“I no longer desire to build and live in a castle for I have walked through the grandest cathedral of all- these precious mountains that are my home,” said Michael Rogers. For 30 years he has been a watercolor artist, graphic designer, photographer and motivational speaker. A commercial art graduate of Southwestern Community College, Michael designed the first Friends of the Smokies car tag for the State of North Carolina which raised more than $1 million for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. His work has sold nationally, appeared in national magazines and on television. He showcases his work at his gallery in Franklin. His company, Share the Beauty, is dedicated to the education, promotion and preservation of our national forests, natural resources and regional history. “My newest project is a series of DVD movies featuring many of Macon County’s local landmarks and regional history,” said Michael, adding, “It was Southwestern Community College that provided me the skills for my lifelong pursuit of expressing creativity.”