A Look Back At Spirits of the South - Halloween Dinner Hosted by ThirdFire Foundation
On October 11, we gathered inside the historic Bell Tower at Oakland Cemetery for Spirits of the South, the final dinner in ThirdFire’s 2026 public dinner series. The evening brought together Southern folklore, handcrafted art, Gullah Geechee-inspired cuisine, history, and community in a setting unlike any other.
From the pieces created specifically for the table to the stories shared across it, the night was a reminder of what can happen when artists, creative partners, and community come together around one experience. To everyone who joined us, thank you for pulling up a chair and being part of it.
Featured Artist: Molly O’Shaughnessy @mollymakescritters | mollymakescritters.com
Created exclusively for Spirits of the South, Molly’s playful, character-filled pieces brought a slightly spooky personality to the evening while giving guests a chance to experience original art up close. And when dinner ended, the art didn’t stay behind. Each guest left with a handcrafted piece by Molly to call their own, carrying a piece of Spirits of the South home with them.
The Menu: Chef Pamela D. Jones Mack @tasteofsatira | tasteofsatira.com
Rooted in her Gullah Geechee heritage and generations of family recipes, Chef Pamela D. Jones Mack of Taste of Satira brought Southern tradition and storytelling to every course. Pamela created a menu that felt right at home around the Spirits of the South table, sharing a little piece of her family’s story with every guest.
The Setting: Oakland Cemetary @oaklandcemetery | oaklandcemetery.com
Surrounded by Atlanta history, Oakland Cemetery provided the perfect setting for an evening inspired by Southern folklore, storytelling, and a few spirits along the way. Guests even had the opportunity to arrive early for a guided tour before gathering inside the historic Bell Tower, adding another layer of history and storytelling to the evening.
Spirits of the South was more than a dinner.
It was a moment of REAL support for local artists.
Proceeds from ThirdFire events are invested back into emerging artists through grants that provide funding for materials, projects, unexpected needs, and new creative opportunities.
Every guest who attends, donor who contributes, and community member who gets involved plays a part in making those resources possible and keeping creativity moving forward.
Four Dinners. One Incredible Year.
From Ignite the Night and Freshly Fired to Embers of Summer and Spirits of the South, each dinner brought something completely different to the ThirdFire table. To every featured artist who shared their work, creative partner who brought these evenings to life, and guest who pulled up a chair, thank you for being part of our 2026 dinner series.
Four dinners, countless creative moments, and a community that continues to grow around the artists at the heart of ThirdFire. We’re grateful you were part of it.
Click Welcome Flyers to View Recap Photos of Events
Ignite the Night - Valentine’s Dinner
Featured Artist: Christina Kosinski
Featured Chef: Samuel Scott
Freshly Fired - Spring Awakening Dinner
Featured Artist: Daphne Dail
Featured Chef: Canoe ATL
Embers of Summer - Midsummer Dinner
Featured Artist: Yousef Bushehri
Website
Featured Chef: Wellington Onyenwe
Spirits of the South - Halloween Dinner
Featured Artist: Molly O'Shaughnessy
Featured Chef: Pamela D. Jones Mack
Want A Closer Look At What’s Next?
There’s still another opportunity to gather with ThirdFire in 2026.
Through ThirdFire sponsorship, partners can join us at the upcoming Foundation Advisors Dinner, where we’ll celebrate this year’s artists and offer an exclusive first look at the featured artists and new event experiences taking shape for 2027.
It’s an opportunity to connect more closely with ThirdFire’s creative community while investing in the artists and programs at the heart of our mission.
Learn More About Becoming a Sponsor
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What's In Store for ThirdFire In 2027??
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What's In Store for ThirdFire In 2027?? -
The 2026 dinner series may be complete, but there’s plenty more taking shape at ThirdFire. In 2027, we’re bringing more artists, new event experiences, grant opportunities, and new ways to connect with the creative community we’re building.
We can’t wait to introduce you to the artists and ideas coming next. Stay tuned, and make sure you’re subscribed to be among the first to know what’s ahead.