AUGUSTA TRAINING SHOP handmade snowflakes + jewelry @augustatrainingshop @augustatrainingshop augustatrainingshop.com ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION The Augusta Training Shop, Inc. believes that all persons with disabilities are PEOPLE FIRST and that a disability is secondary to their individuality. Our employees are entitled to the same rights and privileges afforded to any other citizen. with the opportunity to stretch their limit They enable their employees with the opportunity to stretch their limits, build their confidence and make their dreams a reality. They thrive on fostering self-respect and independence on a daily basis. Their program is determined to see a person’s courage lifted high and build an abundance of self-esteem. It is their goal to witness someone cross the threshold of inspiration and show the world what they CAN do. RETURN TO VENDOR PAGE
KATE GARY DESIGNS fine art + watercolors @kategarydesigns @kategarydesigns kategarydesigns.com Meet The Artist WHO ARE YOU, WHERE ARE YOU FROM, & WHAT DO YOU DO?Hi, I’m Kate! Fine Art & Watercolor Artist As a native of Augusta, I fell in love with watercolor after many years of working full-time in the marketing industry and pursuing my creative journey part-time. I began painting homes as gifts for loved ones and at my church, and the rest is history. My true passion lies in illustrating and painting homes, churches, and other landmarks with vibrant colors and intricate details. I’ve also been commissioned to paint all sorts of things like crests, Bibles, bottles and murals. DESCRIBE YOUR PROCESS.I paint by picture and you won’t find a pencil line anywhere. I like to paint it out and then draw in the details with black brush pen or paint. WHAT INSPIRES YOU?I love connecting and meeting new people and I love creating art for them that’s meaningful. I tend to paint the things that make me happy and that I think will make others happy. FUN FACT ABOUT YOU.My first commissioned piece was The Lamar building in downtown Augusta. It was a black pen drawing for an anniversary gift from a wife to a husband. FAVORITE THING ABOUT DOWNTOWN AUGUSTA.I love the redevelopment of downtown! Restaurants, shops and events… opportunities for family time and hanging out with friends! WHY DO YOU LOVE TO DESIGN, CREATE + MAKE?It’s my way of sharing with others a memory or a moment that they can keep forever. WHAT IS ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU WOULD SHARE WITH OTHER ARTISTS + MAKERS?Don’t give up and be consistent! You will work harder for yourself than any boss you’ve ever had! I want everyone to have art in their home. So ask questions and don’t be afraid to ask about pricing. I have all sorts of art at different price ranges. You deserve to have art that makes you happy in your home! RETURN TO VENDOR PAGE
DEARLY DAWN STUDIO original art, cards, throw blankets, stickers, etc. @dawnmcardona @dearlydawnstudio dearlydawnstudio.com Meet The Artist WHO ARE YOU, WHERE ARE YOU FROM, & WHAT DO YOU DO? Hi, I’m Dawn. The artist, founder and creative director behind Dearly Dawn Studio – a creative design & illustration studio producing whimsical illustrations from the heart for the young at heart. DESCRIBE YOUR PROCESS. My process is a little difficult to describe as I work organically and can bring something to life from a simple color, shape or idea. I embrace spontaneity in my work to allow what I’m feeling in the moment to shine through… I work best when my feeling brain takes over and very little thinking is involved. I do what feels natural. WHAT INSPIRES YOU? Everything I do is inspired by paper, people, nostalgia and nature. FUN FACT ABOUT YOU. I am self-taught, but have recently decided to go back to school for my first art degree! FAVORITE THING ABOUT DOWNTOWN AUGUSTA. I love that you will always run into someone you know. WHY DO YOU LOVE TO DESIGN, CREATE + MAKE? I feel most alive when I am designing/creating/making…I need it to survive as much as I need oxygen. It is my inspiration, my therapy and my happiness. WHAT IS ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU WOULD SHARE WITH OTHER ARTISTS + MAKERS? Have patience with yourself. I love working with others to bring ideas to life! RETURN TO VENDOR PAGE
JACKI MAYO VAN DYKE ART & DESIGN Whimsical Art and Design inspired by the natural world @jaxattax @fullmetaljacki etherealmaterialshop.etsy.com Meet The Artist WHO ARE YOU, WHERE ARE YOU FROM, & WHAT DO YOU DO?I am an artist born and raised in Augusta, Georgia. I love experimenting with different mediums and learning new skills. DESCRIBE YOUR PROCESS.Making mistakes is a big part of my process. It is how I am able to discover new techniques and ideas, even though sometimes it can be very frustrating WHAT INSPIRES YOU?The great mysteries of the universe and the super cute. FUN FACT ABOUT YOU. I love playing video games, it is my favorite way to unwind at the end of the day. FAVORITE THING ABOUT DOWNTOWN AUGUSTA.We have a great community filled with passionate people who have built and accomplished so much to help build our culture and offer new opportunities to aspiring artists. WHY DO YOU LOVE TO DESIGN, CREATE + MAKE?There is a very fulfilling feeling that comes with making things. Occasionally it’s frustrating, but often it feels like play and sometimes therapy WHAT IS ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU WOULD SHARE WITH OTHER ARTISTS + MAKERS?Mistakes are okay! Mistakes are encouraged! I believe in you! RETURN TO VENDOR PAGE
SHELB’S DESIGNS acrylic art and unique woodturning @shelbsdesigns Meet The Artist WHO ARE YOU, WHERE ARE YOU FROM, & WHAT DO YOU DO?coming soon DESCRIBE YOUR PROCESS.coming soon WHAT INSPIRES YOU?coming soon FUN FACT ABOUT YOU.coming soon FAVORITE THING ABOUT DOWNTOWN AUGUSTA.coming soon WHY DO YOU LOVE TO DESIGN, CREATE + MAKE?coming soon WHAT IS ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU WOULD SHARE WITH OTHER ARTISTS + MAKERS?coming soon RETURN TO VENDOR PAGE
KAY’S OFF HER GOURD Gourd vases, bowls, lamps, night lights, + critters. @kaysoffhergourd @kaylovingood etsy.com/shop/kaysoffhergourd Meet The Artist WHO ARE YOU, WHERE ARE YOU FROM, & WHAT DO YOU DO?I’m Kay Lovingood, a gourd artist from Augusta, GA. Coming from a background of music and photography, I first began working with gourds in 2011 and have grown to become an award-winning artist. I enjoy speaking about my work, showing it off, and even teaching my process. DESCRIBE YOUR PROCESS.Gourds are a wonderfully variable canvas. They can be painted, cut, carved, and drilled. But they grow in the dirt and must be cleaned before any art can happen. The next step depends on what they will become. Bowls and vases need to be cut open, the guts need to be dumped out, and the inside needs to be sanded. On all of them, open or not, I enjoy wood burning and carving more than painting; so I have to draw my design carefully rather than just sketching it. After that, I simply follow those lines with the burner or carver. Sometimes I add color; sometimes I leave the gourd natural. At all times, with every design, I want the gourd itself to be seen; it’s the star of the show. WHAT INSPIRES YOU?Nature quite often is my inspiration, including the shape of the gourd. Some remind me of flamingos, or whales, or penguins. I can combine several gourds to make other animals. I carve and paint flowers on my “canvas”. The natural color of the gourd helps me choose my colors. The God of Creation has given me talent and ideas to create from what He has already created. FUN FACT ABOUT YOU.I have a Master’s degree in tuba. FAVORITE THING ABOUT DOWNTOWN AUGUSTA.It’s coming alive again, with lots of local shops WHY DO YOU LOVE TO DESIGN, CREATE + MAKE?God gave each of us some kind of creativity, whether in the arts, engineering, speaking, writing, teaching, or healing. I’ll admit that my creativity spans a wide range, with photography, gourds, performing, and composing music. Gourds are simply the latest step on my creative journey. Gourds are natural, and I feel a connection to them when I hold them and while I work. I don’t feel that with a flat rectangular painting canvas. I’m inspired by the quirky shapes and the individual markings on each gourd. The God who created gourds also created me in His image and made me creative. WHAT IS ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU WOULD SHARE WITH OTHER ARTISTS + MAKERS?Don’t be afraid to try something new. My life has taken me from math major to music teacher to gourd artist. I just followed the path before me. RETURN TO VENDOR PAGE
KENNETH JAMES BENSON Live Whimsical illustration Prints with the Illustration Machine. @kennethjamesbensonillustrations @kennethjamesbenson kennethjamesbenson.com Meet The Artist WHO ARE YOU, WHERE ARE YOU FROM, & WHAT DO YOU DO? My name is Kenneth James Benson. I am married to an artist, Ellie, and a father of four kids. I wasn’t born in Augusta but Augusta is my hometown. I am an illustrator and graphic designer that dabbles in animation and sorcery. DESCRIBE YOUR PROCESS. My process may vary depending upon what I am creating. My artwork ranges from giclee prints to screen prints and on the occasion, five-minute portraits hand drawn and watercolored in my Illustration Machine. WHAT INSPIRES YOU? My inspiration comes from everywhere. It could be from a book I’ve read, the TV show I watched, or even a random thought that popped into my head that I find funny. FUN FACT ABOUT YOU. I am a Time Lord. FAVORITE THING ABOUT DOWNTOWN AUGUSTA. The Book Tavern. I shouldn’t have to explain why it’s super awesome. If you haven’t been there, then go. You will fall in love. WHY DO YOU LOVE TO DESIGN, CREATE + MAKE? As humans we all express ourselves in different ways such as the clothes we wear, the music we listen to, or the cars we drive. For me, my art is an expression of who I am. I can’t help but create, it’s how God made me. WHAT IS ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU WOULD SHARE WITH OTHER ARTISTS + MAKERS? Be true to your self and embrace your weirdness because that’s where you’ll find your inspiration and motivation to create good things. RETURN TO VENDOR PAGE
APC CERAMICS handmade ceramics including planters, mugs, bowls, plates and sculptures @apc_ceramics Meet The Artist WHO ARE YOU, WHERE ARE YOU FROM, & WHAT DO YOU DO? I am Amy Crawford a military brat but Augusta is my home. I am a high school art teacher and ceramic artist. DESCRIBE YOUR PROCESS. I dabble in ceramic sculpture but I love to make pottery. Sometimes I use hand-building methods but I prefer the potter’s wheel. WHAT INSPIRES YOU? Nature, color, functional objects FUN FACT ABOUT YOU. I served in the Army for 4 years FAVORITE THING ABOUT DOWNTOWN AUGUSTA. Local restaurants, art galleries and the sculpture trail WHY DO YOU LOVE TO DESIGN, CREATE + MAKE? It’s my therapy and I love making functional things I can use in my home. WHAT IS ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU WOULD SHARE WITH OTHER ARTISTS + MAKERS? Keep making stuff 🙂 RETURN TO VENDOR PAGE
NICOLE NOVAK FLUID ART fluid art @nnovakfluidart nnovakfluidart.com Meet The Artist WHO ARE YOU, WHERE ARE YOU FROM, & WHAT DO YOU DO?I am from the Metro Detroit area, and have been in Augusta for the last 8 years. I began painting shortly before the pandemic, and since have used various techniques and tools to achieve unique paintings with abstract aesthetics. Some have distinct subjects, and others, not so much. I also have been making prints, some of which are digitally enhanced, and still others that are embellished by hand. Lately, I have been using resin to make things such as dominoes sets, bowls, trays, and even puzzles. DESCRIBE YOUR PROCESS.After mixing my paints with whatever additive I’ve chosen for the day, I will use one of several techniques to create a painting. SOmetimes I cut the bottom from a cup and let the paint flow through there. Sometimes I’ll layer paint colors and then pour the whole cup on the canvas. Other times I’ll lay lines of paint and then either swipe them or use an air source to spread them. I usually have an idea of what I’m aiming for, biut often, the paint has its own plans. More often than not though, I end up with a happy surprise or two. Once the paint is on the canvas, I’ll sometimes use something like a skewer, paintbrush, balloon, or other surprising things to embellish the paintings. WHAT INSPIRES YOU?I get inspired by other artists, by my emotions, and by events in my life. FUN FACT ABOUT YOU. I hold a BFA in Interior Design, and am working on an MA in Theological Studies. I have played violin for 34 years, and sometimes take on some teaching for beginners. I’m lately getting into doing classes for fluid art and calligraphy. I also have some graphic design skills and have designed various things from wedding suites to digital art. FAVORITE THING ABOUT DOWNTOWN AUGUSTA.The restaurants and the artistic community. WHY DO YOU LOVE TO DESIGN, CREATE + MAKE?For me, the creative process, regardless of what I’m working on, is a form of therapy and self expression. It brings me joy, and calms my mind. It helps me to connect with God, who created me to also be creative. As a disabled individual, it gives me an outlet for pain, and a vehicle by which to connect with and contribute to my community. WHAT IS ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU WOULD SHARE WITH OTHER ARTISTS + MAKERS?Let go. Perfectionism can stifle creativity. RETURN TO VENDOR PAGE
KATIE WHITE STUDIO original watercolor artwork @katiewhilestudio Meet The Artist WHO ARE YOU, WHERE ARE YOU FROM, & WHAT DO YOU DO?Hi! I’m Katie, mother of 2 littles, wife to an inspiring husband, lover of dad jokes, and dabbler of watercolors. DESCRIBE YOUR PROCESS.Honestly, it’s very mood based or what the current inspiration is. This can last a few days, weeks, or just hours. Who knows? WHAT INSPIRES YOU?Faith, family, and whatever we’re into at the moment FUN FACT ABOUT YOU.I’ll drink coffee all day long and pass out at night without problem. FAVORITE THING ABOUT DOWNTOWN AUGUSTA.So excited to hear about the revitalization happening recently. Would love to see this city continue to grow WHY DO YOU LOVE TO DESIGN, CREATE + MAKE?Painting is an outlet of relaxation from a high-stress day job. We also have 2 littles that I hope to instill their love of art and working with their hands. WHAT IS ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU WOULD SHARE WITH OTHER ARTISTS + MAKERS?Don’t give up. You win some, you lose some. It’s not always sunshine and rainbows. It’s consistency, being honest with yourself in what works and what doesn’t. Always critique yourself, but make sure it’s constructive criticism. Learn from those around you. Never stop asking questions. A bit more than one piece of advice… RETURN TO VENDOR PAGE
