Fifteen years ago, I walked into a small gathering of local artists and business owners who wanted to bring more creativity to our community. It was the first meeting of the Smyrna Artist Business Association, and while the intentions were good, the momentum eventually faded. An early version of the Smyrna Arts Council followed but faced similar challenges.
Rather than give up, I decided to take the lead.
In 2017, my friend Kristen Ramsey and I co-founded the Indie Arts Alliance -- a grassroots effort to bring public art to the streets, parks, and public spaces of Smyrna. We hosted chalk-art festivals and lantern parades, organized pop-up art shows at the Old Smyrna Firehouse, and painted a massive mural at Vickery Hardware. We didn’t wait for official support or funding -- we just created, shared, and invited others in.
For a while, it felt like we were building something meaningful without much notice from the city. But in 2019, a shift happened. Mayor Derek Norton was elected and brought a new enthusiasm for the arts. He formed the Public Art Committee and invited artists, citizens, and city staff to the table. I joined in 2020 and proposed the ARTery -- an art-forward walking and biking trail weaving its way through Smyrna. It’s now alive with painted fire hydrants, colorful traffic boxes, and crosswalk murals that celebrate creativity in the everyday.
Since then, our local arts scene has begun to flourish. The Smyrna Arts Council relaunched with fresh energy and a full calendar of events. I’ve been honored to serve on the board over the past year, helping to nurture this creative momentum. If you’ve ever wanted to play a part in shaping Smyrna’s artistic identity, now is the perfect time. Visit smyrnaartscouncil.com to get involved.
One of my longtime dreams came true last year when I purchased the former Spring Street Baptist Church property -- just next door to my home, the Old Smyrna Firehouse. I’ve transformed it into Spring Arts Studios, a space for local artists to create and collaborate. And earlier this year, I added Spring Creek Garden Club, a community garden open to my neighbors in Williams Park.
After years of planting seeds -- sometimes quite literally -- it’s amazing to see creativity blossoming all around us. Smyrna is growing into a city where art isn’t just seen, it’s felt. And the best part? We’re only getting started.
Want to support local art?
- Volunteer with Smyrna Arts Council
- Attend community art events
- Explore the ARTery trail
- Help paint, plant, or plan!
- Get involved at smyrnaartscouncil.com
- Follow @OldSmyrnaFirehouse on Instagram
Pull-Quote (if needed):
"Smyrna is becoming a place where art isn’t just seen—it’s felt."