Colin was recently recognized in Macon Magazine’s 5 Under 40 Young Leaders.
Ten years ago, Colin Penndorf was a new graduate in Art and Interdisciplinary Studies from Middle Georgia State University. The artist group he had formed with his classmates was also graduating and taking on a new form apart from the university, the Ocmulgee Artist Guild. As he considered his options for a career, The 567 Center was looking for a new Fine Art Director. His experience was limited, but he had a passion for organizing artists which aligned with this job opening. To his surprise, The 567 Center decided to take a risk on a new graduate. What he didn't know was that The 567 Center would become his creative home base for countless opportunities for the next decade.
Colin introduces an artist during a First Friday art exhibit.
Before long, The 567 Center was not just a work place, but a space for Colin to connect with artists and build Macon's art scene, both figuratively and literally. The part-time position gave him the flexibility to work on other creative projects, including the Ocmulgee Artist Guild. He accomplished a lot as Fine Art Director, converting a dark basement from a storage space to an event space and then a fully-equipped pottery studio. He organized classes and exhibits. He built gallery walls and graffiti walls. He met artists who became friends.
Colin creates graffiti art with Mark Thompson on a newly-installed graffiti wall in downtown Macon.
Colin has a knack for conversation that can create change. Thanks to the support of The 567's members and donors who keep our historic building running, The 567 Center has a physical space where those conversations happen naturally. The gallery and studio are comfortable and welcoming to artists and other visitors. Colin's conversations have sparked ideas, encouraged artists to exhibit for the first time, inspired a new series of work, connected artists who were new to Macon with the arts community, and empowered artists to keep pressing forward.
Colin curates a pop-up exhibit for a visiting artist.
Through his role as Fine Art Director, Colin learned more about himself, his strengths and his passions. He enjoyed working with artists in any capacity, but what he most wanted to do was curate exhibits and events. After four years, his role at The 567 Center changed, and a new Gallery Curator position was created for Colin while he simultaneously pursued other creative opportunities. A couple of years ago he started a new business as an umbrella for these other projects: Shape & Space Management. Through this business he manages the Ocmulgee Artist Guild, coordinates artists for Macon Mural Festival, curates art in other spaces, organizes art events, provides artist management services and more.
Colin demonstrates wood carving at All Hands Art Festival.
Even as he has worked on other arts projects and with other organizations, Colin has continued to find his creative home at The 567 Center, an organization that aligns with his passion for community and giving opportunities to artists, whether new or established. He loves that the gallery can make space for showcasing creativity in all its forms, including the annual student exhibition and the painted poodle exhibit. He has created beautiful and thought-provoking exhibits with hundreds of artists in every medium, including paintings, collage, mixed media, fabric art, metal sculptures, glass art, wood, ceramics and photography. He recently had the opportunity to exhibit some collaborative pieces he created with another artist.
There's never an end to the creative connections Colin can find and develop working at The 567. There's always new artists and interesting community members to meet and new projects to work on. We hope that The 567 Center continues to be a creative home base for Colin for years to come.