Serenbe Hamlet Spring/Summer 2024

Serene Getaways

A Package for Every Occasion

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INTO THE WOODS

Landscape Inspired Artist-in-Residence Thomas Jackson

After a decade of working in wide open spaces—coastal prairies, beaches, deserts and more—a residency at Art Farm at Serenbe was a chance to get back to where visual artist and photographer Thomas Jackson’s installation practice began: in the woods.

The ar tist is known for his fine art photography that combines landscapes, sculpture and kinetic art. His site-responsive installations, which he creates and photographs on location, pair brightly colored, manufactured materials with the ephemeral beauty of natural landscapes. A Serenbe resident who purchased one of Jackson’s works from Jackson Fine Art in Atlanta suggested to the Art Farm that he might make a great artist in residence, and through a collaboration with the renowned art gallery that coincidentally shares Jackson’s name, the idea was realized in spring 2023.

“The essence of my work is juxtaposition. I take [objects] that don’t seem like they belong and bring them into equilibrium with the environment. So much of what we do as humans is try to get nature to conform to us. A lot of the pieces I create do the opposite, mimicking the contours of the landscape, moving with the wind and responding to natural light as it changes,” said Jackson.

When Jackson visited Serenbe, he found lush, sun-dappled forests carpeted in wildflowers, humming with wildlife. After walking 10 miles in one day, he was inspired to create three installations that became four photographs in his “Thomas Jackson x Serenbe” series.

“The installations I made at Serenbe feel different from other work I’ve done in recent years. They’re more intimate, more enmeshed with the environments they inhabit. I feel like I’ve tapped into a new range of emotions with these images, thanks to the context of a verdant Georgia forest in springtime,” said Jackson, whose prior locations have included Nantucket; Napinoch, New York and Tiburon in Northern California.

The fir st installation in the woods featured multiple long pieces of colorful tulle that swayed over a lush wooded scenery, and produced two beautiful photographs, “Tulle No. 51” and “Tulle No. 51 (Variant).” To persuade the tulle to move amongst the trees, Jackson borrowed leaf blowers and tapped some volunteer helpers from the community. The second piece, “Tulle No. 52,” also showcased the ethereal fabric; this time, as it danced like fire in the middle of Serenbe’s wildflower meadow. Jackson said when the sun was low in the sky, a magical spotlight came through the trees and illuminated the exact center of the

installation. For his third piece, “Cups No. 6,” Jackson purchased yellow solo cups from a nearby store in Palmetto. The vibrant material was strung from tree to tree, contrasting with the woodsy setting and complementing the “super-bloom” of yellow wildflowers beneath it. Listening closely, one could hear it simulate its own clicks and hums amongst its bird and bug counterparts, which was especially lyrical during a rainstorm.

These ar tworks were part of a pop-up Jackson Fine Art gallery show within the community last September, with 10% of proceeds going to support the Art Farm Special Projects Council. He was also the 2023 Decorative Arts Fellowship recipient for the fall Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles Serenbe Designer Showhouse, and three of Jackson’s large format photographs were featured in the showhouse living room designed by Hope Austin.

Collaboration has burgeoned as a theme in more of the artist’s recent installations. It began with a surrender to working closely with nature and not fighting its elements, then bloomed into a collaborative effort at Serenbe, and continued to be a big part of another 2023 public installation in Tiburon, California near San Francisco on a coastal outcropping. A team of volunteers helped Jackson create hundreds of windsock puffs of tulle attached to a rim of wire hoops and a fiberglass rod rigging system, a work he called “Collaborative Nature.”It looked like “billowing explosions of color, swaying above ground in unison...like a flock of birds or a swarm of fish, entirely out of place on a windswept hillside,” said the San Francisco Chronicle

In addition to public installations and private collections, Jackson’s photographs can be found in the collections of Delta Airlines, JP Morgan Chase, United Talent Agency in Los Angeles and Berkshire Partners, among others. You can also find his work at the University of Oregon, MIT and The Center for Photography in Woodstock, Massachusetts.

Serenbe’s Art Farm is excited to host two spring artist residencies with Nikkolas Smith and Gyun Hur. Nikkolas Smith is the author/illustrator of USA TODAY Bestselling The Artivist, and illustrator of #1 NYT Bestseller The 1619 Project: Born on the Water, among many other publications. As an illustrator of color, Nikkolas is focused on creating captivating art to spark important conversations in today’s world and inspire meaningful change toward social justice and equity. Artist Gyun Hur’s project Our mothers, our water, our peace launches March 2024, is commissioned and supported by Flux Projects and The New School, Atlanta. Hur moved to Atlanta from South Korea when she was 13, attended UGA, then SCAD, and her new work will explore the role of water in grief and healing. Artist events and programming are ongoing at the Art Farm, and much more is in store for residency programs in 2024 and beyond.

(Cover) Tulle No. 51 V.1, Serenbe, GA 2023 was photographed in the woods by Cedar Creek near Overlook. (Opposite) Cups No.5, Point Reyes National Seashore, California, 2019, Art Over Dinner with Thomas Jackson, Fall 2023, Serenbe Gallery Reception with Thomas Jackson, Fall 2023, Cups No.6, Serenbe GA 2023, Tulle No.12, Stinson Beach, California, 2020. (Above): Tulle No 52, Serenbe GA 2023 photographed in the Wildflower Meadow, Thomas Jackson at work in the woods.

View the photography collaboration and inquire about a piece in the Viewing Room via the QR code. Visit artfarmatserenbe.org to learn more about Art Farm at Serenbe and upcoming artist residencies and events.

10 SEASONS STRONG Over 110 Episodes of Serenbe Stories

The Serenbe Stories podcast is celebrating its 10th season. Since its inception in September 2019, the series has reaped close to 100,000 downloads. The concept was developed as a way to capture the story of Serenbe’s foundation, building a community from scratch, balancing conservation and development, and welcoming the first group of Serenbe residents. The first season kicked off with interviews between Serenbe Founder and CEO Steve Nygren and CMO, Monica Olsen, who both live in Serenbe, as a way to capture the story of the community’s beginnings and what it’s like to live here. The show’s content has evolved over the seasons to incorporate topics ranging from natural approaches to land management to designing sustainable homes and features a range of personalities, including visiting ar tists, business owners, friends of the community and neighbors. Its compelling narratives now draw listeners from all over the world.

One of the most popular episodes is the very first, “What Is Serenbe?”. Everyone who hears about the community for the first time asks this question. Olsen and Nygren sat down to discuss the unique development model and intentional design, as well as how some people visit for a day and others decide to stay for a lifetime. Another highly streamed episode in the first season brought in the voices of Steve’s three daughters: Garnie, Kara and Quinn.They share their experiences as the first residents of Serenbe, living in a farmhouse (which is now The Inn) and what it was like leaving Atlanta to grow up in the woods of Chattahoochee Hills.

Season 2 continued to explore Serenbe’s distinctive, thoughtful features and expanded from one-on-one interviews with Steve to include many of the people who had a hand in building Serenbe. Some of the key figures who helped turn the vision into reality include architect Phill Tabb (S2, Ep3), who designed Serenbe’s master plan using the principles of sacred geometr y; artist Robert Rausch (S2, Ep8), who designed Serenbe’s whimsical street lamps, benches and bike racks; Dennis Creech (S2, Ep9), a sustainable building expert and founder of Southface; and Chad Epple (S2, Ep10), the sustainability engineer who turned imagination into infrastructure.

The third season highlighted many stories from the wider community of Serenbe friends, including journalists, chefs and influencers who have been deeply impacted by visits. Media personality, author and green living expert Danny Seo shared insights on living “Naturally Stylish & Sustainable” (S3, Ep10). Other stories were shared from restaurateur Ford Fry (S3, Ep7), comedian and podcaster Pete Dominick (S3, Ep3)and New Yorker journalist Charles Bethea (S3, Ep8).

Given Serenbe’s deep connection to biophilia, a philosophy that centers around reconnecting people to nature, it was natural that Season 4 featured experts in this field. Biophilic thought leader s, such as green building expert Bill Browning (S4, Ep6), Tim Beatley of Biophilic Cities (S4, Ep3), “Queen of Green”Yoli Ouiya (S4, Ep7) and author Florence Williams (S4, Ep11) each discuss nature’s profound effect on human wellbeing, how Serenbe facilitates that connection and their personal experiences within the community. If you need a primer on biophilia, listen to one of the leading biophilic design educators, Elizabeth Calabrese, as she highlights the history of the term and shares how its definition and practice has involved both philosophical circles and the building industry in “Hope Rises On Its Current: Defining Biophilia” (S4, Ep1).

As the podcast moved into Season 5+, more and more resident stories came into play. Each one told a unique story of how they discovered the community and why they chose to uproot their lives and move here. Common threads included a desire to slow down, reconnect with nature and raise kids in a safe environment with lots of community ties. Listeners of the podcast will know to stay to the very end of episodes because all of the guests share their favorite things to do, see, eat and experience at Serenbe when answering the question, “If someone is visiting for the first time, what is the one thing they should do while they are here?”.

Ten seasons in, the podcast has found its rhythm, telling the stories of residents, employees and everyone with a Serenbe Story. The latest season launched in March and features new neighbors from California, an artist in residence, a conversation about Serenbe at 20 years with Steve Nygren and much more.

10 ESSENTIAL EPISODES

Season 1 Episode 1

What Is Serenbe?

Season 1 Episode 11

Steve’s Daughters Share Stories: Hear From Garnie, Kara & Quinn

Season 2 Episode 3

Land Planning & Sacred Geometry’s Influence with Phill Tabb

Season 3 Episode 10

Naturally Stylish & Sustainable with Danny Seo

Season 4 Episode 1

Hope Rises On Its Current: Defining Biophilia with Liz Calabrese

Season 5 Episode 14

Always Designing with Mister + Mrs Sharp

Season 6 Episode 10

Building Human Centered Business with Tyler Scriven

Season 7 Episode 10

Pollinators, Songbirds, and Creepy Crawlies with Thomas Peters

Season 8 Episode 1

Lifelong Friends & Sustainable Living with Stephanie Walsh and Brandon Blanchard

Season 9 Episode 10

Embracing Wellness & All Things Serenbe with Frank & Christine Egan

Interior of Sharp Furniture Co. Interior of District Market Radical Dough bagels Interior Tapout Martial Arts Rachel Garceau in her studio Close-up of artist working in Minro Studio Interior of Amplify Your Ride

NEW BUSINESSES

Discover Retailers and Services

As Serenbe continues to grow and expand as a community, so does its retailer and service offerings. The last few months have brought eight new businesses across several categories, including design services, furniture, art, baked goods, golf carts, acupuncture and the martial arts. Whether you’re visiting or live in the neighborhood, these new shops and services offer something for everyone.

Amplify Your Ride

In the market for a quality golf cart or utility terrain vehicle?

At Amplify Your Ride, you’ll find Star EV golf carts, which has an expansive offering of recreation and commercial models; Bintelli golf carts, assembled in South Carolina; and Landmaster eUTVs, an electric amp UTV manufactured in Indiana. Amplify’s local owners, Jennifer and Vincent Halma provide a convenient, more sustainable and first-class service option to the community located in Crossroads. The Halmas not only sell new and used carts/UTVs, but they also offer repairs, service maintenance, customizations, refurbishments to give carts a second life and fully electr ic towing. amplifyyourride.com

District Market

District Market is a furniture, art and home decor boutique located in the Textile Lofts in Grange offering a gorgeous mix of retail and consignment items. Kelly Hunt and her daughter Emma opened its first location on the Selborne Courtyard shortly after COVID lockdowns put Emma’s college career on hold. Kelly wanted Emma’s education to continue, and Emma was looking for an outlet for her artistic pursuits, and so District Market became her business apprenticeship. The duo recently moved the shop into its new, more expansive space. It now hosts a Knitting Club on Mondays and various pop-ups and events, with plans underway for game nights. districtmarket.org

Minro Studio

This new ceramics studio and cafe in the Mado hamlet offers workshops, group and private classes in wheel-throwing and handbuilding techniques. The simple, neutral space and

its retail offerings bring in owners Caroline Gilling and Eric Mbanda’s heritages as well as talents. Caroline, a ceramics artist, is from Denmark and the studio’s name stems from the Danish word min ro, which translates to “my calm,” a feeling the neutral space exudes. Sip a cup of specialty coffee in her handmade cups as you shop her pieces, in addition to several beautiful African objects from Eric’s native Rwanda. minrostudio.com

Rachel K Garceau Studio

Get a firsthand look into the processes of plaster mold-making and slip-casting as porcelain artist Rachel K Garceau creates her original sculptures and fires them in her electric kiln. Primarily a working studio, Garceau also offers in-stock inventory of cups, mugs, bowls, vases and small objects/sculptures for sale. Additionally, she showcases samples and images of large-scale, custom installations she has created for residential and public spaces to designers and homeowners alike. The studio, located in Grange across from District Market, is open “by chance” or by appointment. Stay tuned for some pop-up events beginning this spring. rachelkgarceau.com

Radical Dough

What began as a humble Facebook post from resident Jeff Escalante offering his Serenity Bagels has become Radical Dough in Mado. This offering will create bagels and Roman-style pizzas using local, organic, high-quality ingredients to create delicious baked goods. Their mission is to provide employment opportunities for neurodivergent individuals, through training and skill development, employees will be provided opportunities to enrich their lives and our community. Radical Dough is a true collaboration involving both residents and local talent. A model that will bring a unique perspective to the industry, creating increased work opportunities for the neurodivergent community. radicaldough.com

Red Earth Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine

Founded in 2007 by David Toone, Red Earth Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine opens its new Serenbe location this

spring. The healthcare clinic specializes in traditional Japanese-style acupuncture, moxa and classical herbalism. Focusing on restoring the body’s natural ability to heal, the practice is dedicated to offer ing natural and effective alternatives to surgical and pharmaceutical approaches. It provides support for women’s health issues, pain management, respiratory issues and allergies, digestive health and circulation as well as pediatric care. redearthacupuncture.com

Shar p Furniture Co. | Mister + Mrs Sharp

Last December, Meghan and Patrick Sharp, co-owners of full-service interior design firm Mister + Mrs Sharp, moved the business out of their Serenbe home into a brick-andmortar on Serenbe Lane in Mado. The location not only gives the Sharps and their team of designers a dedicated workspace to outfit your home with custom finishes and furniture, but it also features Sharp Furniture Co. The shop offers a line of sofas, chairs, cocktail tables and counter stools as well as in-stock home accessories, including cashmere throws, candles, coffee-table books and assorted ceramics and kitchenware. misterandmrssharp.com

Tapout Martial Arts

A new martial arts studio has arrived in Mado. Guided by experienced black belt professor Jon Ryan, Tapout Martial Arts offers classes in cardio boxing/kick boxing (Muay Thai), No-Gi/Gi submission grappling and conditioning training for men, women and children. Training in self-defense can boost health and fitness, build personal self-confidence and provide skills for those looking to compete. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned martial artist, you’ll progress at your own pace with TMA’s structured curriculum. tapoutmartialarts.com

All Serenbe business listings along with hours, addresses and contact information can be found at serenbe.com/serenbe-businessdirectory. Interested in bringing your business to Serenbe, contact our Real Estate team about available commercial spaces and upcoming builds.

Things To Do When You Stay at The Inn at Serenbe BREAKFAST

The

Hayrides

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Included in your stay as an Inn guest is Southern-style breakfast served each morning in the Farmhouse dining room.

YOGA & PILATES CLASSES

Choose from a range of yoga practices and reformer pilates at the studios located in the community. Outdoor yoga options, including goat yoga.

SERENBE FARMS

Take a 1 hour tour of Serenbe Farms on Saturdays at 3:00pm for $15 per person. For reservations or to schedule private group tours, please contact tour@serenbefarms.com

BONFIRE

Our fully stocked bonfire is located near the Lake Pavilion, complimentary for Inn guests. S’more packets are available for purchase at Guest Services.

DINE AT THE FARMHOUSE

Join us for lunch or dinner at the critically acclaimed Farmhouse Restaurant and enjoy seasonal cuisine of locally grown ingredients. Plus enjoy Happy Hour from 4 – 5 Daily.

FEEDING THE ANIMALS

From sun up to sun down, Inn Guests can feed our friends in the Animal Village. Animal feed is available at Guest Services.

RELAX AT THE POOL

Relax and cool off at one of our Pools or enjoy the Hot Tub. The Primary Pool is all ages and the Main House Pool is for adults only. Ask about our seasonal Pool Bulter.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Wholesome Wave Georgia’s Potluck Returns

The Serenbe community delighted in the return of Wholesome Wave Georgia’s Southern Chefs Potluck getting back to its roots last October after five years of being hosted in Atlanta and virtually (thank goodness that’s over!). Not only is it a foodie dream event with more than 25 chefs from across Georgia tantalizing taste buds at the 12th annual cocktail hour and dinner affair, but also one with a valued cause. The event supports WWG’s initiatives to make fresh, healthy, locally grown produce affordable and available to all Georgians.WWG most notably does this through their Fresh for Less program that matches SNAP/EBT spending dollar for dollar at partner farmers markets throughout the state.

“The Serenbe community showed up in a big way to support our mission. These are values that the Serenbe community lives every day. WWG is fortunate to have such a special community partner,” said Will Sellers, executive director of WWG.

At The Inn at Serenbe Pavilion, more than 300 guests enjoyed a cocktail hour and hors d’oeuvres before sitting down to a communal dinner featuring curated wines. The chefdriven appetizers, sides and desserts complemented the main dishes of whole-hog BBQ and smoked chicken from Rodney Scott BBQ. VIP guests also enjoyed a pre-party welcome reception with bubbly, dedicated front-row parking, reserved table seating and premium wines served with dinner. Plus, a VIP gift and a book signing with Chef Steven Satterfield, who is a James Beard Foundation Award-winning chef and co-owner of Miller Union, was the icing on the cake.

Dur ing the event, Satterfield was recognized with the 2023 Southern Chefs Potluck Carrot Crusader award for his dedication to WWG’s belief that all Georgians in need should have access to better and quality food choices.

“I’ve been a cheerleader of Wholesome Wave Georgia ever since I learned of their wonderful mission years ago to get fresh food to those who need it most. Receiving the Carrot Crusader Award is such an honor, and I was thrilled to be recognized for my contributions to the good food movement,” said Satterfield.

Satterfield was in good company with the numerous food and beverage stars who participated in the event. These included Chef Host Terry Koval, owner of The Deer and The Dove and James Beard Foundation’s 2023 Best Chef Southeast Finalist, and Miles

Macquarrie, co-owner and beverage director of Kimball House, who was responsible for the beverages that accompanied the potluck.

In addition to ticket sales, guests further supported WWG’s programs by participating in a wine pull, paddle raise, live auction and silent auction. The event raised just over $230,000. “We look forward to returning for another great Southern Chefs Potluck this fall on Sunday, October 6,” Sellers said. Tickets will go on sale in late spring.

Want to know when tickets go on sale for this Fall’s Southern Chef’s Potluck, sign up for the Serenbe Event Newsletter at serenbe.com. For more information on Wholesome Wave Georgia and to get involved, visit wholesomewavegeorgia.org.

NOURISHING THE COMMUNITY

New Varieties, Rich Soil & Serenbe Farms

Tucked away in Chattahoochee Hills is Serenbe Farms. A 25-acre organic farm aiming to connect people back to their food, and this year brings a spirit of change to the farm. While the farmers will begin the season getting in sync with business as usual, they also take time to assess the farm’s needs and what it will take this year to expand production. They plan to be opening new production fields by this fall, continuing into next year.

At the hear t of Serenbe Farms is its communitysupported agriculture (CSA) program, which provides members with a weekly share of just-picked organic crops. This farm-to-table approach skips the grocery store and brings nutrient-dense vegetables like heirloom tomatoes, sweet potatoes, broccoli, and rainbow Swiss chard straight from the vine to members’ kitchens. The CSA Farm Share runs across 30 weeks, from April through October.

Beyond nourishing its CSA members, Serenbe Farms implements agricultural practices that nourish the earth. No synthetic pesticides or fertilizers are used on the farm. Instead, responsible stewardship techniques like crop rotation, interplanting, and introducing beneficial insects and microbes into the soil are utilized. As they roll into summer, the farm will be growing many new crop varieties this year, from 3-foot cucumbers, Gypsy peppers, and Italian Romano beans to several types of watermelons and Canary melonsand new flower varieties as well.

Another newer aspect of the farm is the children’s garden, which serves as an educational setting for young, growing minds and is the site of children’s educational programming. This year it has officially been named for one of the previous farmers as Tristan’s Garden; as he was an integral member of

the farm team and incubated many of the youth programs. The bittersweet news of one farmer leaving comes with the opportunity to welcome a new farmer, Garver Aker, who was the first Farm Manager of the Rodale Institute’s Southeast Organic Center just up the road from Serenbe.

Most of Gar ver’s experience is in the management of multi-scale, diverse variety, sustainable crop production. His work often involved training others in challenging conditions on new and established farms and gardens, ranging from 0.2 - 200 acres in open and controlled environments. Garver has learned much of what it takes to foster sustaining, living soils through bio-intensive soil-building, even while starting with highly problematic soils under extreme weather conditions. As the world is coming to terms with the dire need for soil regeneration, clean agriculture, and sustainability, Garver Akers’ dream of significantly contributing to the well-being of people and the planet is coming to fruition.

Serenbe Farms represents a sustainable future for agriculture. Its small-scale practices not only yield exceptional organic produce but also provide opportunities for members and visitors to connect with nature and learn where their food is grown. Cooking classes and farm dinners are regularly hosted using the farm’s hyper-local harvest. Amidst high-tech times, Serenbe Farms has carved out space for people to get back to basics, find community, and foster a thriving local food system.

Sign up for the CSA Farm Share, join us for Wednesday Volunteer Days or check our events page for details on workshops, kids programming, our Plant Sale April 20th and weekly farm tours at serenbefarms.com

Farm Manager Garver Aker taking time off the farm tractor.

TIME TO BE A KID Nature Inspires at Camp Serenbe

From Minecraft sessions to online lessons and TV time, kids are inundated with technology in their daily lives. Yet a rich body of research shows that children can reap real benefits, including physical health, social-emotional mental health, cognition and academic learning, from spending more time in nature. “Studies have found that for young adults, the more nature they experience, the more life satisfaction they feel daily. In short, time in nature heals,” said Richard Louv, author of “Last Child in The Woods,” who coined the term “nature deficit disorder.” Getting kids back to nature in its most simple form is the main goal of Camp Serenbe, which offers seven weeks of summer camp sessions for children ages 3 to 12.

“Camp Serenbe lets them be outside and explore trails, our nearby creek, find bugs, see the horses and more without any fluff or overly organized activities,” said Kara Nygren Adler, owner and founder, who launched the camp in the summer of 2007.

Nyg ren Adler, who grew up at Serenbe and now has two children ages 5 and 7 of her own, started Camp Serenbe to offer the community kids fun activities in the summer. It began with a three-hour weekly Wednesday program for 12 kids and has grown into a true summer-long camp hosting between 80-90 children daily from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. To attend Camp Serenbe, children must be residents, staying at The Inn at Serenbe or in one of the many Serenbe Property Management rentals with their family.

The most visible benefit of nature on children that Nygren Adler has noticed is its calming effect. “Nature has a soothing quality. Our campers don’t know that they are relaxing, but we see them immersing themselves into its peacefulness and finding a sense of calm that they may not always experience with life’s ‘go, go, go’ nonstop schedules and activities,” she said.

On any given week, around 18 counselor guides oversee the camp activities that vary based on age group. Though everyone gets some freedom to run around and explore, the 3 to 4-year-olds participate in more structured activities, such as animal feedings, scavenger hunts and hayrides; the group with ages 5 to 7 add on nature walks, archery, and canoe trips; and the older campers, 8 to 12-year-olds, have the opportunity to do longer hikes, build a campsite and many more summer activities.

“We give kids time to slow down and enjoy the outdoors,” said Nygren Adler, who has a degree in psychology and previously taught ages 3 to 6 at the original Montessori school at Serenbe.

In addition to the traditional camp, there are three enrichment camps offered in summer 2024: horseback riding, art, and cooking and farming.The riding camp teaches 8 to 12-year-olds beginner riding skills along with the basics of taking care of horses and preparing them for a ride. The art camp (for ages 4 to 12) focuses on learning an age-appropriate mixture of art mediums, including arts and crafts projects using items from the surrounding woods and trails. As for the cooking and farming, campers (ages 5 to 12) have the chance to spend time at Serenbe’s organic farm followed by cooking meals and snacks with the harvested seasonal produce.

“Many families who live in the community like to come for multiple weeks or even the whole summer. The enrichment camps give them more options. If it’s anyone’s first time, I always recommend the traditional camp first,” said Nygren Adler.

Camp registration is OPEN. New families will receive an email notification once they book accommodations at the Inn or through Serenbe Property Management and residents can access the registration portal through the weekly Serenbe HOA Newsletter. The first week of camp is the week of June 10 and there are six weeks of camp available this summer. Visit campserenbe.com for more details. Visit The Inn at serenbeinn.com or serenbevacationrental.com to book camp vacation rentals..

NATURE’S RENAISSANCE

Wildflower Meadow Restoration Project Springs Forward

The iconic Serenbe Wildflower Meadow, located between The Inn at Serenbe and the community, served as the catalyst for the community’s creation. Founder Steve Nygren’s initial concern about sprawl in the Chattahoochee Hills area led to the preservation of this meadow, which has since become a cherished open space with a nature trail system and artworks enjoyed by Serenbe residents and the broader community alike. Now, 20 years later, a 13-acre section of this beloved meadow, which at one time was a hay field and a propeller plane landing strip, is undergoing an extraordinary transformation. The meadow will be revitalized into a vibrant and sustainable habitat for native pollinators and wildlife, an undertaking shepherded by Art Farm at Serenbe’s Environment Council in partnership with federal, state and local conservation groups. The Environment Council is the environmental-steward arm of the nonprofit Art Farm that brings thoughtful arts and cultural programming to the community.

Why does the meadow need restoration? Many former native meadows are currently dominated by non-native species, such as Bermuda grass and fescue, which outcompete native plants like the georgia aster and provide no value to pollinator species like the monarch butterfly. “Most people don’t realize that native grassland and meadow habitats are one of the most threatened ecosystems across the Southeast. The majority of open meadows in Georgia, especially around metro Atlanta, have been negatively impacted by development, agriculture, and invading exotic plant species,” said Thomas Peters, Serenbe landscape and natural resources director and Art Farm Environment Council member, who is leading the implementation of the meadow restoration.

A for mal land use agreement has been executed with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for guidance and assistance in managing the project for a period of 10 years.The agencies and nonprofits collaborating on the project also include the Southeastern Grasslands Institute, State Botanical Garden of Georgia, Quail Forever and the Bobwhite Quail Initiative.

“The wildflower meadow restoration checks all mission boxes of the Art Farm, which is the caretaker of land placed in conservation within Serenbe.We want to leave the community we serve better than we found it. We also want to be the spark that lights a torch that others carry forward beyond Serenbe,” said Robert W. Kirsch, Art Farm treasurer and Environment Council chair.

After spending a couple of years conceptualizing and planning the project with partners, it officially launched in fall 2023 with the Bobwhite Quail Initiative habitat restoration team taking steps to manage invasive plant species across the project area and prepare the site for sowing seed this spring. Before seed is sown, a prescribed burn in March prepared the ground for a mix of native grass species. These come from 1,500 bales of seed-impregnated hay from Walter Bland of Rock Springs Restoration’s fields in North Georgia and will be distributed across the meadow by volunteer members of the Serenbe community this spring. The restoration will continue to unfold in phases over the next 18 months.

“The hay seeds are the foundation of a plant community that will be augmented with additional species acquired from our partners over time. Every spring, the Art Farm plans on engaging partners and volunteers to monitor progress and plant additional materials until the site has become completely stable,” said Peters. These periods of succession are important to establish a healthy, regenerative ecology.

Kir sch added, “Community involvement is an integral part of this project, with volunteers participating in significant ways.”

When the project is complete in 2025, the Serenbe Wildflower Meadow will stand as the largest pollinator restoration project in Chattahoochee Hills and the surrounding area, further supporting the Chattahoochee Hills Bee City designation, a project that was also catalyzed by the Art Farm Environmental Council. Additionally, it will be a safeguarding site for the threatened Georgia aster.

Once restored, the meadow will also serve as a donor stock site for the Georgia Native Seed Network, a new statewide initiative being led by the University of Georgia’s State Botanical Garden in collaboration with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This means, as Peters explained, that native grass and forb (herbaceous flower plant) seed will be collected from the meadow and used for other habitat restoration projects within the Southeast. The site, along with others around the state, will serve as a bank of native seed that can be used in the rehabilitation of other natural areas degraded by stressors such as invasive exotic plant species, climate change, agricultural exploitation and deforestation.. The meadow restoration partners envision expanding these environmental efforts into other projects throughout Chattahoochee Hills, including discussions with the Parks Commission regarding the city’s parks and potential collaboration with other private landowners.

The Art Farm plans to host internationally acclaimed landscape designer Mary Reynolds, who advocates for landscapes that support native plants and wildlife, for a weekend of events at Serenbe. “There’s a harmony between our work and what Mary is doing. She is a great person to spread awareness of this movement and teach us how we can all engage in micro restorations of our own, even in a small section of our lawns,” said Kirsch.

“It’s exciting to think that everywhere from the backyards of our neighbors and parks in the Chattahoochee Hills community to other greenspaces in Georgia hundreds of miles away could soon be growing wildflowers from Serenbe seeds and bringing the Art Farm’s large-scale vision of environmental stewardship to life,” said Kirsch.

Follow Art Farm on social media @artfarmserenbe and visit artfarmatserenbe.org for more information and to get involved. Learn more about the Wildflower Meadow restoration project on the Serenbe Stories podcast, Season 10, with Thomas Peters and Rob Kirsch. Available on Apple, Spotify, and all your favorite places to listen to podcasts.

WEDDINGS

The historic Inn at Serenbe has been a memorable wedding backdrop for more than 20 years, and we are sharing a few of our favorite images of those priceless moments. Our first wedding was even featured in Martha Stewart Weddings

Photo credits: Garter and Whiskey Photography Madeleine B Photography Laura Stone Sarah Joy Photo Rachel Pourchier Photography Our Labor of Love Sarah Joy Photo

SERENE GETAWAYS A Package for Every Occasion

Nestled in lush forests and rolling hills, The Inn at Serenbe is an upscale country inn that offers a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. With its luxurious accommodations, farm-to-table dining, access to a rejuvenating day spa, and plenty of outdoor activities, The Inn provides a variety of packages tailored to help guests relax, reconnect, and recharge during their stay.

For those seeking skincare and sustenance from the land, the Farm to Facial package includes an overnight stay with a guided tour of Serenbe Farms, focusing on harvesting fresh organic produce and learning about regenerative techniques. Guests can then indulge in a customized spa facial using natural and organic ingredients. The experience is topped off with bubbly cocktails and artisan bites while unwinding on The Farmhouse wrap porch.The package also includes a $100 credit towards a farm-to-table dinner at Serenbe’s renowned Farmhouse restaurant.

Adventurous pairs can opt for the Star Gazing package, which features overnight accommodations, a 5-course tasting menu full of regional ingredients, and a bonfire complete with s’mores and drinks. Then it’s time to gaze upwards for a truly memorable stargazing experience courtesy of an expert astronomer guide. Wake up the next morning to a delightful breakfast in bed paired with mimosas.

In addition to its regular packages, The Inn offers specially themed Holiday packages for occasions like Valentine’s Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. The Cheer & Warmth Holiday Package for example, includes classic holiday activities like cookie decorating along with cozy amenities like hot toddies, late check-out, holiday movies under plush blankets, and more.

Guests can fur ther customize any getaway package by extending their stay, adding spa treatments like therapeutic massages, partaking in wellness activities like yoga or a labyrinth walk, requesting pool butler service, and making reservations at Serenbe’s restaurants. The Concierge team is delighted to help tailor each stay to match visitors’ unique interests and rejuvenation needs.

With its beautiful natural setting and wealth of amenities, The Inn at Serenbe makes it blissfully easy to retreat from the outside world for a while. Their variety of creative and flexible overnight packages ensures you can find the perfect fit based on your reasons for seeking escape or rejuvenation. Whether you crave a quick weekend escape, immersive relaxation, romance, outdoor adventure, holiday magic, special celebrations with friends and family, or simply more time together, The Inn at Serenbe can accommodate with style, charm, and warmth.

Choose the perfect package at The Inn at Serenbe, see all offers, and book your stay at serenbeinn.com or call 770.463.2610

Top: Guests enjoy our fully stocked bonfire is located near the Lake Pavilion. S’more packets are available for purchase. Bottom L to R: One of our Main House room’s window seats makes a great reading nook with views of the garden. The Inn Lake offers tranquil waters and beautiful scenery, perfect for a relaxing row in nature. The Spa offers multiple relaxation lounges, an extensive menu of services, a sauna, a steam room, and more.

SERENBE IN THE NEWS

Landscape Architecture

Room to Grow: Neighborhoods Built Around Community Farms Are on The Rise

Many (of the homes) have front porches and verandas to invite conversations with neighbors, and rear outdoor spaces to open trails and natural spaces.

Architectural Digest

23 Design-Forward Range Hood Ideas for Your Kitchen

A key aspect of this home’s design was to bring in the outdoors by using tall windows and wood materials. Lucy Aiken-Johnson of Ai3 notes the kitchen was no exception.

Luxe Interiors + Design

Women’s Wear Daily

Home Is Where Wellness Is Health and well-being-focused residential communities are driving emerging real estate projects. As consumers become increasingly health-conscious, residential wellness communities are gaining traction among developers and traditional hospitality brands.

Have Your Fill Of R&R At This Newly Upgraded Georgian Spa

The pioneering Georgia community centered around wellness, luxury and sustainability recently debuted major upgrades to its signature Spa at Serenbe—nearly doubling its footprint while adding four new treatment rooms, a private couple’s lounge and more.

Harper’s Bazaar

Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles

A Fresh Approach

An innovator when it comes to wellness and biophilic design, Serenbe will soon redefine senior living with a planned aging-in-place campus.

Urbanize Atlanta

Serenbe Pushes Farmette Concept as Agrarian Getaway Metro Atlanta’s original farming- meets-walkability utopia is offering new options for buyers who fancy big-city accessibility and agriculture—if not livestock.

Escape: Back to The Land Serenbe: Sustainability no longer suffices in the most forward thinking corners of the hospitality world. Last year they started a project to transform 13 acres of a former hay field into a meadow of native wildflowers.

Apartment Therapy

A Study in How to Make Black-andWhite Feel Warm

The booming new construction growth tucked into natural surroundings less than an hour from the city of Atlanta make Serenbe unique and special.

Southern Living

The Best Weekend Getaways In Georgia

Serenbe: Visitors can participate in horseback riding, hiking, biking, yoga and more. Enjoy their recently expanded spa as well as high end dining at The Farmhouse, one of Atlanta’s first farm-to-table eateries.

Models are professionally decorated; one sits on Mado Pond and the other is located on Lupo Loop. Each has great outdoor spaces, and both have tons of natural light.

LOTS TO LOVE

Stylish New Model Homes Open in Mado

Who doesn’t enjoy a home tour? Whether you’re in the market for a house or just like to see what’s new and notable, it’s always fun to be inspired by model home interiors. Did you know Serenbe has model homes that are available for viewing? Currently, there are two new construction and furnished models to explore in the Mado Hamlet neighborhood.

One of Serenbe’s available model homes is a 2,545-square-foot townhouse that sits on Lot 520 on Lupo Loop. Built by 10/23 Construction, which specializes in green, energy-efficient EarthCraft homes, this incredible home features three front porch spaces with views overlooking treetops to fully relish in al fresco lounging. The floor-to-ceiling windows further bring the outdoors in and offer beautiful natural light in the spacious, open-concept living and dining areas as well as three bedrooms on the upper level. Luxurious conveniences include a two-car garage and elevator shaft. Plus, interior staging by award-winning Atlanta-based designer Sarah Bowman, allows potential buyers to fully envision what their own thoughtfully designed rooms could look like.

The other available model home is on Lot 454 and overlooks the serene Mado Pond. This stunning, three-story single-family abode was built by McKinney Builders, which boasts more than 50 years of experience building beautiful homes in the southern crescent of greater Atlanta. Tons of natural light sweeps in from expansive windows across all four sides of the home that features three bedrooms, an open-concept kitchen and living room and an expansive, private outdoor patio on the top floor for entertaining or enjoying family time. Sheryl Beveridge lent her interior design expertise to outfitting this model home with comfortable and modern furnishings and fixtures.

Serenbe homes have been covered in numerous local and national publications, and the community has also hosted many designer showhomes, including the annual Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles Serenbe Designer Showhouse since 2014. Additional accolades include hosting the Cooking Light Healthy House and the HGTV Green Home. Plus, the community has partnered with Ballard Designs on the Bosch Net Zero Home and another model that won a Department of Energy Zero Energy Award as the Proud Green Home.

What’s more, stay tuned for three additional model homes coming soon: Lot 587 on Lupo Loop by Vincent Longo Custom Builders in partnership with RUE magazine, Lot 565 built by Brightwater Homes on Serenbe Lane in Mado and Lot 720 in the Overlook neighborhood built by South Haven Builders. Model Homes are open to tour every Saturday 11 am to 3 pm and by appointment with Serenbe Real Estate. Sign up for tours, appointments and learn more at serenberealestate.com.

Models are open for self-guided tours and by appointment through Serenbe Real Estate. Reserve a tour date, book an appointment with an agent, and learn more serenberealestate.com

APRIL

UPCOMING EVENTS

SUNDAYS

Wine Flights

1:30 & 3:30pm, The Wine Shop $ 3

Sustainability Saturday: Tire Day 10am-5pm, Amplify Your Ride

31

Sustainability Saturday: Battery Day 10am-5pm, Amplify Your Ride

SEPTEMBER

WEDNESDAYS

Farm Volunteer Day 10am & 2pm, Serenbe Farms

FRIDAYS

Live Music On The Porch

The Farmhouse $

SATURDAYS

Farmers Market

Grange

Goat Yoga

$

Wine Flights

1:30 & 3:30pm, The Wine Shop $ Farm Tour

Wine Flights

1:30 & 3:30pm, The Wine Shop $

Sustainability

27-OCT 20

Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles Serenbe Designer Showhouse Tours Thursday-Sunday 10am-4pm, Overlook $ 28

Sustainability Saturday: Battery Day 10am-5pm, Amplify Your Ride

Scan

1:30 & 3:30pm, The Wine Shop $

Farm Tour 3pm, Serenbe Farms $

SERENBE REAL ESTATE

1180 Lupo Loop, L507

South Haven Builders

Sitting atop the Mado Hillside, this 2 bedroom, 2 bath home enjoys a private balcony. Open plan living expands out to a garden patio and a main-level flex room can be used as an office or for guests.

1285 Mado Loop, L438

Brightwater Homes

Centrally

Whether

1171 Lupo Loop, L583

Vincent Longo Custom Builders

Stunning and

11566 Serenbe Lane, L727 McKinney Builders

11509 Serenbe Lane, L713

South Haven Builders

Main level with open living/dining area looking out on the street through a beautiful bay window, with a kitchen. All bedrooms upstairs, including a sizeable primary suite, along with loft living and laundry.

1200 Lupo Loop, L573

Simply Southern Homes

Classic

Make Your Dream of Living at Serenbe a Reality