Meet Cherie Heringer | Arts Enthusiast, painter, writer

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

Hi Cherie, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I’ve never known life without creativity. Starting in the church Cherub Choir, I learned music as a second language and thought everyone understood music. But rather than being a musical or artistic child prodigy, I’ve learned a little about a lot. Or put another way, I have imposter syndrome in a major way.

But when my children were in elementary school, an opportunity to develop an Arts Academy at their school fell into my lap and I became the Director of what grew to be a thriving fine and performing arts academy. Watching children thrive in creative and artistic disciplines was and still is my passion.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
The arts teach children life skills in ways nothing else can. And those skills foster creative thinking in any scenario in life. I’m an ordinary woman with experience and exposure to many aspects of the fine and performing arts. My greatest achievement has been sharing what I know and fostering curiosity in the arts with children – my own two included – and watching them take off on their own creative journeys.

Several years ago I picked up a paintbrush and I’m currently in my painting stage! I’m also writing my first book.

As Vice President of the Board of Directors for the Suwanee Arts Center, I have several art exhibits under my belt – some in which I’ve had my own work, but many in which I helped organize, many arts festivals, and have met so many wonderful artists in various stages of their careers. Most recently I’ve been the entertainment go-to for many of our events. I find talent – or sometimes it finds me!

I have served on the Suwanee Public Art Commission for about 16 years.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
A backstage tour of The Fabulous Fox is a given. I had the pleasure of getting to work backstage when my daughter, Abby, was a Nutcracker Party Child and I channeled my inner Phantom the whole time! Lawrenceville’s Aurora Theater is worth a trip as well. They mount some incredible performances.

The Atlanta Ballet, Terminus Modern Ballet Theatre, The High Museum, The Alliance, The Battery and Truist Park

Antico Pizza near Georgia State, Tabla Indian Restaurant in Mid-Town, F & B French Bistro in Buckhead – great for a drink and some divine charcuteries.

Suwanee Town Center and their SculpTour exhibit. Avalon in Alpharetta – eat at Branch & Barrel and walk the lighted tree sidewalks at night. Ponce City Market.

To name a few….

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There have been so many creative influences over my years beginning with my Cherub Choir director – who also became my Youth Choir Director, then my High School Chorus Director and even gave me private vocal lessons. Randy Adams could bring music out of a rock! Thanks to his excellent training, I landed a spot in both the University of Tennessee Concert Choir and the UT Singers – under the direction of Don Neuen who was mentored by Atlanta’s Robert Shaw.

Also in High School, my Junior and Senior English teachers unearthed a knack for writing and graphic arts when I was nominated for a feature section of our High School yearbook. I went on to get my college degree in Communications and Advertising.

And, my High School Band Director somehow corralled and guided 100+ students to form an award-winning marching band. But he also saw enough talent in me to put me on the Majorette team and even promote me to head Majorette – important in further developing dance and choreography.

Confidence built and when I was cast in a few stage productions I thrived. Confidence is the key word, here. I was a shy, insecure, petite child with major anxiety. These teachers empowered me to grow in life through the arts.

Image Credits
outdoor portrait image by Dwain Vaughns II @GawwnOutdoors