Mackenzie Sparks

The Art Station at Big Shanty

Home for Kennesaw’s Thriving Arts Community

BY MACKENZIE SPARKS

The Art Station at Big Shanty Park was built as a summer home for the Rooker family in 1943, and it eventually became their permanent home. Mrs. Rooker, an artist and supporter of community arts, donated her home to Cobb County with the instruction that it become an arts facility. Originally located where Kennesaw Mountain High School now stands, the house was moved and, over a two-year period, transformed into the arts center we have today.

With three multimedia classrooms, a pottery studio, meeting space and a gallery, this creative facility is a cozy, yet productive, part of Cobb County PARKS. Programming includes classes and workshops in visual arts during the fall, winter and spring quarters. Visual and theater camps for children of all ages are offered during the summer quarter, and exhibitions and a meeting space for arts-related activities are available year-round.

The Fall 2 collection includes classes for beginners and experienced artists, such as Pottery on the Wheel, Charcoal Drawing for Beginners and a Painting Stretch class to stretch your skills. There are a plethora of kids and teen classes, such as Clay Hand Building, Manga Comics – Character Drawing and a class where art and science mix. If you have a busy schedule and can’t come to the classes, there are individual workshops that only take an hour or two to attend.

The September exhibit was the Student Teacher Art Retrospective (STAR), which showcased work from people who teach classes at The Art Station as well as their students.

Both the front and back galleries feature rotating art exhibits every month, with a variety of media. The October exhibit is the Mexican Folk Art gallery and runs through Oct. 29. There always is a search for new art to display and upcoming artists in the community to feature at the Art Station. The November gallery will highlight photography taken of or by American veterans. If you or anyone you know is interested in being a part of this showcase, visit the Exhibits tab on ArtStationCobb.org, and download the application.

Listed below are all of the upcoming Fall 2 classes and workshops. Visit the Art Station website for more information.

Mackenzie Sparks is an illustrator, award-winning writer and graphic designer from Paulding County, who has been working at The Art Station for almost two years.

Upcoming Classes and Workshops

CLASSES

Teen/Adult

Charcoal Drawing for Beginners Manga and Comics – Character Drawing Animal and Creature Drawing Painting Stretch Painter’s Guided Open Studio Pottery/Weekend on the Wheel

Youth

Playin’ in the Mud Clay Hand Building ARTology Manga Comics – Character Drawing Art Studio Charcoal Drawing for Beginners

Performing Arts

Private music lessons (piano, guitar, violin, viola) First Act Theater Group

Art for the Heart

Broadway Bounds Musical Theater

WORKSHOPS

Teen/Adult

Celebrate Pride Super Sitters Training Embroidery and Sewing 101 Ouch! SFX Make-up Workshop

Youth

Paper Mache Yarn Pumpkins Mommy and Me Halloween Bag Super Sitters Training Fall Into Fall – Painted Pumpkins Workshop Halloween Tunnel Books Workshop Punch Needle Embroidery for Beginners Artist’s Loft – Optical Illusions Artist’s Loft – Pocket Weaving Artist’s Loft – Fall Colors Artist’s Loft – Painted Pumpkins Artist’s Loft – Perfect Popups Artist’s Loft – Beach Vacation

Art for the Heart

Safety from the Heart

Giving Meaning to Each Resident’s Day

Oaks at West Cobb senior living community cultivates person-directed lifestyles.

Life is about continuing to grow, no matter your age. That’s the focus of Oaks at West Cobb Assisted Living and Memory Care Senior Living Community, where a person-directed lifestyle ensures that care partners know, understand, and honor the life history and personal preferences of each resident.

The result is an environment where people are valued and appreciated, and personal choice is honored, fostering a sense of purpose while enabling meaningful relationships.

Oaks Senior Living has 38 properties in Georgia and South Carolina; the Marietta location is the newest and is on schedule to open in November. The company’s owners, the Salabarria family, are working toward becoming an Eden Alternative Organization, a nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of elders, care partners and their communities. The organization offers resources and a standard to communities wanting to strengthen the senior living experience.

“We are committed to changing the way people age,” Alex Salabarria said. “Each day is an opportunity for growth, to enjoy what has always brought us happiness, and an allowance for new life experiences.”

Welcome to Main Street!

The community is centered around Main Street Square. On a stroll down the Oaks’ Main Street, residents and their guests will encounter a movie theater, arts studio, café/bistro, a billiard gaming room, and a private dining room that leads to a country kitchen, main dining area and outside dining patio. All-day dining is available, allowing residents to take advantage of the many dining destinations, without being restricted to scheduled dining times. Main Street offers access to a secured outdoor landscaped garden with raised garden beds, water features, a walking trail and a putting green. The property is extensive and includes an oversized greenhouse, a pet play area, large pavilion and children’s playground. Landscaped walking trails circle the entire building, and a large greenspace has room for outdoor movies, picnics, musical and theatrical events.

Every Need is Met

The Oaks at West Cobb offers 63 assisted living and 32 memory care (called Horizons) apartments. Assistedliving apartments are available on the first and second floors with oversized large windows throughout, offering views of the courtyard. Apartment floor plans include two bedroom, two master bathroom luxury apartments, large deluxe one bedroom apartments and studio apartments. Features include: large refrigerators; subway tile backsplash in the kitchen; quartz countertops in kitchen and bathroom; zero-entry shower;