04/29/2026
Hey everyone! I wanted to take a moment to share something that isn't our normal kind of post for the studio, but it is deeply important to me. Many of you know Anniston, our very first instructor and my oldest daughter. Anniston has taught many of your children, led them through fun summer camps, helped them learn to draw and paint, and watched many of them grow up over the years.
Anniston is a student at SCAD in Atlanta chasing her own artistic dreams and many of you follow her on this journey either through her social media or through just asking how she is doing when you drop by. That is what makes this community so amazing!
Well, below you can read a message from Anniston after her dorm and her floor experienced a fire on Monday. We count ourselves very lucky that her room was not impacted by this fire other than a little water damage, however, her peers and residents were not as fortunate.
The studio is working on donating art supplies to these students as they start over mid quarter. If you feel compelled to donate to any of their personal GoFund Me accounts, please know that Anniston knows each and every one of those students personally and can attest to their need. If you have other specific donations you may be able to assist with, please reach out and let the studio know or contact Anniston directly (her IG will be below).
In the meantime, keep the students of SCAD Atlanta in your thoughts. We are proud to be a part of such a caring and generous community and appreciate you more than you know!
Anniston's Message:
Hi everyone! I don't typically post on here but I have a lot of people who need a lot of support right now.
As some of y'all might now, since last spring I have been an RA in our freshman dorms here at SCAD Atlanta. And this year I have had the honor of serving 32 of the best residents as they adjust to life in college. I have students from all over the country and world who have been absolutely thriving until this week.
On Monday afternoon, one of my residents left a portable battery charger plugged in on her nightstand, and in a freak accident the battery exploded and her room went up in flames. I went back into the room with her later and it was emotional to watch her take in the past 18 years of her life that had been destroyed and melted to the floors.
Not only that, but because of the harmful chemicals and smoke damage, my residents were unable to recover 99% of their personal belongings. Anything that was fabric, plastic, or could come in contact with their skin has to be destroyed for their own safety. This has left 32 freshmen with nothing but the clothes they are wearing and a few random items. Some of them lost medication, CPAP machines, and electronics in addition to all of their clothes and toiletries.
Most of all, nothing can replace all the memories that they lost in those rooms. I spent most of yesterday crying and grieving with them as they watched letters, pictures, graduation gifts, and other sentimental items get thrown away. And on top of all of this, they are still students at one of the most academically challenging schools with a very strict attendance policy, so they are still obligated to show up to class.
I've already been so overwhelmed by all the fellow SCAD students as well as people on the outside who have shown up for us to uplift floor 7. Below I have compiled a list of links for my residents who have already made Go Fund Me's or other campaigns to start rebuilding their lives. If anyone feels compelled to donate even just a few dollars to each resident, it would be so appreciated. I will be updating as more of them send me their links.
I also will be home and in the Athens/Monroe area if anyone has any unopened hygiene products. Most of my residents are female, and I have many who are African American and asked for donations of natural hair products and curly hair brushes.
If you cannot financially contribute, please keep my residents in your prayers and thoughts, as well as 120+ other students who have been displaced due to water damage caused by the fire.
My residents:
Seidah Muhammad
https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-me-rebuild-after-dorm-fire
Vesper Williams
https://www.gofundme.com/.../help-me-recover-after...
Christina Miller
https://www.gofundme.com/.../help-christina-recover-after...
Jayda Holmes
https://www.gofundme.com/.../help-a-college-freshman...
Ja'Nya Reeves
https://www.gofundme.com/.../help-me-rebuild-after-fire...
Maliah Manson
https://www.gofundme.com/f/rebuilding-after-dorm-fire
Jasmyn Kimble
https://www.gofundme.com/.../help-jasmyn-recover-from...
Jordan Kimble
https://www.gofundme.com/.../rebuilding-after-the-fire...
Marcille Liotta
https://ko-fi.com/batsyism
Anniston's IG to contact her directly:
