CORRECTION: In the article “Brick by Brick” (January/February 2025), Jordan Quackenbush’s in-progress project was misidentified as steampunk-inspired. The correct description for the project, which he is developing alongside the Neo-Atlanta build team, is cyberpunk-inspired.
ENJOY MAGAZINE, INC. IS HONORED TO BE NAMED THE CHEROKEE COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
STORY BY Tayler Willis, Canton
PHOTOGRAPHY BY Hillary Nichols
Take a look online for home decor inspiration, and you’ll see nearly identical versions of the same room filled with mass-produced art prints and decor. Perhaps you’ve created such a space in your own home, inspired by photo after photo on a carefully curated Pinterest board. Maybe, like me, you’ve been left underwhelmed by the result of your careful planning, online shopping sprees, and trips to HomeGoods.
Jessica Bagwell, founder of Canton-based Hudson & Rose Interiors, knows the struggle of sifting through the endless options to create a space that feels just right. Whenever possible she prefers to help her clients purchase original art to give their spaces a distinct and meaningful flair. “I’m not someone who likes to go shopping at HomeGoods or Target,” she says of her design process. She has been known to walk with her clients through local galleries such as Menagerie on Main in Canton to get an idea of their preferences, which she says tend to be personal and unique. Should a client find a local artist whose work speaks to their style, Jessica may purchase an existing piece or commission a new piece for the client’s space.
Jamie Foster (formerly Foreman), owner of Menagerie on Main, is a firm believer in using local art over mass-produced decor. She remarks that a space feels “much more meaningful” when filled with carefully chosen artwork with a human touch. “It’s much more reflective of the owner.”
Jessica Bagwell Founder and Designer, Hudson & Rose Interiors
Local Art Brings Connection
Cherokee County homes are an eclectic mix of modern and classic, urban and rustic, small and large. Fortunately, talented local artists are equally diverse in style. Jamie speaks to the varied styles of art created by the approximately fifty artists Menagerie on Main represents. With such diversity you’re sure to find art that speaks to you and feels right for your space. Even more, the knowledge that the art is created locally establishes a sense of place.
As an interior designer, Jessica enjoys the challenge of finding artists whose work meshes with her clients’ preferences for color and style. She refrains from boxing herself into certain design aesthetics, instead seeking to understand what types of art spark joy. With locally made and inspired art that feels like home, you’ll feel a local connection and the satisfaction of supporting your local community.
Madison Beaulieu, local artist and founder of Maker’s Mash, a monthly pop-up market at Reformation Brewery’s Woodstock and Canton locations, confirms that shopping locally for art is deeply meaningful to the artist. She remarks, “Every time someone purchases work from me, it’s an affirmation. When two people connect over art, it quiets the loneliness we all feel at times. I like to see pieces from my artist friends in my home. It’s a sweet reminder that you’re not alone.”
Get Creative
If the idea of collecting and displaying local art sounds exciting but intimidating, think outside the box. Is a large original painting out of your budget? “Bringing local art into your home is quite easy,” explains Madison. “Prints are affordable. I’ve even been known to frame a greeting card or two. If you create gallery walls out of similar colors and tones, you can enjoy a collection that is always changing and growing.”
Jessica recommends getting your artwork framed at a local frame shop, another opportunity to incorporate local talent in your home. “They’re very creative and can really bring pieces of art to life,” she promises.
Also remember that art is not narrowly defined. “Art isn’t just paintings on a wall. It’s anything created by an artist. It’s all art if an artist makes it,” Jamie says with a laugh. A vase on a table or blown glass on a bookshelf can accentuate a space and make a great conversation starter. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and look for original work that you love. “You don’t have to know anything about art to like it. You can just like it,” she says.
Use Your Resources
Decorating a home is a deeply personal activity. If you have the desire and budget for it, an interior design firm like Hudson & Rose Interiors can create a functional space that speaks to your personal style. Interior designers come with the added benefit of relationships with local professionals to ensure you get great service and are happy with your results.
If you’re more interested in working on your own, you’re in luck. Options for finding locally made art are plentiful in Cherokee County. Visit local businesses like Menagerie on Main and Made Mercantile or attend local events like Maker’s Mash and Art on the Green. “You can typically find something that speaks to you in a range of budgets,” Jessica says.
Remember, you don’t need to finish your decor all at once. Take your time and allow unique pieces to come together to create your happy place, whatever that may mean for you.
Every time someone purchases work from me, it’s an affirmation. When two people connect over art, it quiets the loneliness we all feel at times. I like to see pieces from my artist friends in my home. It’s a sweet reminder that you’re not alone.”
— Madison Beaulieu, Made Mercantile
The Georgia film industry is growing and ever-changing. Along with the industry, the events and celebrations must do so too. The inaugural Metro Atlanta Film Summit marks a big step forward for the local film community. The rebranding of the Cherokee Film Summit has broadened the scope of the event, reflecting the expanding influence that the film industry holds across the region.
THE BEGINNING
In 2019 the Cherokee Film Summit began with a clear mission: to highlight Cherokee County and foster relationships within the film community. Led by the Cherokee Office of Economic Development (COED), the film summit has brought filmmakers, industry professionals, and local leaders together to support each other through challenges and opportunities within the industry.
“The Cherokee Film Summit has always had a statewide perspective,” says Molly Mercer, Film Project Manager at COED. “We wanted to showcase the regional and state partners that fuel our ability to create and impact our communities, bringing economic wealth to them.”
Throughout the years, the Cherokee Film Summit reached many milestones as COED’s flagship effort to expand the local film industry, allowing local leaders to connect with other filmmakers through unparalleled networking opportunities.
Film location scout and previous film summit presenter Jimmie Bullis says of his experience with the Cherokee Film Summit, “How refreshing it is to know there is a community who still cares.”
The 2024 summit featured a memorable discussion with Georgia Film Office Deputy Commissioner Lee Thomas and Greg Torre, former director of the Georgia Film, Music, and Digital Entertainment Office. The session highlighted the fiftieth anniversary of the Georgia Film Office, tracing its roots back to then-Governor Jimmy Carter’s vision to utilize Georgia’s rural areas for filmmaking. Carter’s vision has become his legacy and continues to benefit local communities today.
Given the Cherokee Film Summit’s continuing success and expansion, organizers saw the potential for more. Recognizing the need to engage a broader audience, organizers decided to rebrand the event as the Metro Atlanta Film Summit. The transition reflects the natural expansion of the event’s reach, aligning with Metro Atlanta’s prominence as a global film hub. “We’re not leaving the Cherokee Film Summit behind,” Molly emphasizes. “It’s an extension of what we’ve always done, but with a broader lens.”
Stephanie Purcell, an Emmy-winning producer and past film summit presenter, describes her experience with the Cherokee
STORY BY Taylor Haymore, Canton
Film Summit: “When I first heard of the summit, I thought, ‘I’m not a part of Cherokee County. How will it be beneficial to me?’” After participating she shares, “I was pleasantly surprised, and it was a great experience with great people.” The networking opportunities the summit provides allow participants to expand their scope in the film industry and connect with new people.
WHAT TO EXPECT
The Metro Atlanta Film Summit convenes creatives and shapes the future of film. This year’s event promises an expanded format, offering longer hours and more opportunities for collaboration. Notable highlights include the following:
Q Specialized Meetings: Statewide partners, such as Camera-Ready Liaisons, will convene for training sessions. Established when Georgia’s tax incentives spurred industry growth, this program ensures every county has a representative to facilitate filming.
Q Entertainment Tourism Alliance of Georgia: This meeting will explore how Georgia can capitalize on entertainment tourism, leveraging the visibility of the state’s ubiquitous “Georgia Peach” logo to attract visitors.
Q Panels and Workshops: Attendees can look forward to dynamic panels featuring industry professionals across film, television, video games, and music, as well as breakout sessions to provide intimate settings for meaningful connections.
The summit also serves as a platform for announcements about new initiatives and partnerships that could further bolster Georgia’s position as a film industry leader.
LOOKING AHEAD
A key goal of the summit is to foster connections that extend beyond the event itself. Connecting filmmakers with potential investors, crew members, and other essential collaborators has a multitude of benefits, Molly explains. “We want people to leave with the relationships and resources they need to bring their creative visions to life.”
As the Metro Atlanta Film Summit embarks on its new chapter, its long-term vision is clear: to continue building a vibrant, interconnected film community. Molly is optimistic about the future, despite challenges such as recent strikes in the industry. “Independent films have thrived during this time,” she notes, pointing to projects like These Stones and Signing Day as examples of resilience and creativity.
The summit’s tagline “Convening Creatives, Shaping the Future of Film” highlights its commitment to inviting innovation and collaboration. With its expanded scope and inclusive approach, the Metro Atlanta Film Summit is set to become a cornerstone event to strengthen the Metro Atlanta industry and film across the state of Georgia.
Filmed in Cherokee
The Filmed in Cherokee app gained exciting new features this past October, giving users a new route to explore film locations in their own backyards.
Launched in 2021 by the Cherokee Office of Economic Development (COED) in collaboration with Woodstockbased Black Airplane, the Filmed in Cherokee app allows users to explore the Cherokee County film industry.
Filmed in Cherokee 2.0 features a brand-new interactive experience that immerses users in their favorite films, according to Ben Richards, a Black Airplane developer who helped create Filmed in Cherokee 2.0. “It brings it more to life, so you’re able to get a lot more context around the filming crews and places they ate while filming in different locations and how they got involved in the community during that time,” Ben says.
BY Ana Markosi, Canton
THE FILMED IN CHEROKEE APP IS AVAILABLE TO DOWNLOAD FOR FREE FROM THE APPLE APP STORE OR ON GOOGLE PLAY.
COED also curated five themed, self-guided tour routes of Cherokee County film locations, more than doubling the number of locations and productions available to users in the Filmed in Cherokee app and added neverbefore-seen private locations. The privately owned properties are inaccessible to the public, but users can still learn why they were the best backdrop for projects such as A Man in Full and Bad Boys: Ride or Die. COED points out the app is everchanging. As more projects enter our community, new locations will be added and new tours will be curated.
Families can discover the scenes of family-friendly favorites on the Family Fun Tour. The tour features classic family movies like Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul at Lewallen Farms and Wiley Creek Duck Preserve in Waleska and newer favorites such as Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made, filmed at The Burger Bus in Ball Ground.
History buffs can catch a Sunday matinee and learn about the charming history of the historic Canton Theatre, as seen in The Big Door Prize. Users can also check out the Foodie Tour, Outdoor Enthusiast Tour, and the Spine-Tingling Tour with check-ins at each location to track their progress.
For hometown tourists who would rather craft their own path, the app includes a Google Maps integration, so users see film locations close to them and across Cherokee County. Users can also receive push notifications when near a filming location, as long as the app is running in the background.
For those less inclined to a trek across the county, users can still explore Cherokee County film locations from the comfort of home. Filmed in Cherokee 2.0 is packed with behind-thescenes information, photos, trailers, and videos.
For people who want to get involved in Cherokee County’s thriving film industry, the Cherokee Office of Economic Development also offers resources for listing a property as a film location, becoming a background actor, finding acting auditions, and more through the app.
STORY
ON THE MAP
Step into the scenes of your favorite films and TV shows. Get the app and discover the local spots where iconic moments from the following productions and more were filmed.
STORY BY Ashley Velez, Woodstock
PHOTOGRAPHY BY Jaye Grimes
Cherokee County’s art scene is thriving, and Sierra Bray stands out as one of its most dynamic contributors. As the founder and designer of Patched Gal, Sierra channels her lifelong passion for fashion into a successful business that celebrates individuality, sustainability, and community.
Born and raised in Woodstock, Sierra has deep ties to her hometown. “I’m from here, grew up here, and never lived anywhere else but Woodstock. It’s the only place I know,” she says. Her fashion journey began at age eleven, when she traded sports for sewing. “I used to cheer, run track, play volleyball, and soccer, but I was drawn to sewing instead,” she recalls. Weekly sewing lessons through middle and high school helped her hone the skills that later shaped her brand. “I started with pillows and blankets, and that’s how I learned to make clothing.”
SHOP ONLINE
For a closer look at Sierra's designs, visit PatchedGal.com
SHOP IN-PERSON
Ecologie Vintage Market Town Center Mall, Kennesaw Sunday, April 13
Woodstock Arts Spring Art on the Green Woodstock Arts Event Green Saturday, May 10‒Sunday, May 11
Aptitude Expanded
Her talent flourished at the Savannah College of Art and Design, where she earned a B.F.A. in fashion design with a minor in fashion marketing and management. Graduating in 2020 during the pandemic, Sierra experienced a bittersweet milestone when her runway show selection became a virtual event. “I couldn’t see my designs on the runway, but being part of it was still cool,” she says.
Sierra worked in retail throughout high school and college, gaining valuable experience at local boutiques before focusing full-time on Patched Gal in April 2024.
“It’s been almost a year since I went all in,” she notes. “I was able to leave my nine-to-five, get a house, and build a community of people who love my clothing. It’s been an amazing journey.”
Novel Couture
Patched Gal is renowned for its “original maxi tees” and other unique designs. “Each piece is a focal point,” Sierra explains. “You don’t have to do much to style it— just leggings, jeans, or a skirt, and you’re ready to go.” Her process involves hours of sourcing materials from estate sales, vintage stores, and even global markets like India, where she finds colorful handmade blankets.
Sierra’s creativity has gained widespread attention, especially on TikTok, where her videos have gone viral, amassing more than 60,000 followers. “It’s a good problem, but I wish I could make thousands of pieces at a time. Right now I do monthly drops and have someone helping me sew to keep up with demand.”
Her connection to the community is evident through her participation in local events such as Woodstock Arts Spring Art on the Green and its Juneteenth Celebration of Togetherness, Maker’s Mash at Reformation Brewery, and Ecologie Vintage vendor events. “Juneteenth was such a fun experience. I loved how they incorporated different artists and created a space for African Americans to come together,” she shares.
Looking ahead, Sierra dreams of seeing her designs in boutiques worldwide but remains committed to her Woodstock roots. “It’s not just a hobby; it’s a job and not going away. I love seeing my clothing come to life and knowing people connect with it.”
Through her work Sierra is redefining fashion as a form of community and self-expression, proving that dedication and creativity can turn dreams into reality.
INTRODUCTION
BY Emma Tyler, Waleska
Judges of the third annual Enjoy Cherokee Art Contest carefully selected works that reflect the wide range of artistic skills of Cherokee County residents.
Enjoy Cherokee Magazine is grateful to History Cherokee for allowing selected works to be displayed and celebrated in the Byron Dobbs Gallery at the Cherokee County History Center. The public exhibit encourages visitors to enjoy the art up close and in person.
Kristina Laurendi Havens, winner of the 2023 Enjoy Cherokee Art Contest and judge for this year’s competition, expresses her love for art and how the art contest is an inspiration for perseverance. “This creative journey has highs and lows. Sometimes you’ll have numerous commissions lined up and there’s fantastic momentum. At other times, you’ll wonder if anyone has even heard of you. That’s why milestones such as this art contest are important. When you look back—in my case twenty-five years as an artist—and see the accomplishments, you get motivated, excited, and recharged. [You remember] the times that your art really connected with people. It is connecting along the way that makes the journey worthwhile.”
Camille Baker, the 2024 winner, says of the contest, “I believe it’s important because it brings the community together to highlight the arts and provides a way for new artists to connect.”
Experience the stunning 2025 pieces on display at the History Center, starting March 1—just in time for the West Main Arts Festival—and mark your calendar for March 7, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., when Enjoy Cherokee Magazine and History Cherokee host a special reception. See the incredible artwork firsthand, meet the talented artists behind the pieces, and celebrate the local creative community. Plus, the overall contest winner will be revealed during the event. Join us for an unforgettable evening; bring your friends, support local artists, and be part of this exciting cultural celebration!
HILLARY NICHOLS
canton
A self-taught photographer for more than fifteen years, Hillary Nichols says her work is inspired by her travels, especially through the far reaches of nature. Her claim to fame? Shooting Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins’s wedding. Her day job? High school counselor for Cherokee County School District.
second place
SILVIA ADAMS canton
third place
SKYLER SPERIN canton
PHOTOGRAPHY
DAVID McKEAN jasper
David McKean has spent the last twenty years creating artwork inspired by his love for God’s creation and the American Spirit. He shares that from childhood to adulthood, “I’ve always had a pencil in my hand. It is my way of communicating with the world.” David’s work is on display inside the Cotton Mill Exchange in Canton and Downtown Gallery and Booth Western Art Museum in Cartersville.
second place
SHANA BOWES canton
third place
CAROL MAROTTA ball ground
SKETCHES IN PEN & PENCIL
JOÃO PEDRO LIMA
canton
As a student at Woodstock High School, João Pedro Lima already has seven years of experience in the arts and holds certificates in Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. He takes inspiration from books, movies, and his friends and family. João’s submitted piece, Memento Mori, celebrates a year of playing Dungeons and Dragons with his friends.
second place
ANNABELLA ALLENBERG canton
third place
CATIE BLACKWELL canton
DIGITAL ART
JANET KEMPE
woodstock
Having dabbled in the arts since childhood, Janet Kempe draws inspiration from the colors and textures of nature, the energy of horses, and her mother’s oil paintings. She spent decades honing skills in methodical design in her career as an industrial engineer. In Janet’s retirement, her creations come from the heart. Her fascination with textures led her to explore fabric as a medium. She shares, “It’s as though I’m painting with a fluid brush of fabric.”
second place
BRITTANY PETISH woodstock
third place
ROBIN FELTON canton
SKYLER COOK
woodstock
The first in his family to pursue the arts, Skyler Cook discovered his passion in a middle school art class. For the past six years he has used visual arts as an outlet to explore his faith and interpret his personal struggles. Skyler continues to study the arts in his classes at River Ridge High School.
DOROTHY REAVIS
acworth
A native of Georgia, Dorothy Reavis has dedicated her life to the arts. She spent twelve years teaching art in public schools and the last two teaching in higher education. She has six public artworks on display and several pieces in galleries across north Georgia. Dorothy also regularly showcases her work at artist markets.
second place
ELIZABETH FORKEY canton
third place
KATIE BEAN canton
second place
GRACE DAI canton
OIL, ACRYLICS, & WATERCOLOR MIXED MEDIA
third place
J.J. ARTHUR jasper
SHANNON BARNES
tranquility fine arts gallery
Enjoying her second career, Shannon Barnes is a certified gallerist, qualified art appraiser, and a nationally recognized artist who has received various art awards.
KATIE CALDWELL
woodstock arts
Katie Caldwell serves as board president at Woodstock Arts, a multidisciplinary arts nonprofit. She dedicates her time to the community through the arts and public service with her family: husband, Michael Caldwell (mayor of Woodstock), and three children, Oliver, Elizabeth, & Charlotte.
SHANNA COULTER
local color studio
Classically trained artist Shanna Jackson Coulter holds a master’s degree in art education and specializes in drawing, painting, ceramics, and photography. She teaches, takes commissions, and is currently redesigning Local Color Studio.
SABRINA KAYLOR bizarre coffee
Sabrina Kaylor, self-taught painter, art lover, and owner of Bizarre Coffee, blends creativity in both coffee and canvas while fostering community through unique experiences.
KRISTINA LAURENDI HAVENS
fine artist
Kristina Laurendi Havens, a Woodstock-based professional artist, is renowned for her portrait work, earning recognition in regional, national, and international competitions.
DR. LISA SPENCE
hasty elementary fine arts academy
Dr. Lisa Spence is a seventeen-year art educator currently at Hasty Elementary Fine Arts Academy in Canton and was named the 2025 NAEA Southeast Region Elementary Art Educator of the Year.
THE JUDGES
Sunrises and sunsets provide some of nature’s most spectacular art. One Woodstock resident sees more sunrises and sunsets than most folks while giving others an experience of a lifetime.
Pilot Stuart Enloe has owned Balloon Atlanta since 1988, and I had the privilege of being a passenger in his hot air balloon shortly before sunset recently. Mornings and evenings provide the most stable wind conditions for hot air balloon rides, Stuart explains and adds, “On a dawn flight you get to see the sunrise from the air.”
Stuart lives in and runs his business from Air Acres in Woodstock, which features a runway and homes with private airplane hangars. He explains, “I wanted to live with my aircraft, and this is a great place to do it.” A pilot of planes, thermal airships, powered parachutes, gas balloons, and hot air balloons, he’s clocked about five thousand hours in the air.
Thrilling Beginnings
My excitement rose along with the colorful balloon when Stuart and his staff began filling it with heated air. Soon we passengers climbed into a sturdy basket with Stuart and rose until we saw the sparkling waters of Lake Lanier behind us. Aided by a gentle five-mile-an-hour wind, we floated over natural and manufactured wonders. The aerial view of the new seventy-five-acre Cumming City Center highlighted its rolling hills, curving roads, and structures of squares, rectangles, circles, and semicircles. We rose above plush mountains and overlooked subdivisions of symmetrical geometric shapes. Floating over a small body of water, we gazed down in wonder at the mirrored reflection of our vibrant balloon.
Stuart’s choice of takeoff locations depends on the wind direction. He says, “Cherokee Parks and Recreation has been awesome to us, and we have permission to take off from several local parks.” Although wind direction determines his takeoff location, wind speed determines whether he’ll even take flight. “Ballooning is the safest form of transportation there is,” he says. “Safety is my main concern; if it’s not safe, I’m not going.”
My fellow passengers reveled in the ride as well. Babs and Shaw Skillings of Woodstock say they would do it again. Shaw adds, “We were surprised how quiet it is fifteen hundred feet above the ground, yet we could call down to folks waving at us from below. The view is spectacular. It was fun landing in someone’s yard and being celebrated by the folks on the ground.”
What Goes Up Must Come Down
Toward the end of our hour-long excursion, Stuart invited us to look for good places to land. I enjoyed searching the ground below for large areas devoid of powerlines. Woodstock resident Nancy Weber Rose, who took a flight with Balloon Atlanta at an earlier date, admits, “I didn’t realize until we were up in the air that the pilot doesn’t know ahead of time where we will land.”
STORY BY Bobbie Christmas,Woodstock
“We land intentionally,” Stuart says. “When you see a balloon flying low, we’re not in trouble, we’re just trying to land.” On our flight Stuart set down in a lush green yard. He stayed in touch with a chase crew that followed along below, and once we landed, the crew arrived and slid our basket a few feet to a cul-de-sac, where we safely stepped out on solid ground, ending our inspiring, artful adventure.
SALTY DOG: Sixty & Still Going Strong
STORY BY Leana Conway, Woodstock
PHOTOGRAPHY BY Marina Federico
Long before The Mill on Etowah was home to a dynamic mix of shopping, dining, entertainment, and office space, it was home to Salty Dog, a cartoon mascot for the historic Canton Cotton Mill.
The Mill, Then & Now
In 1899 Robert Tyre Jones and prominent local investors founded the mill that soon became a manufacturing standout for its signature “Canton Denim.” A significant part of an economic boom in the area, the mill became a cornerstone of the city’s identity.
In 1958 the Retail Merchants Association of Canton celebrated the mill’s success with a Denim Days carnival, promoting “fellowship and enjoyment for all” with food, games, and pageants.
These days the award-winning 250,000-square-foot transformation of the historic mill has emerged as one of Cherokee County’s most exciting destinations. Reimagined as The Mill on Etowah, the vibrant hub blends rich history with modern flair.
Who Is Salty Dog?
When the historical society, now History Cherokee, acquired the rights to Salty Dog, they discovered his pedigree. In 1965 denim apparel producers visited the Canton Cotton Mill with a sample of denim resembling that made by Navy seamen. Sailors were known to drag their trousers through the salty ocean water to soften the fabric. The producers asked the mill to manufacture a similar fabric. The mill’s production team experimented with methods to soften the denim and landed on a sanding process that produced scrub denim, which was branded Salty Dog fabric.
Reflecting the brand’s tagline of “soft as a puppy, yet rugged as an old hound dog,” Salty Dog was created as a brand mascot and quickly became a beloved symbol in the community.
From Denim Days to Denim Fest
After learning about the mill’s past Denim Days, Moxie Property Group, the team that manages The Mill on Etowah, developed an idea for a new spin on the old party: Denim Fest. The modern-day Denim Fest features a barbecue cook-off, live entertainment, a carnival zone for kids, and more.
Marketing Manager Amy Taylor remarks, “Denim Fest was planned by our group at Moxie Property, and it has our fingerprints all over it. In [2024] we were lucky to involve the City of Canton and History Cherokee. Together we looked for an interactive way to incorporate history into the event. History Cherokee was generous enough to share Salty Dog for our celebration. He was the perfect fit for the day.”
Salty Joins The Festivities
After History Cherokee approved the use of Salty Dog, the organization collaborated with Amy, Dana Cox, and Haley Clark of Moxie Property Group to develop a concept for a public art project. Amy enlisted the help of artist Monica Mercer, owner of M&M Mercantile, who does everything from painting one-of-akind furniture pieces to teaching art classes and journaling groups. Monica says she felt honored to be part of the special project.
First a six-foot Salty was sketched on wood, then three hundred three-by-three-inch denim patches were cut. Festivalgoers decorated the patches, which were then carefully arranged into a patchwork collage. Finally Monica added the finishing touches to Salty, giving him his sweet expressive features.
Say
Hello To Salty!
DID YOU KNOW?
When History Cherokee acquired Salty Dog, Mary and Nicole Fischer-Mullins oversaw the refresh of Salty's design, making it perfect for stickers, stuffed animals, apparel, and more for the History Center gift shop. Turn to the next page to discover more about Mary, Nicole, and their art
Take a photo with the Salty Dog collage on display inside The Mill on Etowah and tag @enjoycherokee on Instagram for a chance to win a prize.
Artist Monica Mercer
STORY BY Jackie B. Watson, Canton
IF YOU GO
WHAT: FLOWER-ARRANGING WORKSHOP
DATE: SATURDAY, MAY 1O
TIME: 5:30 P.M.
INFO: WHIMWHAMARTFARM.COM
There’s an art to farming, and the “farmhers” at the female-owned Whim-Wham Art Farm have been crafting their art for more than a decade. This boutique organic farm got its start at the Canton Farmers Market eleven years ago and continues to be a local presence there while also selling to retailers and expanding its offerings. Of greens, roots, fruits, and flowers, the farm’s main crops are organically grown flowers heralded as a treasure trove for floral artisans.
Cultivating Creatively
“We love flowers and produce everything organically and locally with no chemicals or pesticides,” says Nicole Fischer-Mullins, one-half of the creative duo behind Whim-Wham Art Farm along with partner Mary FischerMullins. “Farming is an art. It’s the art of homesteading.”
Nicole Fischer-Mullins | Photo Courtesy of Whim-Wham Art Farm
Sharing their art with others, Nicole and Mary routinely host flower-arrangement workshops, birthday parties, and private parties at the farm. They also provide floral designs for weddings with seasonal local blooms. Many of their customers enjoy the farm’s flower subscriptions, which provide freshly cut blooms each week. Noting that their “farm fans” are always seeking florals that are different, Nicole and Mary focus on growing flowers that are distinctive and local to the area.
Gather & Bloom, a floral boutique in downtown Woodstock, features blossoms grown at Whim-Wham Art Farm. Owner Lauren Youmans shares, “What I love about Whim-Wham is that it carries unique flowers and a lot of flowers that are naturally grown in the state of Georgia that a lot of other farms don’t grow.” She adds that distinctive flowers such as ageratum, Plectranthus, and rudbeckia make arrangements stand out. Even as a floral aficionado, Lauren admits she had never seen certain types of flowers before visiting Whim-Wham Art Farm. “Their flowers are always high quality and grown with precision and care,” she explains.
Beyond The Blooms
While flowers are the farm’s biggest crops and bestsellers, something creative and good is always in bloom on and off the farm. From breads and soaps to jams and jellies, Nicole and Mary sell their goods at markets and retailers across the state, including the Cotton Mill Exchange in Canton and The Local Exchange in Marietta and Darien. Never deviating from their roots, Nicole and Mary also continue selling their crops at the Canton Farmers Market each year.
Taking their creative energy beyond the farm, the “farmhers” volunteer as curators for History Cherokee. A SCAD graduate, Nicole worked with local artisans to procure items for the Cherokee County History Center gift shop. “We helped curate and manage the gift shop contents. As you see it today, it’s evolved into local community brands representing the towns,” recalls Mary.
Nicole also redesigned the face of Salty Dog, the former Canton Cotton Mill’s historic mascot. The project merged her love for art and history and pays tribute to Canton’s past as a producer of fine denim products.
Creativity And Sustainability Side By Side
Whether you’re picking up a bouquet, indulging in homemade delights, or discovering gems of local art, Whim-Wham Art farm is a celebration of all things local, organic, and artfully handcrafted.
Farming is an art that allows us to share with our community in many different ways.”
— Nicole Fischer-Mullins, Whim-Wham Art Farm
EmptyBowls, Full Hearts
STORY BY Bruce Baker, Canton
No matter what your life’s talents and passions are, you can use them to help your neighbors,” says Megan Baker, president of the Georgia Clay Council, a nonprofit focused on promoting clay arts in North Georgia. The council is living out that mission by partnering with the City of Canton, along with local restaurants and businesses, to hold Cherokee County’s first Empty Bowls event on March 15 at Canton City Hall.
Potters across North Georgia are creating and donating bowls. Local restaurants will provide soups and breads for the event. For $35 you can enjoy the kind of meal that some may have only once a day. Afterwards you take the bowl home as a reminder that a bowl is empty until someone fills it, and there are empty bowls in our community.
Although the concept is simple, the event’s impact is far-reaching and profound.
All materials and talent are donated, ensuring 100 percent of the money raised benefits three local organizations dedicated to providing hope for the food insecure: Dominic’s Mission and Community Food Kitchen, Homeless Coalition of Cherokee County, and Cherokee County Homeless Veterans Program.
Bowls In Progress
On a recent Thursday at Paws & Pots Ceramics studio, I met a dozen potters working to produce between 350 and 400 bowls for the event. Taking a lump of mud or clay and turning it into a finished, aesthetically pleasing stoneware bowl is a multiweek process.
Many partner up, with some weighing out clay while others turn clay on the wheel, and still others apply glazes to bowls produced at a prior meeting. Georgia Clay Council Treasurer Kathryn Somers adds, “Some people only throw; others only decorate. A lot of people partner up like that, finding their lane.” It’s muddy work as wet hands caress lumps of mud until a form takes shape. Although most throw clay on a wheel, Mary DeFoor hand-builds hers using a slower process called slab-forms.
Husband-and-wife Mike Sherrer and Triny Cline of Byrd Mountain Pottery are professionals, making their living from clay as “production potters.” For Valerie Diamond, it’s a retirement hobby she’s been doing for nearly fifteen years. Others taught art in high school; some have arts degrees from college. Then again, a few are entirely self-taught and gained valuable guidance by joining the council, because members help one another improve. On this day one sculptor was there not to make bowls, but simply to encourage her friends and help wherever she could.
‘‘ I have learned that our greatest blessings come when we are able to improve the lives of others, and this is especially true when those others are desperately poor or in need.”
— President Jimmy Carter, 1924-2024
Reach out to Terry Gill and Kathryn Somers at CantonEmptyBowls@gmail.com if you’d like to donate to or participate in this event.
It’s a close-knit group, which is remarkable, given that they live anywhere from as far south as Marietta to as far north as Dalton and Dawsonville.
Smiles were on every face while I watched the artisans apply their creative talents to help feed their neighbors. A quote from former President Jimmy Carter came to mind: “I have learned that our greatest blessings come when we are able to improve the lives of others, and this is especially true when those others are desperately poor or in need.”
A Community-Fueled Effort
Empty Bowls is a grassroots movement. Each community plans and runs its own event, raising money for food banks, soup kitchens, and other organizations that fight hunger. Founded in 1990 by Michigan art teachers John Hartom and Lisa Blackburn, the Empty Bowls movement has spread to a dozen states and Canada. Among those helping to bring the event to Canton for the first time is Paws & Pots Ceramics owner and artist Terry Gill.
Terry notes that volunteers and donations are crucial to making the event a success. Requested donations include napkins, plastic utensils, plastic bags, and the like. And of course, you can sign up to be a guest at the March 15 event from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Canton City Hall, located at 110 Academy Street.
If your heart is full, take a moment to remember those whose bowls are empty. Why not have lunch there and support these worthy nonprofits?
English Pea Salad Recipes and Recollections:
STORY BY Rebecca Johnston, Canton
1 can (or 2 packages frozen, cooked) large English peas, drained
1 cup chopped green onion (6 to 8 scallions, including tops)
2 dill (or sweet) pickles, chopped Instructions
Toss with wooden spoons with 2 to 3 tablespoons mayonnaise. Refrigerate for several hours or overnight to blend. Makes 6 to 8 servings.
RIGHT Martha Caroline Galt at Shorter College in Rome, Georgia
PERFECT FOR SPRING DINNERS
Cherokee County Recipes & Recollections, a cookbook published by the Cherokee County Historical Society in 1993, brims with recipes and recollections that keep the community’s history alive.
This year the Historical Society, rebranded as History Cherokee, celebrates the fiftieth anniversary of its founding in 1975.
Enjoy Cherokee Magazine is proud to bring a selection of historic recipes submitted to the cookbook by local families.
Born in 1897, Martha Caroline Galt was a descendant of William Grisham, a founder of Canton. Martha lived in the home her ancestor built—known as the Galt house in downtown Canton—for much of her life. It’s one of the few houses to survive Sherman’s troops’ burning of Canton during the Civil War. In 1957 Martha and her sister, Frances, remodeled the home in Greek Revival style.
Martha graduated from Shorter College in 1915. She was director of the Canton Glee Club for many years in the 1920s and a founding member of the Cherokee County Historical Society. Martha was also an accomplished pianist and organist at First Baptist Church of Canton for fifty years.
Peas, Please
Martha’s English pea salad recipe was a favorite at covered dish suppers and a perfect dish to welcome spring and warmer weather. Martha laughingly called the dish “my famous pea salad.”
Martha’s niece Nell Galt Magruder recalls, “She thought it was the most wonderful thing and loved to make it to share with family and friends.”
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tuesday
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cherokee’s got talent
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26
relay for life
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22
tuesday
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PHOTOGRAPHY
BY
Raymond Werner & Ana Markosi
Atrip to downtown Canton would be incomplete without a meal in one of its local restaurants.
In the historic Jones Mercantile Building, Palermo’s Original Pasta & Sandwiches, also known as P.O.P.S., offers a cozy dining experience with fresh Italian American cuisine in a casual atmosphere. With its pasta and sandwiches in an open and inviting dining area, light jazz music emanating from the speakers, and a market filled with imported Italian products to create your own authentic Italianinspired meals, P.O.P.S. brings a comforting warmth to your lunch or dinner.
Adamant about providing a genuine and casual dining experience, restaurant owner Andy Palermo says, “Our goal is simple, fresh, and delicious.” To achieve this goal, the team at P.O.P.S. does “almost everything from scratch,” Andy explains. “The sauces and dressings, and we grind sausage and meatballs.” He adds, “We also make the pasta from scratch.”
Menu Says: Eggplant Meatballs
Hayden Says: These vegetarian-friendly starters are a flavorful kickstart to any meal. Crunchy and flavorful, the sautéed eggplant, roasted garlic, and a bit of onion rolled into a ball is breaded with pepper breadcrumbs and topped with mozzarella cheese. With the smoky sweetness of sautéed onions and Calabrian chiles in the house-made vodka sauce, these “meatballs” will turn even the most skeptical into fans of this flavorful veggie.
Menu Says: Lemon Basil Shrimp Salad
Hayden Says: What started out as a seasonal spring and summer dish has become a permanent favorite on the menu. Baby gem lettuce hearts, artichokes, and cherry tomatoes are topped with fresh gulf shrimp. The croutons made in house from ciabatta add just the right amount of soft and crunchy texture, while the house-made creamy lemon vinaigrette drizzled on top adds a light zest, creating a perfect balance of flavors in this light, fresh salad.
Menu Says: Sammy’s Sammie
Hayden Says: A tasty classic meatball sandwich, the Sammy’s Sammie makes the perfect lunch. The bread’s soft, crunchy texture complements the tender, savory house-made meatballs. Topped with Palermo’s red sauce, a house-made marinara featuring organic tomatoes, roasted garlic, and chili, this simple meatball sandwich bursts with flavor.
Including Sammy’s Sammie, the sandwich selection on the menu subtly nods to Andy’s seven siblings. Other eponymous eats include the St. Joseph sandwich, named for his brother Joseph; the Jane Doe, for his sister whose middle name is Jane; and the Soccer Mom, a tribute to his sister Nancy, whose five kids are all avid soccer players. Though the No Reservations sandwich doesn’t directly reference a sibling, it’s a tribute to the late Anthony Bourdain, a renowned chef and travel documentarian whose favorite sandwich was mortadella with provolone and a fried egg.
Menu Says: Chicken Parm
Menu Says: Norcina
Hayden Says: A more traditional Italian dish from northern Italy, Norcina has become one of Canton’s favorite dishes, according to Andy. The sausage made from pork shoulder in a sweet Italian fennel blend gives an explosion of flavor. Combined with housemade trenne pasta, roasted mushrooms, and a creamy pecorino cheese sauce topped with a dried porcini mushroom powder, Norcina creates a sensation of sweet and savory flavors that melt in your mouth. House-made cheesy bread—mozzarella-topped ciabatta baked with roasted garlic and herbs—adds a simple but delicious side to the meal.
Hayden Says: Chicken parm is a standard Italian-American dish that delights the multitude. The lightly panko-encrusted chicken breast is tender and moist. Drizzled with Palermo’s red sauce, it’s topped with broiled mozzarella cheese and a garnish of herbs and pecorino cheese. The chicken rests on a moist bed of bucatini pasta tossed in a roasted garlic puree, all served with a side of cheesy bread. This take on the popular Italian pasta dish creates a comfort food that warms your soul with its perfect dance of flavors.
Menu Says: Tiramisu
Hayden Says: Dessert is here, and the house-made tiramisu promises to deliver an unforgettable finale to your meal—rich, indulgent, and absolutely irresistible. Topped with a ladyfinger and cocoa powder, the custard composed of whipped egg whites, cream, and mascarpone blended with egg yolks and brown sugar creates a taste that is both subtle and rich. More ladyfingers create a delicate bottom layer soaked in a cold brew concentrate from Bizarre Coffee, adding the rich, smooth taste of local coffee to this flavorful sweet treat.
With fresh flavors, P.O.P.S. offers a noteworthy dining experience. In a casual atmosphere that makes you feel like family, P.O.P.S. delivers on its promise of simple, fresh, and delicious.
The Palermo Family: Andy, Agnes, Augustine, & Amber
Menu Says: Blood-Orange Pomegranate Frozen Sangria
Hayden Says: This frozen sangria cocktail may seem simple, but the taste certainly is not. A cool, refreshing blend of pinot grigio, Luxardo Aperitivo, and vodka brings welcoming vibes of summer and spring, while the bittersweet tang of the blood orangecello and pomegranate juice adds a sweet, sophisticated taste that lingers on the tongue. Flavors for the frozen sangria change seasonally, so try the bloodorange pomegranate while you still can.
