June/July 2024 | maconmagazine.com 117
Support the United Way of Central
Georgia at unitedwaycg.org/donate, and visit
the website for volunteer opportunities. For
more local art, visit Macon Arts Gallery at
486 1st St. in Downtown Macon.
For mental health resources, visit
maconmentalhealthmatters.com.
Has Macon provided you and other
young artists enough opportunities to
develop your craft?
A majority of my art development has been
through Tattnall. They have provided many
opportunities to create things for clubs and
design pieces for events. Every single one of the
teachers at Tattnall has become a mentor to me
and helped me grow so much over the last two
years, especially my art teacher, Mrs. Elizabeth
Hilliard. Another mentor has been Mrs. Kathleen
Collins, the founder of Hooks for Hope.
I think the community, especially downtown
Macon in the past couple of years, has done a
great job through events like Cherry Blossom
and other festivals and weekend markets that
showcase various forms of local art and invite
people to participate.
What's up next for you?
I plan to major in advertising at the University of
Georgia. I would love to continue doing art on
my own and use my passion to contribute to the
Athens community.
What's something you want to see happen in
Macon? What's missing?
I would love to see Macon become a beacon
for mental health awareness. I have struggled
throughout high school and watched friends and
family deal with various mental health battles.
One of the hardest parts of mental illness is the
stigma, loneliness, and shame surrounding it.
I think art is the best way to bring people
together. Once they are gathered, the doors for
honest conversation can be opened. Art can be
understood, felt, and communicated in a way few
other things can, and I think Macon could use
that knowledge to bring about positive change in
the community.
ABOVE Two of
Mixon's recent
works in acyrlic
on canvas.