Exhibition opens June 10th - June 14th | Open to the public
Closing Reception Saturday, June 14th at 9:00 AM-4:00 PM
District 2 Counties include schools in Banks. Cherokee, Dawson, Fannin, Forsyth, Franklin, Gilmer, Habersham, Hall, Lumpkin, Murray, Pickens, Rabun, Stephens, Towns, Union, White, and Whitfield.
Closing Reception Saturday, June 14th at 9:00 AM-4:00 PM
District 2 Counties include schools in Banks. Cherokee, Dawson, Fannin, Forsyth, Franklin, Gilmer, Habersham, Hall, Lumpkin, Murray, Pickens, Rabun, Stephens, Towns, Union, White, and Whitfield.
About the Artists
Lynne Marie Davis
Lynne Marie Davis is a children's book illustrator, mixed media artist and Art Teacher. She received her BFA from Miami University, Ohio and is the owner of A Painted Word Studio in Dawsonville Ga. She has taught ages 5 to teens to adult in the classroom and in her studio.
Jennifer Griner
Jennifer Griner is a Georgia-based artist and art educator whose work explores themes of remembrance, resilience, and legacy. Originally from rural South Georgia, she studied art at Brenau University before earning her degree in Art Education from Georgia Southern University. Drawing inspiration from both personal history and collective memory, her work bridges the past and present, honoring intimate family narratives as well as broader social issues, such as the impact of school shootings in the United States. Influenced by the emotional depth and narrative form of Bo Bartlett and the bold scale of Georgia O’Keeffe, Jennifer’s paintings capture both personal and historical narratives with profound storytelling and symbolism, inviting viewers into spaces of reflection and dialogue.
Jennifer’s work has been exhibited in venues across Georgia, including notable shows at Brenau University, The Averitt Center for the Arts, and the Arts Council. Her paintings transform faded photographs and fleeting memories into lasting narratives, ensuring that both personal and collective histories are not only remembered but reclaimed from the ephemeral. Beyond her studio and classroom, she is passionate about art advocacy and frequently presents at national conferences on the integration of art and literacy. Through her work, both as an artist and educator, she seeks to preserve the past while inspiring meaningful conversations about the present.
Retired Middle School and High School Art Teacher, professional artist, and instructor, and past President of the Georgia Art League
Jennifer Griner is a Georgia-based artist and art educator whose work explores themes of remembrance, resilience, and legacy. Originally from rural South Georgia, she studied art at Brenau University before earning her degree in Art Education from Georgia Southern University. Drawing inspiration from both personal history and collective memory, her work bridges the past and present, honoring intimate family narratives as well as broader social issues, such as the impact of school shootings in the United States. Influenced by the emotional depth and narrative form of Bo Bartlett and the bold scale of Georgia O’Keeffe, Jennifer’s paintings capture both personal and historical narratives with profound storytelling and symbolism, inviting viewers into spaces of reflection and dialogue.
With a career spanning over 27 years, Jennifer has been instrumental in mentoring young artists, particularly in Advanced Placement Art & Design and International Baccalaureate Visual Art programs. Her commitment to art education has been recognized through accolades, including the 2024 GAEA Secondary Art Educator of the Year award. She has also served in many capacities as an active member of the GAEA Board and has played a key role in organizing state art conferences.
Jennifer’s work has been exhibited in venues across Georgia, including notable shows at Brenau University, The Averitt Center for the Arts, and the Arts Council. Her paintings transform faded photographs and fleeting memories into lasting narratives, ensuring that both personal and collective histories are not only remembered but reclaimed from the ephemeral. Beyond her studio and classroom, she is passionate about art advocacy and frequently presents at national conferences on the integration of art and literacy. Through her work, both as an artist and educator, she seeks to preserve the past while inspiring meaningful conversations about the present.
Jennifer’s work has been exhibited in venues across Georgia, including notable shows at Brenau University, The Averitt Center for the Arts, and the Arts Council. Her paintings transform faded photographs and fleeting memories into lasting narratives, ensuring that both personal and collective histories are not only remembered but reclaimed from the ephemeral. Beyond her studio and classroom, she is passionate about art advocacy and frequently presents at national conferences on the integration of art and literacy. Through her work, both as an artist and educator, she seeks to preserve the past while inspiring meaningful conversations about the present.
Retired Middle School and High School Art Teacher, professional artist, and instructor, and past President of the Georgia Art League
Jennifer Griner is a Georgia-based artist and art educator whose work explores themes of remembrance, resilience, and legacy. Originally from rural South Georgia, she studied art at Brenau University before earning her degree in Art Education from Georgia Southern University. Drawing inspiration from both personal history and collective memory, her work bridges the past and present, honoring intimate family narratives as well as broader social issues, such as the impact of school shootings in the United States. Influenced by the emotional depth and narrative form of Bo Bartlett and the bold scale of Georgia O’Keeffe, Jennifer’s paintings capture both personal and historical narratives with profound storytelling and symbolism, inviting viewers into spaces of reflection and dialogue.
With a career spanning over 27 years, Jennifer has been instrumental in mentoring young artists, particularly in Advanced Placement Art & Design and International Baccalaureate Visual Art programs. Her commitment to art education has been recognized through accolades, including the 2024 GAEA Secondary Art Educator of the Year award. She has also served in many capacities as an active member of the GAEA Board and has played a key role in organizing state art conferences.
Jennifer’s work has been exhibited in venues across Georgia, including notable shows at Brenau University, The Averitt Center for the Arts, and the Arts Council. Her paintings transform faded photographs and fleeting memories into lasting narratives, ensuring that both personal and collective histories are not only remembered but reclaimed from the ephemeral. Beyond her studio and classroom, she is passionate about art advocacy and frequently presents at national conferences on the integration of art and literacy. Through her work, both as an artist and educator, she seeks to preserve the past while inspiring meaningful conversations about the present.
Andi Handley
Andi Handley is the head of the fine arts department and the high school art teacher for Gilmer County. She has taught there for the last 18 years. She is the sponsor of the NAHS, has taught numerous adult classes for the community and loves to continue learning about art herself. In the classroom, she encourages creativity and self expression while also learning the skills needed to create in a wide range of styles and mediums. Her preferred medium is ceramics.
Heather Hanline
Heather Hanline was born in Metairie, Louisiana. She is a working artist with artwork exhibited in galleries throughout Georgia, and her work is featured in numerous public and private collections nationwide. She has over 25 years of experience teaching the arts, including drawing, traditional and alternative photography, graphic design, and AP Art History at FCHS, as well as private lessons. Ms. Hanline enjoys traveling, reading, studying history, and creating artwork. Her studio is located in Cumming, Georgia. Currently, Ms. Hanline is working on private commissions and preparing a body of work for future exhibitions.
Marea Haslett
Marea Haslett was born in Birmingham, Alabama and grew up in the Atlanta area and California. She enjoys the mental process of painting, sculpting and writing. She graduated from the Savannah College of Art and Design with an MFA in Painting in 2016 and has been teaching art for over 25 years. As an art educator, she develops and runs a successful art program and assists in all aspects of helping art students find personal success. She also develops curriculum, writes grants and promotional materials while providing art leadership in her school, district, and state. Her artwork is in several private collections nationwide, at the University of North Georgia and in various shows in the Atlanta area. She shares her journey with her husband, and their two children.
Taylor Hughes
Taylor Hughes is an artist and art teacher from Cumming, GA. Taylor graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art Education from the University of Georgia in 2017 and is currently completing a Master of Arts in Design with a concentration in Art Education at Kennesaw State University. Much of her work revolves around the idea of storytelling and how we attribute significance to stories through artwork.
My most recent works explore Motherhood and the influences and effects that this stage of life has on me. These works interweave my response to a fast-paced, messy, exciting, and exhausting day-to-day life juxtaposed with the beauty, strength, femininity, sense of nurturing, resilience, and other qualities that I hold dear.
My most recent works explore Motherhood and the influences and effects that this stage of life has on me. These works interweave my response to a fast-paced, messy, exciting, and exhausting day-to-day life juxtaposed with the beauty, strength, femininity, sense of nurturing, resilience, and other qualities that I hold dear.
Danielle Holloway
Danielle Holloway is a multidisciplinary artist and current kindergarten teacher in the Gainesville City School System. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from the University of North Georgia, blending her love of teaching with a lifelong passion for the arts. Danielle also studied at the Art Institute of Atlanta, focusing on fine arts and interior design. During her time there, her work was featured in two exhibitions along side her peers.
Working primarily with acrylic on canvas, Danielle explores a variety of styles including abstract compositions, collage, still life, and the incorporation of antique items. Her pieces are often inspired by nature and movement, captivating organic forms and flow as well as playing with layered textures. Danielle creates pieces with the hope of encouraging others to remove any limited beliefs and tap into their artistic abilities no matter their age or background.
Working primarily with acrylic on canvas, Danielle explores a variety of styles including abstract compositions, collage, still life, and the incorporation of antique items. Her pieces are often inspired by nature and movement, captivating organic forms and flow as well as playing with layered textures. Danielle creates pieces with the hope of encouraging others to remove any limited beliefs and tap into their artistic abilities no matter their age or background.
Veronica Martin
Veronica Martin has been producing, exhibiting, and selling artwork for more than three decades. From wheel throwing to photography, printmaking to painting, she does it all! Veronica has been a K-12 art educator for 20 years, working in both public and private schools. Graduating from Brenau University in 2000 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, she returned to the university in 2001 to earn her teaching certificate. In 2011, Veronica received her Master's in Education and aspires to pursue a doctorate. Since 2011, Veronica has been teaching art at the high school level in Hall County, developing a curriculum and collaborating with the county and community on various initiatives to enhance the visibility and impact of the visual arts. In 2017, Veronica launched the annual Hall County Expressions art show, now in its 7th year, providing all Hall County art teachers a venue to showcase student work. For 18 years, she has been a member of the Georgia Art Educators Association, serving as the co-president of District 2 since 2017. In this role, she has organized conferences and classes for Georgia art teachers and the National Art Honors Society students of Georgia. When it comes to building a stronger art community or providing meaningful art experiences, Veronica takes pride in assisting in any capacity she can!
When asked about her artistic career, she has this to say, "My art is strongly influenced by life events and my growth as an independent woman. I love to create, and I enjoy a challenge, so it's hard to pinpoint my style or preferred medium. I would say that my artwork reflects my journey to finding balance in life. Mental and physical health, happiness, career, and family have all influenced my creations, as well as the occasional "well, I can do that myself" project. Since the invention of the photo-taking phone, my catalog of "must paint" images is now bursting at the seams. Some may say I am a woman with too many irons in the fire, too many projects, or too many things on my plate, and that may be true, but I don't know what I would do if I ever "finished" everything. Having projects to work on or goals to achieve fuels my soul, and making them as beautiful as I can, down to the very fine details, sparks joy in my heart. I will forever be creating, photographing the world around me daily, adding to the catalog, finding things that I can do to "make it better" and accepting those challenges that someone may toss my way."
When asked about her artistic career, she has this to say, "My art is strongly influenced by life events and my growth as an independent woman. I love to create, and I enjoy a challenge, so it's hard to pinpoint my style or preferred medium. I would say that my artwork reflects my journey to finding balance in life. Mental and physical health, happiness, career, and family have all influenced my creations, as well as the occasional "well, I can do that myself" project. Since the invention of the photo-taking phone, my catalog of "must paint" images is now bursting at the seams. Some may say I am a woman with too many irons in the fire, too many projects, or too many things on my plate, and that may be true, but I don't know what I would do if I ever "finished" everything. Having projects to work on or goals to achieve fuels my soul, and making them as beautiful as I can, down to the very fine details, sparks joy in my heart. I will forever be creating, photographing the world around me daily, adding to the catalog, finding things that I can do to "make it better" and accepting those challenges that someone may toss my way."
Celeste Morris
Celeste has returned to the art room after spending 18 years as a scenic artist and theatre professor at UNG. Her most recent set design credits include “The Ugly Duckling,” “Sophie and the Pirates,” and “Pygmalion.” Her scenic work can also be seen on “Blue Beetle” and “Secret Headquarters.” Her favorite medium is watercolor, but she is learning to enjoy acrylic.
Lila Rudolph
Lila was born in Paris, France, and moved to the United States when she was 9. After graduating from high school, she moved to Belgium and attended the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Brussels. Eventually, returning to the United States, she met her husband and raised two boys. While living in Florida, she designed T-shirts for a local aquarium, bird sanctuary, and several beach boutiques. Lila later opened a small Montessori preschool in north Georgia, where she taught children for 15 years. She has since been able to continue her French flair watercolor paintings.
Dr. Lisa Spence
An energetic art educator with 17 years of experience in instructional and leadership roles, Dr. Lisa Spence is dedicated to sharing her passion for the fine arts with her students and exploring diverse art forms in her craft. With a particular affinity for fiber arts and mixed media, Spence marries a variety of techniques with found objects in her sewn collage work. She is the 2025 Cherokee County School District Teacher of the Year, the 2025 NAEA Southeastern Region Elementary Art Educator of the Year, and was the 2023 GAEA Elementary Art Educator of the Year.
Michael Valley
Michael Valley was born in Florida, raised in Tennessee, and lived most of his life in Georgia. He received his BFA and MFA from the University of Georgia. He taught at UGA, holding a TA position for two years and an adjunct position for one year. He has also taught an Art Appreciation class at the Georgia Academy Perimeter College. Michael Valley has taught at East Hall for 26 years. He has exhibited his work locally in Georgia and nationally, earning multiple awards. M. Valley has exhibited at the Quinlan Art Center in Gainesville, GA, and has won multiple merit awards, including Best in Show and second place. Michael Valley has been developing his paintings for over 30 years and has never wavered from creating the most powerful, intense, and unique visual experiences.
Stephanie Waddell
Stephanie Waddell is a multidisciplinary artist and paraprofessional based in Gainesville, Georgia. She earned an Associate’s degree in Graphic Design from the Art Institute of Atlanta and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of North Georgia, where she developed a strong foundation in painting and a passion for working across media. She is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Teaching in Art Education at Shorter University.
Waddell has taught studio art to young children at the Quinlan Visual Arts Center and the local Boys and Girls Club, where she continues to foster creativity and confidence through hands-on art experiences. She currently resides in Gainesville, where her work titled Shoe is featured as a public art installation in the 2022 Vision Art Block Party.
Inspired by artists such as Morris Louis, Helen Frankenthaler, Gillian Ayres, and Paul Jenkins, Waddell’s practice explores the interplay between abstraction and emotional memory. She creates nonobjective, non-representational work that rejects traditional visual narratives in favor of intuitive expression through motion, material, and experimentation. Her paintings embrace the fluid, unpredictable nature of her materials, highlighting spontaneous gestures, vibrant color interactions, and the tension between positive and negative space. By allowing color to flow, collide, and transform on the surface, Waddell evokes a sense of organic motion, balance, and expansive energy.
In her current collection, Motion through Color, Waddell interprets how sunlight refracts through the atmosphere to produce the vivid, shifting colors of sunrise and sunset. Drawing inspiration from the way light wavelengths interact with particles in the sky, her work captures the emotional resonance of these fleeting moments, conveying both serenity and awe through abstract form.
Waddell has taught studio art to young children at the Quinlan Visual Arts Center and the local Boys and Girls Club, where she continues to foster creativity and confidence through hands-on art experiences. She currently resides in Gainesville, where her work titled Shoe is featured as a public art installation in the 2022 Vision Art Block Party.
Inspired by artists such as Morris Louis, Helen Frankenthaler, Gillian Ayres, and Paul Jenkins, Waddell’s practice explores the interplay between abstraction and emotional memory. She creates nonobjective, non-representational work that rejects traditional visual narratives in favor of intuitive expression through motion, material, and experimentation. Her paintings embrace the fluid, unpredictable nature of her materials, highlighting spontaneous gestures, vibrant color interactions, and the tension between positive and negative space. By allowing color to flow, collide, and transform on the surface, Waddell evokes a sense of organic motion, balance, and expansive energy.
In her current collection, Motion through Color, Waddell interprets how sunlight refracts through the atmosphere to produce the vivid, shifting colors of sunrise and sunset. Drawing inspiration from the way light wavelengths interact with particles in the sky, her work captures the emotional resonance of these fleeting moments, conveying both serenity and awe through abstract form.