We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Orran Scruggs a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Orran thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

One of the most meaningful projects I’ve worked on, and continue to be involved with, is Aunt Katie’s Community Garden in Dothan, Alabama. My journey with the garden began about four years ago when the director, Mr. Jackson, faced health issues and sought my assistance. At the time, I had just started working from home and was initially hesitant about committing to a regular schedule again. However, I decided to give it a try.

I leveraged my marketing and graphic design skills to enhance the garden’s social media presence, create signage, and improve the branding of its products. As my involvement grew, I combined my passion for culinary arts with the garden’s offerings, developing several popular products. Among these are hot sauces (red and verde), pesto, lip balm, hibiscus tea, and orange & turmeric shots. Seeing the community’s positive response to these high-quality, value-added products has been incredibly rewarding.

Aunt Katie’s Community Garden holds a special place in my heart. Located in the Baptist Bottom, an underserved area that was once a thriving African American community, the garden serves as a vital resource and source of pride for the local community. Its significant impact on the neighborhood and the city at large makes me proud to contribute to its ongoing success.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am Orran Scruggs, a classically trained artist born in Huntsville, AL. I attended Alabama A&M University in Normal, AL, where I studied Commercial Art and Advertising/Print Management. During my studies, I developed a passion for figure drawing, oil painting, ceramics, and photography. These skills have sustained me throughout my career as an illustrator, painter, and graphic designer.

With over 25 years of experience in graphic design, I have managed several publications and established myself as a successful freelance artist. In the past four years, I have also become deeply involved in my community as the Deputy Director of Aunt Katie’s Community Garden in Dothan, AL. Becoming a Master Gardener has enriched my life and enabled me to serve my community more effectively.

Three years ago, I discovered a new medium for expressing my artistic abilities: carving wooden spoons and utensils. This led to the creation of my wooden utensil brand, “The MaeLou Collection.” This endeavor has provided me with supplemental income and allowed me to share my handcrafted works with the world. The positive reception from the public has been immensely gratifying, and I find great joy in creating these pieces.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

After starting at the garden, I gained insights into the workings of non-profits and discovered that a significant portion of funding comes from grants. This realization led me to delve into the intricacies of grant writing and develop my skills in this area. So far, I have successfully written two grants to support my artistic endeavors. These grants have enabled me to complete two art projects, and I am currently working on securing additional funding through more grants. I only wish I had discovered the world of grant writing earlier in my career, as I am confident I could have secured more funding for my projects.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

I live by the mantra “Create Every Day.” I strive to make something daily, whether it’s carving a spoon, planting seeds, or even just doing a quick sketch. Today, for example, I made jars of fresh basil pesto, which definitely counts as creating. This mantra drives me to use my creativity each day. While I may not always succeed in making something every single day, I always give it my best effort.

Another guiding principle I hold is “If I can do it, you can too.” As a left-handed person, I often struggled growing up because it was challenging to find help with left-handed activities. This required me to work harder at sports, schoolwork, and daily tasks. Over time, I developed a knack for teaching and a sensitivity to others’ learning needs. This has made me an effective teacher in various disciplines, including art, gardening, screen printing, cooking, and woodworking. It’s incredibly gratifying to see students grasp new skills and flourish.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @orrangeman
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/orran.scruggs
• Other: https://www.facebook.com/AuntKatiesCommunityGarden/