Phelan LaVelle was born and raised in Omaha, NE and moved to Chicago when she was 17 to go to school at Columbia College, where she studied poetry, theatre and the arts. She lived in Chicago…
Robyn Albeke
Robyn Albeke was born in Louisiana, spent her first three years living in Germany before moving back to her mother’s hometown, Augusta, Georgia. Robyn graduated from Davidson Fine Arts High School and then moved to Athens…
Owen Staley
Owen Staley grew up in Battleground, Indiana and moved to Athens in the 3rd grade, attending Alps Road Elementary, Clarke Middle and Clarke Central High Schools. After high school he worked in restaurants, including the Taco…
Nicole Bechill
Raised on a palm tree farm in Jupiter, Florida, Nicole Bechill was on a creative path from early on. After receiving her bachelor’s degree from Savannah College of Art and Design, Nicole explored the United States,…
Tracy Brown
Tracy Brown was born in Toledo, Ohio and raised in Kentucky and St. Louis primarily before graduating from high school in Ohio. She attended Kentucky State University, where she played basketball and earned a Bachelor’s Degree…
Squallé
Squallé is a multifaceted artist, coach and leader in the community. Born and raised in Athens, Squallé went on to attend Alabama State University, where he received a Bachelor’s in Engineering while playing basketball. Upon returning…
Cameron Jay
What do cancer advocacy, political consulting and true crime podcasting all have in common? Cameron Jay says it all leads back to his first job at a funeral home. Born and raised in Baxley, Georgia—“a…
Tommy Valentine
Raised on the Eastside of Athens and educated with a Triple Dog (bachelor’s, master’s, and a PhD from UGA), Tommy Valentine has a deep-rooted connection to the Athens community. He became involved in the Athens music…
Sierra Kirsche
Born and raised in Athens and Watkinsville, ceramicist and art teacher Sierra Kirsche was homeschooled until attending high school at Westminster Christian Academy in Watkinsville, where her mother was a teacher. Upon taking a ceramics class…
Noelle Shuck
Noelle Shuck was born on Maui, Hawaii. At 6 years old, she moved with her mother to Atlanta until 4th grade, when they moved to Athens. After graduating from Clarke Central High School, Noelle received her…