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Decatur, GA September 2026

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Global Travel In Style BRILLIANT ESCAPES WILL TAKE YOU TH ERE

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YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD TREE SERVICE. CELEBR ATING 2 5 YE ARS OF SERVING DEC ATUR

CE R T IF IE D A RB ORIS T S E RV ICE S | T RE E RE MOVA L | T RE E T RIMMING

Tree Care Tips • Check for Hazardous Trees: Winter storms can bring down weak trees or limbs. Inspect for dead branches, leaning trunks, or decay. Call an arborist if unsure. • Prune for Safety & Health: Late winter pruning strengthens trees and prevents disease. Remove weak or overgrown branches to promote healthy spring growth. • Mulch & Protect Roots: Add mulch around the base (but not against the trunk) to insulate roots, retain moisture, and prevent soil erosion. • Plan for Spring Planting: Now is the time to choose native trees and schedule early spring planting for the best start. • Watch for Pests & Disease: Even in winter, pests and fungal infections can threaten trees. Look for holes, sap oozing, or discolored leaves. Early action can save a tree!

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LIFESTYLE LETTER

The Style of Life

September 2026 PUBLISHER

Lisa Thibault | lisa.thibault@citylifestyle.com

Style is often associated with fashion, beautiful homes, or the latest trends, but I have come to believe it is something much deeper. True style is reflected in how we live, the places that inspire us, the causes we champion, and the way we choose to impact those around us. In this month's issue you'll discover stories that remind us that style is ultimately an expression of purpose. We celebrate Brilliant Escapes as our cover story proving that style and travel and life go hand in hand with finding a place to see that gives deeper meaning to experiences. You can be sure to find inspiration in global travel or closer to home, Erin can help take you there. Contiuning a mission to help fuel passions and design we have several stories of local artists and teen entrepreneurs sharing their talents in many ways in Decatur. Close to home, we spotlight the people of Decatur and share in celebrating them with awards and shine a light further on their inspiration, talents, resilience and the strength of a caring community. Finally, get ready to read with the Decatur Book Festival, don't miss this opportunity to gather with friends and family. Thank you for welcoming Decatur City Lifestyle into your home each month. We hope these stories inspire you to embrace your own unique style - in how you live, lead, explore, and leave a lasting impact on those around you. Cheers!

CO-PUBLISHER

Lan Pham | lan.pham@citylifestyle.com P U B L I CAT I O N D I R E C TO R

Tran Smith | tran.smith@citylifestyle.com STAF F P H OTO G R AP H E R

Albright Photography julie.albright@albrightphotography.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Sue Collins, Amanda Sabetai, Dana Zullo C O N T R I B U T I N G P H OTO G R AP H E R

Sidarth Kantamneni

Corporate Team CEO Steven Schowengerdt

LISA AND LAN, PUBLISHERS @ D E C AT U R C I T Y L I F E S T Y L E

President Matthew Perry CRO Jamie Pentz CoS Janeane Thompson AD DESIGNER Mary Albers LAYOUT DESIGNER Jamie Housh QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Brandy Thomas

Learn how to start your own publication at citylifestyle.com//franchise. Proverbs 3:5-6 Decatur City Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the Decatur area’s most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle

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L I F E ST Y LE LE T T E R

Publications’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in Decatur City Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.


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inside the issue SE PTE M B E R 2 02 6 | STYL E

22 Featured

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Print Prestige Meets Digital Power.

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WHY CHOOSE BETWEEN PRESTIGE AND PLACEMENT?

Departments

Meet Erin Camin: Styling Travel

From Burnout to Brilliant: One Decatur Advisor’s Journey to a Life of Travel

Design is Design

Sycamore Heights artist shifts from jewelry to painting to decor with a designer’s eye

Helping Teen Artists Find Their Way

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Lifestyle Letter

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City Scene

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Business Monthly

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Must See ENTERTAINMENT

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Local Limelight EDUCATION

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Inspired By LIFE + CULTURE

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Travel Journal TRAVEL

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Artist’s Palette STYLE + BEAUTY

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Education Corner LOCAL SERVICES

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Our Town LIFE + CULTURE

A Guide For Students And Families Navigating The Creative Path To College

On the Cover Travel in Style around the Globe with Brilliant Escapes, The Royale Village Paris, France’s colorful umbrellas!

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SEPTEMBER 2026

city scene WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN

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1: Placita Latina, Salsa on the Square is confirmed for Sept 19th 4 - 10pm 2: Screen on the Square:GOAT: Free outdoor screening animated sports comedy film September 11th @ 7:00 3: Galore Market is now open in Avondale estates go visit at: 2711 E College Ave

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C I T Y SC E N E


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SEPTEMBER 2026

business monthly A R O U N D U P O F N E W S F R O M LO C A L B U S I N E S S E S

Kirkwood Wine Stroll set for Saturday, September 12th The Kirkwood Wine Stroll is the annual fundraiser of the Kirkwood Business Owners’ Association. This event connects neighbors, raises funds for the organization’s operating fund, supports the beautification and marketing of the Kirkwood Business Districts, and benefits local nonprofits. More than 50 participating locations pour samples. Small plates are available for purchase and full menus at Kirkwood restaurants. Other businesses will offer discounts, prizes, and demonstrations. Live music by local bands performing on three stages. www.kirkwoodwinestroll.com

Welcome Galore Market to Avondales Estates Galore Market celebrated their grand opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony and is now open for your needs. Brought to you by the minds behind @o4wmarket, this adaptive reuse project has transformed a former tire shop into a neighborhood market with counter service Indian restaurant @bunandbombay, and an all-around cool hangout spot. Visit: @galoremarket1

Oakhurst Jazz Nights are being held every Thursday night in September Oakhurst Jazz Nights in its 22nd year, is a picnic style concert with blankets or low chairs on the Solarium lawn. It’s moved inside the Solarium if the weather changes. You can bring your own dining treats or purchase to go food and drinks from local businesses in the Oakhurst Village. Tables with chairs can be rented. Concerts begin at 7 pm are free and open to the public. The Solarium- 321 W. Hill St. oakhurstjazznights.com

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B USIN E SS M ON T H LY


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Th is Fall Dec atur C elebrates Storie s , C om m unity, a nd Cr eativ ity onc e ag a in

DECATUR BOOK FESTIVAL RETURNS ARTICLE BY CITY LIFESTYLE

Every fall, downtown Decatur transforms into a vibrant gathering place for readers, writers, families, and creatives as the Decatur Book Festival returns for another inspiring weekend of storytelling and connection. Scheduled for October 2–3, 2026, the beloved festival continues its tradition of bringing nationally recognized authors, emerging voices, local writers, and passionate book lovers together in the heart of one of metro Atlanta’s most walkable and literary-minded communities.

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Now approaching two decades as one of the country’s most respected independent literary festivals, the event has become much more than a series of author talks. It is a citywide celebration of imagination, curiosity, and community engagement. Festival organizers describe the event as a place where readers of all ages can gather to experience meaningful conversations, discover new voices, and reconnect with the joy of books. This year's 2026 festival will officially begin Friday evening, October 2nd, with its signature Keynote and Kidnote events, followed by a full day of programming and the popular Street Fair on Saturday, October 3rd. Visitors can expect author panels, poetry readings, children’s programming, cooking demonstrations, live music, book signings, exhibitors, and interactive experiences spread throughout downtown Decatur venues including Decatur Square, the Decatur Library, and First Baptist Church of Decatur. Festival organizers state, "We have seen nearly 20,000 people come through and participate in recent years, reinforcing the festival’s reputation as both a cultural destination and a major community event for the Southeast literary scene". Part of what makes the festival especially unique is its balance of nationally acclaimed talent and strong local community involvement. Independent booksellers including Charis Books & More, Little Shop of Stories, and Eagle Eye Book Shop play a major role in the festival experience, helping connect readers directly with authors and fostering Atlanta’s thriving literary culture. The festival also creates opportunities for emerging authors, illustrators, poets, and publishers to participate through exhibitor booths and literary programming. Organizers encourage submissions from a wide variety of genres, including children’s literature, memoirs, poetry, fiction, cookbooks, and nonfiction works. Whether attending a children’s reading, discovering a new favorite author, or simply strolling through downtown with coffee and a stack of books, the Decatur Book Festival continues to reflect the creativity, culture, and community spirit that define Decatur itself. For many readers across metro Atlanta, it remains one of the most anticipated cultural weekends of the year. www.decaturbookfestival.com

“For many readers across metro Atlanta, it remains one of the most anticipated cultural weekends of the year.”

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ARTICLE BY CITY LIFESTYLE

Decatur Housing Excellence Awards shine a spotlight on our community’s brightest achievements.

More Than Awards The Excellence Awards celebrate more than recognition. Students preparing for college, adults returning to school, residents serving neighbors, and community partners working together all gather for one evening of celebration. They represent what is possible when a community chooses to invest in people. Behind every scholarship awarded is a student who dared to dream beyond their circumstances. Behind every recognition award is a resident who chose service over self. Behind every community partnership is an organization that believes every family deserves access to opportunity. Decatur Housing Initiative (DHI) is the nonprofit charitable arm of Decatur Housing. Through the generosity of donors, businesses, foundations, volunteers, and community partners, DHI creates opportunities that empower residents to thrive, not only by meeting immediate needs, but by investing in long-term success.

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The same is true for every child who discovers a love of learning, every family who receives support during difficult times, every senior who finds connection through our programs, and every resident who gains access to opportunities that improve their quality of life. Community transformation doesn't happen by accident. It happens because people choose to become part of something bigger than themselves. Every scholarship awarded, every child served, every family supported, and every senior engaged is possible because someone chose to invest in our community. As Decatur continues to grow, so does the opportunity to invest in the people who call it home. Whether through volunteering, corporate sponsorships, foundation partnerships, or charitable giving, every investment helps expand programs that create lasting opportunities for our residents and ensures that future generations have the support they need to succeed. The Excellence Awards celebrate what has already been accomplished. Your support helps write the next success story. To learn more about Decatur Housing Initiative: decaturhousing.org Together, we are not just recognizing excellence, we are building stronger families, neighborhoods, and a stronger Decatur.

Helping children succeed in school, supporting graduating seniors as they pursue higher education, providing food assistance for families experiencing food insecurity, creating opportunities for workforce development, and engaging older adults through meaningful programming, DHI is committed to strengthening families at every stage of life. Throughout the year, DHI provides after-school enrichment, leadership development, scholarships, senior engagement, health fairs, literacy initiatives, career exploration, summer enrichment, workforce development, and food assistance. Through their partnerships, DHI also helps connect eligible families with early childhood education opportunities, giving children a strong start while helping families build a brighter future. The Excellence Awards allow us to pause and celebrate the lives being transformed through those efforts. This year's scholarship recipients are future engineers, educators, architects, finance professionals, software engineers, criminal justice professionals, and community leaders. Their success is not just their own; it is a reflection of families, mentors, volunteers, educators, donors, and partners who chose to believe in them. When a young person receives a scholarship, the impact extends far beyond financial assistance. It sends a powerful message: "Your dreams matter. Your community believes in you." That message changes lives. S EP TEMB ER 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/ D E CAT UR GA

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ART BRIGHTENS THE WORLD New mural at Glennwood brings joy and playfulness

ARTICLE BY SUE G. COLLINS PHOTOGRAPHY BY SIDARTH KANTAMNENI

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I NSP IR E D BY | L I FE + C ULT U RE

When students returned to school at Glennwood Elementary last month, they were greeted by a cheerful little gnome, a soaring eagle, and a bouncing basketball under a rainbow of sunny yellow, vibrant orange, and apple red. A new mural outside the auditorium was created by


Glennwood parent and artist Jane Collins and artist Hannah-Rose Broom. Together, they brightened the space, a central location at the school where kids and families gather for a community circle a few times a month and where visitors enter the gym. Jane’s son Teddy is a second grader at the school, so she was aware that administrators and the PTA were toying with the idea of a mural for the common area. “It was a perfect fit,” says Jane, who has lived in Decatur for three years. “We shared our portfolios, then gathered input from parents about what they’d like to see, provided sketches and worked to have the mural done to surprise students and staff when they started school.” Jane and Hannah-Rose have collaborated on other public art projects and were thrilled to be chosen for the Glennwood mural. Principal Bill Howard and PTA president Noelle Holdsworth were instrumental in making the mural come to life. Organizers wanted a welcoming message with a tip of the hat to a few things that make the school unique: the gardening club, the walkable community, the celebration of childlike playfulness. “Movement and playfulness are big parts of being a kid and a foundation of creativity,” noted Jane.

“We featured the cute little gnome, a sidewalk with footprints and a hopscotch, a bouncing basketball, the eagle mascot and vibrant colors in the mural,” says Jane, a graduate of the Creative Circus (formerly located in Buckhead). She and her husband Joey Spearman, along with Teddy and sister June, live in a Sycamore Heights bungalow that Jane has painted with signature pops and swirls of color. In a Glennwood Elementary PTA Facebook post, the artists were thanked. “Now that our staff and students have seen our summer surprise, we can finally shout from the rooftops how grateful we are to Glennwood parent Jane Collins and co-artist Hannah-Rose Broom for bringing this incredible mural to life.” “More than just a beautiful piece of art, it reflects the heart of our school - a place filled with joy, kindness, creativity and community. We hope it welcomes every student, family, staff member, and visitor with the same warmth and spirit that makes Glennwood Elementary so special.” Follow the artists: IG @seejanemake | @hannahrosebroom CONTINUED > S EP TEMB ER 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/ D E CAT UR GA

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“MORE THAN JUST A BEAUTIFUL PIECE OF ART, IT REFLECTS THE HEART OF OUR SCHOOL - A PLACE FILLED WITH JOY, KINDNESS, CREATIVITY AND COMMUNITY.”

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I NSP IR E D BY | L I FE + C ULT U RE


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ME E T E R IN C A MIN: S T Y L ING T R AV E L FROM BURNOUT TO BRILLIANT: ONE DECATUR GLOBAL JOURNEY TO A LIFE OF TRAVEL

ARTICLE BY CITY LIFESTYLE

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T R AV E L J OU R N A L | TRAV E L

Erin spent fourteen years building a career in corporate advertising. From the outside, it looked like success. From the inside, it felt like exhaustion — the kind that doesn't lift with a weekend off or a vacation day here and there. "Feeling burned out and exhausted day after day was not the life I wanted to live," she says. So she did something most people only daydream about: she walked away.


The plan, at first, was modest. A month off, maybe three. But the more Erin sat with the idea, the clearer it became that a few weeks wouldn't be enough. She wanted to fully disconnect — to get lost somewhere unfamiliar and give herself the space to come home different. Three months stretched into a plan for seven. And then Thailand happened. In the Samui Islands, Erin learned to scuba dive and fell hard for it. The woman who had carefully mapped out a seven-month itinerary tore up her return flight and stayed three months longer. "Very out of character for me," she admits with a laugh. What started as a well-organized sabbatical became a ten-month journey through Europe and Southeast Asia, unfolding on its own terms. Ask Erin which moment changed her most, and she doesn't point to a beach or a landmark. She points to a vineyard in France, during wine harvest season, filling bucket after bucket with grapes in the September sun. There was something almost radical, she says, about doing work she could see and touch. "It felt incredible to have a tangible work output — to see the literal fruit of my labor day after day and get my hands dirty." After years of deliverables that lived in slide decks and inboxes, this was different: real, physical, and shared in community with other volunteers doing the same thing. It wasn't tourism. It was living like a local, if only for a season.

Travel, for Erin, has always come back to firsts. Her first trip abroad was at eleven years old, as an exchange student in Montmorency, France — the trip that made her a lifelong Francophile and planted the seed for everything that followed. Years later, her first solo trip, to Berlin and Prague, taught her something she'd need on the road for ten months by herself: how to enjoy her own company. How to sit alone at dinner in a foreign country. How to navigate a new city on her own two feet. And, just as importantly, how to miss having someone beside her — which, she says, is its own kind of gift. It teaches you not to take travel companions for granted. That decade-defining trip eventually led Erin to a new career, one built entirely around helping other people find what she found. Today, as a travel advisor with Brilliant Escapes based right here in Decatur, she gets to hand that transformation to her clients, one itinerary at a time. "I've seen how travel can transform, and I've experienced travel that stays CONTINUED >

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with you long after coming home," she says. When clients first sit down with her, she hears the same thing she once felt herself: an anticipation for a trip that might change something. Watching that hope turn into a story — a client returning home with a new perspective or a renewed appreciation for someone in their life — is, for Erin, the whole point. It's that same feeling she chased in the vineyard: proof of something real that came from her work. So how does she help someone who's burned out, disconnected, or simply running on empty find their way to a reset? Erin starts every consultation with one deceptively simple question: "How do you want to feel on this trip?" It's a question that cuts past hotel star ratings and bucket-list sightseeing and gets straight to what someone actually needs. For a client craving reconnection — with themselves, a partner, or their family — Erin builds in space to breathe: unstructured days, quiet accommodations over bustling resorts, room to simply be. Being based in Decatur shapes how Erin works, too. Many of her clients are neighbors before they're clients — people whose kids' school schedules she already knows, whose favorite local restaurants she can rattle off from memory. That familiarity changes the way she plans. "I know their kids' school break schedules and the types of restaurants they love in town, and I can tailor my communications and recommendations based on what I already know about them as my Decatur neighbors," she says. In an era when so much of life happens online, Erin has found that her clients are looking for the opposite: a real, known person, rooted in their own community, to help them get away from it all — and to welcome them back home. brilliantescapes.com

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T R AV E L J OU R N A L | TRAV E L


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DESIGN IS DESIGN DECATUR HEIGHTS ARTIST SHIFTS FROM JEWELRY TO PAINTING TO DECOR WITH A DESIGNER’S EYE

ARTICLE BY SUE G. COLLINS PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

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A RT IST ’S PA LE T T E | STYLE + BE AU T Y


Most days, Decatur artist and designer Shana Bentley grabs a coffee, gets her son Max off to school then goes to work in her studio. On her commute, she plays with pups Bruno and Luca, checks the weather by turning her face to the sun and wanders through her pretty Sycamore Heights backyard to a tidy studio. I met Shana when she was primarily metal smithing, creating beautiful modern jewelry that appealed to my minimalist heart. Mostly self-trained, with classes under her belt from her time in art-centric Burlington, Vermont, Shana credits mentors and like-minded friends there for encouraging her to open a small studio and retail space. Since moving to Decatur four years ago, she and her husband Tim built the home studio that now provides her more artistic flexibility. After an endometriosis diagnosis and resulting surgery earlier this year, Shana has moved away from jewelry making. “It can be very physically taxing, especially when working with metals. Lots of sawing, sanding and polishing by hand,” says Shana. "One item can take hours and hours to create. I always prided myself on making each unique piece by hand which would take its toll over time.” So, she dipped into painting and instantly fell in love with the process. “I found I could still create unique pieces with less physical stress on my body. Painting has become more of a daily therapeutic practice for me. I’ve found more joy in it where it doesn’t feel like work.” CONTINUED > S EP TEMB ER 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/ D E CAT UR GA

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Moving away from jewelry making, she feels the artistic expression is still about creating beautiful things. “I feel my style has translated seamlessly from jewelry to art. I think the connection between the two is more related to having a strong eye for design,” says Shana. “Jewelry is adornment for your body so there are parallels between this and the vintage clothing I love to source. I do source a lot of home decor items as well, which is essentially adornment for your home.” Scouring area thrift stores and estate sales, she looks for antique frames for her art and decor. Some of her favorite finds include a wooden stool hand-painted with a colorful folk art motif. “The piece brings two simple things together in a beautiful way. Also I am drawn to anything that is simple and classic such as brass figurines, rattan vases, an ironstone dish in the perfect creamy white to complete a plate wall - anything that adds warmth and texture to a room.” She explains that her discerning eye now gravitates towards unique patterns, simple silhouettes. “Really anything rooted in Scandinavian simplicity when layered with classic everyday items that creates a look or environment that feels considered and loved.” Look for Shana’s brand, Firstborn Jewelry at local artist markets later this year along with open studio hours for pop-up shops. For now, follow Shana at firstbornjewelry.com.

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A RT IST ’S PA LE T T E | STYLE + BE AU T Y


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Helping Teen Artists Find Their Way A Guide For Students And Families Navigating The Creative Path To College

I remember what it felt like to be young and creative, full of ideas but without anyone to help translate that energy into a direction. That's exactly why I do what I do today. I work with creative teenagers — artists, performers, designers — who are standing at one of the most thrilling and overwhelming crossroads of their lives. Portfolios. Auditions. Essays. Deadlines. Big decisions. All at once. I'm here to walk through that with them. Before we ever talk about colleges or rankings or requirements, I ask a simple question: Who are you as an artist? What do you care about? What kind of work feels true to you? So many students feel the urge to reshape themselves into what they imagine colleges want to see. But the applications that truly stand out don't come from perfection — they come from genuine curiosity and a clear point of view. My job is to help students look closely at their own work, build confidence in it, and create a portfolio that actually reflects who they are. There's no single "best" school for art. The right fit looks different for every student, and building that college list is one of the most important — and most personal — parts of the process. We look at everything: the environment, the program culture, the financial realities, what the portfolio expectations actually are, how academics and creativity are balanced, and what doors open after graduation. If campus visits aren't possible, we find other

ARTICLE BY DANA ZULLO

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EDU CAT ION COR N E R | LOCAL SE RVICE S

ways in — virtual sessions, student panels, direct conversations with admissions offices. The goal is a thoughtful list of schools where your teen will genuinely thrive Applications are about perspective — not just achievements. Students often have something meaningful to say about family, culture, or their creative life, but the message can drift before it lands. I help them come back to what they actually mean. What did you notice? What changed for you? What ideas keep pulling you back? Whether it's a personal statement, an artist statement, or the portfolio itself, I work with each student to write something that feels unmistakably theirs. Here's what some of the families I've worked with have shared: "You've made a big difference in my high school experience, and I'm really grateful for your kindness and encouragement." — Yona, Visual Art and Design student, accepted to Tufts University


"The artistic resume we created together undoubtedly strengthened my NYU application." — Sophie, Dance student, accepted to New York University "Your excellent work, guidance, understanding, and patience helped him and our whole family survive the process." — Parent of a Neuroscience student and oboe player, accepted to USC About me. I'm Dana Zullo, a college admissions adviser specializing in creative students and their families. I studied visual art and education, and I've worked with students applying to art schools, conservatories, and universities across the country. I'm also a practicing floral artist and writer — and I bring that perspective into everything I do, finding the balance between structure and creative freedom. I'm the author of The Creative Candidate: A Guide to College Admissions for Teen Artists, an Amazon Best New Release in College Guides with all five-star reviews. For 11th and 12th graders who want dedicated support, I offer my Arts Portfolio Studio — available online or in a hybrid format for local students. Over the course of the program, students clarify their creative vision, strengthen their work, and build confidence heading into applications. They finish with a portfolio of 10 images, written descriptions, a compelling theme and layout — and a virtual exhibition to cap it all off. Creative students don't always fit standard paths. Their strengths can be harder to measure, but they are just as real and just as valuable. When they're given the time, space, and guidance to develop their voice, their work deepens — and their choices become clearer. If this resonates with you, I'd love to connect. danazullo.com Dana Zullo

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From a Disney World Line to a Thriving Business: How Decatur Brothers Kingston and Jackson Suttle Built Suttle Snow Together

What do you get when you combine a hot summer day with a two-hour line at Disney World? For Decatur brothers Kingston and Jackson Suttle, the answer was a mobile shaved ice business. “We were in line at Disney World, kind of bored, to be honest,” said Jackson, 15. “We both wanted to make money.” The brothers considered more traditional teenage jobs, like lifeguarding, but wanted more flexibility. They brainstormed ideas and landed on shaved ice. It was a natural fit for Decatur, which has plenty of hot weather. With a loan from their mother, Michelle Suttle, they purchased a machine to make the shaved ice and other supplies and launched Suttle Snow in 2025. Before their first event, Kingston, 16, researched pricing and created a spreadsheet to determine what they could charge. They settled on $3 per serving of shaved ice, which comes in 7 flavors. They also agreed that half of their earnings would repay their mother for her loan. The boys then divided the other half of their earnings equally. After approximately 10 events, including Oakhurst Porchfest and an Emerging Artists event at Scout, the loan is paid off. “It’s all profit from here,” Jackson said. The brothers’ roles in the business fit their personalities. Kingston, who is more introverted, operates the machine and manages the business’s Instagram account. Jackson enjoys taking orders and meeting customers. “It’s so much fun,” Jackson said. “There are a bunch of new people to meet.” Suttle Snow also sells “snowballs” customers can throw at their friends. Michelle, an entrepreneur herself, wanted her sons to see entrepreneurship as a possibility early in life. Both boys have Dyslexia, and Michelle points out that it gives her sons extra doses of creativity, curiosity, and problem-solving skills. “It’s cool to see them enjoy it,” she said. “When I step in, they say, ‘Mom, we’ve got this.’” Jackson’s advice for other young entrepreneurs is simple: “Just do it. If you just get up and do it, it usually works out.” Connect with Suttle Snow on Instagram @suttlesnow to follow their work or book them for an event.

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O UR TOWN | L I FE + C ULT U RE

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