CORNELIA, Ga. — The community art initiative Brushstrokes of Change will host a Valentine’s Day workshop Saturday at the Ballard Center, inviting residents to bring personal memories and help shape future public art projects.
The “Stories Transform Into Landmarks” workshop is scheduled for Feb. 14 from noon to 5 p.m. at 353 Chattahoochee St. Organizers are encouraging participants to bring photos and memories of family members and neighborhood places that are meaningful to them.
According to promotional materials, attendees will leave with poems, love letters, a trinket and design ideas that could influence future mural concepts.
Brushstrokes of Change, led by Cornelia artist Audrey Davenport, blends storytelling and visual art to preserve local history while envisioning new public spaces. As Now Georgia previously reported, the initiative has focused on elevating overlooked stories, particularly those tied to historically Black neighborhoods and community landmarks.
Last year, Davenport led a community-driven project connected to Jim Smith Park, using shared memories to create artwork that reflected both the area’s past and its evolving identity. The broader effort also ties into ongoing conversations about preserving local history and recognizing significant sites, including Davenport’s public push to extend Martin Luther King Jr. Drive to Main Street.
Saturday’s workshop continues that model, centering personal stories as the foundation for creative work that may later take shape as murals or other public art installations.
The event is free and open to the public.
