Sip' n Stroll 2024 Poster Competition Winner
Marjorie C. Yergin Biography
At age five, Marj’s kindergarten teacher said she would become an artist. Her parents always
encouraged her to pursue that artistic ability. Marj’s High School career won her an art scholarship to Young Harris College where she earned an AFA Degree in Art. During that time, she had an art exhibit at the Habersham Bank in Clarkesville, GA. Attending UGA, she received a BFA in Graphic Design. Marj worked many years in the printing industry as a darkroom technician and graphic designer. In 2009, she pursued a Master of Arts in Teaching from Brenau University receiving a Masters in Moderate/Mild Disabilities in Special Education. Marj is a retired high school Special Ed teacher of 16 years and a lifelong learner.
Marj draws inspiration from God’s artistry in nature. Her favorite artist is Georgia O’Keeffe whose artwork influenced her creativity. She photographs flowers to create Prismacolor/Watercolor pencil drawings and designs the layouts with a graphic flair. Marj enjoys looking into a flower and drawing detailed images in brilliant colors. Barn quilts across the USA and artist MC Escher motivated Marj to combine her style of drawing flowers and tessellations into a unique, original art form she calls “Tessaflora”. The awesomeness of Utah's National Parks has inspired her photography.
Marj lives in Toccoa with her husband, Joe, of 43 years. She was a domestic engineer for 11
years; they have three married sons, a granddaughter and a grandson. The couple has a Christian faith and enjoys camping, camp hosting, traveling, hiking, and paddle boarding. Other hobbies include crocheting, walking, biking, aerobics, and touring art museums. Marj volunteers with Reins of Life (an equine therapy program), teaches three year olds at her church, and tutors with the GED Program at the Hope Center in Toccoa. She is a member of the Currahee Artists Guild (CAG) and Blue Ridge Arts Center(BRAC).
Most recently, Marj was privileged to show her work with two other artists in “Nature’s
Architect”- a members gallery exhibit at BRAC. She was honored by being the first recipient of the Marilyn McNeely Award for “THY Son Shines” at the CAG Fall Show in October. The Cheap Joe’s 2024 Catalog features Marj’s drawing “Flaming Touch”. Her logo design, “Fancy Steps”, was chosen for the Seneca Sip-n-Stroll. In January 2023, Marj was privileged to have her art on display in the Art of Graphics Show at Gateway Arts Center. She has exhibited her art at BRAC, CAG, Gateway, and Anderson Arts Center’s 48th Juried Show and Art on the Town. Marj has illustrated two children’s books for author Julie Riggs which have been published. Participating in several shows at The Studio in Toccoa, she received an Honorable Mention for “Troislips”; earned the Chloe Alexander White Rose Award for “Tiffany’s Velvet Zantedeschia”; won second place in still life for “Ode to Mom”; and in two consecutive Chattahoochee Mountain Fair Art Shows, “Angry Orchid” received first place (this piece was chosen for the Anderson
Juried Show) and won second place for “Water Became Wine”.