Laura Buchanan McElroy is a lifelong Alabamian, born and raised in Florence, Alabama, on Wilson Lake. The Shoals – are in her blood, the water, the hills, the music. Her grandfather, Henry C. Nichols, Sr. worked with the Corp of Engineers building Wilson Dam, and her father Henry C. Nichols Jr. was a career musician and high school Band Director in Florence. Her mother, Shirley Nichols, managed TVA’s Research Library for chemists and engineers for over 30 years and was very active in the Alabama Library System.
She earned BFA from Auburn University with a concentration in graphic design and a minor in Art History before studying in London at The Royal College of Fine Arts, Kensington. After college she worked in corporate marketing, publishing, advertising, and fashion retail marketing (Parisian) in Birmingham and Tuscaloosa. She has done extensive publishing projects for the University of Alabama. Even though she’s an Auburn grad, she is proud to work with UA, and tell their stories. Previously, she was the creative director for Birmingham magazine and loved curating stunning photography and content that included central Alabama and beyond. She’s also had the chance to work with so many talented and creative writers, photographers, stylists, and chefs across the state and beyond.
Based in Birmingham, Laura is an artist, passionate gardener, floral designer, and history buff. She relishes making Alabama look good, for all our struggles, we are an amazing state with fascinating stories to tell, and wonderful promise.
