A free spirit with a warm personality, Cheri Heringer is a beloved member of the Suwanee community who has many talents and artistic ambitions. In fact, she serves on the Suwanee Public Arts Commission and is the Vice President of the Suwanee Arts Center, where she still regularly participates in art exhibitions. We recently caught up with Cherie to learn more about her and what she loves most about her community.
What inspired you or led you to your current career?
As young as I can remember I was involved in artistic endeavors like choir, band, orchestra, theater, photography, writing, and now, art. In college I was a voice major for a while, but ultimately got my degree in Communications/Advertising. I was also a member of the University of Tennessee Concert Choir and the UT Singers — an ambassador group representing UT. We traveled weekly and performed show-type music with choreography. It was such a blast! But once my kids came along, I realized how passionate I was about passing along creativity and exposing them to as many artistic opportunities as possible. This passion is what led me to Perimeter Academy of the Arts, where I was the director for about 10 years. Both of my children have artistic bents — my son is a singer/songwriter and my daughter danced for 15 years and has her hands in a lot of artistic stuff. Both pursue many artforms for pleasure.
What is your favorite restaurant in Suwanee and what do you love there?
It’s hard to beat Ippolito’s and those amazing desserts!
How long have you worked or lived in Suwanee?
I moved here in 2007 from Alpharetta.
What has kept you here?
It is the best place we have ever lived. It’s friendly, innovative, culturally diverse, and the city is always striving to do something new. We love it here.
Tell me about your family.
My husband, Tony, and I have two adult kids, Travis (30) and Abby (28), and a Schnauzer who my daughter describes as the monster who made her a middle child! Nothing will ever come close to how much I love these people!
Who is the most interesting person you’ve met in Suwanee?
Although there are so many I could choose from, I’m going to give a shoutout to Abby Wilkerson, PIO at the City of Suwanee. She can pull off going to a black-tie event, looking amazing, then turn around and land a deer with her mad shotgun skills. She is seriously a Renaissance woman who is as funny as she is serious — especially about correct grammar.
If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
This is hard to narrow down, but I wouldn’t turn down a trip to the Amalfi Coast.
What is the first movie you remember seeing in a theater?
The Sound of Music
What advice would you give a crowd of people?
Love your family and cherish your friends.
What is something on your bucket list?
I want to visit all the states in the U.S. — I have five left to visit! I’ve been to six countries and intend to see more.
What is your favorite music? Name three bands you would like to see.
I’m on a jazz kick right now. I just enjoy listening to it and locally, Carol Albert is amazing. I’d go see Harry Styles, Michael Bublé or Josh Groban.
What local business makes you the most nostalgic about Suwanee?
Old Town and Pierce’s Corner
Choose anyone (past or present) with whom you would love to have lunch.
This question always trips me up. I would want to have free reign to pick the brains of those who have seen so much history. FDR comes to mind. He served as president for four terms and saw so much at that time, including WWII and the Depression, and he did it from a wheelchair. I’d also choose George and Laura Bush. Their family has given so much to public service and I’d also like to hear more about the deepest parts of 9/11 from their perspective, unfiltered.
What is your favorite thing about Suwanee?
Besides the people and the public art, we make a lot of use of the greenways.
Would you rather speak to a crowd of 500 or sing to a crowd of 50?
Well, I’ve sung for a crowd of 50 so I’ll say a crowd of 500.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Still traveling and painting.
What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I met my husband in Papua New Guinea on a medical mission trip in a remote area of the PNG Highlands Region. This was my first trip out of the country, and we were seriously out in the jungle and among remote tribes. We even met some former cannibals! We got to know some of the nationals, taught in their school on the mission, learned to accept that people sometimes just carry around a chicken, the red stuff on teeth that looks like blood is really beetle nut, experienced the Southern constellations — the Southern Cross — and saw skies with more stars than you can imagine. Out in a jungle you’re fairly stripped of your creature comforts and social props, so we got to know each other on a really basic level. Upon return I was relieved that I didn’t feel called to go be a fulltime missionary in the jungle and my senses were acutely aware of how fast things move here, the nonstop noises we don’t even think about, and a much greater appreciation of what we have in our country. I’ve never taken that for granted again.
