Creativity Isn’t Optional: Teaching Art, Life, and Problem-Solving

In this episode of Peachtree Corners Life, host Rico Figliolini sits down with Kristie Onorato, a longtime art educator at Wesleyan School, to explore the intersection of creativity, teaching, and personal artistic practice. Kristie shares her journey from studying art education at Ohio State to teaching across grade levels before finding her home at Wesleyan, where she has spent the past 15 years inspiring students through art. The conversation dives into how creativity is developed, why problem-solving is central to the artistic process, and how Kristie encourages students to embrace imperfection and pivot when things don’t go as planned. She also discusses her own artistic work, sources of inspiration, from travel to everyday life, and what it means to create and let go of deeply personal pieces as she prepares for the Wesleyan Artist Market. Resources: Wesleyan Artist Market: https://www.artistmarket.wesleyanschool.org/ Wesleyan School: https://www.wesleyanschool.org 5 Key Takeaways Creativity is universal—not optional Creativity isn’t reserved for artists. It shows up in problem-solving, communication, business, and everyday life. As Kristie puts it, we’re all wired to create. The process matters more than the outcome Students learn more from how they think, adapt, and reflect than from the final piece they produce. The journey shapes the mindset. Problem-solving is at the core of creativity Art teaches resilience—things go wrong, and you don’t start over, you adjust. That mindset carries directly into real life. Inspiration is everywhere—if you’re open to it From travel to everyday observations, creativity comes from awareness. The key is being in the right mindset to notice it. Letting go is part of the creative journey Whether it’s finishing a piece or selling it, artists have to release their work—even when it’s personal. That’s part of growth. Timestamp: 00:00:00 – Introduction and Wesleyan Artist Market overview 00:02:28 – Kristie’s background and path into art education 00:04:31 – Discovering a passion for teaching and creativity 00:06:16 – The role of creativity and faith in artistic expression 00:08:00 – Problem-solving and adaptability in the art process 00:10:01 – Student portfolios, reflections, and creative thinking 00:11:20 – Staying connected with former students 00:12:57 – Kristie’s personal art practice and school art shows 00:14:36 – Collaboration and group art projects 00:15:55 – Field trips and exposure to professional art 00:16:33 – Travel and inspiration, including Greece 00:18:10 – Observing patterns, movement, and color in nature 00:19:59 – Preferred subjects and creating for an audience 00:21:15 – Studio habits and creative environment 00:23:12 – Finding inspiration in everyday life 00:24:10 – Planning vs. improvisation in art 00:26:22 – Letting go of artwork and emotional attachment 00:29:17 – Closing thoughts and Wesleyan Artist Market details