About

Tessa Parker

growing up in the lowcountry

I grew up in Savannah, Ga and moved to Wilmington Island when I was only 6 years old. I was fortunate to live on an undeveloped piece of land that provided me with a natural sanctuary to develop my long lasting love of our coastal scenery. Our house was situated on acres of maritime forest land, with a backyard of miles and miles of marsh nestled between Tybee Island and Savannah, Ga. Whether we were swinging from the Live Oak Wisteria vines or finding artifacts while tromping through the marsh mud, it instilled in me a love of nature.

I am the mother of two children, a wife, an artist, and an educator. My family history in art education began with my “Apa”, Jack Kellam- a WWII veteran who earned a teaching degree from Columbia Teachers college in the 1940’s. He was an art professor and eventually became the head of the art department at Centre College in Danville, Kentucky. He was a prolific artist and inspiration to my earliest memories of art-making. From pottery, to murals, to watercolor paintings and statues, these works of art were always visible in family members homes. Apa consistently painted until the age of 96.

My grandmother, Grace, was also a great inspiration to me. She traveled the world and lived on Long Island, NY, only a short train ride to Manhattan. When visiting her she would always insist I visit the MOMA, Guggenheim or any other museums and galleries. She was not surprised when I earned a degree in Art and then started teaching in the field.

After graduating with a BA in Art from Georgia College, I returned to Savannah with my soon to be husband, Ben. After a few years of teaching at a small school, I decided to purse a Masters degree at SCAD. Both Ben and I have been teaching in the K-12 public schools of Savannah, Ga for over 15 years.

artist