ABOUT CHRISTY BARDIS PETTERSON

Christy Bardis Petterson is
an artist and writer from Atlanta, GA.

Hi! I’ve been creative my whole life! It started at a young age. I can’t remember a time that I wasn’t working on a craft project, and writing struck during my early elementary years. I wrote my first book in 3rd grade. It was called, “The Funnest Fall Ever!”

Here are a few highlights of my creative and small business journey:

• In 7th grade, I opened my first “business” with my BFF, Rachael G. It was called Palmduds and we made and sold friendship bracelets. This was in the late-80s, and I always had a bracelet in my pocket, to be pulled out any time I had a moment to work on it.

• I visited the High Museum of Art frequently when I was growing up. During one visit, they had an artist demonstrating how to make a book. This blew my mind …just the concept of being able to make a book was amazing! I started experimenting with bookbinding on my own after this.

• When I was in high school, my mom got special permission for me to take a summer book binding course at Agnes Scott College. It was meant for grown-ups, but they let me join, and I became quite obsessed!

• In high school, I mowed lawns in exchange for drawing classes at a local art school.

I’m going to keep adding to this list. It’s amazing how a small moment (example: a 15 minute bookbinding demo) had such a huge influence on my life!

View some of my artwork here: #cpettersonsurfacedesign
(you can view a larger selection when you visit this hashtag within the Instagram app)

Christy Bardis Petterson is an artist and writer from Atlanta, GA. For 18 years, she organized an award-winning craft market called the Indie Craft Experience. She was a Teaching Artist at the High Museum of Art for ten years. Christy graduated from Agnes Scott College in 1999 with a BA in Literature/Creative Writing with an emphasis on Creative Nonfiction. She lives in East Atlanta Village with her family, and spends her time naturally dyeing fabric, printmaking, reading, and writing.

Short Bio

More About Me AS a 
Teaching ARtist

I’ve taught hands-on creativity, art, and craft classes, workshops, and camps all over Atlanta. I was a Teaching Artist at the High Museum of Art for 10+ years, and I’ve also taught hands-on creativity workshops, activities, and camps at MODA (Museum of Design Atlanta), Clubhouse Kid & Craft, Atlanta Public Schools, Alliance Theatre, Atlanta Symphony, Purpose Possible, Little Art School, Art on the Beltline, Paradise Garden, Agnes Scott College, the Atlanta Botanical Garden, and more! 

Additionally, I’ve hosted my own workshops and retreats through the Indie Craft Experience. I’ve been an artist/crafter/maker since I was old enough to pick up a pencil and use scissors (so something like 45-ish years!).

I love sharing ideas and techniques with others, and I believe workshops are a great way to re-charge your creativity! I’m my absolute happiest when I’m making and creating. I hope to pass this joy and happiness along to others.

I look forward to making art with you!

Qualifications

• I have 20+ years of experience with Public Relations, Marketing, Promoting, and Event Planning. For 10 of those years, I was the PR Specialist for the Georgia World Congress Center.

• I have 20-ish years of experience teaching art/craft/creativity. I was a Teaching Artist at the High Museum of Art for 10+ years. For 2024-2027, I have STEAM-Ready Designation through the Georgia Council for the Arts.

• I have 18+ years of experience helping small businesses launch and grow by providing opportunities through the Indie Craft Experience.

• I have 23+ years of experience event planning. My first event was my wedding in 2002! I’ve planned (what feels like) millions of craft markets, plus workshops, retreats, parties and more!

• In Summer 2024, I became a Certified Interpretive Guide through the National Association for Interpretation.