THE UNITED STATE OF ART
ARTS + CULTURE
STITCHING STORIES: WAVING WOVEN FLAGS
YOUNG BALLERINAS OF BUCKHEAD AND BROOKHAVEN
ENTERTAINMENT
HEAVENLY PORCHES: ROCK ALL DAY AT SNOWBIRD LODGE
Hello friends,
There are creatives all around us in Buckhead and Brookhaven. Artists, entrepreneurs, musicians, wordsmiths, dancers, educators, and chefs. Digging deep to find meaning, translating emotions and hopes into beauty and progress.
My brother, Peter Sparling was a professional dancer, a member of the Martha Graham Dance Company for years, later chairing the dance department at the University of Michigan. Now retired, he is a prolific painter, film producer, and poet. His penchant for color, movement, and motion fill over-sized canvases, expressions of his desire (need?) to create. This drive runs deep. I admire his talent, yes. But also his level of productivity while he also perfects the art of napping. I urge him to work on the latter more often in his retirement. I adore him.
This issue features artists and makers among us who are rejoicing and reclaiming. Sharing their raw emotions, perhaps hoping we feel what they feel.
Enjoy this issue and keep your eyes open. Wide.
All my best,
SUE G. COLLINS, EDITOR @BUCKHAVENCITYLIFESTYLE
February 2025
PUBLISHER
Jim Newman | jnewman@citylifestyle.com
EDITOR
Sue G. Collins | scollins@citylifestyle.com
SENIOR ACCOUNT MANAGER
Karyn Slovin | karyn.slovin@citylifestyle.com
ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTOR
Karla Wilkinson | Karla.Wilkinson@citylifestyle.com
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Firelite Studios | akapett@firelitestudios.com
COPY EDITOR
Summer J. Robinson | summerjrobinson2@gmail.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Sean O'Keefe, Taylor Tuscai
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
Sam Moore
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
COO Matthew Perry
CRO Jamie Pentz
CTO Ajay Krishnan
VP OF OPERATIONS Janeane Thompson
VP OF FRANCHISE DEVELOPMENT Erika Smiley
AD DESIGNER Zach Miller
LAYOUT DESIGNER Emily Lisenbee
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Brandy Thomas
3:5-6
city scene
Better Sleep Begins in Buckhead
Safer, healthier sleep for Baby, Kids, Pets and YOU –come in to feel the organic difference.
Stop By Our Grand Opening!
Enjoy refreshments, hourly giveaways, discounts & more.
Saturday, March 15 10 AM-6 PM
3167 Peachtree Road NE Suite D-1
Atlanta, GA 30305
PH: 404-549-2012
1: Dr. David Brothers of Plastic Surgery Centre of Atlanta celebrates with his staff. 2: Dr. Brothers and colleagues at the annual patient appreciation event. 3: Co-chairs of AMTR - Stacey Leebern, Jamie Tankersley, Raina Massand, Meals On Wheels Atlanta.
School’s Out? No Problem!
Ready Set F un’s full-day camps (drop off at 8:00 or 9:00 AM; pick up at 1:00 PM, 4:00 PM, or 6:00 PM) provide the perfect solution for busy families. Let your child enjoy a day packed with fun, play, and learning while you stay stressfree. Upcoming dates: Feb 14-18, Mar 3-7, Mar 17, Apr 7-11, Apr 14-18. When school closes, RSF Camp has you covered. ReadySetFun.com
SCAD TVfest is February 5-7
For more than a decade, SCAD TVfest has spotlighted the latest in design, creativity, and innovation on television, streaming, and digital media. International audiences enjoy inside looks at the best content airing today and explore the latest trends in broadcast, streaming, cable, web, social media, and advertising. 2024 honorees included: Kelsey Grammer, George Lopez, Matt Bomer, Sonequa Martin-Green, Charlotte Stoudt, Ken Watanabe, and many more.
FRIENDSHIP AND SOFTBALL FTW
Teamwork is Dreamwork
ARTICLE BY BUCKHAVEN CITY LIFESTYLE STAFF
They decided that the softball league’s beneficiary charity would be the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.
“We were talking about creating a game for the moms to play,” explains Amy Douglass, “but we wanted the game to have more of an impact and decided to raise money to support people who have Crohn’s Disease and Colitis.”
Amy tells the story of how almost five years ago, she and four friends formed the Betty League Softball Tournament as a fundraiser, after Amy’s daughter, Ella Perry, had been diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease.
“The name of the League came from The Betty restaurant on E. Paces Ferry,” explains Amy. “The five of us were all enjoying dinner on the patio at The Betty, and these ladies and I thought it would be fun to have a moms’ softball game and donate the collected funds to a charity.”
They decided that the softball league’s beneficiary charity would be the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.
“We named the League after ‘The Betty’ because I didn’t want Crohn’s Disease to define my daughter,” says Amy. And that was how the Betty League was born.
Born and raised in Chattanooga, TN, Amy attended GPS, Princeton University and UVA Law School, before moving to Atlanta in 2004. Currently, Amy is an attorney with Rollins, Inc. Amy has two children, Ella Perry (14) and Charles (12).
Like many other children and adults, Ella Perry has struggled with Crohn’s Disease. She began presenting symptoms at the end of 2020 when she was 10. In early 2021, Amy brought Ella Perry to see her pediatrician, Dr. Kelly West. Dr. West ran an IBD panel and sent Ella Perry to a GI doctor. She was quickly diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease.
Amy is determined to help find a cure in her daughter’s lifetime. Thus, the Betty League Softball Tournament began in 2021 and has grown into a major fundraising event raising over $100,000 in just a few short years for the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.
“This incredible contribution to the Foundation is why we are honored to recognize Amy as the Elvin C. Price Volunteer of the Year,” says Kim Brammer, Regional Director of the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation. Amy will be recognized at the Foundation’s Torch Gala on February 8, 2025.
Amy says, “It is an incredibly special group of individuals who participate in the Betty League. They are showing their children empathy, kindness, and how to support one another. What a wonderful example to show our kids!”
The League has gone from two teams to six teams, growing each year. It started with 20 women and last year there were 75 women playing in the League.
The next Betty League event will be held on Saturday, May 10th, 2025. It is on the Saturday of Mother’s Day weekend, and this event will mark their 5th Anniversary. Family and friends will come out to enjoy a night of softball. There will be a food truck for dinner, treats for kids, and wine/beer/cocktails for participants and fans. “Kids come and cheer on their moms, and families and friends love cheering on all of the ladies in the League,” says Amy.
Amy is humbled by the recognition as the Foundation’s Volunteer of the Year. She says, “The Volunteer of the Year award makes me uncomfortable because it doesn’t feel like it’s mine to be celebrated. We are all consistently showing up for each other.”
She continues, “I will accept the award on behalf of the League. I couldn’t have done any of this without the support of my family and friends. They have all gone on this journey with us. The fact that everyone has been so supportive is truly amazing.”
“Everyone has a struggle in life – health related or otherwise, but the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation has been such a gift to my daughter, so I will continue to give back as long as I can.”
Kim says, “The Foundation has played a role in every major breakthrough in Inflammatory Bowel Disease research due to events like the Betty League. With dedicated volunteers like Amy, the advances are incredibly promising.”
Amy smiles, “We are hopeful that there will be a cure in the near future. With the support of donors, volunteers, cheerleaders, and softball players, we can all make a difference.”
BettyLeague.com
Stitching Stories
ARTICLE BY SEAN O'KEEFE
PHOTOGRAPHY BY SAM MOORE AND COURTESY OF JULIE TORRES
The Art and Advocacy of Julie Torres
Women coming up blessed
Every once in a while an artist comes along that helps to redefine a generation; there is no more relevant ‘lawyer turned artist’ than Julie Torres. Julie discovered her love for art at the age of seven during her first oil painting lesson. She recalls being so captivated by her first painting that she couldn’t sleep that night. However, as she grew older, she allowed that passion to slip away, believing she needed a more stable career path. She chose law, viewing art as a mere hobby.
It wasn’t until her early thirties that Julie found the courage to be honest with herself and pursue a career as an artist. Despite the detour, she sees her journey as invaluable, believing that no knowledge is ever wasted. Julie channels her deep interest in the evolution of law, freedom, and empowerment into her art. These ideals shape the themes of her work, often creating works that celebrate the strength and resilience of women.
“My love of textiles and of the arts of weaving, embroidery, and crochet is evident in my work as is my background in the study of law,” says Julie, “I believe this combination of influences helps to set my work apart.” Julie combines traditional printmaking techniques with crochet and weaving to create distinctive pieces she refers to as “woven screen prints” and “paper quilts.” Honoring the lives of strong women is a central focus of her artistic practice, driving her to create pieces that are both meaningful and visually striking.
Julie appreciates art that offers a dynamic experience, changing as viewers engage from afar and up close. Julie strives to create pieces that captivate attention through bright, bold colors and patterns. Her woven screen prints feature intricate details that emerge upon closer inspection, always celebrating the beauty of handmade imperfections.
Weaving law and art into powerful narratives is a hallmark of Julie Torres
Photo by Sam Moore
Nation of Laws
“My love of textiles and of the arts of weaving, embroidery, and crochet is evident in my work as is my background in the study of law.”
U.S. Constitution—the foundation of our republic. Torres considers it her strongest work, both for its unique materials and for its personal significance, merging her past as a lawyer with her present as an artist. For her, Nation of Laws represents a full-circle moment in her creative journey.
Measuring 77 by 45 inches, Nation of Laws, a piece exhibited at Art Miami was a U.S. flag crafted entirely from pages of a constitutional law treatise gifted by a law school colleague. Torres transformed the book into over 1.13 miles of paper thread, which she crocheted by hand to form the flag. From a distance, it appeared as a traditional U.S. flag, but up close, the text revealed highlighted provisions and handwritten notes, adding layers of meaning.
Conceptually, the piece combined the recognizable symbol of the flag with the pages of a book about the
Two profoundly important moments stand out in Julie Torres’ career: the day she sold her first piece of art to a collector and, years later, the moment she walked onto the second floor of the Metropolitan Museum of Art to see her work displayed in an exhibition. Both events brought her to tears, marking deeply emotional milestones in her artistic journey. “I cried on both occasions,” says Julie. Her work hangs in Buckhead homes and at Maune Contemporary Gallery on Miami Circle. Julie’s work is in the permanent collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art as well as Delta Airlines, SCAD, the Ritz Carlton, JW Marriott, Norwegian Cruise Lines, and the Jordan Schnitzer Family Foundation. Julie, based in Buckhead, is a proud supporter of Georgia Lawyers for the Arts whose mission is supporting Georgia artists through workshops and pro bono legal services.
JulieTorresArt.com Maune.com
Your North Georgia Real Estate Team
184 Spence Rd | Blue Ridge
4 Bedroom | 4 Bathroom | 1 Half Bathroom Offered for $3,210,000
Discover your dream retreat on 7 acres along Fightingtown Creek in Blue Ridge, GA. This mountain modern home features soaring ceilings, a gourmet kitchen, a luxurious master suite, and stunning indoor-outdoor living spaces. Enjoy serene creek views, outdoor fireplaces, and easy access to Blue Ridge’s shops, dining, and outdoor adventures
714 Scouts Overlook | Morganton 4 Bedroom | 4 Bathroom | 1 Half Bathroom Offered for $2,049,000
Mountain modern meets rustic charm in this turn-key 4BR/4.5BA home, featured in the 2024 Blue Ridge Mountain Parade of Homes. With stunning views, custom design, and expansive decks, it’s the perfect mountain retreat near Lake Nottely and local amenities. Laura Elleby
CHASTAIN: OUR Art Hub
ARTICLE BY BUCKHAVEN CITY LIFESTYLE STAFF
Holding court at State Bank Amphitheatre (formerly known as Chastain Park Amphitheater) at Chastain Park are three legendary greats.
The Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs’ Public Art has installed bronze busts of famed musicians at the State Bank Amphitheatre (formerly known as Chastain Park Amphitheater) at Chastain Park. These expressionistic bronze busts by Italian sculptor Marco Zeno are a part of the city’s collection and showcase legendary performers Ray Charles, B.B. King, and Willie Nelson, all performing artists from the venue’s renowned history.
These artworks were donated to the City of Atlanta in 2007 by Claude Nobs of the Montreux Jazz Festival to celebrate the city’s partnership with the music festival. Across the park, is another pot of gold, the Chastain Arts Center, an educational facility that offers classes, workshops, and exhibits in a variety of creative mediums. Established in 1968 as an arts center, Chastain Arts Center is the oldest Arts Center in Atlanta. Chastain encourages traditional fundamentals while stimulating individual expressionism for artists of all ages and skill levels.
135 Chastain Park Avenue, NW OCAAtlanta.com/chastain-arts-center
THESE EXPRESSIONISTIC BRONZE BUSTS BY ITALIAN SCULPTOR Marco
Come Hike! Or Just Rock
NORTH CAROLINA'S HISTORIC SNOWBIRD MOUNTAIN LODGE: WHERE ALL-INCLUSIVE MEETS THE MOUNTAINS.
ARTICLE BY SUE G. COLLINS
On a small wood plaque across from a shelf of hiking books near the lobby, you’ll find a list of the types of wood used for the wall paneling and furniture for each of Snowbird Mountain Lodge’s 22 original rooms. Room One has wormy chestnut wall paneling and wild cherry furniture. In Room Three, it’s basswood and birch. Room 19 is a classic, with maple walls and furniture, while down the hall in Room 16, the paneling is silverbell, a flowering tree native to North Carolina whose soft and close-grained wood makes lovely cabinets and paneling.
Most of the rich wood used for the lodge’s interiors was harvested on the property before its original construction. Designed by the Asheville architect Ronald Greene, the Snowbird Mountain Lodge was originally constructed in 1941 for brothers.
Now, the all-inclusive retreat on 100 acres in Robbinsville, NC includes charming rooms in the Main Lodge, Chestnut Lodge, and Wolfe Cottage. Hot breakfasts and gourmet dinners in the dining room are prepared and served by personable staff and lunches are packed in backpacks or brown bags for guests to grab for a hike, paddle, or porch.
Lake Santeetlah is a short drive away and Snowbird offers canoes, kayaks, and paddle boards for guests. There are trails galore on the land that surrounds Snowbird Mountain Lodge. As one of the last areas in the east to be settled, its rich biodiversity is evident in the species that flourish within it—among them over 1,400 flowering plants, 20 snakes, 52 mammals, and more than 200 birds.
Curious about that Wood Thrush you spied from the sprawling porch or the difference between azaleas, mountain laurels, and rhododendrons you admired on your hike? The living room of the historic lodge is lined with bookshelves, a tidy library of reference books, fiction, photography, history, and biographies. Deep leather sofas and comfortable armchairs are thoughtfully lit to encourage reading and conversation. Telescopes and rocking chairs stand at the ready for investigation and relaxation.
ARTICLE BY BUCKHAVEN CITY LIFESTYLE STAFF
Do you dream of a darkened room or enjoy waking to the sunlight flooding the room? We love these bedrooms, all in the Blue Ridge area, brought to us by Laura Elleby.
More than just a place to retire to at the end of a day in the mountains, this primary suite is a retreat with a private sitting area around an outdoor fireplace with endless views. The spa-like en-suite bath offers a 13x7 shower/tub sanctuary with travertine walls, marble floors, a stone tub, and a floating 13-foot vanity with heated porcelain floors. High ceilings and natural light cover the suite at 103 Dry Branch Trail in Blue Ridge. The home is set on 4.17 secluded acres, surrounded by the untouched beauty of protected Blue Ridge forests.
A private balcony outside, and a wet coffee bar inside, this primary suite has a spacious appeal, with soaring ceilings, hardwood floors, and natural wood accents. The spa-like primary bath suite features a two-person round soaking tub, a makeup vanity, and custom lighting. Five bedrooms and five baths over 4716 square feet is located at 450 Miracle Lane in Blue Ridge. If you can peel yourself away from the bedroom suite, there’s a saltwater heated pool featuring a jacuzzi and an expansive 2,100 sq ft water pavilion with a fireplace.
This brand new construction located in the highly desired Elevation at Scouts Ridge subdivision is a custom design by Tony Boyatt and built by Tommy Wosyluk. Featured in the 2024 Blue Ridge Mountain Parade of Homes, this home boasts 4 bedrooms and 4.5 bathrooms. Every bedroom at 714 Scouts Overlook in Morganton has a view. Situated at the top of the ridge and surrounded by Boy Scout protected land, you’ll have privacy for miles. No detail has been overlooked in the design and furnishing of this home, which is offered turnkey down to the designer sheets at 889 Chestnut Ridge. The primary suite has two-story windows and bright wood cathedral ceilings. This beautiful home has two kitchens, a whole house generator and security system, a safe room, a yoga perch with views of the entire county, plus a climate-controlled two-car garage.
LauraElleby.com
Opposite Top: 889 Chestnut Ridge
Opposite Left Bottom: 103 Dry Branch Trail
Opposite RIght Bottom: 103 Dry Branch Trail
Above: 714 Scouts Overlook
Poise and Dedication
Meet the young dancers from the Atlanta Ballet's Nutcracker
ARTICLE BY TAYLOR TUSCAI
1. Anna Shaw is a fourth grader at The Lovett School and performed the role of Toy Soldier in her first Nutcracker. In addition to ballet, Anna enjoys competitive gymnastics, tap, cheerleading, playing the piano and clarinet. She loves arts and crafts, cats, and planting flowers in her Brookhaven garden.
2. Carraway Alewine is in second grade at Westminster. In addition to ballet, Carraway also enjoys lacrosse, tennis, piano, gymnastics, and softball. A self-proclaimed bookworm, Carraway read all six Harry Potter books in six months! She resides in Buckhead with her parents Jen and Ralph, her two goldadores Sibley and Sawyer, and her fish Moonbeam.
3. Eleanore Matsuoka, 8, has danced with Atlanta Ballet for three years. A student at Ashford Park Elementary, she also loves playing soccer with Tophat. Eleanore models with Forward Agency, appearing in campaigns for OshKosh and David’s Bridal.
4. Jane Wightwick, 13, is an Atlanta native who has been practicing ballet since she was 3 years old. At age 5, she joined the Atlanta Ballet. She attends The Galloway School where she also focuses her extracurricular activities on dance and volleyball. In her spare time, she enjoys crocheting.
5. Augusta Campbell is a fifth grader at The Lovett School and an Academy dancer with Atlanta Ballet’s Centre for Dance Education. Augusta has studied ballet for nine years and also enjoys basketball, piano, and crafting for her jewelry business with fellow dancer Emma Schaefer. She lives in Brookwood Hills.
6. Cora Williams started taking classes with Atlanta Ballet when she was 5 years old after taking classes at her preschool. In 2022, she was a bird in Atlanta Ballet’s Snow White. Her favorite styles of dance are ballet and contemporary. Her other hobbies include acting, singing, and swimming.
7. Emilia (Emmy) Cabrera made her Nutcracker debut in December. She is in her third year taking classes at Atlanta Ballet Centre for Dance Education. She is a first grader at the Atlanta International School and loves to perform, ice skate, make arts and crafts, and play the piano in her free time.
8. Isabella Gaffney is 11 years old. She attends Wesleyan and is in fifth grade. Bella started dancing at age 3 with dreams of dancing in the Nutcracker. She’s been blessed to be cast every year dancing the part of Chick, Mice, Soldier, and now Party Child. She’s currently in the Atlanta Ballet’s Academy II program and looking forward to dancing in Atlanta Ballet’s upcoming Swan Princess and Coppelia. Bella also sings in the honors chorus at Wesleyan and is a year-round swimmer for Swim Atlanta competing in both the State and Regional competitions.
9. Maverick Gesteelde-Diamant is 7 years old, and started ballet lessons when she was 2. Alongside her passion for ballet, she also enjoys showcasing her diverse artistic talents: drawing, designing, acting, and dancing. Her parents are Terius and Laylani Gesteelde-Diamant.
10. Ruby Dunham, 11, enjoys competitive gymnastics, art, nail design, and is a self-designated “Swiftie.” She’s performed in The Nutcracker for the last several years as a star gymnast. She resides in Brookhaven with her parents, older brother, two dogs, and cat.
11. Cate Mikita has been studying with the Atlanta Ballet for 6 years and lives in Brookhaven with her parents and two older brothers. This is her second year in the Nutcracker, and performing with professional dancers has been the highlight of her ballet experience. She also enjoys lacrosse, horseback riding, and art.
12. Maci Chin Yee joined Atlanta Ballet in their “Mommy and Me” class when she was 2 years old. She has performed in three Nutcrackers! Maci is in third Grade at Pace Academy, and outside of ballet she loves gymnastics and building legos. She aspires to one day be in the Academy and wants to be a ballerina and doctor when she grows up.
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