The heart of our mission is to find the amazing souls that breathe life into our communities. In the recent weeks, we’ve had the privilege to connect with some incredible artists, creatives, entrepreneurs and rabble rousers and we can’t begin to express how impressed we are with the incredible group below.
Courtney Grunninger Bonney
I spent almost a decade in academics, and taught at Clemson (while finishing my degree), then at FSU as a visiting assistant professor in the planning department, and finally with SCAD in historic preservation. While I really enjoyed teaching and the research portions of academics, after the pandemic, we decided that the timing was right for us to venture out on our own. We had been musing about the idea of starting a business together since we were undergrads, and we finally felt like we had the experience and the right opportunities to make it happen. That was in 2021, and we have been dedicated to our business ever since! Read more>>
RahulRaj Macha
Right now, I’m working independently as a freelance artist in the visual effects space. I take on a mix of projects — from cinematic sequences and virtual production work to real-time environments and stylized animations. I’m especially drawn to projects that blur the lines between film and games, and I try to bring a strong design sensibility and technical backbone to everything I work on. Freelancing has also given me the flexibility to collaborate with studios around the world and be a part of really varied and exciting work. Read more>>
Julie
I have always harbored a strong interest in visual storytelling. I remember late nights of my childhood at my grandparents’ house, enthralled by the fantastical imagery of Disney’s Alice in Wonderland. From the dreamlike color palette to the alluring strangeness of the character designs– I was obsessed with it all. From the moment I could get my hands on art supplies, I began creating my own characters, my own worlds, mimicking the artistry of the books I read and the movies I watched. It was this passion that brought me to where I am today, pursuing illustration and visual development at The Savannah College of Art and Design. Read more>>
Brooks Davis II
My mind moves fast, jumping between ideas and disciplines. At times, that scattered energy felt like a setback. But it’s also what pushed me to explore widely—through architecture, UX, industrial design, and systems thinking. That curiosity became a strength, and it’s what ultimately led me back to what matters most: creating. As my injury progressed, I had to confront new limitations—especially in my ability to work long hours at a computer. Letting go of certain tools and processes was hard, but it forced me to get honest, simplify, and return to what felt most natural: pencil, paper, presence. Read more>>
Heather Bloomfield
I try to view every hurdle as something meant to help me grow in some aspect, either as a person or an artist. I’ve always had a really strong intuition and trusting gut feelings has never led me down a bad road. Everything in life is going to come with challenges but the only thing we can control is how we respond. The hardest experience I’ve had so far was going through major leg surgery in the winter of 2023. I was on crutches for nearly 13 weeks and in significant pain for months which really impacted my ability to do anything, especially being on my feet taking photos. During this time period I learned how to ask for help, how to appreciate a healthy body, and how to see things from a broader perspective. Read more>>
Emily
I began my graphic design career in 2020 with freelance logo commissions, diving deeply into the field during the early days of the pandemic. At that time, I found both a creative outlet and a professional direction that continues to evolve. For the past three years, I’ve had the incredible opportunity to work as the lead graphic designer for merchandise development at the Savannah College of Art and Design. In this role, I’ve developed my technical skills and have learned to navigate the intersection of brand identity, product design, and audience engagement. It’s been an immensely rewarding experience that has allowed me to collaborate with diverse teams and see ideas move from concept to tangible product. Read more>>
Sophia Denison
As a kid, you think you’re invincible. My invincibility made me fearlessly climb the tallest trees in nature’s playground, a fierce competitor in every sport under the sun, and friends with any creature or critter that crossed my path. When I had no fear, and the bugs were my friends and the snakes were my peers and nothing bad could ever happen, little did I know there were tiny bugs lurking in the long grass and leaf piles that would soon shatter my invincibility and expose how fragile life can really be. Read more>>
KenetrA Saintilaire
During that challenging time, I turned to my husband, seeking his guidance on the future of our business. He encouraged me fervently to persevere, igniting a spark of determination within me. Out of that difficult season, we brainstormed and ultimately decided on the name Fleurish Creative Studio. The term “Fleurish” perfectly encapsulates our vision; it symbolizes aggressive growth and rapid development, much like the journey we were on. The added ‘e’ in “Fleurish” gives it a charming French twist, paying homage to the cultural richness of Louisiana and Haiti, where we are rooted. This name reflects not only our aspirations but also the spirit of resilience we’ve embraced as we continue to build our legacy thrivingly. Read more>>
Lauren Bonner
One of the biggest influences in my life was my grandfather, Lewis Bear Jr., a respected businessman and philanthropist who helped shape Northwest Florida through both his leadership and generosity. As the longtime owner of the Lewis Bear Company, one of the oldest family owned Anheuser-Busch distributorships in the country, and founder of the Bear Family Foundation, he made a lasting impact on the region by supporting countless community initiatives, healthcare systems, and educational programs. Read more>>
Rheanna Grooms
Hi there! My name is Rheanna and I have been a photographer in south Georgia since 2019! My husband and I would often times go to the beach and watch the sunrises and one year he surprised me with a nice Nikon camera to capture the memories. Little did I know that it would change my life. I then started to take couple and maternity photos for friends and family which really sparked a passion in me. I adore making a family laugh and giggle while doing photos or capture that sweet moment between a couple before they welcome their first baby into the world. I have learned so much since then and I am now offering a wide variety of photography services while also working as a full time Registered Veterinary Technician. Read more>>
Megan Hohl
My relationship with art and creativity began very young. I grew up in a rural Wisconsin town, and with that came a difficulty to relate to my limited number of peers at that time. I could, however, find an escape through drawing on printer paper and creating elaborate storylines with my stuffed animals. This was how I expressed myself from kindergarten through 4th grade. Around 5th grade is when I started to take my drawing seriously. Read more>>
Amira Kopeyev
I was born and raised in a small coastal town called Aktau, in Kazakhstan. When I was 14, I decided I wanted to switch schools — the one in a nearby town had better courses that aligned more with what I was looking for. As the youngest child and only daughter, convincing my parents to let me go wasn’t easy. I remembered seeing an interview where a celebrity made a PowerPoint for their family to prove a point, so I did the same — laying out all the reasons I was responsible enough to move on my own to a town three hours away. Read more>>
Annette Walter
I think imposter syndrome is a big struggle, not just for me but for other artists also. There’s a lot of times where I think that someone else is better than me and it can be challenging when you’re surrounded by other likeminded people. I’m my own worst enemy , but I’ve learned comparing myself to others is not going to change the way I feel about making a film- I’m going to do it anyways because it’s what I love. I also have dyslexia, which at first people see as a disability, but for me it’s the opposite. There’s a stigma around people who are dyslexic, that it’s all about being hard to read, but there’s so much more to it than that. Dyslexia made it hard for me in grade school, but it actually enhances my imagination significantly. My creativity is unlimited. Read more>>
Donna Horton
In 2016 the Meat Market was closed to concentrate on Beef Jerky. Through the next few years, a lot of time was spent on the road, living in the camper and in hotels attending large events and promoting Horton’s Beef Jerky. The wholesale accounts started spreading across the country and online sales were growing as well. Read more>>
Melinda Calandrello
I loved every minute of driving around town & auditioning. I even kept a spare wardrobe in my car just in case I needed a quick change for a last minute audition (which happened a lot). I didn’t have a backup plan, this was it, so I put everything I had into these incredible opportunities, and along the way took many acting classes with a variety of teachers to learn as much as I could. It was truly a magical time in my life where I would wake up and pinch myself that I was actually living the life of a working actress. Read more>>
Rosa Batista
In Venezuela, El Sistema is a powerful and internationally recognized social movement that uses music education to promote inclusion and opportunity, especially for children in underserved communities. I joined as violinist at age 11 after auditioning for a Chapter (Núcleo San Agustín). A year later, I was performing and touring with the Caracas Children’s Symphony Orchestra, and before I turned 14, I had advanced to the Youth Orchestra. Read more>>
Turtle Eller
Not at all. Being raised in central Georgia as an artist is not ideal because many tell you that you’re not going to make it anywhere in life. I don’t sell much work at home due to the ‘provocative’ and ‘mature’ nature of my style. I then got an offer to SCAD and the journey at school alone with financial struggles has been stressful, but nonetheless I am here and improving my skills as an artist and overall a human being. Read more>>
Hitman Benny
But when you’re alone in a new city with a criminal record, starting over isn’t as simple as packing a bag. Opportunities are hard to come by. I slipped back into the streets to survive—selling drugs just to keep a roof over my head and eat. But for the first time in a long time, I had a roof again. I had a place to call home. And that gave me space to think, and to finally reconnect with who I used to be. I would pick up gigs as a freelance graphic designer, and also did some branding and marketing work for a few small local businesses Read more>>
