Bo Walker
Bo Walker lives in Macon, GA-where he was also born and raised. Since childhood, he has had a compulsion to create and a passion for the arts. At one time, he dreamed of art school and prestigious degrees-however, even if things rarely went according to plan, detours often delivered their own valuable experiences. From publishing written work to recording and releasing music, artistic expression has never been abandoned completely, yet only recently has Bo found his way back to more tactile and visual mediums. Starting in January of 2023, drawing and painting have been an obsession, and have given him a newfound sense of identity as an artist and lifelong creative. The only thing he enjoys more than making art is spending time with family, particularly his wife and two sons.
Randy Heart
Randy Heart is an American Artist, entrepreneur and visionary. Born in Portsmouth,Virginia on October 31, 1984 and raised in Macon, Georgia. Randy is the son of parents, both of which served honorably in the United States Navy. This allowed him to see the world at a young age, and reside in Italy, and Puerto Rico where he developed a deep love of Art through a appreciation of rich and vibrant colors he saw everywhere. This early exposure to other cultures and their creative art forms made a indelible impact on Randy’s appreciation of artistic form and expression. Randy is founder and creator of Parker Cloud a character he created to help promote positivity and friendship in communities.
Devan Cole
Hot Glass Academy founder Devan Cole graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Rochester Institute of Technology in 2009, and like many glass artists, wondered what was next. In 2011, Devan worked as an intern at Simon Pearce in Vermont, and then became an artist-in-residence at Salem Art Works in Salem, NY. These positions reaffirmed his desire to pursue a profession in art education. Devan occupied a position at Georgia Southwestern State University as a post-Baccalaureate student from 2012-2015. Hot Glass Academy grew from teaching at Salem Art Works, Firefly Hotglass Studio in Durham, NC, Robert College in Istanbul, Turkey, and Georgia Southwestern State University in Americus, GA. Devan has also provided hot glass demonstrations at special events across the U.S. From these experiences, Devan Cole has built a repertoire of specialized classes and demonstrations that he now takes on the road.
John Shoemaker
John Shoemaker, originally from Pennsylvania, began blowing glass in 2008 while attending Tyler School of Art at Temple University. In addition to earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Glass, John extended his education attending workshops at prestigious craft institutions such as Penland School of Crafts, Pilchuck Glass School, and Corning Museum of Glass. John’s work is exhibited nationally in gallery shows and art festivals. John currently resides in Asheboro, North Carolina, operating his glassblowing studio.
Kelly Robertson
Kelly Robertson is the founder and primary glass blower at Cavalry Glassblowing Studio in Lawrenceville, Georgia. He graduated from Georgia Southwestern University with a Bachelor of Science in Art degree with an emphasis on glass blowing. Kelly spent the last 25 years working with glass and continuing his education. He studied at Penland and Corning Institutes and with various glassblowing artists such as Fritz Driesbach, Ralph Harvey, and Jack Was. He specializes in vessel making, color design and solid sculpting.
Kelly has taught and presented glass blowing demonstrations throughout the southeastern United States in museums, galleries, universities, and schools with his mobile glass studio. In 2020, he opened his own studio and gallery, Cavalry Glassblowing Studio, in Lawrenceville, where he continues to demonstrate and teach glass blowing techniques to a wide variety of audiences and students.
John Durham
John Durham, of Happy Dogs Glass Studio, creates ocean and beach-inspired glass forms and sculptures as well as an array of functional wares. In days past, John studied glassblowing and sculpture at Georgia Southwestern State University, the Penland School of Crafts and at a workshop taught by Maestro Davide Fuin in Murano, Italy. He is extremely grateful for these experiences as well as having worked with several highly-gifted, talented glass artists in studios over the years who were kind and generous in teaching him many glass making skills.
John now resides in middle Georgia where he enjoys his recreational hours with his beloved wife, Ashley, and their two treasured canine family members, Scout and Atti, along with dear friends he is thankful every day to have in his life.
Mary Pinson- Floral Designer
Mary Pinson is a southern floral and event designer. Based in Macon, Georgia, she and her team execute events all over the southeast. Mary grew up in Montgomery, Alabama where she cultivated an appreciation for celebrating often and entertaining thoughtfully, especially thanks to her mother’s fervor for hosting beautiful affairs.
A fashion design major from The University of Alabama, design is at the heart of what sparks Mary’s soul.
“Bring me your thoughts, and I will deliver the unforgettable details from flowers to finale. It’s such a pleasure to be a part of life’s celebrations for a client.” Mary is a dreamer. Her love of travel and taste for fashion, art, and music provide constant influence on both her work and her life.
Mary has a floral design studio in Downtown Macon where she teaches floral design workshops. Mary lives a full life with her husband Hughes, and they are proud parents of Ginny Anne and Hughes Jr, both graduates of Stratford Academy!