Spring is here and we’re excited about the 27th annual Wesleyan Artist Market (WAM) opening its doors at Wesleyan School for two days, Friday, April 25 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday, April 26 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
WAM celebrates a vast array of mediums and price points. Creative, fun and beautiful treasures abound for every taste and budget.
Approximately 85 professional artist from across the southeast will be in attendance this year to showcase their wares. Shop for yourself or check off any gift needs with fine art, including oils, acrylics, watercolors, ceramics, drawings, glassware, jewelry, woodwork, photography, mixed media, textiles and more.
As diverse as the exhibitors are, they share one thing in common, along with the whole community; they all rave about WAM!
It is my absolute pleasure to introduce you to three of this year’s talented participants with this artist spotlight series, starting with artist and gallery owner, Dawn Newbern.
From pearly whites to paints
Ever feel like you’re cruising on autopilot down a predictable highway? Dawn Newbern’s journey is more like a winding backroad adventure, full of unexpected turns, eye-catching shades and an abundance of happiness.
From the precise world of dentistry to the free-flowing realm of abstract art, Newbern’s story is a testament to the fact that it’s never too late to embrace your true calling.
For 22 years, Newbern kept smiles sparkling. As a dental hygienist, she built relationships with patients and colleagues, finding a comfortable rhythm in a stable career. But beneath the surface, a lifelong passion for creativity bubbled.
“I was always creative on the side,” Newbern recalled, citing her grandmother’s influence through crochet and needlepoint.
This innate artistic drive, however, took a detour early on. While young Newbern dreamt of becoming an interior designer, a well-meaning voice steered her towards a more “practical” route.
The turning point
Despite a fulfilling career in dental hygiene, the artistic itch never went away. Newbern began painting things around the house, experimenting with glassware and little bowls at first. It wasn’t long before she was commissioned to paint pieces for bridal registries — meticulously hand-painted sets consisting of pitchers, cake plates, cheese domes and wine glasses.
“I painted thousands of pieces of glassware in my little kitchen and dining area,” she said.
Her dedication was clear from the sheer volume of delicate work taking place in her home around her day job. Each piece was washed, dried, painted, baked and carefully packaged for wholesale. This demanding phase was a crucial step in honing her skills and understanding the business side of art.
Another pivotal moment that set Newbern on a new trajectory: Her husband’s aunt asked her to paint a wine bottle. “I painted some fruit on it,” she chuckled. This seemingly small act had a ripple effect. The aunt took the painted bottle to her favorite gift shop where the owners were so impressed, they presented Newbern with a box of wine bottles to transform.
“I did that for a long time,” she remembered. Painting those bottles marked the slow, organic transition to her professional art journey.
New heights
After years of balancing dental hygiene with a burgeoning art career, the scales finally tipped. As demands for her painted creations grew, Newbern found herself at a crossroads. The emotional weight of trying to juggle everything led to a tearful conversation with her boss.
When she told him she’d either have to give up her family, her dental hygiene career or her painting, her boss replied, “Well, I know which one it’s going to be.” It was a bittersweet moment for Newbern; the end of one successful chapter and the exciting beginning of another.
From small, intricate glassware patterns, Newbern’s work evolved into mural mania, requiring a much larger canvas — walls! A local store owner commissioned a mural, which opened a decade-long undertaking of transforming spaces with child-centric themes.
“I painted baby rooms, pediatric offices, schools, all over South Georgia,” she recounted.
Newbern brought favorite children’s books to life on nursery walls and created a welcoming atmosphere in offices. But climbing ladders to paint walls and ceilings while pregnant led her to shift gears once more. “I was burned out,” she admitted. “And murals phased out.”
Finding her groove
Newbern sought a more personally expressive form of art; it was the “Dawn” of canvas painting.
“I transitioned into canvas art, which is less about production and less repetitive,” she explained. Still, her initial pieces fulfilled her clients’ vision, matching their bedding and décor.
Newbern yearned for more artistic freedom. A more intuitive approach marked a fork in the road, which led the artist to freely paint what she wanted, without the constraints of custom orders.
For several years, Newbern created art under the whimsical and cheerful name La Dee Dah Art. She participated in numerous art shows and craft fairs, winning first place at the prestigious Christmas Village in Birmingham, Alabama.
Her early creations were hand-made products ranging from wooden door hangers to personalized hair bow holders, which she sold wholesale.
Happy hues
A move to St. Simons Island brought with it a desire for a fresh start and a new name for her evolving imagination and art: Seafoam Studio. Here, Newbern’s creativity knows no bounds. Focused on canvas art, textile design, wallpaper and wrapping paper for the past 10 years, a fun, vibrant, coastal style has emerged.
“I don’t really know what to call it. It’s just happy,” Newbern described. Her canvases are a playground of circles, florals, landscapes, colors and textures.
“I always felt in the beginning it had to look how it was supposed to in the end,” she said. “But I’ve learned with intuitive painting, you don’t really know what it’s going to look like. What I do mostly now is I just start.”
Newbern’s inspiration comes from the patterns she sees in everyday life and the endless possibilities of color.
“A lot of my artwork is now strangely inspired by the patterns and the fabrics I’ve already created,” she revealed, pointing to the wrapping papers she’s designed and now incorporates into her pieces. While she enjoys experimenting with all colors, she admits leaning towards a “mostly pastel palette” that she describes as “happy.”
Tools of the trade
Newbern’s approach to materials is as unique and joyful as her art. She primarily uses acrylics but also incorporates oil pastels and house paints for their flow and drip. Her secret weapon? Crayola crayons!
“I use Crayola crayons a lot. I’ll get started on my canvas. I scribble all over it. It barely shows up in the end, but it’s an exercise to get you started on the canvas and to realize just keep going.”
This playful, unpretentious approach perfectly encapsulates her artistic spirit. She enjoys mixing media, layering crayons and acrylics and even gluing in pieces of her own collaged wrapping papers.
Newbern also favors the allure of larger canvases, often 36 inches by 36 inches and up. This preference aligns with the current trend of clients seeking statement pieces for their homes.
Her gallery on St. Simons Island primarily features larger works by other artists alongside her own.
Julep Gallery
With a passion for creativity that extends beyond her own work, Newbern showcases a curated selection from 35 other talented artists at her airy, bright Julep Gallery. It’s a space Newbern admired for years before it became available. Today it’s a haven of happy art and a reflection of her effervescent personality.
Managed by a dedicated team member, the artist is free to spend most of her time creating.
“People say it’s the happiest, most colorful gallery they’ve ever seen,” she said proudly.
The virtual tour I received revealed a delightful array of artwork: paintings, lamps, pillows and her signature clutches. “We try to appeal to a larger crowd,” she shared, ensuring that original art is accessible to everyone.
Spreading joy
Newbern’s artwork translates beautifully onto her print-on-demand fabrics, which she offers in a linen cotton blend suitable for endless home décor applications like shower curtains, pillows, lamps and chairs. Unique women’s clutches are also made from her fabrics, with either bamboo or clear acrylic handles.
Wallpaper, with its recent resurgence in popularity, is another avenue for Newbern’s fun designs. She also crafts unique resin trays incorporating her patterns and shadow boxes containing paper butterflies, though the artist prefers keeping her wrapping papers for her own artistic use, rather than seeing them repurposed by others.
With over 500 fabric patterns, in addition to her numerous products, Newbern acknowledges the potential for further expansion. However, she finds joy in the balance between creating and keeping her business at a manageable size.
“Do I want to grow and have a bigger company, or do I want to enjoy creating and keep it small? That’s where I am,” she stated.
Connecting with collectors and WAM
While a visit to Julep Gallery on St. Simons Island is highly recommended, Newbern’s work can also be found in other galleries, including The Collective in Dallas and The Purple House Gallery in Gainesville. You can also find her at dawnnewbernart.com, on Instagram @seafamstudio and at the Wesleyan Artist Market.
Newbern speaks highly of the WAM, praising its friendly and hospitable atmosphere. She appreciates the genuine interest the organizers show in the artists and the care they take to make them feel welcome.
“They roll out the red carpet for their artists,” she enthused. She looks forward to exhibiting there again this year.
Ever evolving
Newbern’s journey as a full-time artist is far from over. Her willingness to embrace change, her intuitive approach and her infectious enthusiasm for cheery colors ensure that her creative spirit continues to flourish. From dental hygiene to an artistic career, Newbern’s story is a reminder that passion and perseverance can lead to a truly fulfilling life.
If you ever find yourself pondering a career change or simply needing a dose of joyful encouragement, remember Dawn Newbern — the artist who traded her dental tools for a paintbrush and never looked back.
May her story inspire us to embrace our own creative potential!
The Wesleyan Artist Market
Date: April 25, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; April 26, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Location: Wesleyan School, 5405 Spalding Drive, Peachtree Corners
Admission and parking are free.
For more, visit artistmarket.wesleyanschool.org.
A version of this article is featured in the April/May issue of Southwest Gwinnett magazine. The other artist spotlight profiles can be found here and here.
