Meet the artists and makers who will lead studios in 2023!
Kem is married to Bill, they are members of Covenant, and have three children. Will is married to Abby and Kem is the proud grandmother of Luke. Betsy is married to Cole and Hamilton is in high school. Kem grew up in Vestavia and attended Furman. Kem is a teacher by trade but began sewing when her oldest was born. She has sewn a little bit of everything over the years but now enjoys making clothes for her first grandchild! She loves sewing for her family and friends and using her God given gift of teaching to serve others by teaching them to sew.
Tracy has been sewing baby clothes since her first child was born 24 years ago. An accountant by trade, she loves to immerse herself in creative outlets when she is not crunching numbers. She sees sewing as a way of reflecting God’s creativity in the world. She finds it very satisfying to start with an idea of something, and then bring it into existence. She loves to make a handmade day gown as a special baby gift for new mothers. Tracy has been married to Robert for 28 years, and they have 4 children.
Wellon is a self-taught artist who stumbled upon the creative world of painting. Her artwork is represented in galleries throughout the Southeast, featured in multiple design publications, and collected in the homes of patrons worldwide. For Wellon, painting has become a means to see Truth all around us, a creative exploration of the challenges and beauty of life, always rooted in the hope of our Creator who gives an ever-present steadfastness of hope. She continually returns to the theme of light in the midst of darkness and contrasts and complements that speak of both depth and peace.
Wellon has a background in English and French (Auburn and Wake Forest Universities), and she taught for several years in the high school and university setting, developing service-learning programs in the nonprofit and community-based setting.
Outside of the studio, Wellon serves as the US Director for Mwana Villages, a ministry empowering the vulnerable in the Republic of Congo. Wellon and husband Stephen have four (playful, creative, determined, and spunky) children: Fitz, Chloe, Daniel, and Leila. Their beloved furry family members include rescue dogs Weezy and Hero, Paris the tortoise, and her dream-come-true horse Rosie. The Bridgers reside in Birmingham, AL.
Ruthie cannot remember a day that she did not have crayon or paintbrush in her hand. Her father owned a printing company, and when she was little he would take her with him on Saturday mornings to draw and dream among infinite shelves of paper. She knew even then that she would be an artist. Her closet was her first studio. She pushed her clothes to one side, brought in a lamp, and meticulously displayed all my paints, markers, and crayons. That was just the beginning, and she has been painting ever since. She is thankful for workshops, classes, and mentors that have taught her so much along the way! Ruthie learns something new every time she paints. It is her joy to paint every day and to share her passion with other women who come for art classes or just a cup of coffee. Ruthie is thankful for the unique opportunity that God has given her to share her gift with others. It gives incredible meaning and purpose to her creative journey.
Anna Kate is a lover of design and fills her yearning for creativity through her stationery company, Calabash Card Co. She also partners with friend, Mary Ashley Twitty, in Fox & Bash Interiors, to consult and design for others’ homes. One of Anna Kate’s favorite creative endeavors is styling for the home and, in particular, seasonal designs that bring the outside in, reminding us of God’s good design throughout the course of the year. Anna Kate lives in Birmingham with her husband and three young children and is a member of Covenant Presbyterian Church.
A fulltime mother and corporate professional, Grace is an avid writer, reader, and doodler. She writes during nap time and after her children's baths and bedtimes (when she’s not reading something). Through writing, her hope is to encourage you in the Gospel and encourage you to read with your children and for yourself.
Grace started writing a children’s book before her oldest son was born. In the midst of infertility and pregnancy loss, she needed to study God’s Word, know His promises, and channel her grief and also her creativity. So in her time of waiting, she started writing and dreaming up her first children’s book, The Bright Promise. Today, she testifies about God’s faithfulness through her writing and with her children’s book. Writing is a stone of remembrance, not only for little ones like hers, but for herself that God will always do what He says He’ll do.
She received a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Political Science from Auburn University and a Master of Science in Integrated Marketing from New York University. Her career spans from the United States Senate to New York Fashion Week to one of the largest construction companies in the South.
Her village includes but is not limited to her husband, Keith, two children, Barnes and Marilyn, and beloved cat, Davy Crockett. Her family attends Covenant Presbyterian Church. You can find out more, buy her book, or request a reading at her website: https://www.graceharrelson.com/about-grace
Rebekah Hewett lives in Homewood, AL, with her husband, Hunter, their 5-year-old twins, Mary Hunt and Everett, and 3-year-old daughter, Holland. The Craft Kit Co. was created out of a love for doing crafts with her kids and wanting to help others do the same by simplifying the process to create intentional time with your little ones! One of her favorite things is sitting at her very well-loved dining table, doing crafts with her children or doing some work and being near them while they create. It’s fun to watch them create (so differently from each other) and watch as they gain confidence, creativity, and work on fine motor skills. She has learned that most kids love a project or craft. Often when their hands are busy they are free to talk. She has an Elementary Education degree from Auburn University. The Craft Kit Co. has been an answer to so many prayers of combining all of her favorite things and it has been a blast so far! Rebekah is thankful that God has opened up so many doors and placed so many encouraging friends and partnerships along the way.
Katie Howell is a needlepoint lover! She started her needlepoint journey because of a hilarious story that includes her mother-in-law that she will of course share in class. Her mother-in-law set her on a journey to her first project, a Christmas tree topper, that her mother began but never finished. Katie finished it and now it hangs at the top of her Christmas tree each year. From there she has added a nativity, stockings for everyone, tooth fairy pillows, ornaments, seat covers, and belts for her boys.
Katie has two boys and a girl, who has started her own needlepoint project, and a husband who knows that when she starts a large needlework project it may be a while before she’s doing laundry again! She cannot wait to share her love with y’all.
Michele James is an abstract artist known for her large works on canvas and paper pieces. She is inspired by color and movement and uses strong brushstrokes and varied marks on neutral canvases with pops of bold colors. She paints with acrylics and uses chalk, oil pastels, and pencil to vary the texture and medium of her works. Michele received a BFA in fine art and art history at Hunter College in New York, NY, with a concentration in studio painting. Michele paints out of her home studio in Atlanta where she lives with her husband and three kids. She shows her work at the Atlanta Artist Collective.
Ever since Elizabeth was little, she has been creating, collecting, painting, drawing, making a mess, what she likes to call organized chaos. Her first studio was the small closet beside her den. Elizabeth’s parents graciously let her use that space and fill it with art supplies. Spurred on by her excellent art teacher Mrs. Fitts in high school, Elizabeth began exploring various media. She went on to study art in college under her favorite professor Morty and learned to love the process of mark making and layers. Painting is how she processes–slowing down, watching paint dry–it’s an act of worship, meditation and reflection.
Elizabeth and her husband, Josh, moved to Birmingham 4 years ago. Most of their time is spent wrangling their crew of four energetic, fun, crazy boys, Bridger, Sibbes, Holden, and Kuyper.
Maggie O'Connor is a member at Covenant Presbyterian Church and serves on the Flower Guild to provide flower arrangements for worship services on Sundays. Maggie is married to Tyler and they have two kids, Daniel and Carolyn Joy. She is excited to be leading a wreath making studio this year.
Becky Parkey lives in Franklin, TN with her husband Dan. They have two children Harper, a 2015 Samford graduate and Carter, a 2018 Auburn graduate. Cookie (Becky) and Pops (Dan) spend lots of time in Birmingham playing with their two grandchildren Owen (4) and Everly (2 ½) who live in Vestavia Hills. They are excited for the upcoming marriage of their son Carter to Layton Dyess – at Covenant in June 2023. Becky is an avid home baker and gingerbread fan. She is a self-taught baker and makes all types of cookies and other baked goods for her family and friends. She is excited to teach you how to make some fun Valentine Cookies to share with the ones you love.
Meredith Rodgers is a fulltime mom with a small home-based cakery, MBR Baked Goods and Curations. As funny as it sounds, she gained her love of baking when she was young by watching Paula Deen put butter in everything on the Food Network. She has come a long way from her amateur skills of dusting powdered sugar on orange slices and honed her expertise while studying Hospitality Management at Ole Miss. Oxford, MS, is where she gained her cake-decorating skills by beginning work at a local bakery as one of their cake bakers and working her way up to lead decorator. Over the years, she has baked in restaurants, bakeries, country clubs, event spaces, and out of her home. Meredith has a love for all things creative, from crafting with her kids to wood-working with her dad, but her favorite medium is a buttercream-filled piping bag.
Meredith and her husband, Phillip, moved to Birmingham six years ago. They live in Homewood with their two energetic, sweet boys, Dean and George, and their puppy, Ginger Rodgers.
Emilie Sanders is a recent graduate of Mississippi College with a degree in Fine Arts emphasis in painting. She is currently working on a Masters degree in Fine Art at MC. Emilie grew up at Covenant and feels blessed to have been shepherded by so many wonderful women of God. She believes it is an abundant treasure to foster creativity between adults and children with art. She and her husband live in Jackson, MS, and are involved in a house church called myLocal.
Amelia grew up in Birmingham dabbling in photography throughout high school and college. Early on she worked in a film lab and taught photography courses while pursuing and growing her own studio. Based out of Los Angeles, Amelia traveled internationally, with the bulk of her work consisting of destination weddings and editorial commercial jobs. Over the years, Amelia’s work has been featured in numerous publications and won industry awards. Upon starting a family, Amelia and her husband returned to Birmingham, and she’s been a stay-at-home mom for the last six years.
Mary learned to knit from her mother. Her early projects were misshapen sweaters that never fit! Years later, as a fairly young mother, she took it back up and met fellow knitters. Over the years, they have shared patterns and knitted washcloths, scarves, baby items, hats, and sweaters – you name it. When knitters want to relax or unwind from the day, out come the needles. Now that Mary’s group are grannies, they still knit and love to teach others. No mistake bothers any of them because they have made them all many times!
Reilly loves all things floral and seeks to make surroundings beautiful. What began as a hobby and favors for friends has turned into a freelance floral business in Auburn, AL. She has decorated country clubs, restaurants, and homes for charity events. She has done flowers for weddings, showers, parties, and graduations as well as dance bouquets and corsages. Reilly wants to see everyone be successful at floral design by following their own personal style.
Reilly loves Jesus, her husband Rob, her two college-aged daughters and blessing those around her with the Lord’s blessing of flowers.
Margaret has been a leader in Christian Ministries in Atlanta, GA, for over 30 years, leading Bible Studies, Sunday School classes, and other small groups on a volunteer basis. Her greatest passion is to help people grasp that God is real and to help them come to know Him. She is a graduate of Columbia Theological Seminary and is an author of 3 books that she shares in small group settings. Her latest book is called, Drawing Near: How To Doodle Your Way To God, which teaches how to use visual journaling to grow a dynamic, engaging prayer life. Margaret and her husband Bill have two grown sons who also live in Atlanta.
Caroline loves flowers - growing them, arranging them, and giving them to others! Since she was a little girl she's been creating arrangements for guests and friends, and more recently has enjoyed freelancing for wedding florists and managing her little side hustle - Scissortail Florals. After living in several states across the country serving in various churches and ministries, Caroline moved back "home" to the south this past summer to join the Women's Ministry team here at Covenant Presbyterian Church.
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