Arts & Literature
Wesleyan School Student Artists Talk About Their Artwork And What Inspires Them
Young Artists, Makenna Wazevich and EG Pickering, Participating in the Upcoming Wesleyan Artist Market
The Wesleyan Artist Market is back again for another year to celebrate incredible local artists. On this episode of Peachtree Corners Life, Rico Figliolini is joined by two young artists, Makenna Wazevich and EG Pickering. Today they’re here to share their artistic inspirations, aspirations, and presence at this year’s market.
Resources:
Wesleyan Artist Market
EG’s Instagram: @egg.illu
Makenna’s Instagram: @hearttohomemadeco
Timestamp:
[00:00:30] – Intro
[00:01:45] – About EG
[00:05:04] – About Makenna
[00:06:34] – Digital Art and Physical Art
[00:09:30] – Inspirations
[00:16:01] – Moving into Creative Careers
[00:19:34] – Fun Facts about EG and Makenna
[00:23:10] – Closing
Podcast Transcript:
[00:00:30] Rico: Hi everyone. This is Rico Figliolini, host of Peachtree Corners Life and publisher of Peachtree Corners Magazine, the host of these podcasts and the sponsor. We have special guests today. Wesleyan Artist’s Market is coming up soon and we’re going to be doing coverage on that in our next issue highlighting three different artists that live or work or are around Peachtree Corners. But two today that we’re talking to are student artists, that have a very different way they do their artwork. And I wanted to be able to bring them on. And we’re going to be talking about some of their artwork, their experiences, and we’ll be asking them questions about who they are, what they like, and what type of artwork they like to do as well. So let me bring them on. We have on the top left is Makenna Wazevich, and on the bottom is EG Pickering. Glad to have you guys on. So I did this last year with two other student artists, and we talk about the individuals. So I’m going to bring on, we’re going to do EG first, right? We’re going to bring on EG first and we’re going to let her talk about her artwork and the type of artwork you do, and I’m going to try to share some of that, if I don’t mess it up right now, on this podcast. So tell us a bit about what you do and why you chose to exhibit at Wesleyan Artist Market.
[00:01:45] EG: Sure. I’ve been doing art since, pretty much for my entire life. Doing art well into high school seemed a pretty obvious choice for me. I’m in AP art right now. So I joined the artist market just last year for the first time. But it was a really good experience, so I thought I’d try that again. So as for the kind of art that I do, I try to incorporate a few different styles just because I’m always learning. I’m trying to constantly improve my artwork. So I try to do a little bit of realism. I’ve tried to do some cartoon kind of stuff. And occasionally I try to do some like abstract. So it really kind of depends on what I’m feeling that day.
[00:02:33] Rico: So some of your artwork is the Carnation that we showed before.
[00:02:37] EG: I’m really proud of that one.
[00:02:38] Rico: It’s a really good piece. If I can remove my logo would be even better, I guess. I really like that piece. I think that that was a great realistic sort of piece like that. The other piece that we showed before was the Koy Pond that you did. But you also do a lot of fantastical type, if you will.
[00:02:56] EG: I do, yes.
[00:02:57] Rico: And those are inspired by different things? Different pieces of work, I guess? Here’s another one.
[00:03:03] EG: Yeah. So this one in particular was actually a part of my AP art project. So yeah, I really like that one.
[00:03:12] Rico: What was that inspired by? Almost feels like Harry Potter.
[00:03:17] EG: Actually I don’t, I don’t know that it was directly inspired by anything. Well, that’s not true. It was inspired by, oh my gosh, there’s a phrase. I cannot believe I’ve forgotten the phrase that I was inspired by for my own artwork, but it was inspired by a specific phrase. But yeah, I just, I tried to incorporate that. And tried to make it really fantastical and whimsical and just happy.
[00:03:38] Rico: Yeah, and you did a nice job up on that. Here’s another one that you did as well.
[00:03:42] EG: Yeah, that was last year. And this was, you know, when pretty much everything was at home. So I actually had a little bit of trouble creating this one at home, because mostly I didn’t know where I was going with it at first. You should have seen the canvas before I landed on that, but.
[00:04:02] Rico: Now you do everything in Procreate, you said on your iPad?
[00:04:06] EG: Most things, yes.
[00:04:07] Rico: So when you’re doing that type of work, are you able to change things up fairly quick? I don’t know how many people may know Procreate if it’s similar to photoshop or not.
[00:04:17] EG: Yeah, that’s one of the main benefits of digital art actually is that you can change things really quickly. You can kind of change the size, the color, the value. So if you know anything about like photo editing, that knowledge would be really helpful in digital art.
[00:04:32] Rico: Cool. Alright, so let’s also bring on Makenna Hey, McKenna. So tell us a little bit, as we do this one, I’m going to also share some of your artwork as well. Tell us a little bit about yourself, what type of work you do. You’re very different medium. You started out when you were nine years old sewing. And it’s an interesting, because not everyone does this, obviously. But it’s cool, right, because it’s also three dimensions. Feel it in your hand, fabrics and all that. There’s so much more to it as well. So tell us a little bit about that and I’ll bring on some artwork.
[00:05:04] Makenna: Like you said, I started when I was nine. I can’t remember like directly what inspired me to start sewing, but I got a sewing machine for Christmas and I took some lessons and I started doing it at home more. And just kind of creating my own patterns and kind of just going to the fabric store, and picking out different things and putting some of this stuff together. I’ve been doing the Artist Market for a couple years now. I can’t remember exactly how many years, but I started when I was in fifth grade. And I really liked doing it because it’s great exposure for like my business. And I’ve gotten a lot of customers from it.
[00:05:48] Rico: So you have a business doing this? You’re actually selling artwork that you’re doing. Here’s another one that you did that we want to share with people. You want to tell us a little bit about that one as well?
[00:05:59] Makenna: Yes. So these are my patches. I have three different sizes. And this is actually the large pouch. That’s the small one. I try to make them in all different like patterns and colors. So it’s kind of versatile for everyone. And that’s what I’m looking for when I’m going into the fabric store. And this is my Necessities Pouch, which is the smallest one.
[00:06:20] Rico: Alright, cool. And I think we have another picture.
[00:06:23] Makenna: All of my artworks are like different, things that I sell. So I have bookmarks, pouches, pillowcases, scrunchies, all that kind of stuff.
[00:06:34] Rico: Cool. Great. So I appreciate you ladies sharing the type of work you do. You know, it’s interesting going from, fabric sewing, because you’re looking at the outside, but there’s also an inside. There’s seamstress work you have to do. You’re actually creating a pattern before you do any of that work, correct?
[00:06:51] Makenna: Yes.
[00:06:51] Rico: So have you ever thought about doing outfits, skirts, dresses?
[00:06:55] Makenna: When I did lessons a couple of years ago, I made shirts and stuff. But it’s a little bit harder. So I prefer making like smaller stuff like this. I find like a lot more people find it more interesting, especially for younger ages.
[00:07:08] Rico: Gotcha. And you actually go to different places, or different home shows, I guess? To sell your stuff there?
[00:07:16] Makenna: Yeah, I’ve been to a couple of different shows. In 2021, I did the Wesleyan Artist’s Market, but it was online. And then I did a show at Marist, which is their, I want to say it’s their holiday tradition show. And then I did one at Lake Oconee.
[00:07:32] Rico: Oh, okay, cool. And people can always find your work online as well.
[00:07:37] Makenna: Yes. I have an Instagram, which is where I post pictures sometimes of some of the stuff I make. I do a lot of custom orders for people.
[00:07:46] Rico: Alright, cool. Now getting to EG, the work you do, obviously Procreate. Are you able to translate that? I know that as a publisher, I know that you could probably take your artwork digitally and actually put it on canvas electricly. You can put her on posters and stuff. Have you done that? Or have you tried the crypto art, encrypted art work?
[00:08:07] EG: Oh, NFTs?
[00:08:10] Rico: NFTs, thank you. I always mess that up. Sorry about that, yeah NFTs. Because that would be, that would be perfect, right?
[00:08:20] EG: I have not tried NFTs yet. Mostly because I don’t know much about them. To be honest, what I have heard about them, isn’t the best. So I’m a little wary of that. But otherwise there are a lot of transferable skills for digital art. So for example, before I was using Procreate, I was using Photoshop. And before Photoshop, I was using some free third-party software. And before that I was using like Kidpics when I was four, you know? But yeah, they’re the, you know, it just kind of builds up over time.
[00:08:53] Rico: Right. When you do these things, I mean, you’re going to be at the Artist’s Market so how do you sell the artwork there? I understand how a pillow can be sold there because it’s a physical item. So, but how would you sell your artwork?
[00:09:06] EG: So, I use a third party company to print them, print my artwork onto stuff. Because I can’t, I unfortunately don’t have the tools at home to print my artwork on a cup.
[00:09:19] Rico: So, is that what you print your stuff on cups? Or do you do other types of things?
[00:09:23] EG: That’s just an example. I’m not quite sure yet if I’m going to offer my artwork on cups this year, but I might.
[00:09:30] Rico: Okay. Makenna, which artist or filmmaker or author do you take inspiration from?
[00:09:36] Makenna: There’s not like a specific person. But I actually do remember when I started, got my interest in sewing was when I was younger, I used to watch Project Runway with my mom and that’s kind of like what got me into thinking to want to sew.
[00:09:51] Rico: Okay. And that’s good. I mean, you have your own sewing machine, obviously, right?
[00:09:55] Makenna: Yeah, I do it all from home.
[00:09:59] Rico: Right, cool. And that’s not easy, I’ve got to tell you. I mean, my mother-in-law used to sew and she had a sewing machine, old fashioned, electric. Just being a seamstress work, my wife’s whole family are pattern makers, seamstresses from New York and stuff. And they would make these beautiful dresses. In fact, we made her engagement dress from something I designed. That’ll never happen again, that’s a long time ago. And it’s difficult, so you can imagine, so you can appreciate that, I think. EG what about you? A specific person or artist or artwork that you find inspiration from?
[00:10:32] EG: Honestly I draw my inspiration from a lot of what I see on social media. For example like, Instagram, Pinterest. I know those are kind of basic sources, but I like following different artists with different styles. I just think it’s so fascinating to me, how many styles are out there and how artists can incorporate styles of other artists into their own style. So it becomes like a conglomeration of styles and I just, I think that’s so cool.
[00:11:01] Rico: That is cool. And I also on Instagram and Pinterest follow a lot of different artists. And the great part about that is that they’re from all over the world. I mean, and there’s another source that Adobe has, which is I think It’s a portfolio site. Yeah, you should look into that if you’re into Adobe and stuff, because it’s the same thing like Pinterest, actually their boards and stuff like that, right? But you’re following an artist and they keep posting, it’s almost like blog posts, with their art work. You’re right. I mean, you can find inspiration anywhere that way, and it can even be photography, I would imagine. That might inspire and illustrate a type of work. Is there any art that you identify most with? If you could pick a piece of art out there, is there any artwork that you would identify with?
[00:11:43] EG: Like, that I’ve done or?
[00:11:45] Rico: That’s out there or that you’ve done, whichever one is fine.
[00:11:49] EG: I don’t have a specific piece of artwork that other people have done that I identify the most with. But I do have a genre that I identify a lot with. Or just like a kind of feeling that, that I identify with. It’s just, art that has a lot of emotion behind it. I think when you have emotion behind it, it just, it automatically becomes a lot more powerful. And even if you don’t know what exactly emotion that artist is communicating, it’s still felt. And actually, I learned recently, well I saw recently a project that, a previous AP art student had done and I was so drawn to it. It was very illustrative, pastel colors, and very whimsical and fantastical. So it, it definitely drew me in. I kind of related to that style of art. But then I found out it had this very tragic source of inspiration that they had drawn from and all of a sudden it all made sense. I just, I really, I was really impressed by it.
[00:12:55] Rico: Artwork that comes with a story. I think it makes that artwork even more have feeling. I think that’s why some paintings are worth millions of dollars. It’s basically because of the artists and the pain, maybe that they felt as they were doing that artwork. Makenna, do you have an inspiration like that, that you draw from? Any favorite place that you work from?
[00:13:14] Makenna: Not really. Sometimes once I start one pattern or like project or a product, whatever you want to call it, I usually get ideas from more. So like in the past with my patches, I’ve done, obviously I’ve made different sizes of them and one time I even did patchwork. So I did different fabrics on the outside. So I just kind of like work with it and make different things and make my own inspiration, if that makes sense.
[00:13:42] Rico: It does. And what types of fabrics do you like working best in?
[00:13:46] Makenna: Cotton is the easiest to work in. I do a lot of flannel. And then when I make my pillow cases, those are flannel and there’s a border around them if that makes sense. And it’s a Minky almost, so it’s much softer.
[00:14:02] Rico: Do you go out, there’s fabric places I know, do you go out and look at all the fabric? I mean, there’s tons. You can go into one of these stores and there’s thousands of them.
[00:14:11] Makenna: Yes. I typically go to Joann’s because they always have good coupons, which helps. And they have, like a wall of all their cotton fabrics and all the different colors. And so it’s easy to like go in with what you’re looking for. But it’s also good to keep an open mindset, because there’s so many different options.
[00:14:28] Rico: Sure. I can imagine, you can spend hours doing that, just looking at, through all the fabrics. Then even the stuff that you put onto it, right? The accents that you put onto it or sew onto it, depending on the project. So the Joanne’s probably the store that you go to versus any other store I would imagine. But are there other stores that you might go to where, maybe Home Goods or something where you’re there and you’re noticing stuff and you say, Hmm that’s cool. I’d like that. Maybe that’s inspiring. Do you see that? Do you see yourself doing that? When you go shopping?
[00:14:59] Makenna: I do that all the time, yeah.
[00:15:02] Rico: Cool. EG what about, there’s inspiration that you can find in all sorts of places. I know that you said Instagram, Pinterest and stuff, and genres right? I know one of the things that you pointed out, I think you like whimsical artwork and stuff. Anime was one of the areas there or anime art, which has also varies, right? Because there’s a lot of different ways to do that. Are there any specific animes that you enjoy that’s inspired you or artists within that realm?
[00:15:30] EG: So, like you said, anime is a very diverse genre. So certain kinds of artwork from that genre, I’ll say. One that I really, really like is Studio Ghibli. Because I had heard about their movies and their stories and these beautiful, beautiful backgrounds that they’ve used. And so I started watching them. And man, I agree wholeheartedly with those assessments. They’re absolutely gorgeous films. But they do follow the anime style. So that’s one of my main inspirations.
[00:16:01] Rico: Cool. They’re fantastic movies. It’s a shame that, what’s his name? Miyazaki retired. Actually, he might be coming out to do one more movie, I think. But my kids, Disney movies and those movies. So studio Ghibli is a great place. Let’s go into a little bit of some other questions, as far as, you’re doing artwork. Some people do artwork like they do sports, right? Some people do sports and they realize they’d love to be in that sport, but that’s not where they’re going to be. So they’re going to study law or something else like, you know, something different. Or maybe even physical therapy, so something somewhat related. But people are different, right? But you’re getting into art and you want to stay there, right? I mean, you want to go on to college or, maybe SCAD even, to do studies in art. Is that where you want to head to? And what ultimately, where ultimately, would you want to find yourself in like five, six years after you get out of school?
[00:16:56] EG: That’s honestly a great question. I really have found that I really would like to stay in a creative field. Just because I think, you know working on an Excel document, I think, in an office setting. I do understand that that’s not an option for a lot of people. But I realized that there is just as much risk in doing that as following what you really want to do. I guess in, in your heart or in your gut. So I really, I do want to do something creative. Even if I have to go a long way to get there. But yeah, I’m also interested in like photography and writing. So those are also creative paths that I could end up going down.
[00:17:40] Rico: Alright, cool. Yeah, the world is changing, right? It used to be before, a decade ago, 10 years ago, if you were a graphic designer. Pretty much, you were a graphic designer and you weren’t doing other things. That changed. You know, obviously kids in school, even my kids, as they were going through high school, they were taking Photoshop actually in middle school, they were doing even Photoshop. So right. And HTML and programming even. Even if you weren’t in school doing it. For example, I remember my daughter she loves, I think it’s Horse Isle, which was a horse riding game. And you’d have to make your own sort of website within that world. So she learned HTML by herself. She learned how to use Photoshop by herself, different brushes and stuff. I was just impressed, one day when I saw her doing, I was like, where’d you get those brushes? Did you download that? She’s like, no, I made those. And I was like, what? Really? So if you want to do these things and you have that talent and she’s not going that way, she’s doing something else. But it was a good fun time for her to be able to do that. Makenna, you’re doing work that I know from my experience with my family seamstresses and stuff like that, that worked for large dress companies and design firms, fashion companies. We used to get dresses in the warehouses in New York. Sometimes they’d let us in and we’d go shopping. Your type of work is a bit different though. And you can sell that stuff on Etsy. I mean, you become your own business easily, just as well as illustration too. So tell me what you want to do. Where do you want to be when you leave high school? Where do you think you’ll be going to and where do you want to be six, seven years from now?
[00:19:10] Makenna: I have a long time since I’m still a freshman until I kind of decide where I want to go and what I want to do. But I’ve definitely thought about fashion designing or kind of growing my business, as maybe even if it’s just on the side. I’ve also, I’m a gymnast so I’ve also thought about doing something that relates to sports. So like sports medicine or physical therapy, like you said.
[00:19:34] Rico: Cool. And there’s nothing wrong with having a business on the side. Sometimes that becomes lifestyle money. What’s called lifestyle money, right? It adds to your other income. And who knows? It may take off and you might end up being full-time doing that. We never know. Let’s go through a couple of other questions that are not necessarily on the artwork, but sort of hopefully a little bit more revealing of the type of person you may be. And I’ve asked these questions of other people sometimes. What superpower would you have and why? And let’s start with EG on that one.
[00:20:04] EG: I’m going to be honest, I have thought a lot about this. I have not been able to come up with a complete answer. Because there’s a lot of super powers out there and choosing one seems, you know, you might choose one and then you’re like, ah, I wish I’d chosen that one. But, I think overall one of the best ones out there is flying. And I know that’s really like, that’s one of the more popular ones, but it’s for a good reason. Because being an artist specifically, I could just casually float up over Atlanta one day and sketch that. That’d be fun.
[00:20:40] Rico: That would be. What about you Makenna? What superpowers, if you could pick one, would you have and why?
[00:20:46] Makenna: I don’t know. Maybe super strength. And there’s not like an exact reason. Like, I don’t know. It just sounds cool. Just randomly like lift up a car or something.
[00:20:55] Rico: Alright, alright. Super strength is always good. What wouldn’t you do without? Let’s start with Makenna, maybe. If there was something that’s your favorite thing, I guess, that you wouldn’t do without. It could be anything. It could be time.
[00:21:09] Makenna: That’s a really hard question.
[00:21:10] Rico: It is. It’s more, really like life question, actually.
[00:21:13] Makenna: I’m not sure.
[00:21:14] Rico: Okay. EG, do you want to step in and say one? Do you have one?
[00:21:18] EG: I mean, I use my iPad and my Apple Pencil pretty much every day. I’ve actually started bringing them to school because I draw on them every single day. So pretty much my iPad and my Apple Pencil are essential to my life right now.
[00:21:35] Rico: Cool. Makenna, do you use anything to like sketch or keep a diary? Do you do any of that as well?
[00:21:41] Makenna: I do a lot of my stuff on paper. All my patterns are made of those either posterboard or cardstock. And so I’m able to like draw it out and like take measurements. I usually write it down in a notebook, what the measurements are and stuff. And like what I want it to look like.
[00:21:57] Rico: Alright, cool. So the next few questions are just the standard Q and A’s that I drop in towards the end of an interview. What’s your favorite food EG?
[00:22:06] EG: Ooh, as far as snack food, that would definitely be popcorn. I make popcorn a lot. So much so that we actually have a popcorn popper and we have to buy popcorn kernels, but it is really good. It is really good.
[00:22:20] Rico: Makenna what about you?
[00:22:22] Makenna: Favorite food is probably any type of Italian food. I love pasta or pizza.
[00:22:27] Rico: Okay. And what’s your favorite book or movie EG?
[00:22:31] EG: I actually have not ever been able to come up with an answer for this one. But I do really, really like the Marvel movies. I’m a big fan of those.
[00:22:41] Rico: How about your makenna?
[00:22:42] Makenna: That’s so hard. It always changes whenever I watch a new movie. I’m not the best at like keeping up and reading books, but I just like stick to the one’s we have to read for school. But movie, it’s really hard. But like she said, I also liked Marvel movies and like Disney movies.
[00:22:58] Rico: Do either of you speak a language other than English?
[00:23:01] EG: I’m trying to learn French. I’m in French classes right now, so.
[00:23:05] Makenna: Yeah, I’m the same. I’m taking French at school, but I’m definitely not fluent.
[00:23:10] Rico: Oh yeah, French is not easy. I spoke a little bad Italian and I decided to take French in high school, which was just a mistake. I should’ve stuck with an Italian, that would have been an easy A. So, let’s go for one last thing that I’d like both of you, one at a time, we’ll start with EG. Where can people, obviously the Instagram, your Instagram addresses are both below your names, above your heads on this video. But where can people find or follow you? Are there different places and where can they purchase artwork? Obviously, you’re going to be at Wesleyan Artist Market so they can visit that too.
[00:23:46] EG: Yes. Please come visit me at the Wesleyan Artist Market, I’ll have a lot of stuff out. But yes, obviously the Instagram. And then I also have a Red Bubble, if you don’t know what a Red Bubble is, it’s basically again, this service that you can upload your art onto and you can get that in pretty much everything. So I have uploaded just a few things to Red Bubble, but I’m hoping to upload more soon.
[00:24:13] Rico: I haven’t heard of that one, alright. What about you Makenna? Where can people find out about you and buy your products and stuff?
[00:24:20] Makenna: Definitely through my Instagram, like DM me. My email is also in my bio of my Instagram, for my business. That’s the main place. You can also find me at a boutique at Lake Oconee, it’s called the Artisans Village. And I used to be in a boutique in Atlanta, but they recently closed. But yeah.
[00:24:42] Rico: Cool, great. The Wesleyan Artist’s Market is happening in April. We’re going to have show notes to this video podcast. Obviously if you’re listening to this on Spotify or iHeartRadio, just Google Wesleyan Artist Market, and you’ll be able to find out the date and such. But we’ll have the link in the show notes on this. Feel free to look for other artists, but certainly EG Pickering and Makenna Wazevich. Check them out because they’re talented kids. I appreciate your time here with me Makenna and EG. My name is Rico Figliolini. I want to thank you all for listening in to this podcast and check out Wesleyan Artist Market.
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.
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.
Arts & Literature
From Food Creations to Handmade Jewelry: Wesleyan Kids Prep for Artist Market 2025 [Podcast]
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.
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.
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.
“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.
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.
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.
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.”
“… 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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