Traditionally, October is one of my favorite months. I’m a spooky gal at heart, so give me those delightfully cooler temperatures, cozy evenings, a sprinkle of Halloween magic, and all the autumn vibes. But this year, October felt especially busy in the very best of ways.

I had the opportunity to travel to Charlotte with Destination Augusta and some of their other incredible community partners, including Phinizy Swamp Nature Park and the Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History, to help shine a spotlight on Bots on Broad and Augusta’s vibrant arts scene. The experience featured a live painter and gave us an opportunity to share more of the creativity, culture, and funky character that make Augusta so special.

One of the highlights was meeting and chatting with Leonard “Porkchop” Zimmerman, the artist behind Tommy and Bots on Broad. Hearing from the artist himself and learning more about the story behind his work was inspiring. It reminded me how much meaning, personality, and heart can live within a single piece of art. I left feeling genuinely grateful and full of joy.

On a personal note, I attended a Halloween-themed art show at Le Chat, where I debuted one of my four Halloween costumes this year (yes, four!) and purchased a piece of art from a local artist that I can’t wait to hang in my office. There’s something special about discovering a piece that speaks to you and knowing it will become part of your everyday surroundings. Later in the month, we revisited Le Chat to partake in their annual Black Cat Carnival. One of my favorite events in Augusta, I feel like I can never get enough of the amazing costumes and performances I get to see there every year.

I also had the privilege of participating in my second and third gallery installations, at Augusta & Co. and the City Gallery. Each time, I’m reminded of just how honored I am to help handle, install, and share these works of art with our community. There’s something truly special about being part of the process that brings art out of the studio and into the spaces where people can experience and enjoy it.

And somewhere in the middle of all this, I found myself thinking about the 12-year-old version of me.

If you had told that little girl that one day she would be installing artwork in galleries, chatting with artists regularly, helping tell the stories behind public art, and celebrating her favorite holiday in four different costumes, she probably would have laughed in disbelief. There is absolutely no way she could have imagined this life for herself.

Yet here we are.

I think that’s one of the beautiful things about working in the arts. It creates opportunities we never could have predicted, introduces us to people who inspire us, and reminds us that creativity can open doors in the most unexpected ways. It allows us to be part of something bigger than ourselves while finding little pieces of joy along the way.

October may have disappeared in a puff of smoke, but it left behind so many moments worth holding on to. I’m grateful for the artists who share their talents, the partners who help bring creative ideas to life, the people who make our arts community so welcoming, and the opportunities that continue to surprise and inspire me.

What a wonderful life it is. And what a wonderful community to be part of.