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CONTENTS
Showcase Magazine
JANUARY 2024
Showcase Magazine
@showcaseDVA
showcasemagazineva @ info@showcasemagazine.com
FEATURE Sharing Magic
Through Art and Creativity 6
ALSO INSIDE Retrospective
The Bull 8
Games
Crossword & Wordsearch 12
Confessions of a 30 Something
Paws for a Cause
9
13
Enjoy Every Moment
Meet Nicole
Vision
Transformational Projects Mark 2023 10
Sharing Magic
Through Art and Creativity 4 SHOWCASE Magazine | JANUARY 2024 | www.showcasemagazine.com
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showcase JANUARY 2024
CEO Andrew Scott Brooks scott@showcasemagazine.com EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Paul Seiple | paul@showcasemagazine.com GRAPHIC DESIGNER Kim Demont | demontdesign@verizon.net FINANCE MANAGER Cindy Astin | cindy@showcasemagazine.com ADVERTISING Lee Vogler | Director of Sales and Marketing lee@showcasemagazine.com | 434.548.5335 Emily Wilkerson | Executive Assistant emily@showcasemagazine.com 753 Main Street #3, Danville, VA 24541 Phone 434.709.7349 info@showcasemagazine.com www.showcasemagazine.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Paulette Dean | Arnold Hendrix Robin Marcato | Lee Vogler | Emily Wilkerson CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Danville Historical Society | Dan River Falls Patrice Graves | Will Justus | Lee Vogler COVER Will Justus. Photo by Patrtice Graves.
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FEATURE SHARING MAGIC THROUGH ART AND CREATIVITY
Sharing Magic
Through Art and Creativity BY EMILY WILKERSON PHOTOS BY PATRICE GRAVES AND WILL JUSTUS
W
ill Justus is locally known for his talent of creating chalk murals. However, that is not where his artistic journey began. Justus first got into design in a graphics class he took in high school. He admits it “might seem a little backward because it isn’t a very traditional medium. I had an awesome teacher who pushed me to think outside the box in ways I would have never thought of. Pretty soon after that class, I purchased an iPad to experiment with Procreate (a digital drawing application). That’s where I really started becoming an artist, as the skills I learned there translated into other mediums.” Justus has dabbled with many art mediums over the years, but chalk was the first one to really resonate with him. “My sidewalk chalk journey started as a series of small romantic gestures for my girlfriend, using some leftover pieces of chalk that were lying around her house, and it spiraled out of control from there. After growing more confident in my abilities with chalk, I asked the director of the Ruby B. Archie Public Library (where I also work part-time) if I could volunteer over the weekend and decorate the sidewalk with something special for our patrons. He agreed without hesitation, and that next Sunday I drew a lotus flower growing out of a book so that our patrons could be greeted with something beautiful when they returned on Monday morning. After the overwhelmingly
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positive reaction that drawing received, I couldn’t wait to do the next one!” High school may be where Justus started to learn his craft, but he has been artistic since a very young age. He got his start from an untraditional source. Justus had such a vivid imagination because of his love for Harry Potter, Disney, and video games as a child. Even as an adult, Justus is still able to reminisce and muse from these beloved childhood favorites. He shares that “I’m inspired by the love and care shown by the beloved Pixar characters Mike and Sully as they take in and protect Boo as if she were their own. I’m inspired by The Boy Who Lived and the countless disadvantages and threats he had to overcome at such a young age. Like so many others, I’ve spent my entire life relating to the tropes and metaphors of stories and fairy tales. These examples are fictional, sure, but the essence of their plots can be more real than the tangible world. I like to think I also have some magic to share with the world through my art and creativity.” Justus has had the honor of sharing his art all over the city of Danville and has been commissioned by many businesses and individuals. While most of his projects have been solo endeavors, he hopes to one day have the opportunity to collaborate with other artists to create a giant chalk mural. He
remarks that his favorite piece has been “without a doubt, the Breast Cancer Awareness drawing I made along the steps outside of the Averett Student Center. Among the thousands of people the drawing reached, it was incredible to hear so many survivors and warriors tell me how much they loved my art and the smiles it brought to their faces. It seems like there isn’t a single person who hasn’t been affected by breast cancer, whether personally or through a loved one, and it was such a privilege to spread a bit of hope to the community.” Aside from the opportunity to share an important message, Justus believes that his, and others’ art, “forces us (society) to stop and take a second from our incredibly busy lives and appreciate what other humans have been able to create, connecting us emotionally to the world.” People will often ask, “Why sidewalk chalk?” It is a valid question. Why spend hours upon hours of hard, dedicated work to creating a beautiful masterpiece, when it will just wash away? Why not spend that time and talent on something that is permanent and can be appreciated for ages to come? Justus says, “The short answer is—it sure does save a lot of money on canvases! Jokes aside, my favorite part about it is the short lifespan. Much like a sunrise or a flower in bloom, something feels so special about experiencing temporary beauty. These drawings are how I can emulate that best. I can still take pictures of the drawings to remember, but there isn’t a substitute for experiencing them in the moment. I also like to think of these drawings and their interactions with the environment as an analogy to the human experience. Joy and happiness are temporary feelings that we constantly have to fight for. No matter how badly we want the sun to continue to shine upon us, eventually the rain will come, the concrete will become wet, and the chalk will wash away. It’s important to cling to happiness for as long as we can, remembering that once the rain passes, the sidewalk will dry, and we can paint a beautiful picture once again.”
elementary school teacher. After touring the campus and discovering what the college had to offer, including more attention from the professors because of its smaller student population and its direct, hands-on approach in preparing its students for their careers, I fell in love. I bought a house in Danville, packed up my things in Blacksburg, and moved here in August 2022 to start my new adventure. A few zigs and zags later, I ended up as an art major to fast track my education and potentially get hired to teach elementary school art. My plans have wavered and changed countless times over the past five years, but today my path has never been clearer. In the next five years, I see myself surrounded by elementary school students who are eager to help me take art to new heights, and who inspire me to show up and be better every day. Growing up, it was hard for me to find and connect with a male role model, so I hope to eventually be that for someone else. There is a high demand for teachers right now. I hope to soon be a part of the crew who are making a true difference in young people’s lives.”
Justus is now an art major at Averett University. However, he started as an education major. “My decision to come to Averett was originally based on its education program because I wanted to be an www.showcasemagazine.com | JANUARY 2024 | SHOWCASE Magazine 7
RETROSPECTIVE THE BULL
The Bull BY ROBIN MARCATO PHOTO COURTESY OF DANVILLE HISTORICAL SOCIETY
I
t is very easy to miss. About halfway down Floyd Street, between Hotel Danville and the City Auditorium, the head of a terra cotta Hereford bull looks out sleepily over the cobblestones. It is seemingly out of place, both for the building it’s on, but also because windows were cut into the building long after the bull was placed there. (A window corner cuts into the medallion just enough to make the mistake clear.) But there the bull has been, since 1890, despite buildings being torn down or built up beside him, the businesses in the area changing around him, and of course, surviving a few mathematically challenged window fitters. It is often hard to imagine a different streetscape than the one you see every day. But before the Hotel Danville, this block was originally the home of our Municipal Building, City Market, and Armory. The City purchased the land in 1890 and quickly built a Romanesque Revival designed structure more than two stories tall. Designed by William M. Poindexter, a noted architect from DC, and built by Danvillian cousins Thomas B. and James H. Fitzgerald, the finished building was meant to illustrate Danville’s importance and prestige as a city. The City Market behind it was a hub of commercial activity, where vendors gathered to sell a wide range of goods and produce. It was also a gathering place, where
news and information were exchanged, and a lively social environment to boot. The Bull would have been installed at the entrance to the section that specifically sold meat, and doing so was a time-honored tradition for most markets across the U.S. and Europe. There is no information that we have found (yet) that establishes the maker of the bull, but we are able to produce a number of theories based on the design. To start, it looks remarkably similar to bull heads mounted on the Richmond City Market in 1886. These are nearly identical save for a nose ring in the Danville design. The city engineer of Richmond at the time, Wilfed Cutshaw, installed 42 locally made bull heads on pedestals across the roof of the market. It is entirely possible that the builders of the Danville Market saw the Richmond structure and decided something as impressive was needed. Did they use the same terra cotta vendor? In any case, we do know that they only splurged on the one. It’s possible that more would have been unnecessary, or too expensive, or maybe Danville’s wealthy leaders thought more than one was gauche. Oh ok, it was the Victorian Era. They weren’t likely against excessiveness. By 1925, and despite most of the country in an economic slump, Danville was still growing and thriving, and led Virginia’s eight largest cities in permits for new construction. It soon became clear that the City had outgrown the Municipal Building, so a new building went up on Patton Street, and the old Municipal Building was torn down. Within the year, it had been replaced by the Hotel Danville. It isn’t clear why this one small section of the market survived the demolition. It remains as an annex to the Hotel, and the rear of the building with its original 1890 brick is still visible to anyone who walks or drives behind it. And of course, how the Bull has survived for more than 130 years in the same place makes him a treasure for our city. Change is inevitable, but it’s important to keep these visual reminders of our past. Knowledge of our history can help us to see our future through a different lens. The next time you pass by a seemingly ordinary street, take a moment to pause and ponder what really could have happened there, and if it changes the story of Danville as you know it.
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CONFESSIONS OF A 30 SOMETHING
Confessions of a 30 Something Enjoy Every Moment BY LEE VOGLER PHOTO BY LEE VOGLER
It can’t possibly be 2024, can it? I know each year we say the previous year flew by, but in this case, it seems like the last 4 years have been a blip. I can still remember picking my son up from school on a Friday afternoon when the Governor had just announced that things would be shut down “for two weeks” to get this newly discovered virus under control. It seems like yesterday, but it was almost four years ago.
And that’s the reality of it all. None of us are here for very long and it does, and will, go by quickly. That’s nothing to be depressed over, but it is something we should be mindful of. How can we make the most of our time here? How do we want to spend it and who do we want to spend it with? That’s something I wrestle with constantly.
I’ll be turning 37 this year, despite many people asking me if I’m old enough to vote. Thanks to a better diet and exercise the last couple years, I still feel like I’m in my twenties. I feel blessed to have that health and hope it will continue. Our son, Kingston, will turn 10 years old later this year, which probably blows my mind more than anything else. I’ll never forget that feeling of holding him in my arms in the hospital room moments after he was born. I can’t believe nearly a decade has passed since then. And our little Ava will be finishing up kindergarten in the spring and preparing for first grade. It just doesn’t seem possible, but it is.
My life stays pretty busy, as regular readers of this column know. Between running a small business, serving in elected office and numerous boards, plus having two young kids, there aren’t many “free” hours in the day. How I balance all of those things is an ongoing challenge, but generally speaking, family comes first for me. I want to be there when my son throws a touchdown. I want to be in the front row when Ava does ballet. When Blair is recognized for her great work in the medical field, I want to be the first one on my feet to clap. My point is this: each moment we have is a blessing. Let’s embrace that and enjoy every moment. Here’s to a great 2024!
Are you talking about
Medication
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Misuse
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it s ti e to start the conversation
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VISION TRANSFORMATIONAL PROJECTS MARK 2023
Transformational Projects Mark 2023 BY ARNOLD HENDRIX PHOTO COURTESY OF DAN RIVER FALLS
I
t was one year ago, during the inaugural meeting of the Danville City Council, that Mayor Alonzo Jones addressed the citizens, saying that the year 2023 was going to be one of the most exciting years that the city of Danville had ever seen. Vice Mayor Dr. Gary Miller joined the mayor, adding, “This is going to be a banner year. We have some big things coming.” As 2023 ended, they were proven correct. Consider the following events: • In January 2023, the city celebrated the commencement of construction for the Dan River Falls project, which, when completed, will transform an iconic structure from its original role as part of a sprawling textile operation along the
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Dan River into a community hub with a mixture of complementary uses including housing, office, and retail. • In March 2023, the city gathered for the groundbreaking of Riverfront Park, which, when completed, will be unlike any other park in Danville. • In May 2023, the city celebrated the opening of the temporary Danville Casino, which since its opening has generated more than $100 million in gaming revenue and several million in tax revenue and direct payments for the city. The permanent Caesars Virginia casino resort project is expected to be complete in late 2024. • In October 2023, federal and state officials joined Danville and Pittsylvania County leaders at a groundbreaking ceremony for the Navy Regional
Training Center in the Cyber Park. When completed in 2025, the center will train 800 to 1,000 students annually, providing well-paying jobs and filling critical vacancies across the nation’s defense industrial base. • In November 2023, Gov. Glenn Youngkin joined local leaders in celebrating the opening of Tyson Foods’ newest plant located in Cane Creek Centre industrial park. The $300 million, fully cooked food production facility is one of the company’s most-automated plants to date, and at full operation will produce nearly 400 jobs. • In December 2023, city and county leaders marked the completion of a newly constructed shell building in the Cyber Park. Shell buildings are a great incentive because they reduce the startup time by many months for any company looking to relocate or expand. The building is designed to meet the needs of modern manufacturers. At 30,000 square feet, it is the largest publicly owned shell building in Virginia, and it can be expanded to 60,000 square feet and upfitted to suit specific needs of the end user. In addition to these transformational projects, city leaders were busy in 2023 attending ceremonies for projects at various stages throughout the city, including groundbreakings and grand openings in the River District, where more and more buildings once vacant now have new life as living spaces as places to shop, eat and go for entertainment. Since the River District Development Plan was initiated in 2010, $55 million in public spending has resulted in more than $300 million in private investment. So, what’s ahead for 2024? The Dan River Falls, Riverfront Park and Caesars Virginia casino resort are on track for completion. Tyson Foods anticipates reaching its full capacity in mid-year, and therefore increasing employment from the current 215 employees to the expected 400. The economic development offices in Danville and Pittsylvania County will continue to market the new public shell building. Also, they will be busy marketing the Southern Virginia Megasite at Berry Hill, which is located just west of the city limits. The megasite is the state’s largest and one of the largest on the East Coast. It has achieved the important status as a Quest Site Solutions Certified Mega Site/Super Park. This certification will attract more potential developers. Truly, Danville and the Dan River Region are undergoing a remarkable transformation. www.showcasemagazine.com | JANUARY 2024 | SHOWCASE Magazine 11
EXTRA GAMES
Games
Crossword Puzzle ACROSS 1 Break up wood 5 Heroic tale 9 Scads 13 Prevaricator 14 Trouble 15 Rampage 16 Big hairdo 17 Over 18 Parlay 19 Nancy (2 wds.) 21 “I’ve got __” 23 Destitute 24 Band instrument 25 Happened to 28 Religious men 31 Allege 32 Style of Greek column 34 Tinge 36 Thai 37 Couple 38 Deface 39 Rim 41 Boy 43 Super Man
44 Entrap 46 Accustomed 48 Male children 49 Southeast by south 50 Explosive device 53 Tulsa location 57 Helen of __ 58 Bitter 60 Iraq’s neighbor 61 Building lot 62 Legal claim 63 World organization 64 Stags 65 Back talk 66 Vale Down 1 Chowder ingredient 2 High fidelity sound system 3 Paddles 4 Expand 5 Sword 6 Declare 7 Governor 8 Sour tasting
9 Least colorful 10 Am not 11 All 12 Prow 14 1040 A.D. King of England 20 Pain unit 22 Garden tool 24 Constellation 25 Reduce 26 Sidestep 27 Fake 28 Lop 29 Kitchen timepiece 30 Trap 33 Aromas 35 Walked 40 Writer 41 Summer shoes 42 Relents 43 Softening sound 45 Neither’s partner 47 BB association 49 Hides 50 Posttraumatic stres disorder
51 Canal 52 Lug 53 Mined metals
54 Spoken 55 Spouse 56 After awhile
59 Central Intelligence Agency
Word Search BELLINI COSMOPOLITAN DAIQUIRI HURRICANE
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KAMIKAZE
MARTINI
MANHATTAN
MIMOSA
MARGARITA
MOJITO
NEGRONI SCREWDRIVER SIDECAR SUNRISE
Answers on Page 14
PAWS FOR A CAUSE
Paws for a Cause WRITTEN BY PAULETTE DEAN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, DANVILLE HUMANE SOCIETY
we are alike in many ways. We increasingly expect animals to fit into our narrowly defined world, and their needs may not always be met. I wonder how much stress or even harm we innocently inflict on our companion animals. There is no way of knowing for sure.
Whenever we leave the shelter for the day, our Umbrella cockatoo, Buddy, begins screeching at decibels that hurt the ears. However, he is not being naughty; he is following his instinct to call for his flock members so they can gather to safely roost for the night. No amount of begging or telling him to stop can stop him. I always, always feel sorry for him and feel bad that he will spend the evening and night alone in the lobby. Yes, he is warm in the winter and cool in the summer. We feed him the proper food and share our lunches with him. He gets more attention and stimulation than most companion birds. Still, I know why he is yelling—he wants to make sure he and his flock are safely gathered in for the dark night. His ear-shattering yells serve to remind us that animals and humans are different, even though
MEET NICOLE This beautiful girl is about six months old. She came to us as a stray and is very sweet. She wants a warm, spot place for naps!
DANVILLE HUMANE SOCIETY
Nevertheless, we promise to press forward in 2024 with our efforts to help the animals. We will continue to do what we know to do: We will help people spay/neuter their dogs and cats, we will continue to promote adoptions and carefully screen the homes to do everything in our power to ensure their troubles were over the second they were brought to us, and we will provide a shelter where they are kept safe, warm, fed, watered, and comfortable. Sometimes our work is noisy and public, and sometimes it is quieter. It is always done with love for the animals with whom we share the earth.
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Crossword Puzzle Word Search
Continued from Page 12
Games Solutions
KNEE PA I N ?
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