Meet Mandy Garcia | Entrepreneur & Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mandy Garcia and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mandy, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
From a young age I enjoyed making things and the creativity hasn’t stop. I grew up in a small town and there wasn’t always a lot to do. My mom would always keep my siblings and I occupied by doing craft projects to fill our time after school or during the summers. I always felt that art came so much easier to me than math or science. When I started college, I thought I wanted to be a lawyer and studied criminal justice. I took art classes art for fun and was hooked. I thought art was a better fit for me and planned to be a high school art teacher. After college, I worked as an art teacher but then decided to go to graduate school for Higher Education. While in graduate school I worked as a Curator and loved it. I have changed careers a couple of times, but I always come back to art. Art has a way of drawing me in. It allows me to think creatively, problem solve, bring my ideas to life, and learn from my mistakes. Art has always been something that I have enjoy and have feel that it is a creative outlet that brings a lot of joy to my life. I am often inspired by the world around me and enjoying making things that bring a smile to people’s faces. That is why I decided to start my business of mobile art classes and workshops. I want to provide a space where people can try different types of projects, experiment with different types of mediums and allow them an outlet for their creativity

What should our readers know about your business?
The Traveling Art Cart provides mobile art classes and workshops for children and adults. The supplies and instruction is provided, you just have to show up and be ready to create! Art classes and workshops range from 2d to 3d projects and use a variety of mediums and processes. Something unique about mobile art classes is that I come to you. Art classes and workshops can be held at your home or a park in your neighborhood. This allows for a unique experience and for you to gather a group of your friends or neighbors and have a class together. Workshops are also available, they are are a great addition to birthday parties or any type of other event/gathering. I have really been enjoying the classes and workshops that I have been doing. I love being able to see people create things and be so excited about what they made. The kids in my classes often leave class saying how much they love art class, they always ask what they get to make the next week and are so excited for it. I am excited for how well the classes are going. I have a lot ideas of what I want the future of my business to look like as I continue to grow and look forward to seeing those ideas come to fruition. From a young age I have enjoyed the combination of business and creativity. When I was in elementary school everyone would also ask me about my hair barrettes and headbands that I wore. My mom would help me make them and I would sell them at school. I have had small business in the past from an Etsy shop to being a being a vendor at craft markets. There were a lot of lessons I have learned in the success and failures of those endeavors. One of the most important lessons is to keep trying, make goals, and learn from your mistakes. All those experiences have lead me to starting The Traveling Art Cart. I had the idea for it a few months ago and seeing it come to life has been so exciting.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
What I enjoy about Atlanta is the many things you can do and the variety of places to eat. I would begin the tour of Atlanta by taking them to the Beltine and walking from Krog Street to Ponce City Market. I would be sure to stop along the way and have a bit to eat or a drink at Lady Bird. Piedmont Park and all the different Atlanta neighborhoods would be on the list of places to visit. There are also some nice trails around the city or nearby that I enjoy such a Sweetwater Creek, Stone Mountain, and Roswell Mill. I would also take them to some of my favorites places to eat such as Desta’s, West Egg, and places on Buford Highway. My other recommendations of things to do in Atlanta is to see a show at the Fox, visit the High Museum, see a comedy show at Highland Ballroom Inn, and check out a show at Eddies Attic.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to thank my parents and friends. My mom always encouraged and cultivated my creativity from a young age. My dad has always been supportive and encouraging in all the many endeavors that I’m always doing. I like to thank my friends for always listening to my many ideas and being so encouraging especially as I have started a new business.

Website: http://thetravelingartcart.com/
Instagram: thetravelingartcart