SET is a publication of Listerhill
VOLUME 02 ISSUE 04 APRIL 2014
WHAT’S UP DOC?
TAKE A PICTURE IT WILL LAST LONGER
A LATTE OF ART
2 TABLE OF CONTENTS
SET isn’t just a magazine looking for people to share their 2 cents. It is entirely comprised of content provided by the 15 - 29 year olds of our community. No one else writes the articles, no one takes the pictures and no one else decides what runs. That’s why we need you. Attend our next editorial meeting, drop us a line or send us an idea for your story. We want your photography, art and music. Get on SET’s team.
getsetmag.com/contribute
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APRIL 2014
APRIL 2014
TABLE OF CONTENTS 3
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THE CREATIVE PROCESS SOMETIMES MEANS TAKING A STEP BACK AND HAVING A SECOND LOOK… LIFE, LOVE AND FASHION, P11 FEEDBACK
LETTER
LET’S HEAR IT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
FROM THE EDITOR
ARTSY APPS CREATIVITY. THERE’S AN APP FOR THAT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
IT’S ETSY AS PIE TIPS FOR MAKING MONEY ON ETSY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
THE CREATIVE COMMUNITY You’ve just picked up our second Art and Design issue! We were so happy with what we published last year that we knew we would have to keep it going for 2014. As I’ve said many times before, I am so proud of the people who live in this area of northwest Alabama and south central Tennessee. There is an abundance of creative minds constantly at work to better these communities, whether it’s spray painting a mural on the side of a building, raising money so the community will have a cool place to watch films or making a beautiful piece of work using chalk on the sidewalk. When some people think of artists, they usually just roll their eyes and imagine a kid with dreads who does nothing but sketch silly pictures all day. But that’s just not the case. The creatives are the ones who see a need in their community and come together to figure out the best way to meet that need. I’ve seen this happen multiple times and it just swells my heart with pride. These people not only do good for their community, but by doing it they encourage other people to take action. This issue is full of instances of this very thing. So I hope as you’re looking through this issue of SET you’re not only informed and entertained, but you’re inspired to look at your community with new eyes. Who knows, maybe you’ll be the next person to give your community something new and amazing that it’s needed for years! There are a lot of business we know of around town but don’t know
GIVING HOPE A HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR DETERMINED TO HELP. . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
ONE STORY HELPING STUDENTS OVERCOME STRUGGLES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
LIFE, LOVE AND FASHION WORKING FOR BILLY REID AND ALABAMA CHANIN. . . . . . . . . 11-13
CALENDAR WHAT’S GOING ON HERE? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-15 much about. So from Heavy Color to Bohemian Bop, Alabama Chanin to Billy Reid, we’re here to give you a look into their day to day processes and help you get to know just a fraction of the creative minds that make up the communities. If this is your first time to pick up SET — or maybe you need a refresher of what we’re all about — we are a collaborative publication by and for young people. So what does that even mean? It means that all of the content, from articles to illustrations, comes from our contributors! This entire magazine is exactly what it is because our contributors made it that way. Does that sound like something you want to be a part of? Don’t be afraid to ask! There’s always room for you in these pages. From writers to photographers, we love adding new contributors into the mix. Just shoot an email to editor@getsetmag.com and we’ll get you started. I hope you enjoy this issue as much as I’ve enjoyed putting it together.
A TRIO IN PRINT THE ART OF SCREEN PRINTING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
COMING TO A THEATRE NEAR YOU FILM SCREENING AT THE SHOALS THEATRE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
SPOTLIGHT SET READERS IN ACTION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20-23
ARTISTIC + MUSIC THE ARTISTIC BENEFITS OF MUSIC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
GOING TO THE BIG SCREEN FILMMAKERS PURSUE THEIR DOCUMENTARIAN DREAMS. . . . . 25
DYING ART DO FILM AND DARKROOMS STILL HAVE A PLACE. . . . . . . . . . . 26
CROSSIN TEES & BOPPIN’ STYLE A SMALL TOWN GIRL CREATED DOWN-TO-EARTH FASHION. . . . 27
I LIKE IT A LATTE LATTE ART IS TAKING OVER. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
THE GIFT OF CHALK FLEETING WORKS OF ART IN COLUMBIA, TN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Happy reading!
FREESTYLE BY LINLEY MOBLEY, EDITOR
SET is a publication by and for local young people dedicated to lifestyle, finance, technology and community. It is published by Listerhill Credit Union as
part of its ongoing mission to promote the credit union philosophy of cooperation and financial literacy. It is a platform for 15-20 somethings in the community and it is free.
ONE FINAL THOUGHT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
CONNECT WITH SET MAILING ADDRESS:
P.O. Box 566 Sheffield, AL 35660
Please take one copy and share it. Listerhill Credit Union is a member-owned, not-for-profit financial cooperative whose purpose is to improve the quality of life for the membership by providing cost effective services to meet their financial needs while maintaining financial soundness and promoting the credit union philosophy.
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4 FEEDBACK & CONTRIBUTORS
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ASHLEY WHITE, @ASHLEY_BLANCO
hill Lister ion of publicat a SET is
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“SET has been really good! The articles have been really interesting & helpful & yes, some real funny (which naturally, I love.) I think the only thing that could make the magazine even better is just capturing more candid moments & showing off the local talents even more (photographers, musicians, artists, etc.) Overall, though, I love seeing a new SET magazine every month.”Text.”
JOHN VEAL, @JOHNHVEAL ? W-WHO LK TA X TAEX PE RT W IT H AN
BAGS YOUR PACKER YT HI NG YOIVU E EV TO SU RV NE ED
STERS KET BU BRACON E CH AN CE . IO N. $1 BI LL
“As someone who wants to travel in the future, I really loved the “20 Places To Visit Before You’re 30” article becasue it showed me places within our own country that I never realized are wonderful places to visit!”
JACKSON TOWNSEND, @JTOWNSENDDDD
CHRISTINA DOROUGH, @FLOMAINSTREET “As a soccer fan and alumni of the UNA soccer team, I really enjoyed this issue of SET. I learned about old and new athletes from the area that made an impact. However, my favorite article was the article about the World Cup 2014 ball. I am thrilled beyond belief about this year’s competition! GO USA! I hope SET will write more articles about the 2014 World Cup.”
“I loved seeing the great athletes that have come from the area. I’m excited to see where the up and coming athletes go with their careers as well!”
CHRISTIAN BAYNES, @JOHANN_ATO “I would like to see maybe a little news, like a “What’s Happening In The World” section.”
SET CONTRIBUTORS CLAIRE STEWART
Vestavia Hills, AL
SHANE PARKER Hartselle, AL
EMILY RUSSELL Killen, AL
KAT FORT
Columbia, TN
ALLIE SOCKWELL
Lawrenceburg, TN
REBECCA LOGSDON Florence, AL
SCARLETT ROBINSON Florence, AL
KALYN MULLIS Hamilton, AL
CALEB BILLINGS Sheffield, AL
RACHEL RUSSELL Leoma, TN
SARAH WALLEY Florence, AL
HANNAH BOYD
Columbia, TN
WILL RHODES Florence, AL
PACE HOLDBROOKS Decatur, AL
SARAH EMERSON Hamilton, AL
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TECH 5
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There are over 900,000 apps available in the App Store.
ARTSY APPS CREATIVITY, THERE’S AN APP FOR THAT Remember life before the iPhone? Yeah, me either. Our pal Steve Jobs changed our lives forever when he answered life’s tough questions with, “There’s an app for that.” There truly is an app for just about everything, including our creative ventures. Here are a few artsy apps you will definitely want to try out.
Adobe Ideas: Adobe Ideas is a drawing app that helps get your ideas down in a simple, easy-to-use way. You can utilize the unique colors and brushes to create any image you can imagine. You can even sync those images to your computer to work on them in more detail. Adobe Ideas is the app for fine artists, illustrators, designers and those of us who really enjoy doodling.
your sounds to create an original track. You can even record a live song and edit it with your GarageBand app. Basically, you and your iPhone just put Music Row out of business.
Afterlight: Afterlight is a photo-editing tool that every human should have. With Afterlight you can edit the size of your photos, choose from hundreds of filters and fine-tune every aspect of the coloring in your photos. Afterlight’s easy-to-use photo editing tools will turn you into an Instagram rock star. Becoming an Instagram rock star is what we’re all after in life, right?
Cameo: Cameo is a unique app that can turn any iPhone user into a video editor without the headache that comes with video editing. With Cameo, you can splice video clips together to create a beautiful video in no time. You choose background music from your iTunes library and bam! You just created a professional video. No hours spent using an editing suite necessary. I hope you enjoy your new life as an iPhone artist. Good luck inspiring the masses! Let’s make Steve Jobs proud.
GarageBand: GarageBand is widely known as a music-producing tool for Apple computers. You may be surprised to find that there is a GarageBand app. You can play virtual keyboards, guitars and drums and you can layer
STORY BY KALYN MULLIS
6 MONEY
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Etsy is the most pinned site on Pinterest.
APRIL 2014
The Etsy app had 1M downloads in 4 months.
PHOTO BY SARAH WALLEY
IT’S ETSY AS PIE look at reviews before making a decision. Harris advised to be overly polite and accommodating. “Customers who are treated well are more likely to tell their friends about you and give you repeat business,” he said.
GREAT PICTURES
“Pictures are the single most important part to being a success on Etsy,” said Harris. “Buyers are unable to see your product in person, so you need to take pictures that give a realistic view. Use natural light, take shots of multiple angles and make sure the picture is focused and clean. Great pictures sell products.”
NICK HARRIS HAND CRAFTING UNIQUE LIGHT FIXTURES FOR HIS ETSY STORE.
TIPS FOR MAKING MONEY ON ETSY There are a lot of creative individuals here in the South. Walking around downtown Florence on First Fridays, you get only a sampling of what people are creating and selling. Many of these people would like to make money on these products year-round without the commitment of opening up a storefront. So how can they do that? One word — Etsy (don’t act like you’ve never heard of it). Etsy is an online marketplace where people from around the world go to sell and buy handmade crafts. Over 30 million buyers and businesses make up this online community. In 2013, Etsy had over $1 billion in product sales. Florence resident Nick Harris recently opened an Etsy store called Wildwood Design Co., which focuses on selling vintage light fixtures and furniture. I got to talk with Harris about his store and how he got started. “I’ve been interested in rustic design for years. I started looking at Etsy a few years ago just to get ideas of
Here are a few other tips I found that might help you in your Etsy endeavors.
HAVE A PLAN
If you’re even thinking about opening a store, then you probably know what you want to sell, but think about how you will market yourself and your products. Think about who you want to buy your products and write all of your descriptions as if you’re talking directly to that group of people. Also, your store might stand out more if it has a unique theme.
PRICE IT RIGHT stuff that I could make for my house,” Harris said. “As I [came across] items, I found they weren’t difficult to make. Many of the sellers I looked at had similar stories and had become very successful in selling items they made. So I made a couple of items on my own and started a store.” Harris opened Wildwood Design Co. in July 2013. However, he started getting regular business in September and sold a lot of products through the holiday season. After the holidays were over, Harris had gotten his name out enough to keep business for Wildwood Design Co. steady. Many men and women become so successful selling their crafts on Etsy that they quit their day jobs to do it full time. However, there are many people who start Etsy stores and never become profitable from them
because they’re unsure about how to run their store. I asked Harris to share some of the lessons he’s learned while running his store.
QUALITY PRODUCT
“It’s hard to create a completely unique product these days,” said Harris. “Find a way to make your product stand out so buyers want to pick yours over other sellers.” Customer reviews are extremely important when it comes to selling products online. If you create a quality product that gets good reviews, then customers will continually choose your products over other similar ones.
CUSTOMER SERVICE
Customer service is imperative in any business, especially when you are selling online where potential customers
You should think carefully about how you are going to price your products. Consider how much time and money you spend making your product, compare prices to similar products and research pricing strategies. Pricing correctly is imperative to your success.
DON’T EXPECT MAGIC
Have realistic expectations. Some sellers turn a profit quickly while others may go for months without selling anything. The main thing to remember is that you will get out of it what you put in. The more effort and time you put into making your product and promoting your site, the more you will sell.
STORY BY RACHEL RUSSELL
APRIL 2014
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MONEY 7
8 HERO
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Depression affects 1 in 20 teenagers.
APRIL 2014
A suicide intimately affects at least 6 other people.
GIVING HOPE A HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR DETERMINED TO HELP. Cara Strange is a senior at Brooks High School. Not only is she extremely involved at her school, but she also spends much of her free time doing service work within her community. While a high school student’s average day may be filled with homework and club meetings, Strange feels that she has a lot more to offer those she sees every day. By coming in contact with so many people through clubs and community service, Strange found something that really bothered her — hurting people. She found friends and family members
who were dealing with very difficult emotional problems. “My grandmother had depression most of her life and a close friend of mine struggled with self-harm,” she explained. So she saw a need and wanted to do something to help. Strange, is a devoted follower of a nonprofit organization called To Write Love On Her Arms (TWLOHA), which offers hope and encouragement to people who struggle with thoughts of suicide, depression and self-harm. While browsing their website one day, she came across one of their campaigns called The Storytellers. This two-month campaign is “an initiative for high school students to start a conversation about mental health.” She felt this could be her opportunity to help some of her peers who struggle with these things every day. “Someone needs to let them know
they’re not alone in what they’re struggling with. They need people who understand and want to help,” Strange said. Strange felt strongly about starting the program in her school so that she could show her friends and acquaintances that all of these hard things (addiction, self-harm, depression, suicide, etc.) are OK to talk about and seek help for. While most students in their last semester of high school have come down with the awful disease known all too well as “senioritis,” Strange is determined to do something to help and leave a positive, inspiring mark on her school and community.
STORY BY EMILY RUSSELL
APRIL 2014
NONPROFIT 9
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TWLOHA began as a way for friends to help struggling addict Renee Yohe.
ONE STORY
PARTICIPANTS IN THE STORYTELLER’S 5K RELEASED BALLOONS IN MEMORY OF THOSE THEY’D LOST.
To Write Love on Her Arms is a nonprofit movement dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury, and suicide. TWLOHA exists to encourage, inform, inspire, and invest directly into treatment and recovery. twloha.com twloha.com/storytellers
HELPING STUDENTS OVERCOME STRUGGLES, ONE STORY AT A TIME. Brooks High School student, Cara Strange, had followed To Write Love on Her Arms (TWLOHA) for a while when she discovered their Storytellers program. According to their website, TWLOHA is “a movement dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury and suicide.” “From the start, I knew this would be a program that would call me to step beyond my comfort zone,” Strange said. “My passion for this organization silenced any fear and doubt.” The Storytellers is a two-month student-led campaign that enables high school students to share stories and create awareness about mental health. While Strange’s friends and family were on board, her school’s administration was hesitant about allowing the program. Since the administration didn’t know enough about the organization, many teachers were reluctant to jump on board as advisors. Still, Strange pressed on. “As a student, I saw the need for this program in our school, so I researched. I printed every bit of information I could get my hands on,” said Strange. “After I did this, I took the folder to my vice principal and let her read through
it. A couple of days later, she agreed it was a good idea.” As a required community event, Strange and The Storytellers hosted a 5K/1 mile fun run on Feb. 22. Through the event, Strange raised $716 for The Storytellers campaign. In between races, balloons were released to signify real lives that were taken by treatable diseases and illnesses. Each balloon had an index card with a name, date of birth and date of death written on it. “Each name [belonged to] a friend or a family member and we honored their time here with the release of balloons to let them know they are loved and missed,” Strange said. Currently, The Storytellers are participating in an activity called “Fears vs. Dreams.” Students write down their biggest fear and greatest dream. The purpose of this is to show the students they are not alone and they matter. To get more information on TWLOHA, please visit “TWLOHA” on Facebook and @TWLOHA on Twitter.
STORY BY EMILY RUSSELL
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LIFE, LOVE FASHION
A
PHOTO PROVIDED BY HEATH CERAMICS
s you drive down Court Street in downtown Florence, Alabama, you find yourself mentally listing the many local establishments: The Wine Seller, Pie Factory, Ricatoni’s, Odette, My Favorite Things, Court Street Market and other notable unique Florence locations. But one of the most eye-catching storefronts is undoubtedly that of Billy Reid. With five almost floor-to-ceiling windows making up the facade, you are able to see inside to well-dressed mannequins standing on handmade wooden platforms.
Stepping inside the store, you immediately feel like you’ve just walked into your grandparent’s sitting room. Photos, plants and knickknacks of various kinds pepper the shelves; a buck head is mounted on the wall surrounded by china and antique furniture is arranged around the store while clothes, shoes, bags and other merchandise are placed seamlessly throughout. Bowls of colorful candy and varying refreshments welcome you to make yourself at home while you browse. As you walk around the store and admire the well-crafted items, you are probably completely oblivious to what’s going on just over your head. The
PHOTO PROVIDED BY BILLY REID
A GLIMPSE AT THE SHOALS’ YOUNG CREATIVES WHO WORK AT BILLY REID AND ALABAMA CHANIN.
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office of Billy Reid is teeming with hard work, inspiration and creative minds. From designers to photographers, the second story of the Billy Reid store is full of the team that makes it happen. Something else you probably don’t realize is that about 5 miles away, even more is going on in the world of Billy Reid. The warehouse, which is located in Muscle Shoals, houses and ships all the products that are ordered online as well as merchandise and store supplies to the other nine Billy Reid locations. While the company employs a large number of people of all ages, in Florence it’s true that there are a large number of young people working at the shop and warehouse. But being young is not what it’s all about at Billy Reid. “Being young without a mindset to learn and work hard will not get you very far. Our people seem to be willing to learn and work hard to contribute greatly,” said Billy Reid. When Reid was in his twenties, he was working entry-level jobs just like many of his employees. “[I was] learning the business, contributing to an effort and building my knowledge for the future,” Reid said. Now, after growing, evolving and re-branding Billy Reid for a total of 16 years, Reid is helping the guys that work beside him daily to build their knowledge base and skills in multiple aspects of the fashion world, from photography to e-commerce. “[I’ve learned] to never settle for the average or mediocre and to always push the limits of what we can do and what the consumer should expect,” said Graham Heard, director of e-commerce, who began working at Billy Reid straight out of college. “There is a high caliber work ethic here that is driven by a pride in our local area, as well as a pride in our product,” said Daniel Crisler, an e-commerce fulfillment specialist. Crisler oversees all the orders placed through Billy Reid’s online store, making sure they are filled properly and shipped out on time. He found himself working at Billy Reid after getting to know the staff through their frequent visits to Rivertown Coffee Co., where Crisler was working at the time. By cultivating a relationship and doing a bit of modeling for them here and there, the transition from barista to Billy Reid was very smooth. “There really was not much of a transition. Our company has a [close knit] feel to it. That sense of familiarity helps to maintain that touch of Southern class, comfort and charm we are known for worldwide,” said Crisler. “It’s a really positive and fun work environment, and it’s a huge plus to be doing what I went to school for and what I love,” said studio photographer Fred Mitchell. Mitchell’s role at Billy Reid is to photograph the
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men’s products. He also photographs events that Reid hosts as well as for the Billy Reid Journal. Being on the photography side of things, Mitchell has learned just “how fast-paced it is behind the scenes of the fashion world.” Drew Botts, one of Billy Reid’s graphic artists and textile designers, agreed with Mitchell. “There is always something new and different for me to do. I never expected to be working in fashion so I am always learning something new. A dull day is a rarity.”
APRIL 2014
attention on a global scale,” said Crisler. “Working at Billy Reid has helped reinforce my love for Florence and the Shoals.” “The Shoals has been a creative cultural jewel in our state for decades,” said Reid. “I chose to be here because it was where we wanted to raise our family. Fashion is global and it can be done from anywhere.” Crisler, who was born and raised in the Shoals, can clearly see the importance of having this company in Florence. “Billy Reid truly thrives on what we locals bring to the table.” It is the very fact that the well-known company of Billy Reid is based out of Florence that inspires Graham Heard. “We’re growing an internationally
DREW BOTTS, BRETT BURGESS, FRED MITCHELL, DANIEL CRISLER AND GRAHAM HEARD OF BILLY REID. Botts spends most of his time creating custom in-house prints and fabrics. “This was my first creative job that I worked in an office. It was hard to get used to creating ideas and [pieces of] work with people around. Normally, people only see the final product of my work. I had to get comfortable with my process being out in the open,” he said. It is small feats like Botts’ that make Reid proud of his employees. “[I enjoy] watching them grow and accomplish things that they’ve learned,” said Reid. Although Brett Burgess, one of the warehouse workers, doesn’t work with Billy Reid day-today, he has still been able to learn a great deal from him. “[Billy] seems to have an amazing drive and I love what he does for our community and local music. He’s really good to the Shoals area,” said Burgess. Daniel Crisler agreed with Burgess. “Billy has helped revive an awareness of Shoals talent by hosting events that feature local musicians, chefs, craftsmen and vendors. These events get press and
known business, particularly a high-end fashion retail business, from a place that no would expect it to come from,” said Heard. It is apparent that the common vein connecting these devoted guys is the love for this company and for the Shoals, which is also the very same vein that connects the ladies who work at Alabama Chanin. While Billy Reid is housed within the downtown district of Florence, a short 10-minute drive to the outskirts of industrial park will lead you to another home of fashion design. The headquarters of Alabama Chanin is a white, aluminum, tin-sided building, but don’t be fooled by its exterior — the stern, industrial building houses the creative and inspiring production studio and full service café known as The Factory. Once inside, rows of shelves lined with crisp, colored organic cotton fabrics and local artwork with true Southern appeal welcome guests. The scent of freshly baked chocolate and sea salt cookies from the café wafts around the room as you
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FEATURE 13
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stroll past farm tables of ceramics, local music and beautifully handcrafted garments. Minimum décor is spaced throughout The Factory, but each trinket, whether old or new, offers a hint of Southern charm. Alabama Chanin began in 2000 after Florence native Natalie Chanin, who was living and working in New York City at the time, returned to her hometown to film a documentary, which focused on traditional quilt-making in the South. “I had designed a collection of t-shirts in New York and saw the similarities between the shirts’ aesthetic and heirloom quilts I had grown up with. I struggled to find sewers and seamstresses in New York that had that same hand-sewing skills and
Martin. “Everything we produce is slow. Our fabric is custom dyed (some by hand), then cut by hand in the studio, stenciled by hand, packaged and distributed [by hand] to local artisans who handstitch every garment from applique to beaded embellishment to seam.” Chanin has put together a solid, supportive team — which includes many young, artfully minded ladies of the Shoals — to create her elaborate, one-of-a-kind heirloom pieces, and many members of the company have a vital role in the production of each garment. Production manager Carra-Ellen Russell is one of the many people
CARSON RICHEY, HOPE CARRICO, KASEY MARTIN, PERRI HUBBARD, MAGGIE CRISLER AND ERIN STEPHENSON OF ALABAMA CHANIN. NOT PICTURED: CARRA-ELLEN RUSSELL
craftsmanship, so I gathered the women I had met in Alabama to create the 200 one-of-a-kind t-shirts — a project that eventually led to Alabama Chanin,” Chanin said. “It’s not so much that I chose to move back to the Shoals — I think the Shoals chose me.” The techniques used in constructing the garments at Alabama Chanin have been passed down from previous generations. The intricate, handcrafted details and the time spent on a single piece are what set Alabama Chanin apart from other fashion designers. “Alabama Chanin is built on the [Slow Design movement],” said production coordinator Kasey
who touch each garment. “My day-to-day tasks include actually cutting by hand the garments and DIY kits and preparing them to go to artisans and customers,” she said. “The number one thing I love about my job is that I get to work with my hands and help create beautiful things.” While creating beautiful things is the main part of the job, Chanin also sets an example to live a selfsustaining lifestyle, which is reflected in her work. “We strive toward sustainability at every stage of the manufacturing process – from materials and process to cultural sustainability in the form of preserving hand-sewing skills as a part of important Living Arts,” said Kasey Martin. “We define Living Arts as the important life skills – obtaining food, clothing and shelter – necessary to sustain life for human beings.” Perri Hubbard, the managing editor of the Alabama Chanin Journal, has been able to learn a lot from this main idea that makes up the culture at The Factory. “I am (finally) learning to sew by hand. I have learned to think about where my clothing and
food come from and how I can work to create a more sustainable life for myself and my community.” All the girls, including Chanin herself, agree that they are much more than just a group of coworkers. Having a strong, supportive community at The Factory is both essential to the company’s production process and something the girls value. “Our team members are creating strong relationships that are enhancing our work environment and also enriching their personal lives,” said Chanin. “I am blessed to have the best co-workers,” said graphic designer Maggie Crisler. “It’s amazing to be a part of such a helpful and supportive team.” Hope Carrico, a production staff member, fully agreed with Crisler. “The entire staff here is amazing and I’ve never worked in a better environment,” said Carrico. “[And Natalie] is the most down to earth person I’ve ever met.” Chanin’s charming disposition also allows each of the girls to feel at home with the company and helps strengthen the intimate working environment of The Factory. “I continue to be amazed at the passion (and compassion) that the staff has about the work they are doing here — to help the company, community and our planet,” Chanin said. Though sewing one’s own clothes has been considered a dwindling art for Gen Y, the girls at Alabama Chanin believe the company’s desire to preserve the slow-paced, high-quality Southern designs will inspire other young people to live a more sustainable life. “I’m happy to know that what I do at work can possibly introduce sewing to someone who may have never picked up a needle. It feels like I’m helping to preserve something special,” said Maggie Crisler. Lessons, whether being taught a new stitch or something that can be applied to everyday life, are continuously being learned. “Each day is a new, exciting story — a new challenge to learn from and apply to my life outside The Factory,” said Carson Richey, who manages the retail store and wholesale accounts. “I enjoy that I never have a chance to get comfortable in my position.” “The things I take most to heart are to be true to yourself when making big (or small) decisions, pay attention to the details, and do what you love,” said Erin Stephenson, director of media services and special projects. “The creative process sometimes means taking a step back and having a second look, but that doesn’t mean you should second guess yourself. Have confidence and conviction.” In addition to being a company, Alabama Chanin is definitely a culture of Living Art, community, love and inspiration. Though most 20-somethings move from one job to the next and are in constant search of their niche, the staff at The Factory agrees they have found their home at Alabama Chanin and they’re not planning on moving along anytime soon.
STORY BY REBECCA LOGSDON AND LINLEY MOBLEY
14 CALENDAR
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EVENTS
APRIL 2014
APRIL 3 - APRIL 30 CALENDAR OF EVENTS
WEEZER @ Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN April 5 and 6, 8:00pm
APRIL 3
MULE DAY @ Maury County Park, Columbia, TN UNA TENNIS VS. DELTA STATE @ UNA Tennis Courts, Florence, AL 1:00pm LAUGH UNTIL YOU TURN BLU @ GUC Performance Center, Florence, AL 6:00pm LIVE TRIVIA NIGHT @ La Fuente, Columbia, TN 7:00pm KARAOKE NIGHT @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN 8:00pm
APRIL 4
HORSEBACK RIDING WITH THE OAC @
Shady Grove Dude Ranch, Mentone, AL JAMES D. BRANTLEY EXHIBIT @ Kennedy-Douglass Center for the Art, Florence, AL 9:00am CSCC BASEBALL VS. SOUTHWEST TENNESSEE @ David Hall Baseball Field, Columbia, TN 2:00pm CSCC SOFTBALL VS. DYERSBURG STATE @ Eddie Campbell Softball Field, Columbia, TN 4:00pm WALK-A-MILE IN HER SHOES @ University of North Alabama, Florence, AL 4:00pm EXISTANCE OF GOD DEBATE @ Norton Auditorium, Florence, AL 6:00pm PHOENIX DRIVE @ Puckett’s, Columbia,
TN 8:00pm ALPHA TAU OMEGA’S CAFFEINE HIGH @ 625 N. Locust St., Florence, AL 9:00pm DOGWOOD VANDALS, DANIEL ELIAS & THE EXOTIC DANGERS AND JAY BURGESS @ Pegasus Records, Florence, AL 9:00pm “CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER” RELEASE @ Your Local Theater
APRIL 5
SPRUNG 2014 WITH DJ NATE SLAUGHTER @ Pegasus Records, Florence, AL CSCC BASEBALL VS. SOUTHWEST TENNESSEE @ David Hall Baseball Field,
Columbia, TN 12:00pm CSCC SOFTBALL VS. DYERSBURG STATE @ Eddie Campbell Softball Field, Columbia, TN 12:00pm UNA BASEBALL VS. WEST GEORGIA @ Self Field, Florence, AL 2:00pm UNA SOFTBALL VS. WEST GERGIA @ UNA Softball Field, Florence, AL 4:00pm WEEZER @ Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN 8:00pm STEVIEROCK & THE BLUES CONNECTION @ Gary’s Place, Spring Hill, TN 9:00pm KARAOKE NIGHT @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN 9:30pm SEAN RIVERS @ FloBama, Florence, AL 10:00pm
IF YOU HAVE ANY EVENTS YOU WOULD LIKE LISTED, EMAIL CALENDAR@GETSETMAG.COM
APRIL 6
NCAA 2014 WOMEN’S FINAL FOUR @ Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN UNA BASEBALL VS. WEST GEORGIA @ Self Field, Florence, AL 1:00pm UNA SOFTBALL VS. WEST GEORGIA @ UNA Softball Field, Florence, AL 1:00pm FACULTY RECITAL: DR. MEGHAN MERCIERS (CLARINET) @ UNA Performance Hall, Florence, AL 2:00pm WEEZER @ Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN 8:00pm
APRIL 2014
CALENDAR 15
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APRIL 7
NCAA 2014 WOMEN’S FINAL FOUR @ Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN POKER NIGHT @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN 7:00pm
APRIL 8
NCAA 2014 WOMEN’S FINAL FOUR @ Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN UNA GREEK WEEK KICKOFF PARTY @ UNA Amphitheater, Florence, AL 6:00pm FLORENCE FOODIES @ Legends Steakhouse, Florence, AL 6:30pm FLY FISHING CLINIC @ Outdoor Adventure Center, Florence, AL 7:00pm LIVE TRIVIA NIGHT @ La Fuente, Columbia, TN 7:00pm
APRIL 9
SERVICE SATURDAY @ University of North Alabama, Florence, AL 8:30am UNA GREEK WEEK OLYMPICS @ UNA Practice Field, Florence, AL 10:00am “THE SECRET GARDEN” @ BJCC, Birmingham, AL 2:00pm UNA GREEK WEEK AWARDS CEREMONY @ Florence, AL 6:00pm NASHVILLE PREDATORS VS. CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS @ Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN 7:00pm A PARANORMAL INVESTIGATION @ Rippavilla Plantation, Columbia, TN 7:00pm “THREE MURDERS AND IT’S ONLY MONDAY” @ Shoals Theater, Florence, AL 7:30pm BUCK SIXX @ Puckett’s, Columbia, TN 8:00pm KARAOKE NIGHT @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN 9:30pm
JORDAN DENTON & BARRY BILLINGS @ On the Rocks, Florence, AL UNA GREEK WEEK PROFIT SHARE NIGHT @ Buffalo Wild Wings, Florence, AL 4:00pm POKER NIGHT @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN 7:00pm HORSE FEATHERS @ 116 E Mobile, Florence, AL 8:00pm
APRIL 13
APRIL 10
APRIL 14
LIVE TRIVIA NIGHT @ La Fuente, Columbia, TN 7:00pm NASHVILLE PREDATORS VS. PHOENIX COYOTES @ Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN 7:00pm “THREE MURDERS AND IT’S ONLY MONDAY” @ Shoals Theater, Florence, AL 7:30pm KARAOKE NIGHT @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN 8:00pm
“THREE MURDERS AND IT’S ONLY MONDAY” @ Shoals Theater, Florence, AL 2:00pm MANDISA & BRANDON HEATH WITH LINDSAY MCCAUL @ Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN 7:00pm LIL’ BOOSIE @ BJCC, Birmingham, AL 8:00pm WWE MONDAY NIGHT RAW @ BJCC, Birmingham, AL 6:30pm POKER NIGHT @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN 7:00pm
APRIL 15
FLORENCE FOODIES @ FloBama, Florence, AL 6:30pm LIVE TRIVIA NIGHT @ La Fuente, Columbia, TN 7:00pm SCUBA DIVING CLINIC @ Flowers Hall Pool, Florence, AL 7:00pm APRIL 11 WWE SMACKDOWN @ Bridgestone UNA GREEK WEEK CANNED CASTLES EVENT @ GUC Atrium, Florence, AL 2:00pm Arena, Nashville, TN 7:00pm “THREE MURDERS AND IT’S ONLY MONDAY” @ APRIL 16 Shoals Theater, Florence, AL 7:30pm JEFF WHITLOW & THE OLD BARN BAND JORDAN DENTON & BARRY BILLINGS @ On the Rocks, Florence, AL @ Puckett’s, Columbia, TN 8:00pm ALLEY GHOST, URSA LOCOMODUS & RED UNA BASEBALL VS. MONTEVALLO @ Self Field, Florence, AL 6:00pm MOUTH @ Pegasus Records, Florence, POKER NIGHT @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, AL 9:00pm Spring Hill, TN 7:00pm “RIO 2” RELEASE @ Your Local Theater “DRAFT DAY” RELEASE @ Your Local Theater “HEAVEN IS FOR REAL” RELEASE @ Your Local Theater
APRIL 12
KAYAKING WITH THE OAC @ Cypress Creek, Florence, AL
APRIL 17
CSCC BASEBALL VS. WALTERS STATE
@ David Hall Baseball Field, Columbia, TN 1:00pm LIVE TRIVIA NIGHT @ La Fuente, Columbia, TN 7:00pm BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN @ Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN 7:30pm KARAOKE NIGHT @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN 8:00pm “TRANSCENDENCE” RELEASE @ Your Local Theater
APRIL 20
APRIL 18
APRIL 22
GOOD FRIDAY RECORD STORE DAY NCAA GYMNASTICS: SEMIFINALS @ BJCC, Birmingham, AL UNA TENNIS GULF SOUTH CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT @ Montgomery, AL UNA BASEBALL VS. STILLMAN @ Self Field, Florence, AL 10:30am CSCC BASEBALL VS. WALTERS STATE @ David Hall Baseball Field, Columbia, TN 2:00pm CSCC SOFTBALL VS. CHATTANOOGA STATE @ Eddie Campbell Softball Field, Columbia, TN 4:00pm UNA BASEBALL VS. LANDER @ Self Field, Florence, AL 5:30pm MILEY CYRUS @ Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN 7:30pm NICKEL CREEK AND THE SECRET SISTERS @ Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN 8:00pm THE HAM FAMILY @ Puckett’s, Columbia, TN 8:00pm “A HAUNTED HOUSE 2” RELEASE @ Your Local Theater “BEARS” RELEASE @ Your Local Theater
APRIL 19
UNA TENNIS GULF SOUTH CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT @ Montgomery, AL CSCC SOFTBALL VS. CHATTANOOGA STATE @ Eddie Campbell Softball Field, Columbia, TN 12:00pm UNA BASEBALL VS. LANDER @ Self Field, Florence, AL 1:00pm NCAA GYMNASTICS: SUPER 6 @ BJCC, Birmingham, AL 6:00pm GREEN DAY’S AMERICAN IDIOT @ BJCC, Birmingham, AL 8:00pm NICKEL CREEK AND THE SECRET SISTERS @ Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN 8:00pm PHIL O’DONNELL WITH CASEY AND TUCKER BEATHARD @ Puckett’s, Columbia, TN 8:00pm KARAOKE NIGHT @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN 9:30pm
EASTER NCAA GYMNASTICS: EVENT FINALS @ BJCC, Birmingham, AL 2:00pm
APRIL 21
VERA BRADLEY BINGO @ GUC Banquet Halls, Florence, AL 6:00pm POKER NIGHT @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN 7:00pm UNA BASEBALL VS. ALABAMA A&M @ Self Field, Florence, AL 5:00pm BUILDING A GARDEN CLINIC @ Outdoor Adventure Center, Florence, AL 7:00pm LIVE TRIVIA NIGHT @ La Fuente, Columbia, TN 7:00pm ROB THOMAS @ Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN 7:30pm
APRIL 23
JORDAN DENTON & BARRY BILLINGS @ On the Rocks, Florence, AL CSCC BASEBALL VS. WALLACE STATE @ David Hall Baseball Field, Columbia, TN 3:00pm KAPPA SIGMA SOUTH SEAS PAGEANT @ GUC Performance Center, Florence, AL 6:00pm POKER NIGHT @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN 7:00pm SANTANA @ Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN 7:30pm
APRIL 24
LIVE TRIVIA NIGHT @ La Fuente, Columbia, TN 7:00pm KARAOKE NIGHT @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN 8:00pm
APRIL 25
FOSTER THE PEOPLE @ Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN 8:00pm JOHNNY CAMPBELL AND THE BLUEGRASS DRIFTERS @ Puckett’s, Columbia, TN 8:00pm “THE OTHER WOMAN” RELEASE @ Your Local Theater “THE QUIET ONES” RELEASE @ Your Local Theater “BRICK MANSIONS” RELEASE @ Your Local Theater
APRIL 26
BICYCLE TOUR WITH THE OAC @ Chief Ladiga Trail, Jacksonville, AL UNA HONOR BAND @ University of North Alabama, Florence, AL
IF YOU HAVE ANY EVENTS YOU WOULD LIKE LISTED, EMAIL CALENDAR@GETSETMAG.COM
MIDDLE TENNESSEE HISTORY FAIR @ Rippavilla Plantation, Columbia, TN “THE SECRET GARDEN” @ BJCC, Birmingham, AL 2:00pm ST. JUDE COUNTRY MUSIC MARATHON @ Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN 7:00pm JOE BONAMASSA @ Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN 8:00pm TYLER PERRY’S HELL HATH NO FURY @ BJCC, Birmingham, AL 8:00pm THE WANNABEATLES @ Puckett’s, Columbia, TN 8:30pm BURNING GOUND @ Gary’s Place, Spring Hill, TN 9:00pm KARAOKE NIGHT @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN 9:30pm
APRIL 27
BICYCLE TOUR WITH THE OAC @ Chief Ladiga Trail, Jacksonville, AL MIDDLE TENNESSEE HISTORY FAIR @ Rippavilla Plantation, Columbia, TN UNIVERSITY AWARDS GALA @ University of North Alabama, Florence, AL 6:00pm TOM JONES @ Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN 7:30pm TYLER PERRY’S HELL HATH NO FURY @ BJCC, Birmingham, AL 7:30pm
APRIL 28
PUPPY PALOOZA @ UNA Amphitheater, Florence, AL 8:00am POKER NIGHT @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN 7:00pm
APRIL 29
CSCC SOFTBALL VS. CALHOUN STATE @ Eddie Campbell Softball Field, Columbia, TN 5:00pm LIVE TRIVIA NIGHT @ La Fuente, Columbia, TN 7:00pm UNA SPRING CONCERT @ Flowers Hall, Florence, AL 8:00pm
APRIL 30
JORDAN DENTON & BARRY BILLINGS @ On the Rocks, Florence, AL POKER NIGHT @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN 7:00pm LOCAL NATIVES @ Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN 7:30pm
16 SPECIAL FEATURE
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Another word for screen printing is serigraphy.
APRIL 2014
Screen printing is one of the most versatile forms of art.
PHOTO BY JONATHAN OLIPHANT
A TRIO IN PRINT
PHOTO BY JONATHAN OLIPHANT
A SMALL GROUP OF CREATIVES APPROACH THE ART OF SCREEN PRINTING FOR THE LOVE OF DESIGN.
CULLEN STEWART CREATING ONE HEAVY COLOR’S NEWER GIG POSTERS. Design, sweat and ink: when it comes to starting up a small screen printing and design business, the boys at Heavy Color see a need for all three. Located in Florence, Alabama, Heavy Color is a company bound to be as interesting as creators Chris James (the brains of the operation), Jonathan Oliphant (parttime student, full-time rap enthusiast) and Cullen Stewart (he draws). “Since this is a fairly new venture, we’re still operating kind of DIY out of my house in Florence, but the plan is to find a place in town somewhere to set up shop and to expand as much as possible,” said James. “I have a lot of different ideas of really cool things I want to do with this, but I’m still working on getting it all set up now.” While it may appear that this trio of misfits started this business on a whim, James assured me that his idea to have a small, flexible screen printing business had been around for a while. “I’ve always been really influenced
by screen printed art, especially gig posters,” he said. “Essentially, the idea to start Heavy Color came from me wanting control over the printing process for my own work, and also, I always thought it would be fun to own a print shop.” James’ dreams began to materialize when he was approached by Jonathan Oliphant about making some posters for 116 E Mobile, a music venue in downtown Florence. “I got into the whole screen printing thing through 116 [E Mobile],” said Oliphant, who works at the venue. “I wanted to have better artwork and quality posters for the venue but knew I couldn’t do it by myself. I was told that Chris James had been wanting to get into screen printing for a while, so we got [together] one night and I sort of pushed him over the edge to get serious about it.” James said it was Oliphant’s enthusiasm about the idea of a screen printing business that convinced him
CULLEN STEWART, JONATHAN OLIPHANT AND CHRIS JAMES OF HEAVY COLOR. that Heavy Color could become a reality. “That, along with some other things, made it obvious to me that it was time to bite the bullet and invest in the equipment to be able to do it proper,” James said. “Then Cullen expressed interest in working with us, and I was excited about that because he’s one of my favorite artists in town.” Oliphant and Stewart both credit James with being the driving force behind getting the business off the ground. “Chris should take credit for first realizing the need for gig poster art to start matching the caliber of the music it’s advertising around [the Shoals area]. In fact, conversations with him concerning that very thing were what got me fired up about this project to begin with,” said Stewart. “We are a baby company with plenty of room to grow. We’re starting from the bottom.” While they may be starting from the bottom, they are here in the Shoals with a desire to put out products that feature both high-quality print and design. “Graphic design is the primary focus [of our work] just as much as the printing process is,” James said. “I’m perfectly content with printing whatever someone needs printed, but I’m also interested in working with clients on the actual design and identity of a product.” James believes that Heavy Color’s focus on printing designs with staying power and high brand-ability sets the small company apart from the
competition. “We can work with people through the entire process, from design creation through to the final printed product,” he said. “We can print a design that has already been made elsewhere [or] design things for someone who doesn’t necessarily need them screen printed, like logos for websites or full color album art. So far, we have primarily been screen printing shirts and posters. We also offer graphic design, so we can work with people on design identity and branding when possible.” While the boys are diligent with their work, they see Heavy Color as a group of friends hanging out, doing something they love. This balance of work and play is reflected in a process that could end up making them a very successful small business. “With us all working other jobs and playing in bands, this means that we primarily operate in the evenings and into the wee hours of morning,” James said. “So, once we have a design made, we meet up at my house, put on some awesome records and get to printing … I’m glad we all have good taste in music.”
STORY BY PACE HOLDBROOKS
APRIL 2014
SPECIAL FEATURE 17
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account on campus at the University of North Alabama or any of our CO-OP Shared Branches located worldwide. To find the location nearest you, go to co-opsharedbranch.org
18 SPECIL FEATURE
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APRIL 2014
APRIL 2014
SPECIAL FEATURE 19
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Tickets when the theatre first opened were 45 cents.
The “Shoals” sign outside the theatre is a replica.
COMING TO A THEATRE NEAR YOU THE PAST AND FUTURE OF FILM SCREENINGS AT THE SHOALS THEATRE
PHOTO BY SARAH WALLEY
THE SHOALS THEATRE 66 YEARS AGO, IN 1948.
THE SHOALS THEATRE TODAY. It’s hard not be entranced by the neon illumination of the Shoals Theatre when driving through downtown Florence at night. Today, most people know it as a place to go and watch plays, musicals and concerts. Young people in the area probably don’t know that the Shoals Theatre was once a very popular movie theatre. Over the past year or so, several local committees have been working
on a project to return film screening capabilities to the theatre. The Shoals Theatre was one of a series of movie theatres in Alabama built and run by the wealthy Rosenbaum family. It officially opened Oct. 21, 1948 and at the time was one of the most advanced movie theatres in the South. It featured a state of the art sound system, 1,350 seats and was the first theatre in the South
(and fourth in the world) with slideback chairs — making it easier for people to walk down the rows without disturbing those already seated. The single screen theatre closed in 1980 due to competition from the new multi-screen Hickory Hills and Capri theatres. After its closing, the Shoals Theatre was sporadically used over the years until it was purchased by the Shoals Community Theatre Group in the late 2000’s. Since the purchase, it has seen plenty of renovations including a new lighting system and stage. Despite occasional film screenings and use by the George Lindsey Film Festival, it has yet to see permanent film screening capabilities restored to it, primarily due to the cost. That might change this year thanks to the Silver Screen Project. “The Silver Screen Project has been a dream of lots of folks for a very long time. In 2012, Florence Main Street did a board planning retreat where we focused on the plans that each of our four committees would like to see happen, and working with the Shoals Community Theatre on bringing film to the Shoals Theatre was on that list,” said Florence Main Street executive director and Silver Screen Project head, Teryl Shields. “To us it’s an economic development activity and completely fits within our mission of ‘enhancing the cultural and economic vitality of downtown Florence.’ The more activity that takes place in downtown Florence, the more people dine in our restaurants and shop in our stores.” Project members Wes Wages and Kristen Mashburn share Shield’s enthusiasm about the project. “The Shoals has birthed a creative spirit, especially with music. The Silver Screen will showcase creativity through films and hopefully will inspire others to do the same,” said Wages. Mashburn said the film screenings at the theatre will provide a unique binding experience for the area as a whole. “It will provide the opportunity for the community to not only watch movies together downtown, but it will also allow us to celebrate movies. This venue would be the perfect
place to dress in character costumes, sing along to a musical, etc.” The list of film screening equipment that’s going to be purchased for the Shoals Theatre includes a “30’ wide screen, a 10,000 Lumen data projector, Blu-ray/DVD machine and a surround sound processor. Our total equipment and install costs are estimated to be a little less than $70,000.” Fundraising events have included a screening of “The Sound of Music” and a letter writing campaign. Private donations alone have raised around $6,000 so far. Future screenings and theatrical productions to raise money are planned for the coming months. While there are some worries about film screenings conflicting with other events at the Shoals Theatre, there will hopefully be an arrangement worked out so films can be shown regularly without disrupting other events. According to Shields, this process has already begun with a “Chillin with the 80’s” film series that is being planned for this summer if the money is raised by then. With only one movie theatre in Florence, this area has often been deprived of critically acclaimed new releases (last year the local Carmike theatre didn’t even bother showing “Inside Llewyn Davis,” the latest film by the Coen brothers). This means dedicated film fans are taking their money to Huntsville or Nashville. This is a big opportunity to provide local movie lovers with an alternative to the usual theatre-going experience by offering them films that normally wouldn’t play here and classic films that gain that extra bit of magic when seen on the big screen. With all the cultural and financial benefits that come along with this project, let’s hope it succeeds and film screenings become regular events at the Shoals Theatre once again.
STORY BY CALEB BILLINGS
20 SPOTLIGHT
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SAY CHEESE!
SET READERS IN ACTION
PHOTOS BY KAT FORT AND SHANE PARKER
APRIL 2014
PHOTOS BY NAME AND NAME
FIRST FRIDAYS DOWNTOWN FLORENCE, MARCH 7, PHOTOS BY SHANE PARKER
SYDNEY WILEY , SETH BEAMAN, LOGAN WILEY, HANNAH MCCOMB, KATELYN JOHNSON, WHITNEY JOHNSON AND ELIZABETH BROCK
MICHAEL AND MAEGAN CODY
KAITLIN WALLACE, WHITNEY BAYLES, LESLIE HENDRICKS AND ASHLEY GRISSOM
KATHLEEN FRANKS, MELANIE BATCHELOR, KAITLYN WILSON, LEANNA LLOYD, STEPHANIE GAUTNEY AND CARA MICHELLE
MCKENZIE LOCKHART, KRISTEN DUNN, KYLE JEFFERSON, ALEX HOLLIS AND MAX BEECH
MALORIE POPWELL, MARY REDDING WITT AND BAILEY WITT
APRIL 2014
SPOTLIGHT 21
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DAMIEN BOGGS VARIETY RECORDS, MARCH 8, PHOTOS BY KAT FORT
A GREAT TURNOUT AT THE VARIETY RECORDS SHOW.
A GREAT TURNOUT AT THE VARIETY RECORDS SHOW.
A GREAT TURNOUT AT THE VARIETY RECORDS SHOW.
RACHAEL KENNEDY
A GREAT TURNOUT AT THE VARIETY RECORDS SHOW.
A GREAT TURNOUT AT THE VARIETY RECORDS SHOW.
22 SPOTLIGHT
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APRIL 2014
ROBERT ELLIS 116 E MOBILE, MARCH 7, PHOTOS BY SHANE PARKER
LESLIE SHERRILL AND LAURA SHERRILL
ROBERT ELLIS
NATHAN PITTS AND ASHTON LANCE
JAMES SHERRILL
SETH HARBISON
APRIL 2014
SPOTLIGHT 23
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STREET ART COLUMBIA, TN, MARCH 21, PHOTOS BY KAT FORT
JAMES WHEELER AND QUAN MCFALL
QUAN MCFALL
JAMES WHEELER
JAMES WHEELER
IVAN GARZA, ALICIA THREET, KATIE LEVERENZ AND MARY WARE
KATHERINE THOMAS, ALLIE RAPPUHN AND JESSICA MORGAN
AUSTIN SHIREY, DANIEL CRISLER AND PAIGE HAMPTON
NATALIE POER, DEVYN CONNOR AND JOSH KEEL
MAGGIE BEECH, ASHLEY WHITE AND BRITNEY NEWBY
BELLE ADAIR
BELLE ADAIR 116 E MOBILE, MARCH 1, PHOTOS BY SHANE PARKER
24 MUSIC
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Music helps you de-stress by allowing the cortex to generate specific brain waves.
ART + MUSIC
ARTISTIC BENEFITS OF MUSIC It’s no secret that the arts compliment one another. Most artists agree that music of any kind can create a welcoming atmosphere for imagination and creativity. The type of music played would of course depend on the artist and the artwork itself; if it’s more of a deep soul-reflecting piece, classical or instrumental music is a good option to allow for more focus. If the painting or drawing has a specific theme, the song can be adjusted to really bring out that idea as well. Studies have shown that music activates parts of the brain that increase focus, so one of the greatest benefits of listening to music while working on your art is drowning out everything except for the canvas in front of you.
It’s no secret that art becomes a more intimate experience when the outside world is quieted. Merritt Goff, a student at Lipscomb University, enjoys painting and prefers to listen to country music while working on her art. “Country music has an upbeat nature and transfers me to a different place. The music helps keep me in the zone, and out of that peace comes creativity, which is reflected in my artwork.” In addition to causing focus and inspiring creativity, music has the power to stir up a lot of other things. Israeli artist and musician Michal Levy actually experiences a rare neurological condition called synesthesia. Synesthesia causes stimulation in one part of the brain, leading to an automatic stimulation of a second part — this means that Levy sees tones and harmonies as shapes and colors when she listens to music. Talk about a new point of view! So the next time you sit down to paint, write or draw, pop in your ear buds or turn up your radio. No matter what type of music it is, from heavy metal to folk, enjoy the multiple effects that music brings and let your creativity fly!
STORY BY ALLIE SOCKWELL ILLUSTRATION BY WILL RHODES
APRIL 2014
APRIL 2014
MOVIES 25
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Oscar for best documentary: “20 Feet from Stardom.”
Documentaries cost $1K per finished minute of film.
GOING TO THE BIG SCREEN SHOALS FILMMAKERS PURSUE THEIR DOCUMENTARIAN DREAMS
BRANDON LOPER VISITED 4 COUNTRIES IN THE MAKING OF HIS FILM. When Brandon Loper attended UNA from 2001-2005, he only drank boring coffee. “I would usually just drink Folgers with a ton of hazelnut creamer and I thought it was perfectly fine,” he said. “It wasn’t until I moved to San Francisco and was around many people who were immersed in coffee culture that I began to understand that coffee isn’t just a brown liquid we drink everyday — it has a lot more of a story behind it.”
These ideas are what inspired Loper to make his documentary, “A Film About Coffee,” two and half years ago. In the film, you are taken through the entire process of specialty coffee — from bean harvest to French Press. This meant traveling all over the world following the bean. Through the film, we are taken to farms in Honduras and Rwanda, cafés in Portland, San Francisco and Tokyo and even the US Barista Championship in Seattle. “I think my favorite part of traveling
was being able to talk to these farmers and see that I was doing something really great that would help benefit them,” Loper said. Farmers aren’t always able to see the beautiful gourmet coffee their work is harvested into, and consumers so easily forget all of the steps that went into making their morning cup of joe. At one point in the documentary we see the disconnect between the beginning of a coffee bean and the end of it when Honduran farmers are given the opportunity to try espresso made from their own coffee beans for the first time. The documentary is now complete and will be available for download on Afilmaboutcoffee.com in May. The team will also be self-distributing the film and is planning to have showings across the country and possibly across the world. Loper is hoping to have screenings in our neck of the woods, so be on the lookout for news about the film. Even though Loper moved away from his home in the Shoals, he is not one to forget where he came from. He said that being from north Alabama and working in other parts of the country and world definitely affects the way he works. He said on his website, “My Southern roots keep [my] directing style humble, conversational and honest.” Friend of Loper’s and Shoals resident Wes Wages is currently in the early phases of working on his own documentary. Wages felt compelled to make a piece focusing on the value of higher education in today’s world after seeing too many young adults fresh out of college with thousands of dollars of debt on their shoulders. “So many people [take jobs] they really don’t like just because they are scared of their debt piling up any higher,” Wages said. He decided he wanted to make a film about the social, economic and business impacts of having (or not having) a college degree. For the film, he is planning to get many varied opinions on the topic. “I am planning to travel across the country to get views from educators, students and college administrators,” said Wages. “I also am hoping to go abroad and discuss the idea of ‘gap years’ that many European teens take after high school and before college.”
This of course, means a lot of traveling and costs for Wages and his film crew. “Even though I have all the equipment and the ability to make the documentary right now, I would want financial backing to take time on the piece and perfect it in the way it needs to be done,” he said. To begin the process, he will be making a sizzle reel this summer. This is an 8-10 minute short preview of his idea for the film that he will be able to show financial backers who may want to fund the rest of the project. Though this may seem like a very tedious and long process, it doesn’t discourage Wages from taking on the project. “The more people I talk to about my ideas for this film, the more I am motivated and inspired to make it a reality,” he said. Both Loper and Wages say that creativity is alive in north Alabama and anyone who is inspired and motivated enough to make a documentary are at a perfect launching point here in the Shoals.
WES WAGES WILL BEGIN WORK ON HIS FILM THIS SUMMER. STORY BY CLAIRE STEWART
26 ART/DIY
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More photos are taken in 2min than all of the 1800s.
APRIL 2014
Dark rooms were called “camera obscura” in Latin.
A DYING ART DO FILM AND DARKROOMS STILL HAVE A PLACE IN MODERN PHOTOGRAPHY? It’s no secret that we live in a digital age, in the last 15 to 20 years technology has completely transformed our society. Analog has become a thing of the past and anything that isn’t digital or electronic has become a relic of inconvenience. This has had a dramatic effect on photography and has created division among those in the photographic community. On one side of the line, there are those who still believe in the importance of film and using darkrooms. On the other side, you have those who are digital fanatics. The emergence of digital cameras has revolutionized the field, making the process of shooting, developing and sharing photos much quicker and easier. However, it has also made this art form accessible to more than just a few elite, professional photographers. Now, anyone can waltz into an electronics store, buy themselves a digital camera and crank out several hundred photos without breaking a sweat. This eliminates the need for someone to possess the funds necessary to purchase large amounts of pricey film in order to get “the shot.” One 16GB memory card only costs around $15.00 and can hold up to five or six thousand photos with no problem. Without having to worry about the cost of film or the laborious amount of time spent developing photos in the solitude of a darkroom, it’s easy to take it all for granted. Some worry that this could possibly destroy the process that makes photography special and brings the art to life. So this begs the question: What place does film photography and darkroom development have in a world dominated by digital cameras? “Film is the foundation of this entire field — no matter how much digital fanatics disagree,” said
University of North Alabama (UNA) student and photographer Jessica Pajaron. “I think the main role of film [photography] is in an educational setting. Film photography teaches beginning photographers discipline [when shooting in manual]. You can’t see the outcome as quickly as you can with digital, so you have to develop that control and knowledge of how to shoot your subject correctly.” Many photographers would agree that in this new era of photography, learning to shoot with film and develop your own prints is somewhat of an unspoken rite of passage for anyone hoping to earn their stripes as a photographer. Other big questions that photographers waving the film flag are faced with are: Why go to all the trouble? What makes developing film worth the effort? “I cherish the images I get by using film more than any shots I have captured using a digital camera,” said Laura McCray, another local photographer and UNA student. “I love the anticipation leading up to the development of a roll because I’m never sure exactly what I’m getting. I love film because of the technique it requires. The darkroom can be frustrating at times, but it is nice to be in control of the film myself and experience the images coming to life and [being] the first person to see them.” Pajaron, like McCray, said that seeing your hard work pay off always makes any frustration during the process of developing photos all worth the while. “Shooting with film is so suspenseful,” Pajaron said. “Sure, you may know what your subject is, but you don’t see the actual outcome until the very end of the process, unlike digital where you can see everything on the monitor. It’s such a rewarding experience to create
A PHOTO BY LAURA MCCRAY, SHOT ON HER PENTAX ASAHI K1000. something and be with it every step of the way, knowing how much effort went into it. The mere surprise of the results is what’s so addicting.” Some see shooting with film and developing their prints in a darkroom as the truest, most organic form of photography, but digital still reigns supreme. Darkrooms, like the people that use them, are becoming a dying breed and film cameras, like the Canon AE-1 and Nikon F, that made their homes in the camera bags of photographers around the world are quickly becoming nothing more than antiques on bookshelves.
If you’re considering taking up photography, Pajaron, McCray and many others would encourage you to take a break from the digital side of things. Pick up a film camera, find a darkroom and get out there and give it a shot (pun totally intended).
STORY BY SHANE PARKER
APRIL 2014
FASHION 27
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Scientists developed a T-shirt that is bulletproof.
Americans collectively own 1.5B T-shirts.
PHOTO BY SARAH WALLEY
CROSSIN’ TEES AND BOPPIN’ STYLE A SMALL TOWN GIRL CREATES DOWNTO-EARTH FASHION Art comes in many different forms. People have been expressing themselves through paint, dance and other ways for thousands of years. Florence resident Heather Wylie chooses to express herself through fashion. Wylie is the creator and owner of the local business, Bohemian Bop. To simply say that it’s a clothing company is a major understatement — Wylie creates wearable pieces of art and every piece has a story and meaning. The idea for her company began in the summer of 2012 with a simple pair of pants. Wylie couldn’t find a top to wear with them, so she decided to make one. The shirt got so much attention that she was inspired to start a new business. Making clothing was not at all new to her because she’d grown up around it. Her father, grandfather and grandmother had made a living through the T-shirt business, so she saw this as a way to keep the legacy going in her own creative way. The way Wylie creates pieces of clothing reflects her style and the way she looks at life. She begins with a concept that comes from her everyday happenings; it could be an idea she was given or something as simple as an Alabama sunset. Next, she figures out what she would be saying through the piece and whether the idea is marketable. Designing comes next with a sometimes long process of drawing and creating the image she wants. After this, Wylie can actually make her art come to life. This step involves sewing and printing the design.
EACH BOHEMIAN BOP PIECE IS UNIQUE AND ONE OF A KIND. “I’m sure from the outside it looks as if I am running in circles around my studio with fabric flying behind me, but it is in this messy, slightly manic state where I make my favorite pieces,” said Wylie. “Most of the time these sample experiments become one of a kind pieces. Some of them I keep and display in my studio and some of them I sell. It usually takes me about two weeks to print, sew, price and tag about 50 pieces.” Wylie’s inspiration comes from many different things. Her first line of tees was inspired by a childhood trip to Egypt. Other inspirations include books, nature, travel and history. She also incorporates elements from high fashion runways in her t-shirts. Probably the most important element to her inspiration would be nature in Alabama. “The first summer I spent here, I could hardly get over how beautiful the sunsets were, especially on the water. The clouds turned all kinds of colors,” she said.
Her first line, which had an organic feel to it and included a lot of shapes, catered more to high school and college-aged consumers. But her next line will have a more “leather and lace” look. Wylie also wants to target an older demographic by, “expanding beyond tees to develop a full line of knit garments.” Her goals and aspirations are to “build a nationally recognized brand that represents beautiful, ethical design.” It’s very important to Wylie that she gets everything in the USA. So far, this has been accomplished, but she wants to take it a step further. In the future, she hopes to have everything made in her hometown of Florence. Right now she only creates the design in her studio, but she hopes to soon be able to make her own shirts as well. Wylie expressed how fortunate she is to be surrounded by cheerful, upbeat and supportive people that she
works along with at Alabama Chanin’s The Factory, where her clothing line is for sale. “There is this magnificent aura around The Factory that just fuels poetic enterprise,” she said. For anybody out there dreaming to start their own business, Wylie gives a few words of advice. “Don’t give up. Find a practical application for your work and be resourceful. You can brand yourself and stay true to your inner artist without ‘selling out.’ Take what you love to do, what you are good at doing and find a demand for it. Maybe there is none? Create one. It all sounds a lot simpler but sometimes what you seek isn’t always there. You have to make it.”
STORY BY SCARLETT ROBINSON
28 FOOD
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The first latte was created in the United States in 1986.
PHOTO BY KAT FORT
I LIKE IT A LATTE
A COFFEE CREATION AT MULETOWN COFFEE IN COLUMBIA, TN.
LATTE ART IS TAKING OVER LOCAL COFFEE SHOPS (AND INSTAGRAM) EVERYWHERE. For many of us, coffee is a part of our everyday routine. We stop in at our local coffee shop, order our favorite drink and never really pay attention to the detail that goes into making our cup of joe — but all that is about to change. Latte art is becoming a new trend in cafes everywhere and is created when a barista pours steamed milk or syrup into a shot of espresso, resulting in a pattern or design on the surface of the latte. Rob McFarlane, a barista at Rivertown Coffee Co. in Florence, AL, said that creating the perfect design on top of a latte is much more than an art; it’s a science. “You can’t just make a design every time. All of the elements have to be there — density, consistency and even how fresh the espresso is plays a role in it.” To be good, this craft takes a lot of practice. “When learning to make lattes, you just kind of begin to see it,” said McFarlane. “Once you’ve been working a while, you just begin to play with it and make your own style of it. Doing this really is an art.” Every barista has his or her favorite designs to make, ranging
from flowers to bears. While many customers are in a rush and wouldn’t have time to stop and appreciate this aspect of their drink, for several coffee addicts this trend has become part of the experience. “Latte art has become a part of the first impression and definitely gives the ‘wow’ factor to our lattes,” said Chris Weninegar, co-owner of Muletown Roasted Coffee in Columbia, TN. Many drinkers make time to snap a picture before knocking back their latte so they can share their designs on Instagram and Twitter, often using the hashtag #latteart. This gives coffee enthusiasts from all over the world an easy way to connect. Next time you go to your local cafe, be sure to ask your barista if they can draw something in your latte. You never know how much it could brighten your day.
STORY BY SARAH EMERSON
APRIL 2014
APRIL 2014
SPECIAL FEATURE 29
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Chalk forms in marine environments in deep seas.
The Brit term for pavement artists is “screever.”
PHOTO BY KAT FORT
THE GIFT OF CHALK
PHOTO BY KAT FORT
FLEETING WORKS OF ART IN COLUMBIA
JAMES WHEELER AND QUAN MCFALL DON’T MIND GETTING THEIR HANDS A LITTLE DIRTY. Visual art comes in many creative forms. When walking through downtown Columbia, TN, you should consider yourself lucky to come across the works of local artist Quan McFall and James Wheeler. The duo practices chalk art, a form of legal graffiti that involves drawing intricate, artistic designs on pavement with chalk. McFall, a graduate of Columbia Central High School, met Wheeler through a mutual friend nearly six years ago. The two, who share a number of artistic skills and interests, became fast friends. Around three years ago, they went to Nashville, TN, to try out this growing form of street art for the first time. As they covered the town in chalk and tried to get a feel for the work, they fell in love with the new art form and discovered they were really good at it. After people began seeing their work around town, Wheeler and McFall started getting commissioned to create pieces for weddings and events such as the Nashville Predators games. They’ve also been a part of events such as the Chalk Art and Music Festival held in downtown Columbia.
When preparing for an upcoming project, McFall and Wheeler work together to create their masterpiece. Together, they are able to create larger, more elaborate works of art. Wheeler sketches out the team’s ideas until they find the right look and McFall visualizes and blends the eye-catching colors for the piece. The canvas for their work can be anywhere out in the open — sidewalk, blacktop pavement or concrete wall. Their chalk creations are not permanent, so there is only a short window of time for the art to be viewed before it fades away. This makes the pieces even more special for those who get a chance to view their colorful creations. Chalk art is not only a form of art, but it also is a form of entertainment, anyone can walk up to McFall and Wheeler while they are working on a piece and watch and interact. When working on their pieces, the two guys don’t just share the finished product with the community, they are able to talk and share with people about their lives and how their works of art came to be. One of the reasons chalk art is so special to McFall and Wheeler is the
time and effort put into creating a piece. A single piece is completed in one sitting and can take anywhere from four to eight hours — and that’s not including prep time (which can take up to a week). “It’s definitely time consuming and hard on your hands,” said Wheeler. “Anybody else would think we are crazy for doing it, but we definitely enjoy it.” So much time and effort is put into a piece that may not even last the night. However, the impermanence of the artwork does not take away from its significance — it adds to the piece’s uniqueness. “It’s limited to those few people that get to see it, so I think it’s more special for [them],” said Wheeler. Chalk art affects people who may not be expecting to see the art, people who are just running errands in the middle of their day. This is the very reason that McFall enjoys chalk art. “One piece can totally change somebody’s day, change their minds, opinions, the way they look at the world or how they interact with other people,”
said McFall. “That’s the reason they call it visual art; it definitely affects the viewer in general.” For McFall and Wheeler, art is about more than just drawing something others will like. “We want to make something that is going to make people think,” McFall said. “Anybody can draw a pretty picture, but why not do something that’s going to make somebody look at themselves, [and life], in a different way?” “Seek truth, spread knowledge.” This motto drives McFall and Wheeler’s work. The pieces they create are meant to make viewers think, to really get their gears turning. Their pieces are honest and full of wisdom. The residents of Columbia can truly count themselves lucky to see one of McFall and Wheeler’s pieces, even if just for a short time.
STORY BY HANNAH BOYD
30 FREESTYLE
FREESTYLE
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APRIL 2014
ONE FINAL THOUGHT
EMMY HOVATER WON OUR #READYSETFREESTLYE CONTEST WITH 69 LIKES. CONGRATULATIONS, EMMY!
APRIL 2014
FREESTYLE 31
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