Meet The Bakery Team
Willow Goldstein (she/her) | Executive Director
I am the founding Executive Director of The Bakery Atlanta and an entrepreneur working in the arts.
My resume lists many roles in many fields but I proudly have been a self-employed artist for the past 7 years.
Born and raised in the heart of the city, I started the organization in 2017 as an alternative model to how a community org could function by employing a non-for-profit/for-profit business model.
In 2023, “The Bakery” incorporated into The Bakery Atlanta Incorporated, a bonafide 501(c)3 nonprofit. Now, not only do I have both bosses (our board) and employees (our team) but a whole new venture as well - The Supermarket.
Amanda Norris (she/her) | Assistant Director
I am an arts and culture administrator specializing in creative project management and communications. I attended the first event at The Bakery in 2017 and never left. I've worn several hats over the years and now, as the Assistant Director, I help with all the moving parts of managing a team and a physical space.
As an artist and curator, my work is influenced by generations of artists in my family and the ethos of The Bakery. I use recycled and found materials to create mostly fiber-based work. My pieces are a playful exploration of materials, techniques, and the limitless possibilities of the medium.
Most cherished activities: In my free time, you can catch me drinking lambrusco on my porch, riding my bike on the Westside Beltline, or watching beautiful sad movies with my husband, Jesse.
Madison Nunes (they/he/she) | Programming Manager
I oversee workshops, exhibitions, off-site activations and curation, community events, and digital resources. My work as the programming manager is in support of The Bakery’s mission to implement alternative, accessible opportunities to engage with art.
I am a lens-based artist from the South exploring complexities of identity, community, and resistance. My work at The Bakery furthers my mission of fostering connection through an accessible arts community.
Favorite background noise: I spend a lot of time working with the X-Files and true crime/culture podcasts blaring in the background.
Dale Jakes (he/him) | Development Assistant
My role involves securing funding through grant writing and fundraising, administrative tasks like calendar and timeline management, and any other tasks that may come up in service of helping The Bakery run as an organization.
When I came down to Atlanta for school, The Bakery was the first place that truly gave me the opportunity to experience art and music in a way I'd never expect myself to. I've seen my friends play music and met artists I'd been a fan of for years. I have so many fond memories of The Bakery, and I'm so excited to get the chance to give that to more people.
Current obsession: I recently started crocheting. It's been like a light came on in my head. It's been so nice to learn how to turn a piece of yarn into a little creature, and I'm obsessed with learning more as quickly as I can.
Cat Garmong (she/her) | Graphic Designer
In my role, I love translating the vision for different events into captivating graphics that promote engagement within the community. The sense of community and connection fostered at The Bakery is something I deeply value. It’s fulfilling to be part of an organization that celebrates creativity and uses it as a tool to build meaningful relationships within the community.
My primary creative outlet is painting abstract art. I mainly follow an intuitive approach to painting and create pieces that are a reflection of my present state.
Stand-out Project: One of my most fun experiences so far as an artist has been live painting at the Underground Atlanta. It was a great way to challenge my skills and showcase my work.
Widha Gautam (she/her) | Writer/Archivist
As the writer and archivist for The Bakery my focus in on sharing the work we do and preserving a living history of our events, efforts, and the artists we collaborate with.
In my own practice, I enjoy trying to converse with elusive topics and answer questions through writing. I also love experimenting with different forms, crafts and mediums - my favorites tend to be very tactile, like ceramics and textiles.
A new frontiers: I’m learning to skate and it’s been one of the most challenging and fun things I’ve tried learning recently.
Estela Semeco (she/they) | Merchandise Coordinator
In addition to being merchandise coordinator for the Bakery, I’m a local artist and crafter focusing on building community through visual art and joy.
Jaedon Mason (he/him) | Event Staff
I do this work because I think the Bakery is a place that really embodies the way community can be build through art. I meet people coming to events for the first time, and then I see them again at other events with people they met their first time. That is a sort of simple thing, but super important and it's great to be apart of!
Madisyn Jones (she/her) | Event Staff
I help event manage and run some of the offsite curation projects at The Bakery. Creativity and the ability to form community with art acts as the driving force for my work with this organization
As an artist, I do mixed media work that often allots a tactile element because who doesn’t want to touch the art???
Some fun facts: I despise the cream inside Oreos and have never seen Star Wars. I play rugby and have played overseas in New Zealand.
Abbie Argo (they/them) | Figure Drawing Host
I am one of the host for monthly Figure Drawing at The Bakery Atlanta. I’ve worked with The Bakery since 2019, and have found great joy in creating inclusive community events in a space made for artistic exploration.
In my free time, I am a visual artist with a focus on the mediums of digital art, acrylic painting, and collage. You can find my work at www.sedangogh.com or on Instagram at @sedangogh.
Beloved snack: My first words as a baby were “turkey sandwich”. I do, in fact, enjoy turkey sandwiches to this day.
Zero Gardinier (they/them) | Figure Drawing Host
I chose to work with the bakery because I liked that we had lots of opportunities for artists who are still getting themselves out there, and I like what we are providing for the community.
I do mixed media art and try to cover a little bit of everything. I have always identified most as a painter but have been doing more patch printing and clothing/fabric crafts recently.
I am a firm believer in art for pleasure above all else and try to include some silliness in everything I make.
Edie Sinclair (she/her) | Collage Night Host
I've been coming to the Bakery since 2018, and I personally found my way back to making art through Collage Night as an attendee in early 2020, so it's really special to be here as host now. I want to share the joy of collage because I think it's a great way to engage people in art who may otherwise not consider themselves to be artistic.
I've found collage to be a great medium for exploring my own thoughts and feelings. I choose to work mainly with found images in magazines and it can be a really meditative process to seek them out and meticulously cut them from a page. It's also just really fun to create something silly or subversive with juxtaposing images.
Secret talent: I'm a good person to have along on a hike because another interest of mine is snake identification!
Hunter (he/him) | Literary Open Mic Host
When I was first starting off as an artist, I was mad green on how to do anything other than to create. After a lot of trial and error & finding my own niche in the Atlanta art scene, I decided I wanted to help others that are in the position that I was in- so I theorized an open mic geared toward newer and practiced artists. We become our own proverbial "foot in the door" as an art community lifting each other up with new ideas and opportunities.
The Bakery as an idea and the people behind it are a sigh of relief to Atlanta, and an inspiration daily to be more active and grow.
I'm a poet and writer, I like to create and sometimes I like to share it.