C. Joy Brown is a garden curator and community artist who treats outdoor environments as living works of art. Through Grow with Joy, she cultivates garden spaces—food gardens, flower gardens, and creative green spaces—as places of beauty, connection, and joy.

Her practice focuses on transforming underused or overlooked spaces into vibrant garden environments that invite curiosity, rest, and engagement. Whether curating pollinator gardens, community flower beds, or youth-designed garden spaces, Joy approaches each site as a canvas shaped by sunshine, collaboration, and care.

Rooted in community and creativity, her work celebrates the simple magic of cultivation—where gardens become gathering places and sunshine becomes part of the design.

My work has been featured in galleries in Denver, New York, and national exhibits. I am a member of Concrete Roses LLC, which is a collective for musicians, producers, and artists. While living in Denver, my role was recording events for marketing purposes. I’m excited to continue in my role, as well as join the community of artists here in Augusta!

I create at the intersection of softness and power, documenting beauty in all its raw, unconventional forms. My work is rooted in emotion, identity, and storytelling, celebrating the messy, magical, and often unseen parts of life. Through my lens and my art, I honor vulnerability as strength and turn lived experience into visual poetry.

I am a lifelong visual artist and CSRA resident with formal training in visual art, biology, and wildlife conservation. My practice is rooted in a deep love of the natural world and a desire to observe it with both artistic and scientific attention. Working primarily in photography, painting, and drawing, I seek to capture the quiet beauty of outdoor spaces that often go unnoticed.

My work focuses on liminal spaces—those moments of transition between light and shadow, growth and decay, human presence and wilderness. By emphasizing subtle details and shifting atmospheres, I aim to invite viewers to slow down, reflect, and reconnect with the fragile and fleeting beauty of the natural world around them.

I’m Leanna Gioia, a writer shaped by the South, and all the strange, tender stories tucked between the roots. I write in the spaces where mystery meets memory, moving between true crime, culture, and the quiet emotional currents that define people. Whether it’s a cold case, a horror-comedy script, or a small moment just worth holding onto, I’m drawn to narrative that lingers.

6th grade- 1st place Penny Art Competition /Gertrude Herbert , 2 yrs, Augusta Tech/ Advertising Art (hand lettering;signage) 1976-77
Inspired mainly by the old masters and the idealism of cataloged movements in the visual arts fields, the profundity as found in Dali, Escher,Picasso,etc. inspired me to create paintings that are …
Oil painting is my preference. Fine Art America hosts my website and their AI
penned a synopsis of my works, that’s weird . Check it out !

As a self trained artist, Karey has created in watercolor, acrylics, fiber, and stained glass for years. Upon retiring from public education, she focused her recent work in acrylics as a favorite medium. She has achieved success with her creative renditions and has original and commissioned pieces hanging across the country. Her award winning work has also garnished distinguished recognition nationally, and can be viewed via several online galleries, linked to her Facebook account.
Mrs. Santos describes herself as a visual storyteller, using light, form, and color to interpret snapshots of humanity. Bold colors and brushstrokes express the intrinsic mark, or feeling as it relates to the subject. “I want my work to challenge viewers to view beyond the painted marks, to the unique story they reveal and the emotion they invoke.”

I have always been drawn to the arts, first studying Art History with the dream of becoming a curator, but life as a military spouse took me around the world before my husband brought us the CSRA. Now that our children are grown, I am free to fully experiment with different media, exploring color, and have fun painting on almost any surface. A painting class with a friend in 2019 reignited that passion, and while I am largely self-taught, I have studied watercolor with a local artist, Thomas Needham. I hold a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies from USC Upstate, and when I’m not painting, I’m often deep in genealogy research or savoring a glass of champagne

Christina E. Petrides began writing poetry and publishing books for children during the 6.5 years she lived on Jeju Island, South Korea. Her first children’s book, Blueberry Man, was selected by both the Georgia and the North Carolina Farm Bureaus as a book of the month for their Ag in the Classroom programs. Her other children’s books include The Refrigerator Ghost; Tea Cakes, Quilts, and Sonshine; and Mr. Fisher’s Whiskers. Christina served as the primary translator of Maria Shelyakhovskaya’s memoir Being Grounded in Love. Her poetry collections are On Unfirm Terrain and The Laughing Calvinist. Christina’s website is www.christinaepetrides.com

Bill Karp (billkarpjazz.com) is a classic American jazz musician. He has been voted “Best of Augusta Jazz’ by readers of Augusta Magazine numerous times. Bill is interested in making live jazz accessible and affordable for your home, social or business settings. This is not bar or lounge jazz. It is music for your home and business environments and events. The cost of his jazz is reasonable and negotiable. The most cost-effective way of bringing his jazz to you is by tucking Bill, with his specially-engineered, high-quality backing tracks, into your occasion.

Kyrah Chevelle otherwise known as Kyrah the Queen is a well rounded, out of the box musical artist, performer, Singer/Songwriter for hire, composer, poet, author, sexual assault survivor turned activist, counselor and action provoking public speaker. She operates not only as founder of her own label and live band KC Music group where she offers services of her vocal abilities provides paid opportunities for fellow musicians, artist development and live cover band bookings. As a life long live performer her musical journey of passion dates back to age 5 as a part of a vocal group with three of her big sisters know as the” K-girls” put together by her mother and famous guirist “Pasley” Singing in the chorus at East Augusta middle school a love for live music blossomed for the band as a percussionist. All through high school her dedication to developing her craft persisted as family life took her through hardship and trauma resulting in many twist in turns. Taking part in music was a must, becoming a coping mechanism, participation at several high school programs including Lucy C Laney chorus and marching band, Evans High school Chorus, Glen Hills High school chorus and ending with Greenbrier Highschool chorus. Her love for poetry evolved her into a Rap artist at age 20 under the name Killa-K where can be heard in affiliation with several local rap artists and producers such as Bizzo Beats, Smokin Aces, Richie Ray, and the Maestro Daniel Sapp. Exploring a curiosity of becoming a fashion model sparked a relocation to Atlanta Ga, and there her voice is what put her in rooms with Jermaine Dupri and grating her the experience of working and recording tracks with NItty. OH, but the journey didn’t stop there, 1000 miles away and out of the State of Georgia, an excitingly loud opportunity as second lead singer of ABOG (Another Band of Gypsies) arose. There is where she received The Music Association of Central Texas’ award for Rock Band of Year in 2017. If you where to ask her, she would tell you that the real blessing of this gift from God, and her most favorite way to use her voice comes from living the life of a true worshipper. She can be remember for choir memberships at churches starting as a young girl and stretching throughout her continued life span. Becoming worship leader at New Restoration church of of Killeen Texas and devoted alto of the World Changers International Church in College Park, Ga. If you ever get a chance to talk with her she would smile so bright and tell you how her love and passion for music is totally a gift from God. How Praise and Worship is the weapon to not only defeat the attacks and ploys of the enemy but also how it unites her with the angels in heaven where she as first handedly experienced and receives the goodness and love of God above daily.

Beatrice (Bea) Brown is the author of three books: A Giraffe in the Gym (2016), Who Invited the Bees (2018) and the latest, A Day in the Life of Mother Goose (2020). Her desire is to write fun-filled books that spark the readers’ imagination and encourage them to author their own stories. This mother of three has spent over half her life teaching students with disabilities. She honors them in each of her books. In addition to writing and reading children’s picture books, her other indulgences include: eating dessert (as she eats her meal), chewing gum, not bubblegum (she does not like how it smells), scrolling through Pinterest, researching interesting topics, and watching YouTube videos. #beabrownbooks #readeveryday #readingmatters #keepreading

Hi! Im Christina Dezutter. I own The Potter’s Cabinet and I make functional pottery. I am self taught and began about 5 years ago after my husband retired from the military and we moved back home from overseas. I’m glad to be here and excited to meet new people through our local arts.

I experiment with various mediums, such as watercolor, oil painting, oil pastels, pencil/ink sketching, and more. My goal is to explore art and grow as an artist through that exploration. I have shown my works at the Wet Paint Party hosted by the Greater Augusta Arts Council, the Arts and Heritage Center in North Augusta (SC), and the Euphoria Arts Festival. I look forward to more opportunities to create art and share them with others.

I’m Zachary Alvarez, an artist and professional event designer. I enjoy being creative through many different avenues including traditional fine arts, digital media, and event planning.

Trained in Fine Art & Digital art to include motion graphics and animation.

Ren Ashe (they/he) is a transmasc nonbinary creative soul born and raised in the CSRA. Though primarily a painter of odd, bizarre, and, at times, uncomfortable themes, Ren also enjoys drawing, clay work, bone/taxidermy art, mixed media, plus many other media forms; they consider most items as having the potential to be in an art piece. In addition to being a visual artist, Ren is also a published writer and a performer, having recently been in The Augusta Players’ ArtReach productions of ‘Pinocchio’ and ‘Snow Queen.’ Ren lives with his partner of over 15 years, their two children, and multiple animals.

I’ve been primarily self taught as an artist, though I find experience and experimentation can provide ample chances to learn throughout life.

Mysticc – Artist & Founder of Mysticc Paintings and More LLC. I am a passionate artist and entrepreneur based in GA, specializing in hand-drawn and painted artwork with focus on Black art and abstract styles. I have always had a love for drawing but in the mist of trying to find something to entertain my daughter during Covid I became in love with painting. I look forward to growing and learning more as I pour into me this year.

Local Photographer who has been active on the local area over 30 years. Initially worked with only 35mm and 120mm Film. Currently works with digital media in a wide variety of areas. Areas of interest include: Travel, Still Life, Abstract, Documentary, Archival, Architectural, People, Event/Festival.

I am self-taught in an art form that has not been discovered. All of the art I create is made from wood salvaged after breaking down destructive beaver dams. I began my artistic journey around August 2024. I have created over 300 pieces from walking staffs, canes, paper towel holders, candle holders, vases, necklaces, bracelets, charms, and other original creations. Each piece is uniquely designed in the way the beavers chew the trees down and strip them of their bark.

Mrs. Janice Sims is the owner of Destiny Vision Assignment, LLC and is a Wellness, Nutrition and Fitness Coach. Janice has been a  fitness professional since 1981. She graduated from Bowling Green State University (Ohio) with a major in Physical Education and Health. Beginning her fitness career in southern California, Ms. Sims became a certified group fitness instructor and personal trainer in 1981. She later turned her concentration back to that of a teacher in the public school system and after 26 years, retired in 2010. Prior to retiring from the school system, Janice became a licensed Zumba® instructor in 2008 and has been in the fitness industry since the early 80’s.  She has added to her specialized instructor training, Zumba® Toning, Zumba® Gold, Zumba® Step, Zumba® Kids, and Strong by Zumba®. Currently, Janice teaches Zumba Fitness as an independent contractor in the Metro Atlanta area. When she is not teaching classes or presenting at fitness events, Ms. Sims is a Background Talent actor for the Film and TV industry. She also is a Signature Model for an international designer. Find her on Facebook as Janice Destiny Zumba or Instagram as jmszumba .

After a brief career in corporate finance and then years of being a stay-at-home mom, Augusta artist Pam Thompson found a passion for painting. Pam paints out of her love for color and beauty and feels that creating art is a means of connecting with the Creator. She uses acrylics and oils, with a focus on capturing the essence of nature’s splendor and relaying a sense of peace and joy. Although much of her art is traditional, she also enjoys the freedom of expressionistic works.

Pam has exhibited at many venues in the CSRA and has received a number of awards. Her paintings may be found in homes across the region. She is a member of the Mascaro Art Group. You can learn more about Pam and her work at pamthompsonart.com.

Having been born into a multigenerational family of artists representing multiple mediums and styles, it was genetics that I couldn’t deny. Working corporately for several years, I continued feeling drawn to creativity and the arts. Upon making a major decision, art is now my career, continues to be my passion and allows me to continue the legacy of my extremely talented family.

Several years ago, I retired from a career in healthcare. I adopted a life of travel and began dabbling in watercolor as a hobby, as it was relatively convenient and relaxing. As I taught myself more and more concepts and techniques, I began to appreciate all the gifts watercolor had to offer. I began to delight in the world around me with a brand new perspective, sparking with inspiration and curiosity each day. As a result, I developed more of an intimacy with the ordinary and chance encounters I endeavor to capture in my paintings. Whether it be portraits of people and animals or landscape scenes, each painting is an exquisite journey. Through this joyful medium, I am able to capture beautiful memories and reveal my reverence for the subjects I aim to celebrate through my art.

Hello! I’m Miranda, I spend most of my art time working with either yarn, heat press, or Word 🙂 I sell knitted creations (mostly little frogs!), custom tees & totes, and digital designs through my Etsy shop. For family and friends, I knit gloves, hats, etc. I really love finding unique, vintage knitting patterns and experimenting. I have more recently returned to one of my first artistic passions, writing. I had previously dabbled in screenwriting and filmmaking. I earned a certificate in film production from the Georgia Film Academy in 2017. However, I’ve realized over the years that theater is much more my style. For over 10 years, I have worked in local theater in various backstage capacities. I have really enjoyed returning to the stage through writing and working with the limitations and challenges of playwriting.

Marsha is a self-taught artisan who creates one-of-a-kind soulful art for both body and home. Her designs blend the timeless elegance of vintage charm with the modern aesthetic, capturing the divine beauty of nature and the artistry of architectural design. Each piece is an intriguing fusion of natural and manmade materials, reflecting her unique creative vision.

As a muralist and public artist based in Augusta, Georgia, I believe in the transformative power of art to shape and inspire communities. My work is rooted in bold, illustrative designs that bring color and energy to public spaces, creating experiences that connect people to their surroundings. From large-scale murals to interactive public art installations, I strive to craft pieces that reflect the stories, culture, and spirit of the community. Collaboration is at the heart of my process—whether working with local organizations, businesses, or other artists, I aim to create work that resonates deeply with the people who live and interact with it every day. Public art is more than decoration; it’s a statement of identity and pride. I am passionate about using my skills to transform walls and spaces into vibrant works of art that inspire conversation and connection.