Lindsey Gerow: Artist, Art Educator, Mother, Wife, and Student of Life

Story by Gail  Mihalik  |  Photography by Leidy Lester

 

Life often throws us many challenges. Artist Lindsey Gerow knows this all too well. Throughout her life, family, personal and health issues often distracted Lindsey from enjoying life, going to school and nurturing her creativity.  Through it all, she found solace in her passion for reading, using books as an escape from life’s darker moments. Music also played a significant role in her life, with genres like ’60s rock, punk, grunge, and folk inspiring her. Lindsey’s journey remained uncertain until junior high school when she met Morris, a mentor in the arts. He recognized her potential and helped bring it to life.

With no financial stability or material possessions, Lindsey enrolled at Georgia Southern University in 2003. By 2005, she had blossomed, becoming deeply involved with the university’s art department. The following summer, she was invited to teach at a summer camp. With only private teaching lessons under her belt, she took a leap of faith into the classroom environment, embracing it with an open mind. This experience ignited her passion for teaching.

After graduation, Lindsey fell in love with “Lowbrow Art,” an expressive art form often infused with humor, sometimes of a sarcastic nature—a perfect match for her personality.

After college, Lindsey was offered a management position at a fine arts frame shop and had the opportunity to complete a residency at a local city art center, where she taught weekly and private lessons.

With the support of her husband, Lindsey made the bold decision to quit her job and fully immerse herself in a post-baccalaureate art education program. Her studies expanded her artistic skills, incorporating soft sculpture techniques such as basket weaving, silk painting, and ceramics. She eagerly volunteered for any opportunity related to the arts, further fueling her passion.

While completing her student teaching, Lindsey was offered a full-time teaching position. She simultaneously finished her teaching certificate while managing a classroom. Over the next two years, she taught more than 600 students annually as the school’s only art teacher—a role that, while overwhelming, was deeply fulfilling

She later attended the University of Florida to complete her graduate work. At the same time, she and her husband were trying to start a family. Medical complications made conception difficult, leading Lindsey to put her education on hold once again. After enduring two pregnancies—one successful and one heartbreaking—she and her husband welcomed their beautiful son, Thomas, on January 16, 2018.

Finding Balance

It took two years for Lindsey to find balance again, but once she did, her life blossomed. She returned to her alma mater as an art educator, navigating the challenges of virtual learning during COVID. Not only did she teach middle school, but she was also asked to instruct high school classes, often moving between schools and teaching in near-empty hallways. The challenge was significant, but it reinforced her love for teaching.

Lindsey Gerow is a force of energy, constantly on the move. Her work as an art educator at Effingham High School, her artistic contributions to the community, and her roles as a mother and wife keep her incredibly busy. Despite this, she still finds time for baking, cooking, gardening, kayaking, camping, and crafting—her hands are always creating, whether through sculpting or fiber arts.

A Natural Inclination Toward Art

Her journey as an artist is a testament to her unwavering dedication and hard work. Lindsey doesn’t see her artistic ability as a natural talent but as a “natural inclination” that she continuously hones through effort and practice. Her relentless pursuit of excellence and creativity sets her apart and serves as an inspiration to many.

Lindsey’s impact on the arts in Effingham is profound. Inspired by her artistic journey in Savannah, she was determined to bring her expertise back to her hometown. As the founder of Effingham Artists, she partnered with Adrian Webber, a Realtor and SCAD graduate, to realize a long-held vision: an artist space in The Railyard building in Springfield. This space now serves as a platform for local artists to showcase their work, take classes, and build a stronger creative community.

On the side of Guyton’s Collectibles and Antiques, located at 216 Central Blvd, stands one of Lindsey’s most impressive works—a stunning mural. The old, faded mural that once adorned the wall was due for a revival. Lindsey enlisted Ryan Work, owner of “Soaps and Hose,” to power wash the building. Once the wall was cleaned and prepped, the artistic transformation began.

The mural itself tells a story—one deeply rooted in the town’s history. The vibrant red roof of the train station and the bold red pilot (or cowcatcher) at the front of the train immediately capture the viewer’s attention. The surrounding buildings reflect those still standing today, creating a near-mirror image of Main Street. As Lindsey painted, townspeople stopped by to share their stories and photos, further deepening her connection to Guyton’s history.

 

A History of Guyton, Georgia

As the saying goes, "A picture is worth a thousand words," and Lindsey’s mural certainly speaks volumes. It frames the history of Guyton, dating back to 1792, when Squire Zachariah White founded Whiteville (now Guyton) on a 250-acre land grant. White played a crucial role in the town’s development and allowed William Washington Gordon, president of the Central Railroad, to lay tracks connecting Savannah to Macon and Marthasville (now Atlanta). After White’s death in 1838, the city reclaimed his property due to unpaid taxes, auctioning off land plots that were quickly snapped up by affluent Savannah families.

By 1837-38, the Central Railroad had laid tracks through Whitesville, establishing Train Stop #30. The town soon became a retreat for the wealthy, who traveled by rail to their country homes. Following the tracks' completion, residents petitioned for a post office, but since another "Whitesville" already existed in Georgia, the town had to be renamed. W.W. Gordon chose the name "Guyton" in honor of local figure Archibald Guyton. Later, Archibald’s grandson, Colonel Clarence Guyton, helped incorporate the town in 1887.

Before the Civil War, Guyton thrived as a prestigious community, only to suffer destruction in 1864 during Sherman’s March to the Sea. His troops ravaged the town in just five days, demolishing the train station and most of the railroad tracks. Today, remnants of that history—such as railway spikes—can still be found in the soil. Though the tracks are gone, the legacy of the railroad lives on, now immortalized in Lindsey’s mural.

One striking feature of the mural is the train bearing the number 444. This Baldwin Locomotive was originally built for the Brinson Railway, a North Georgia short line that later merged with the Savannah and Atlanta System. The 444 eventually made its way to the Marianna and Blountstown Railway in Florida, where it became the last operational steam engine of the M&B Railway. Although plans for a museum exhibit never materialized, in 1989, the historic engine found its final resting place in Blountstown, Florida—a testament to its enduring significance.

Guyton remains a charming town with a close-knit community, particularly evident during the holiday season when residents come together for historic home and church tours, food, music, and trolley rides. It is this spirit of community that makes Guyton a truly special place, and it is artists like Lindsey Gerow who help preserve its rich history and vibrant culture