Interview by Abernathy Cochran intern Courtney Watson
Meet Parrish Brown Hoag! Parrish is the featured artist at the 2018 Marketplace and is a lifelong Gainesville resident.She earned her degree in Business Administration at Georgia Tech, which is where she met her husband, Chris, during their freshman year. Her and her husband now enjoy living in Atlanta especially with their golden doodle puppy, Berkeley.
The 27th annual Marketplace is sponsored by the Medical Center Auxiliary and will be Nov. 1-3 at the Gainesville Civic Center. The annual holiday shopping event is led by Volunteer Tri-Chairs Katie Crumley, Morgan Wood, Jenny Floyd. One hundred percent of proceeds will benefit Safe Kids Gainesville/Hall County, led by Northeast Georgia Medical Center. You will have a chance to shop Parrish’s artwork at the three day event.
We want to thank Parrish for taking time with us recently for spending time with us and telling us more about her life and love of Hall County.
Question: What inspired you or led you to your current career?
Answer: “During the weekday, I work in IT innovation at Chick-fil-A, Inc. On nights and weekends, I focus on growing my small business as an artist. A few years ago, my husband recognized how passionate I was about art and the joy I felt from creating, and he encouraged me to blend my creative drive and business skills to start my fine art business.”
Q: What is your favorite restaurant in Hall County, and what do you love there?
A: “I love eating at 2 Dog and indulging in their incredible peanut butter pie.”
Q: How long have you lived or worked in Hall County?
A: “I was born and raised in Gainesville. I started school at Enota Elementary, and graduated from Gainesville High School. My husband and I now live in Atlanta, but love retreating to Gainesville every now and then on the weekends.”
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in Hall County?
A: “My sweet grandmother, Lola Cunningham (or “Grammy”), is one of the most interesting people I
know in Hall County.”
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be? And why?
A: “I would love to travel back to Cinque Terre, Italy. It’s an incredible place to hike through beautiful
towns, relax along the Italian Riviera, and enjoy delicious, fresh pizza.”
Q: What is your favorite movie?
A: “Ah, I don’t know! I usually fall asleep in movies. But, my go-to Netflix watch is ‘Friends!’”
Q: What advice would you give a crowd of people?
A: “Trust and enjoy the journey. God has you where you are now to prepare you for what’s next.”
Q: What is your favorite type of music?
A: “My favorite type of music would definitely be country music.”
Q: Choosing anyone non-relative: with whom would you love to have lunch? Where would you take
them?
A: “I’d love to have lunch with country artist, Carrie Underwood. I would take her to Sweet Magnolia’s on the Downtown square and enjoy the delicious Summer Salad.”
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
A: “One day, I’d love to move to Europe for a year or so.”
Q: What is your favorite thing about Hall County?
A: “I love the strong sense of community and support in Hall County. I’m thankful to call Gainesville my hometown!”
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
A: “I played the role of ‘Cinderella’ in the musical while at Gainesville High School.”
Q: What are three words or phrases that come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
A: “Family, Rest and Relaxation, Comfort.”
The Faces of Hall County is a project to showcase the amazing people that live or work in our community. If you would like to nominate an interesting person to be featured please email babernathy@gonorton.com.