s not legal because I don’t own
the rights to them. But I think I’ll continue with the stickers, prints, and maybe a couple of my
photos. I also like to do photography in both video games and in real life.
Rico: [00:22:04] Yeah. Actually I did notice that on your Instagram, you do video game
photography?Dane: [00:22:09] Yes, sir. I mainly focus on a game called Forza Horizon 4. I love cars racing. I
have, you know, in the basement I’ve kind of set up a little steering wheel thing with the pedals
and all that. I love racing. So I just take the opportunities to capture those cool moments when
you know, you’re swinging around the curve at a hundred miles an hour in your car, and you can
just capture that moment. So it’s really fun to do that.
Rico: [00:22:36] You’d almost want to do that in a VR setting.
Dane: [00:22:40] Yes, sir. My cousin actually put me in his VR thing and it’s a little bit nauseous
going that fast.
Rico: [00:22:47] The Oculus quest for my son. And I had to set up an area for him so then he
wouldn’t bump into the walls. Cause when you’re moving around in that you have no idea where
you are. And I had actually set up a tactile area for him so that if he steps off it, he knows he’s
going into a wall or something. So, yeah. And that can be a little, I tried it on and it just. I’d like to
be in there for a little longer, but he took it back. He was like Dad, no it’s mine. Cool. So we, do
you guys want to, Kate, do you want to share anything else about your experience with your
artist’s market that you know, maybe you’d like to share with people?
Kate: [00:23:22] Gosh, I don’t know. Just that it’s a super fun atmosphere. And like, if there is
any students from Wesleyan listening to this right now, or when it comes out, I guess. That I
would encourage you to do it. Cause at first I was kind of scared to do it because I only saw like
high schoolers doing it and I did it in middle school. But it’s super fun and it’s fun to meet people,
talk to people and just like get appreciation for your work. I would encourage anybody to do it.
Rico: [00:23:47] That’s cool. And I especially appreciate being a business person. The fact that
you set up a website to sell your own stuff as an entrepreneur, that’s a great thing to do and a
great experience I think.
Kate: [00:24:01] Yes, it was super fun too.
Rico: [00:24:04] Right. And still more to come I’m sure.
Kate: [00:24:07] Yes. I’ve learned a lot from that for sure.
Rico: [00:24:10] Dane what about you?
Dane: [00:24:11] Actually on the point of the website, one aspect of this artist market that I’ve
enjoyed. We as artists actually get to set up our own little web page that we can kind of show
what we’re about. We get a description, you know, we get to have our banner or colors
everywhere to show, you know what we’re about as an artist. And I think that’s another aspect
that they previously didn’t have in the artist market. And that adds to it in a way.Rico: [00:24:39] After speaking to Gina Solomon and some of the other women that guide the
Wesleyan artist market, I think this is definitely, even though they were forced to do a virtual
artist’s market because of the pandemic. This is something that they realize they do want to
keep. And it does expand that exposure for the artists. Not only, you know, student artists, but
certainly the professional artists. So it’s a great place for people that cannot come to the artist
market to be able to see what’s going on. So that’s kinda neat that way. So we’ve been talking to
Kate Adent and Dane Scott, students at the artist’s market, Wesleyan artist market that opens
April 20?
Dane: [00:25:19] April 22nd through 29th. It’s a week of shopping. Early shopping is available
for those who sponsor the event and it is www.ArtistsMarket.WesleyanSchool.org.
Rico: [00:25:34] You’d be a great cohost. Good job, thanks for helping out. We’ve been talking
to some great artists here and I think that whatever they do in the future, it will be exciting for
them. So, and listen, if you want to follow them, actually, where can they, Kate, where can they
follow you on?
Kate: [00:25:51] I have an Instagram and a Facebook and both of them are just @KatePrints.
Rico: [00:25:56] Okay. And Dane?
Dane: [00:25:58] Yes. If you want to see more of my work, I’d be happy to show you. It’s
@Dane_Scott19.
Rico: [00:26:08] Excellent. Alright, I appreciate your time. Appreciate you being with me. Hope
everyone enjoyed this and looking at the artwork of these kids. But definitely check out the
Wesleyan Artist’s Market in the student section, because there are other students as well there
too. And the professional artists that have been curated and juried for this. So check that out. It’ll
be a good show. Thank you for being with us.
Dane: [00:26:31] Thank you very much

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Arts & Literature

Experience Shakespeare in the Park with Contemporary Classics’ Twelfth Night

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Promotional graphic for an outdoor production of Twelfth Night to be held at three venues in north metro Atlanta

Contemporary Classics Theatre will present Twelfth Night, a free “Shakespeare in the Park” experience at three beautiful outdoor venues in north metro Atlanta

Twelfth Night, William Shakespeare’s romantic comedy of mistaken identity, will play at three beautiful outdoor venues in north metro Atlanta from April 26 to May 11.

Directed by Cait Cortelyou, known for her award-winning feature film “Ask for Jane,” Twelfth Night is a rollicking ensemble comedy explores unrequited love, misperceptions and the instability of gender.

Set in the coastal town of Illyria, young Viola survives a shipwreck and finds herself alone, believing that her twin brother died at sea. Disguising herself as a man, she finds work with the Duke Orsino, quickly falling in love with him. Orsino, however, is in love with the Countess Olivia… and Olivia quickly falls for Viola.

Meanwhile, Olivia’s steward Malvolia has bullied the household for the last time — and the staff is out for vengeance.

Three actors in a scene from Twelfth Night. A white, curly haired person on the left, a young Black woman in the middle with her hand on the face of the brown-haired transgender actor on the right.
L-R: Carl Fisk, Danielle Montgomery and Elliott Posadni. Photo by Noel Nichols.

This timeless production of Twelfth Night features Allen Cox, Carl Fisk, Ryan Hutchins, Shem Louis, Susanna Lyne, Steven Medina, Matt Metzger, Danielle Montgomery, Macros Nora, TJ Sanson and Elliott Posadni as one of the first transgender actors to play Viola.

It also features costumes by artist Jordan Hermitt and production design by Sage Kim Gray.

Locations, dates and showtimes

The Plaza at The Forum Peachtree Corners • April 26–27 at 3 p.m.

Audience seating and a special musical performance will start at 2:30 p.m. Please note that seating is limited; arrive early and/or bring lawn chairs or blankets. Food and drink are available for purchase at the venue.

Town Center on Main, Suwanee • May 3– 4 at 5 p.m.

Audience seating and a special musical performance will start at 4:30 p.m. Please note that no seating is provided; bring lawn chairs and blankets. Coolers are welcome (no alcohol). Food trucks will be onsite at the venue.

Autrey Mill Nature Center, Johns Creek • May 10 at 2pm & 5 p.m.; May 11 at 2 p.m.

Audience seating and a special musical performance will start at 1:30 p.m. on both days and at 4:30 p.m. for the evening show on May 10. Limited bench seating only. In case of inclement weather, the show will move from the amphitheatre to the open-air Pole Barn nearby.

Admission to the shows is FREE. Register online for tickets.

About Contemporary Classics

Contemporary Classics exists to challenge and transform classic Western theater traditions by creating an inclusive community of diverse people, ideas and cultures. They believe that classic work is made even greater when performed by a larger variety of artists — especially those who have been marginalized by Wester theatre traditions — including women and people of color.

With no permanent home, the theatre company partners with places such as public parks for performance spaces. This “homeless” state is one of the reasons they call ourselves “a crew of patches”— they travel from “patch” to “patch” with their shows.

The name also comes from a line in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and reflects the “motley” coat of a Shakespearean clown (or fool), created by sewing patches of old or discarded clothing together in a mishmash of textures and colors, like a patchwork quilt.

Fools, or “Patches,” transcend societal norms by being simultaneously a part of society and outside of it, giving them the ability to examine and comment on it.

For more information, visit crewofpatches.org.

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Arts & Literature

From Food Creations to Handmade Jewelry: Wesleyan Kids Prep for Artist Market 2025 [Podcast]

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In this episode of Peachtree Corners Life, host Rico Figliolini spotlights three remarkable student artists featured in this year’s Wesleyan Artist Market. Eighth graders Kimberly Wang and Nika Jensen, along with sixth grader Carter Jensen, share their creative journeys—ranging from edible art like fruit jellies and peppermint bark to handmade jewelry and custom-designed bags.

Kimberly talks about her love for food art and balancing sweetness with fruity freshness, while Nika and Carter discuss building a jewelry business that also gives back—donating proceeds to families in the Philippines. This isn’t just an artist market; it’s a showcase of purpose-driven, globally inspired young talent. The event runs April 25–26 at Wesleyan School and is open to the public.

Podcast Takeaways:

  • Kimberly Wang creates handmade edible treats, balancing flavor and freshness for the show.
  • Nika and Carter Jensen co-run a jewelry and fashion accessory business, inspired by global travel and cultural experiences.
  • Nika donates part of her proceeds to support families in the Philippines.
  • All three students are deeply involved in extracurriculars—from musicals, marching band, math club, and academic bowl.
  • The Wesleyan Artist Market features 24 student artists and over 70 professionals—open to the public April 25–26.

Timestamp: 

00:02:19 – Student intros and extracurriculars 
00:03:06 – First-time participants and motivations for joining 
00:04:13 – Kimberly’s edible art and recipe testing process 
00:05:16 – Nika and Carter’s jewelry and bag design business 
00:07:06 – The reward of watching people enjoy your creations 
00:08:20 – Donating art profits to support families in the Philippines 
00:10:39 – Future aspirations in medicine and law, with art as a passion 
00:12:06 – Behind-the-scenes logistics of preparing for the market 
00:13:25 – Global travel inspiration: 73 countries and counting
00:17:19 – Where the students draw artistic inspiration 
00:20:04 – Custom requests: From peppermint bark to Lego earrings 
00:21:16 – Anticipation and excitement for this year’s market 

00:22:29 – Reflections on Wesleyan and the artist experience 

Transcript: 

00:00:01 – Rico Figliolini 

Hey, everyone. This is Rico Figliolini, host of Peachtree Corners Life. We have a great set of guests today. Because of the upcoming Wesleyan Artist Market, we thought we’d do some interviews with student artists. Three of the 24 that are going to be at Wesleyan Artist Market. So they’re with me here today. So we’re going to get right into that shortly. I just want to say thank you to our corporate sponsors. So I want to say thank you to EV Remodeling, Inc., based here in Peachtree Corners. The owner is Eli. Him and his family live here. They’re great. They do a lot of design work, design your space. Essentially, any home remodeling you need from whether it’s your kitchen, your bathroom, or a whole house remodel, or even an addition to your home, think about it, whatever you need, Eli can handle. So check them out. Go to evremodelinginc.com and find out how they can design your space and your life. Our next sponsor just came on, and they’re Vox Pop Uli. I want to thank them for joining us as well. They deal with all sorts of things you can imagine putting your logo on, similar to a little bit about what these kids do, right? They’re creating artwork. They’re creating a brand for themselves. And so this is what Vox Pop Uli does, right? They’ll take your brand and bring it to life. Essentially, anything that you can think of that would go on apparel, whether it’s sweaters or T-shirts or wherever you want to put your brand engraving, your logo, what object you want to put it on, even vehicle wraps. So if you’ve got a truck, you want to put a whole wrap around it, check them out because they can do that. They’re here in Peachtree Corners and they’re called Vox Pop Uli. So visit their website. I’ll have the links in the show notes as well. So thank you guys. I appreciate your support. So now let’s get right into it. Let me introduce our three artists, great Wesleyan students. Can’t wait to start talking to them. We have Kimberly Wang first on your left, on my left, and Nika and her brother Carter Jensen, who work together creating the artwork they do. So I’m going to ask you guys just to, you know, give me a little background. Tell me who you are, your grade, what you do, extracurricular, stuff like that. This way our audience can get to know a little bit more about you. So let’s start with Kimberly Wang. Hey, Kimberly. 

00:02:19 – Kimberly Wang 

My name is Kimberly Wang. I’m in eighth grade this year, and outside of Artist Market, I do marching band, and I also do the musical production this year, which is Matilda. 

00:02:31 – Rico Figliolini 

Excellent. What about Nika? How about you? 

00:02:34 – Nika Jensen 

I’m also in eighth grade. My name is Nika Jensen, and apart from doing the Artist Market, I do cross country. I’m also in Matilda this year, and I also do math counts, which is a math club.

00:02:47 – Rico Figliolini 

Okay, cool. And Carter? 

00:02:49 – Carter Jensen 

Hello, my name is Carter Jensen. I’m in the sixth grade. And outside of the artist market, I do academic pool and I also do basketball. 

00:03:00 – Rico Figliolini 

Excellent. Alright, cool. So have you guys ever done the artist market before? Is this the first time? 

00:03:06 – Kimberly Wang 

This is my second year doing it this year. 

00:03:08 – Rico Figliolini 

Second? 

00:03:10 – Nika Jensen 

Yeah, this is our first year because we’re new students this year. 

00:03:13 – Rico Figliolini 

Alright, cool. What inspired you to get into it, Nika? 

00:03:17 – Kimberly Wang 

Well, I had my own business before we came to Wesleyan and so I thought that the artist market is a good way to like show my business to other people in our community. So yeah. 

00:03:30 – Rico Figliolini 

And you brought in your brother Carter to help you with? 

00:03:35 – Nika Jensen 

Yes, sir. He’s also part of the business. 

00:03:39 – Rico Figliolini 

Alright cool. Okay so, Kimberly. Food. Food is art, right? I’m sure your mom would probably say, it’s food, just eat it. But you’re playing with your food, essentially. What they used to tell you not to do, right? So when you create your food art, what do you think about? How do you go through this? How do you choose what you do and what do you exactly do? 

00:04:13 – Kimberly Wang 

So this year, I am making fruit jellies and peppermint bark. And when I think about what creations I want to make for the artist market, I go online and I look through like, what are some popular desserts that a lot of people like? And once I like choose my items, then I go through

the recipe and then I do a lot of trial and errors to make sure that like the products are like healthy and they taste well. 

00:04:42 – Rico Figliolini 

So they have to be edible, right? Because this is edible art? 

00:04:45 – Kimberly Wang 

Definitely, yes. 

00:04:46 – Rico Figliolini 

So are you eating a lot of the edible art before you get to what you need? 

00:04:50 – Kimberly Wang 

Not really. I don’t usually taste a lot of the food. I let my family taste it. 

00:04:56 – Rico Figliolini 

Ah, good. I like that. Yes. Get them to participate. Cool. So edible art, that’s one way of doing it. Jewelry, that’s something else, right? Wearable. How do you guys, Nika, Carter, how do you get to the place of what you do? 

00:05:16 – Nika Jensen 

So I started my business when I was 11 years old and it started like I got my first jewelry making kit and I kind of just expanded from there. So like I usually use Amazon to search and find like the prettiest designs like of earrings and pendants and get opinions from other people like my mom and my family to see like if they think it’s like wearable and if they like it. So I browse on Amazon for a while and I find like the best and high quality products and then I hand make them at home usually like every day after I come home from school so and my brother he does something else and he can tell you about that. 

00:06:01 – Carter Jensen 

I, my sister, she got a Cricut machine for, like, her 12th birthday, I think. And started making these, like, iron-on bags with the Cricut machine and, like, making them based on, like, Georgia and, like, Wesleyan and designing it based on fashion. 

00:06:19 – Rico Figliolini 

Alright. Cool. So let’s get back to Kimberly. The food that you do. Do you have particular flavors you like? Do you have particular areas that you stay in? 

00:06:33 – Kimberly Wang 

So this year I’m trying out like something more sweet with chocolate. But last year I definitely went for more of like the fruity side. And I think I like to keep it like a balance. So that way one is not overpowering the other. My personal favorite will probably be fruit because it’s healthy. And I mean, it just tastes good in general.

00:06:56 – Rico Figliolini 

Okay. Alright cool. What’s the most rewarding part that you can think of, of making edible art? 

00:07:06 – Kimberly Wang 

Well, I mean definitely like you said before you get to eat a lot of food. I mean, I did say before that I don’t eat a lot of the creations I make, but sometimes I still do eat it. And so I think it’s also really rewarding to see like people try out your creations and see like their reactions to what they think of it. 

00:07:27 – Rico Figliolini 

So when, I know I’ve spoken to other artists when they sell their artwork like paintings or stuff like that they get a chance to see it sometimes when the fan that bought it if you will, would send them a picture of where they hung it right? Yours disappears right? 

00:07:45 – Kimberly Wang 

Yeah, exactly. 

00:07:47 – Rico Figliolini 

Yeah I guess, there’s no way to, short of doing a selfie with it or taking pictures of it, there’s no there’s no permanency to it so how does that feel? 

00:07:57 – Kimberly Wang 

I mean well as long as the people enjoy it that’s good. And I mean I think mainly it’s about like the memory that you have of having the food and if you like it then it stays as a good memory for you and if you don’t then I mean you can always try out different things. 

00:08:20 – Rico Figliolini 

Okay. Nika, Carter, as far as the jewelry goes the, you’ve used it to raise money to support children in the philippines? yes 

00:08:29 – Nika Jensen 

Yes sir. 

00:08:31 – Rico Figliolini 

Is that, is that how you started this when you were 11? Is that the reason? 

00:08:35 – Kimberly Wang 

No, so I was like 11 during the pandemic. So I was always looking for a way to express my creativity. And so that’s how I started my own business. And so I was selling at my uncle’s pharmacy and I was saving up the money to use for like college or for like other events later on in my life. But this last year and a half before this school year, we were living in the Philippines. And so I was really touched by all of the families there. And we even did something similar where we gave out food and canned goods over Christmas to poor families there. So that just

really touched me. And so ever since we got back to America, I’ve been donating part of my profits to other families in the Philippines. 

00:09:24 – Rico Figliolini 

Carter, did you end up going on that trip as well? 

00:09:28 – Carter Jensen 

Yeah, I was with her. We stayed there for about a year and a half. We also did schooling there. 

00:09:36 – Rico Figliolini 

It’s interesting brothers and sisters, I have three kids and you know growing up brothers and sisters always there could be dynamics there. So how do you get along? Do you ever say to your sister, I don’t know about that. You know that might not look as good, that might not sell. Do you give good feedback? I mean how do you praise her or how do you work together? 

00:09:58 – Carter Jensen 

She’s more of the leader of the business so like I usually just like try to like agree with her and like yeah. 

00:10:12 – Rico Figliolini 

Alright that’s cool well you need a leader of the pack sometimes right? So Nika the artwork that you do, you know this is part of what you do you’ve mentioned other things you do right? I know you’re young, you all are, you know you’re not old enough to really think well maybe you are to really think what you want to do with your life right? Is art something that you want to keep as part of what you’re doing in your life? 

00:10:39 – Nika Jensen 

It’s definitely something that’s of great value to me, but I kind of want to pursue the medical field, but art is also really important to me. 

00:10:49 – Rico Figliolini 

Okay. Sounds good. Same question to Kimberly. What about you? How do you feel about the work you do? 

00:10:57 – Kimberly Wang 

I definitely enjoy making food, but like Nika said, I was also really interested in the medical field. And so like I’m not really sure if I’m going to continue pursuing this. But I mean it’s definitely brought me a lot of joy while doing food art. 

00:11:15 – Rico Figliolini 

Okay. Medical field both of you, that’s cool. What about Carter? How about you? 00:11:19 – Carter Jensen

I kind of like, I like doing art it’s one way to like express your creativity as my sister said. But I also kind of, I’m not really sure what I want to do when I grow up, maybe be a lawyer. 

00:11:33 – Rico Figliolini 

Okay. Well, artwork gives you a chance, right, to play a little bit, to be able to also see how people, like Kimberly, like you said about how when people see your food or taste your food and your food art, if you will, and it gives you a chance to see how people appreciate what you’re doing, I think, right? The challenges of making food art and keeping it fresh and making sure you’re going to deliver it on the right way I guess at the Wesleyan artist market, how do you how do you handle that part of it? 

00:12:06 – Kimberly Wang 

So for me the night before each day of the selling I would stay up really late and I make all my products so they’re all fresh and they’re all new. Because I want the best for the people that are eating the food because I don’t want anything to go bad overnight and so I make sure that it’s always new products and I make it, yeah. 

00:12:32 – Rico Figliolini 

We don’t have the same issue with the jewelry that you do, Nika. So that could last forever, right? But putting it together, sourcing the supplies, right, of what you do, the logistics of it, I guess. How do you handle that? Like getting all the materials together? Do you order it all on Amazon? 

00:12:52 – Nika Jensen 

Yeah, I order like 99% of all of my things from Amazon. And then since I already have the materials shipped to me, then all I have to do is just create them from my house. So it’s easier for me than having to go out and buy supplies at stores. 

00:13:11 – Rico Figliolini 

Sounds good. What inspires you as far as jewelry goes? I know that you said you look online to see other things and what the trend is. So where do you find most of your trends? Is it just on Amazon or is it social media, other places? 

00:13:25 – Nika Jensen 

I kind of observe other people and like what they wear and also social media. And I get a lot of inspiration also from like nature and from like my travels. We’ve been to a lot of countries in the past five years, 173 countries. 

00:13:44 – Rico Figliolini 

How many? 

00:13:45 – Nika Jensen 

I’m sorry, not 173, 73 countries.

00:13:49 – Rico Figliolini 

73 countries? 

00:13:50 – Nika Jensen 

Yes, sir. 

00:13:51 – Rico Figliolini 

That you’ve been to in how many years? I can’t even wrap my head around that. How did you even do that? Teleport? I mean, how did you do that? Wow. What is your heritage, if you don’t mind me asking? 

00:14:12 – Nika Jensen 

I’m half Filipino. My brother and I are half Filipino. And then my father is part Danish and then also American. 

00:14:21 – Rico Figliolini 

Do you speak any languages? 

00:14:23 – Nika Jensen 

I speak the language of the Philippines called Tagalog and then English. And I’m learning Spanish. 

00:14:30 – Rico Figliolini 

Really? Okay. Kimberly, how about you? 

00:14:33 – Kimberly Wang 

So my mom is Taiwanese and my dad is Chinese. So I speak Chinese, English. I’m learning French and I’m learning Korean. 

00:14:43 – Rico Figliolini 

Really? Wow. Okay. Speak Mandarin, is it? Okay. My son was learning that for a year and he was, it’s a tough language to learn. But I’m sure being able to travel for example Nika, to be able to see other other countries and inspiration from those countries. What of the 73, 75 countries you visited what would you say the top five would be for that type of inspiration? Can you pick that up? 

00:15:16 – Nika Jensen 

I think so. I really like Argentina just because it’s so unique and the culture is just so strong there. Like you really feel so immersed just when you like step into the country. I like Italy, not only because of the food, but that’s also where I got a lot of inspiration for my jewelry. Just like the glass in Venice, like the Murano glass, like that’s also a really big inspiration. In Turkey, that’s when I first like found my interest in jewelry because there was, we went to this bead store and there was like thousands of different beads and I got to like choose different charms and like experiment with creating jewelry. So Turkey, Argentina, Italy, and then I have to give it to the

Philippines, obviously, because we lived there for so long. And then that’s hard. What do you think, Carter? 

00:16:12 – Carter Jensen 

I like India because I really like butter chicken. Also like Italy because I like pizza and pasta. 

00:16:27 – Rico Figliolini 

Yes, can’t get any better pizza than Italy, that’s for sure. 

00:16:30 – Carter Jensen 

Yeah, it’s really good there. And I also like Japan because it’s very futuristic and it’s like… 

00:16:38 – Rico Figliolini 

Is it? 

00:16:39 – Carter Jensen 

Yeah, it’s like a new environment and it’s like… 

00:16:45 – Rico Figliolini 

Yeah, cool. I can’t wait I think where, I think we may be heading there in July so that would be fun. I’ve never been so that would be interesting. Cool so with the artwork, with the inspiration, with the journey that you guys have been on, do you think that, are there any artists it’s hard and food maybe unless it’s Gordon Ramsay or something, but do you draw any inspiration? Who do you draw inspiration from for the work for what you do? Let’s start with Kimberly. 

00:17:19 – Kimberly Wang 

I don’t really have a specific artist that I look up to but I do watch some cooking shows and some like dessert making shows and they always really inspire me so I feel like that’s what really led me into like starting food art. And so I was like, whoa, this is really cool. And so I was like, okay, let me try this. And so now I’m here and then I’m like, this is pretty fun. 

00:17:49 – Rico Figliolini 

Oh, okay. Carter, I know you’re not the main person doing the artwork, but what do you see when you’re working with your sister? How does that feel working with her, doing the stuff with her, the artwork? Whatever you’re doing with her, how you know what’s that journey feel like for a brother and his sister? 

00:18:13 – Carter Jensen 

It’s kind of relaxing doing artwork and like peeling off like the stickers on the bags 

00:18:26 – Rico Figliolini 

Okay, alright, that’s cool. Sister, how do you feel? 

00:18:30 – Nika Jensen

Yeah I just enjoy anytime I’m like I get to make jewelry because I feel like it’s such like an important thing to me. And it also like my brother said it’s really relaxing and just like sitting in our home and just like making jewelry it’s like, it’s really fun for me. 

00:18:48 – Rico Figliolini 

Do you wear? I’m assuming you wear some of the stuff you make? 

00:18:51 – Nika Jensen 

No actually I don’t have my ears pierced. And so I just like making it and seeing my creations on other people. 

00:19:00 – Rico Figliolini 

Okay, cool. Kimberly, do you ever decide, I’ve got to make something, I want to eat something, do you ever decide to do that, or is it always just for the art? 

00:19:10 – Kimberly Wang 

I think mainly just for the art. Because, I mean, I do piano outside of school, and so most of my time is sucked into that. But, I mean, sometimes if I do want to make something, yeah, I’ll go for it. And I’ll try my best, but it might not be successful. 

00:19:31 – Rico Figliolini 

Have you ever been, have you ever designed anything custom design? Because someone requested it from you? Like has anyone ever asked Kimberly, has any anyone ever asked yeah can you make that for me? Like aside from the artwork you sell. 

00:19:50 – Kimberly Wang 

I don’t think so. I did get one request by a high schooler to make peppermint bark for him for his art and science class. But like other than that, no. 

00:20:00 – Rico Figliolini 

Okay. How about Nika? Have you ever had a request for jewelry? 

00:20:04 – Nika Jensen 

Yes, I have. So my mom was posting some of my creations on social media and someone reached out to me and she wanted lego earrings like so little like lego figurines as earrings. So I used some of my own legos and then we also bought some but I drilled a hole on top of their head and I had to stick a screw inside. I had to mail it to them. And then they sent me a picture of them wearing it. 

00:20:42 – Rico Figliolini 

It’s just the way you were describing it, drilling the hole in the head. It’s like, all right, well, that’s good. So there’s the art. You do anything for art, I guess. That’s good. Great. We’ve been showcasing and talking a lot about art here and food and stuff. What are you looking forward to this year’s Wesleyan Artist Market? What is it that’s looking forward? I mean, you have there’s

three of you out of 24 other students. Have you seen or talked to other students and what they’re doing for the show, for the market? What are you looking forward to? 

00:21:16 – Nika Jensen 

To me? 

00:21:17 – Rico Figliolini 

Yeah, sure. Let’s go with it. 

00:21:18 – Nika Jensen 

Okay. Yes. Kimberly and I are actually really good friends so we’ve been like talking with our other friends that are doing the artist market and we’re like you know what they’re selling and yeah. I’m just really excited because we’ve never my brother and I have never done something like this before so I think it’ll be a really good opportunity and it’ll be fun so. 

00:21:39 – Rico Figliolini 

Something wholly new. That’s good, a good experience. How about you Kimberly? 

00:21:45 – Kimberly Wang 

Ever since last year, I was really astonished by everything I saw, even if it was like the adult artists, but like the student artists, they were all so talented. I know like a few other people are making food art and people like Nika are making jewelry. And so I’m honestly really inspired and just really blown away by all the effort that everyone puts in. 

00:22:13 – Rico Figliolini 

Cool. Anything that I’ve not touched on, guys, that you want to share about, individually about what it takes to do what you’re doing or your experience at Wesleyan? Why don’t we start with Kimberly? 

00:22:29 – Kimberly Wang 

I don’t really have much. I feel like this was a really nice opportunity to be able to share what Wesleyan Artist Market is about and how students have been able to participate in it. 

00:22:42 – Rico Figliolini 

Cool. Nika? 

00:22:43 – Nika Jensen 

Yeah so my mom printed out pictures of our time in the philippines so this first one it’s all the bags of food that my old school donated to families in the philippines. 

00:23:01 – Rico Figliolini 

Excellent. Glad you printed those out. 

00:23:03 – Nika Jensen

This is my old class. This was this year when I sent my profits back to the Philippines. And those are all the boxes of food and clothes that they get with that money. 

00:23:16 – Rico Figliolini 

Wow, you really did make a lot of money. 

00:23:18 – Nika Jensen 

Yes, sir. 

00:23:19 – Rico Figliolini 

That’s good. That’s great. And maybe at some point I’ll ask Camille on this, getting some pictures from you all of some of the artwork that you’ve done. I’d love to include that when we post the podcast as well. And if you have any social media where you post your artwork on, if it’s public, feel free. We’re going to be sharing this and we’ll be taking you all as well. I think we got everything covered. I mean, you’re all just unbelievable kids. You’re just doing great work. And I’m just like, it’s always great to talk to you, to Wesleyan students, just like, or to students that are motivated, put it that way, to do things. So glad to see that you’re doing all sorts of things and I still can’t wrap my head around 75 countries, I’m just still trying to think that just like in five years, I can’t even see doing that. But I want to thank you all for for joining me so this is Wesleyan Artist Market you all will be at and that’s April Friday the 25th from 10:00 – 7:00 pm and Saturday April 26 from 10:00 to 3:00 pm. We’ve been talking with Kimberly Wang, who does food art, edible food art, and Nika and her brother Carter Jensen, who do jewelry. Appreciate you guys being with me and being so talkative and just being good guests. So thank you all. Hang in there with me for a second. Everyone else, I want to say thank you again for joining us. You can find out more about Wesleyan Artist Market from just going to wesleyanschool.org or just Googling Wesleyan Artist Market it’ll pop up for you. And it’s open to the public, Friday and Saturday in April. So check them out. Visit the 24 students that are displaying their artwork as well, along with the over, I think it’s over 70 professional artists there. And thank you all from, I guess you’re in Wesleyan Wolf TV station too. So appreciate you doing that with me. So thank you everyone. Stay well.

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Arts & Literature

Perimeter Ballet Celebrates 30 Years of Dance and Inspiration

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Ballet dancers on stage during a production of Cinderella. The dancers are posed in front of a lit backdrop of Cinderella's castle.

Perimeter Ballet celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. Founded in September 1995, the faith-based ballet school in Johns Creek has long been an integral part of the local arts scene and the community.

What began as a bare-bones program held in the sanctuary of Perimeter Church — on carpeted concrete floors, using the backs of chairs for barres — has grown into a respected school of more than 200 students. Ranging in age from five to 18, the young dancers at Perimeter Ballet are not only committed to the study of dance but also to using their gifts to share their faith.

Ballet dancers on stage for The Nutcracker. Two dancers are leaping as the others stand around them in the background
From The Nutcracker; photo courtesy of Catherine Maxwell and Perimeter Ballet

According to the program’s website, their purpose is to “emphasize character along with technique … to counter the natural tendency towards self-absorption in the ballet studio.”

They are “very committed to teaching children to dance — to develop discipline, technique and musicality. [But] the Christian instructors [also] train the students in a context that understands that there’s a reason to dance.”

30 years of dance and faith

Current director, Becky Brown, has led the school for several years, growing the program while faithfully following Perimeter Ballet’s original mission. She oversees weekly classes, summer dance camps and annual productions, including an acclaimed Spring Recital and a presentation of The Nutcracker each December.

For the 30th anniversary, Brown is excited to continue the creative work of the ballet school and share their artistry and message with a larger audience.

A middle aged woman with blonde hair, wearing all black, standing amidst a group of young ballerinas, posing and wearing pink tutus.
Becky Brown with dancers 2018; photo courtesy of Catherine Maxwell and Perimeter Ballet

“This year will certainly be a special time for us as we celebrate and look back on 30 wonderful years of Perimeter Ballet and 20 years for our performing company, For His Glory,” she said. “We will be performing the Nutcracker December 11–13 and will have some beautiful new costumes to commemorate the occasion. We look forward to seeing  many of our alumni and their families at the performance.”

Classes and instructors

Open to the community at large, weekly classes at Perimeter Ballet range from Creative Movement, PreBallet and grade-level classes for preschoolers through third grade to more advanced classes (two or more times per week) for older students.

Summer camp sessions as well as intermediate level and advanced level intensives are also offered. For the upper-level intensives, students work on their ballet technique but also branch out into jazz and other forms of dance.

A group of dancers on stage for a finale. They all stand with an arm raised, looking up with blue and white lighting.
Behold cast finale; photo courtesy of Catherine Maxwell and Perimeter Ballet

The school’s nine teachers are skilled not just as instructors but as performers themselves, having years of experience dancing with companies such as Ballet Southeast, Atlanta Ballet, North Atlanta Dance Academy and the Metropolitan Opera Ballet. They bring that experience and their Christian faith to all of their classes and interactions with the young students.

For His Glory

In addition to the work they do as a ballet school, Perimeter Ballet also has an audition-selected performance company — For His Glory.

With three levels, made up of dedicated students striving to advance their skills and reach their “God-given potential while giving glory to [their] Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,” the program presents several high-quality productions throughout the year.

a group of young ballet dancers standing in a stairwell next to an open door. They are in a circle with heads bowed, praying before going onstage for their performance.
photo courtesy of Perimeter Ballet

As Perimeter Ballet shares on their website: “Dancers are trained in the ballet classics as well as contemporary forms of dance, which are used in performances, worship settings and outreach. Classical ballets … in the group’s repertoire include Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Coppélia, excerpts from Four Seasons and La Fille Mal Gardee. In addition to Christmas and other outreach programs, For His Glory has danced internationally in London, India and Belarus.”

The group most recently performed Beauty & the Beast for two successful shows on stage at the Perimeter Church Sanctuary in early February of this year.

Impact and inspiration

All of this — the focus on faith and commitment to dance, the classes, intensives and stunning productions — have been a decades-long inspiration to the community and especially the student dancers who take part.

Many of the students stay with Perimeter Ballet for much of their childhood, learning and growing in dance as well as in their faith from elementary age through high school. That kind of involvement can clearly impact every aspect of their lives, from discipline learned to how they choose to interact with and be in the world.

A group of young ballet dancers onstage performing Cinderella.
Cinderella 2018; photo courtesy of Catherine Maxwell and Perimeter Ballet

One student, Anne Bradley Maxwell has been taking ballet with the Perimeter program since she was three years old. Now a high school junior in Peachtree Corners, she’s reflected on her time at the school and in the performance company as well as Perimeter Ballet’s milestone anniversary.

“For fifteen years … I matured within this unique, local community arts program,” she shared. “This year marks the 30th anniversary of its founding … and I’m honored to say I’ve been a student for half of that era. The talented instructors in [the] program not only helped advance me into an accomplished ballerina but also into a more faithful servant of Jesus Christ using dance as a form of worship.”

A lifelong journey

“This lifelong journey included annual seasonal training, auditions, numerous external summer intensives and wonderful performances on stages across the nation and abroad, for audiences ranging from a few dozen to several thousand,” Maxwell continued.

“… Taking ballet has instilled in me a deep understanding of perseverance and resilience. Pursuing excellence in ballet required me to overcome physical and emotional challenges … I learned to seek out solutions — whether physical therapy for healing my body or prayer and reflection to rejuvenate my spirit. These experiences have strengthened my ability to face setbacks, adapt and emerge stronger.

Ballet has cultivated in me a unique combination of athleticism, discipline and creative imagination. The most elegant performances emerge from the interplay of technical mastery and creative expression. The collaborative nature of ballet, where individuals work in harmony to create something greater than themselves, informs my approach to teamwork and innovation, both in the classroom and community.”

A high school aged ballerina on stage as Lumiere in a production of Beauty and the Beast
Anne Bradley Maxwell in Beauty and the Beast; photos courtesy of Catherine Maxwell

“… Ballet has [also] given me the gift of joy — both in experiencing it personally as a testament to Christ’s goodness and in sharing it with audiences. This joy, while intangible, is a powerful force that I hope to bring into my next chapters following high school. Whether through teaching movement, choreographing performances or exploring ways to expand ballet offerings, I aspire to enrich the community with the beauty and joy of dance.

… My time at Perimeter Ballet has equipped me with perseverance, discipline, creativity and a passion for sharing joy — qualities that I am excited to further cultivate as a young adult. These will not only enhance my personal journey but also contribute meaningfully to the rich tapestry of life. As I enter my senior year later this fall, I am full of gratitude for the solid foundation of technique and creative expression honoring God as the giver of my talent.”

Upcoming events

Perimeter Ballet’s Annual Spring Recital will be held in the Perimeter Church Sanctuary on Thursday, May 1 and Friday, May 2 from 7 p.m. to 8:15 p.m.

Summer camp sessions are scheduled for June and July. Registration will open on April 15.

2025-2026 classes will start in August with registration opening on April 15.

With help from Anne Bradley, the school is also planning a fundraiser event later in the year to mark the 30th anniversary.

For more information, visit perimeterballet.com.

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