Arin Mclaughlin September 16, 2026

Meet Arin Mclaughlin of Atlanta

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Arin Mclaughlin.

Hi Arin, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Everything I make is found and never killed. I love working with what the earth gives me, plus what holds it together. I started traveling the country twenty two years ago and have collected amazing and gorgeous gifts to create a new life for things I have collected. I am settled now here in Georgia and continue to cultivate and create. What I like most about my craft is when I get to make something someone has saved through out life for a wedding, or for a loved one, even them selves. It is wonderful to see the happiness I can bring to a memory.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It was not necessarily a smooth road, but I learned a great deal of life lessons. I have seen things I would not wish for anyone. I am extremely grateful to being living on homestead with my family now. If I could see this would be my future I would not have been so scared for a very long time. What I get from making art all those years were to not think of the images in my head, but beauty that can come out of loss. Even if it looks scary it can bring something wonderful back. Like a gift.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a teacher. I have been teaching different grades for seventeen years around the country. It’s amazing how life changes. I am extremely grateful every day I get to see my students. Art is always important to me, but teaching is an important passion to me as well.

We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
I would say leaving my first teaching job and family in Maine in my early 20’s was my biggest risk. Me and my dog took my Corolla and traveled to Atlanta, Texas, California, Texas again, Atlanta again, Buffalo New York, back to Maine and then back to Georgia. I meet a million people and have 1000 million stories. In the end I made it here on 10 acres with half a lake. I have chickens, dogs, cats and who knows what else will waltz up the drive way each day. I am glad I did all of the wild things I did. I call this time in my life retirement, meaning I used adventure while I could, now I get to find calm but there will always be a new adventure. Can’t help it.

Contact Info:

Four transparent resin cubes with red and gold inclusions, connected by gold chains, on a white background.

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