On the Corner of East Main and Jefferson

Peggy and John Petrey carve a new second-career path and provide depth to the art movement in Chattanooga.
Story by Debroah Petticord
Photography courtesy of Petrey Studio and by Debroah Petticord.

In recent years, Chattanooga has attracted the attention of many new artists who have moved into town and reclaimed entire neighborhoods for their living and working spaces. Some are even second-career couples embarking on new life journeys. Peggy and John Petrey recently moved from Florida to be away from the dense population and rising cost of living.

The couple first looked at relocating in San Diego, since John grew up in California, it seemed like home. But finding affordable studio space in a state with just as many problems as the one they were leaving wasn't in the cards. They were drawn to Santa Fe, New Mexico, home to hundreds of artists. There they found a beautiful nine-acre property in a development in the basin where Peggy says "there were lots of other artists." However, the developer insisted on a six-month build out deadline. With their workloads and John's parents to relocate, the timeline...