Macon Magazine

34 maconmagazine.com | April/May 2025 "One of our biggest goals is the very thing of getting artists paid for what their time and work is worth." 478 Creatives? BY MICHAEL W. PANNELL D i d y o u k n o w a b o u t O ne way the Macon Arts Alliance works cooperatively with artists and organizations can be seen in its relationship with 478 Creatives, a diverse group of creatives led by Erin Hawkins, a graphic designer specializing in hand lettering and murals who owns Mama Hawk Draws and the new Tanglewood Arts Studios, and Cara Heard, an artist and marketing strategist. "478 Creatives began very grassroots in 2021 while I was painting a pool mural with several other artists helping," Hawkins said. "We started talking about how great it would be if we could get together on a regular basis as like-minded people to encourage one another and help each other develop as creatives." That led to get-togethers, a Community Foundation of Central Georgia On the Table conversation, and a mini-grant from the foundation for a workshop helping artists and creatives of all sorts learn to represent themselves to the public and promote their work. That's when MAA stepped in. Having mutual goals, the Arts Alliance agreed to act as 478 Creative's fiscal agent, provide additional funding for the project, and use Mill Hill Community Arts Center as a location for the workshop. The February 2024 workshop called "Finding Your Why" paired creatives with writer-mentors who helped participants craft artist statements and biographies, and utilized a photographer who supplied artist headshots. At the end of the workshop, participants had the option to add their listing on MAA's registry of artists on macon365.com, the alliance's all-around calendar and information site. "It really is a partnership based on mutual goals," said Julie Wilkerson, MAA executive director. "We aren't interested in reinventing the wheel when we can support and encourage existing creative communities doing a good job." One objective of the plan is the fair compensation of artists and creators of all types in Middle Georgia. "We bring together artists and creators of all sorts, even some people who would never call themselves that but are, whether they're professionals or hobbyists," Heard said. "One of our biggest goals is the very thing of getting artists paid for what their time and work is worth. A lot of artists don't feel like they can do that, so we not only want to raise awareness but also build creatives' confidence to see the worth in what they do. It's common to hear people in our gatherings asking one another how much they should charge. Hearing the stories of the professional, established artists we bring in helps with that as much as their insights on the creative process." Hawkins said she appreciates not only the help MAA gives 478 Creatives, which is a non- membership group where general gatherings are free and anyone is welcome, but also the overall role it plays. "We need an established organization like the Alliance advocating for artists," she said. "As Macon grows, having the Alliance's voice in the mix of things can only make things better." In April, the gallery on 1st Street features work done by artists associated with 478 Creatives. Hawkins and Heard both said part of the goal is to display artists' work, but also show interior designers and businesses that local artists are available and ready to work with them. To contact or keep abreast of free month gatherings, workshops, artist shows, and events, follow 478 Creatives on Instagram at instagram.com/478creatives. ABOVE Founders Heard and Hawkins. BELOW A 478 Creatives gathering at Mary Pinson's floral studio.

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