District in Bloom: Vol. 1, Issue 1

Vol. 1, Issue 1 Supreme

QUEEN

BELIEVE IN YOURSELF

CMYK

CMYK

THE SENSATIONAL

BEATLES

ROCK N’ ROLL HIGH SCHOOL

Vol. 1, Issue 1

Oglethorpe House 201 W. Oglethorpe Ave. Savannah, Ga. 31401

Editor-in-Chief Colleen Miller Former Editor-in-Chief Jordan Petteys Chief Copy Editor Leila Scott Assignment Editor Perrin Smith Assistant Copy Editor Eve Katz Chief Photo Editor Kendra Frankle Photo Editor Rachele Terranova Chief Video Editor Paige Mathieson Video Editor Becca Wolfe Motion Graphics Coordinator Meg Aki Marketing Manager Negan Fu Design and Graphic Team Ivan Delgado Hannah Harris Halle Garrett Colleen Miller Krista Miller Mel Petzoldt Sydney Shine

contents 04 05

About us Letter from the Editor Jordan Petteys

Visualizing a Pandemic 10

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Taking on a Quarter in Quarantine, Together

Colleen Miller, Nick Thomsen

Colleen Miller, Nick Thomsen

Roy Christopher and the Ubiquity of Writing Christopher Discusses Effects of COVID-19

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Professor Greg Andrade Unfolds His Story After a Decade at Disney TJ Laggis, Nick Thomsen

Savannah ‘She’fs: Brandy Williamson

Sophie Leopold, Kendra Frankle

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Undergrad, Grad, Alumni— Oh My!

Savannah ‘She’fs: Kaitlyn Bryant on Baking Auspiciously

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Breakfast at Sophie’s: Farmer’s Market Tour

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Five Ways to Become a Sustainable Consumer Elizabeth Seeger: The Woman Behind Satchel’s Success It’s Business as Usual for Satchel During Quarantine Rachele Terranova

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Hot Combs and Hot Gossip

Hannah Harris, Lance Langel, Morgan Daniel, Tamia Haskins, Taylor Elam, Kaitlyn Brown, Taylor Petrone

Former District Editor in Chief Emilie Kefalas’ Play Hits Manhattan Sophie Leopold, Krista Miller

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Fresh out of Sav: Nicholas Hammond at Disney Nicholas Hammond, Nick Thomsen, Krista Miller

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TJ Laggis, Tucker Hemphill

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Abby Rayner: Sparkle Plenty Kendra Frankle

Molly Dunn, Emily Budine, Mel Petzoldt

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The Mental Health Discussion: Student Work Josh Similie, Devin Porter, Maygan Thompson, Jade Smith, Kelsea Sexton, Chris Tarrants

Sophie Leopold, Paige Mathieson, Mel Petzoldt, Emily Budine

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CS3 and BeeWell Initiatives Support Student Wellness

Jordan Petteys, Colleen Miller, Kendra Frankle

Sophie Leopold, Kendra Frankle

Colleen Miller, Nick Thomsen

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Savannah Charm

Colleen Miller, Nick Thomsen

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Professor Stu Thompson Follow-up

Colleen Miller

Visualizing a Pandemic: Student Work

The Guichards’ Synergy

Professor Stu Thompson Brings Relevancy to the Calssroom

The Mental Health Discussion

Colleen Miller, Nick Thomsen

10 Patrick Bragg 12 Ben Krueger 13 Nick Thomsen 14 George Rowson 16 Kendall Mckinnon

Professors, Ph.D. in Zoom

Michael Mack Explores the Common Thread

Colleen Miller, Nick Thomsen

Bees on Film

Arantxa Hernandez Lopez, Estela Manotoc, Larissa VanNynatten, Adrienne Krozack, Maggie Maize, Stefania Salvo, Camila Odio, Jordan Tenenbaum

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Claire Rosen Gives Insight Into Her Creative Process Jordan Petteys, Krista Miller

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Theo Collet Fundraises Documentary on U.S.Mexico Border Paige Mathieson, Emma Roberts, Krista Miller, Theo Collet

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Alumni Spotlight: Trish Andersen

Elise Mullen, Kendra Frankle, Krista Miller

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Pandemic Inspires new Intentions from Trish Andersen Elise Mullen

36 Our Partners 68

Greta Gerwig’s Little Women: Garments as Authorship

Minnie Black, Anna Mcgregor, Geoff Haggray, Nina Amanuma, Seth Stromberger, Audrey Amarice, Giana DeAngelis, Madison Bryan

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SCAD Radio

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Get Involved

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Special Thanks

Compiled by Mel Petzoldt

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Letter fro01 the Editor W

elcome to the first issue of District in Bloom! I invite you to dig into COVID-19's impact on the student body, mental health, the Savannah charm so many of us missed, a racial injustice revolution and YOU! By thetime our content reaches your hands and screens, we'll already be playing catch up. Regardless, I hope this issue gives you the chance to reminisce about our perseverance during a jarring year.

We're a group of angsty college kids with a surprisingly mature taste for art and design, pushing for creativity during times of isolation, divide and chaos.

You can expect this first issue to imperfectly embody that same quirkiness, sophistication and innovation. We bridged that physical, (closer than six feet) gap we ached for with hand written notes, illustrations, zoom interview, and a butt-ton of artwork from you - you creative, all-nighter on a Tuesday, mattress on the floor and ramen out of the pot kinda, people, you. It's such a trip to see what this school is capable of making without its typical resources.

My staff knows all too well that I can't text back within 24 hours to save my life, so keeping up with everyone virtually challenged me to say the least. I have Zoom, Zoom, malfunctioning Zoom, more Zoom and good ol' Slack to thank. Oh, and lots of spreadsheets where I aimed to infiltrate every column A-Z with riddles and deadlines. Here's to a good managing editor that cleaned that unorganized mess up for me more than once. Everyone saw their fair share of dysfunction, but it was so rewarding to close my laptop after every "meeting" having developed the magazine a little more each time. And now you're finally holding the tangible product in your hands, just like we are. We weren't even convinced we could initiate such a grand project during a normal quarter, let alone the first digital quarter SCAD's ever had. Something about conquering that whole "against every odd" obstacle makes me want to eat a chocolate donut or ten and shake this collection of papers out a car window like I'm in an indie, young adult film.

We're still creating. We're still here. We still care, and your voice still matters.

District exists to give you a platform to speak up for the benefit of those around you. Yes, we're a student news website/paper/magazine (??), but we're not here to simply add to the chatter. We are a diverse campus with a melting pot of original, wise and driven people - and we believe in reading, hearing, watching, what lights our souls on fire (and I hope we've all realized that yes, that passion doesn't simmer for a pandemic passion isn't as polite as it is radical. ..steadfast, fearless) needs to be shared.

So what are we really doing here? District in Bloom is an opportunity to expand on engaging stories using artistic yet journalistic efforts that convey the diversity, creativity and innovation at SCAD. We hope these stories fill your well and leave you encouraged by the power of your own story.

d:,f:; Editor-in-Chief

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Visualizing a Pandemic In March, everything changed. What used to be simple was suddenly complicated. Life upended overnight as new case numbers came racing in. Staying indoors became the standard as classrooms were vacated and businesses shuttered their doors. The definition of “normal” evolved suddenly — Zoom, masks and uncertainty became commonplace. Everyone’s life changed to keep up with a pandemic as COVID-19 became the new normal.

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“I had to become comfortable with the silence of my house.”

— Patrick Bragg

“Quarantine during the summer has been a mix of isolation and self-reflection.”

— Nick Thomsen

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“History was happening right before my eyes.”

— George Rowson

Bees on Film COVID-19 halted America in its tracks. Life changed from normal into surviving a pandemic overnight. Schools hurried to transition classes online and SCAD was forced to close academic buildings to prevent spread. In what felt like an instant, Zoom became the new normal. Every student had plans that suddenly needed to change.

During the past spring and summer quarter, we began a new project. We asked six photographers to document their unique experiences during a global pandemic on film. Both the spectacular and the mundane. How did their lives change? What did a day in this new world look like for them? This is seeing a pandemic through their eyes ‌ This is Bees on Film.

arrett

lle G Left: tion by Ha a Illustr

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Patrick Bragg Summer 2020 Photos and writing by Patrick Bragg

“After returning to Savannah, I spent most of my time alone. I had to become comfortable in the silence of my house. Neighborhood walks, trips to the grocery store and calls with friends helped to give me some sense of sanity. I decided to take classes over the summer, which gave me an outlet to focus my creativity. The majority of my house became my studio, looking as if a tornado went through a craft store.”

Savannah, 2020 10

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“After spending months in quarantine not leaving my house, close friends, family, and I decided it would be safe to see each other again. My family decided we would take our annual trip to Michigan. We spent a lot of our time outside at the beach and dunes. It was a nice change of scenery as I had spent the previous months restricted to the walls of my house.�

Michigan, 2020 SCADDISTRICT.COM

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Ben Krueger Summer 2020 Photos and writing by Ben Krueger

New Jersey, 2020

“It’s not every day you are asked to stay inside for months on end. It’s not every lifetime that the fear of going out and interacting could result in infection or death of you, friends and family. To experience quarantine — is “experience” even the right word to sum up such an extended period of non-experiences? — is to experience 2020, the new normal. I shaved my head, we cooked our own meals, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Zoom birthdays, are we flattening the curve? Six-pack of beer, six-pack of masks, hopeful summer, has anything really changed? Back to school!”

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Nick Thomsen Summer 2020 Photos and writing by Nick Thomsen

“Quarantine during the summer has been a mix of isolation and self-reflection. While I typically enjoy time with friends and family, being forced to stick with specific people and make essential trips only has been a great change of pace. Who I see and what I do is more intentional compared to life before all of this. Smaller moments I’m appreciating a lot more now.”

“Who I see and what I do is more intentional compared to life before all of this.”

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George Rowson Summer 2020 Photos by George Rowson

“Unforeseen circumstances led me to drive across America, 2,500 miles, from Savannah, Ga. to Los Angeles, Ca. During my time in an empty, eerie L.A., I made sure to capture some of the most famous attractions abandoned, empty and peaceful. For many of these sights, it has been decades since theyhave been able to be photographed this way.

History was happening right before my eyes, and I was so very fortunate to be able to tie together the trip with the ‘Bees on Film’ project.”

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Los Angeles, Calif.

THEBUZZ.COM

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DISTRICT IN BLOOM • FALL 2020

Kendall McKinnon

Summer 2020 Photos by Kendall McKinnon

“In the same way that quarantine was forced upon us, quarantine forced me to become a kid again.

I spent afternoons poring over books I bought but never read. I rearranged my room, then rearranged it once more. I swam nearly every day, stopping only for snacks. I sat in my grandparents’ garden, watching bumblebees bump into things. I laughed. I got sunburned. I pet frogs. I ate chocolate cake.

I played like I did when I was 10 years old, and, whether or not quarantine stays, I’m keeping that spirit.”

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Student Work Visualizing a Pandemic

Going Written by Arantxa Hernandez Lopez

Above and Left: Stefania Salvo

I drive through neon corners of uncertainty — Wright Square, Fancy Parkers, the parking lot where I let life give me more than one kiss and liked it. white knuckled wheel, knots tied against both feet yet I move.

The ghost town moves, whispering to the hanging moss to tie everyone’s feet for just another month. rosé spills in weathered seat, my wheel is as straight as my mind yet we laugh folding goodbyes in the back of our pockets.

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Préoccupations Written by Maggie Maize

I see germs jump hand to hand like kids on monkey bars, so I daydream of ladling sanitizer into their cupped hands.

I hope this air’s enough to get me up the hill and through the uncovered cough, uncovered sneeze.

I worry about bathroom hands touching the light, the door, virus hands touching tongs, spoons mistaken for forks.

I wonder who else drops plans to have something else to scrub.

Below: Unititled, Larissa VanNyatten These were made during my first all-online quarter at SCAD, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The inspiration came from strong feelings of loneliness and isolation felt during the first month in self-quarantine. The first one I was thinking of big cities like New York and what people might feel like being stuck in their apartments, and the second one I wanted to show wondrous, adventurous and even hopeful side to being alone.

Left: Sardinas, Estela Manotoc In DSGN115, the Creative Thinking Strategies course, students were asked to react to the news, whether it be global or local. Estela Eva Manotoc chose an article about the coronavirus spread in prisons in the Philippines. She explains, “That while so many of us are quarantined in our comfortable homes, the suffering of these people is forgotten. ‘Parang Sardinas’ means, ‘like sardines’ which paints an accurate picture of how these prisoners live. Social distancing is simply nonexistent in the setting, even if as we know it is imperative with the virus spreading so fast. How is it so easy for people to turn a blind eye towards those living in these prisons? In poverty? I sit humanely? My interpretation of this news is that during this pandemic, socio-economic issues like this should be highlighted and remembered, not forgotten. The virus is imposed on everyone, but for these people who live in poverty and inhumane circumstances, to begin with, they don’t stand a chance at all. A prisoner in the Philippines during the pandemic is facing great odds, being suffocated by the idea of death, and being treated a just another sardine in a sea of many,” she explained.

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Pulling at Masks Written by Adrienne Krozack

Somewhere you breathe the same air You feel the same impatience You are lost in the same void We search amongst a billion strangers Naively hoping to catch some luck I can find you in gliding keys or strings I can feel you in the air before a summer storm In the light that cracks the sky I can sense you when the sun rises over the wild plains Creeping along each leafy tree and unruly field Casting scarlet and gold upon crimson honeycrisp apples Its’ tint gradually transforming Spilling brilliant blood red over the soil Then dipping the world in rich golden honey I wonder again if you are there beneath another mask I tug and pull, but to no avail But to doubt is to fall So I continue Continue to grope in the black, pulling at the masks of a billion strangers Never wavering Always waiting Waiting until our souls may collide Under the celestial system From whence we came

Left: Photos and art: Camila Odio

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DISTRICT IN BLOOM • FALL 2020

Top Left, Above, Below: Sophie Berner, Jordan Tenenbaum Despite social distancing, Jordan Tannenbaum found a unique way to continue shooting photos: video call!

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Professors,

Ph.D. in Zoom A professor who surrounds himself with books, another is a former Walt Disney Company Imagineer, a thinker and more. What do they all have in common? Welcome to being a professor at SCAD.

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“This is it. This is what I want to do.”

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“You can’t learn design if you don’t screw up.”

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“I was a writer by discipline, but I call myself a thinker, because I think almost as much visually as I do in words.”

— Roy Christopher

— Greg Andrade

— Stu Thompson

“I believe we all got closer in some respect while being physically more distant.”

— Celeste Lovette Guichard

Taking on a Quarter in Quarantine, Together April 27, 2020 Written by Eve Katz

SCAD’s change to completely virtual classes for the Spring 2020 quarter has led to much more time at home for students and faculty alike. One of the many reasons students are drawn to SCAD is the opportunity to be surrounded by other artists and collaboration, but with the health risks of being on campus while COVID-19 still poses a threat, physically being with other creatives simply isn’t an option. That is, unless you live with a fellow creative.

Professors Cyril and Celeste Guichard have had to adapt their classes to better fit online learning and communication.

“For most classes, I’m actually surprised by how little the shift to ‘virtual’ has impacted the students’ work,” Cyril said. “They are still equally committed to their work, are showing up for critiques and reviews and found creative ways to share their work with the rest of the class.” Despite new challenges presented by the unexpected cancellation of on-campus instruction, students remain dedicated to producing quality work and getting as much as they can out of their online classes and interactions with professors.

because students seemed happy to get started,” Celeste said. “It is not that I wasn’t looking forward to beginning the quarter, but I worried about how some of the new techniques I was employing would work, about how my students overall were doing under such difficult circumstances, and, of course, whether the internet, my computer, my microphone, not to mention my students’ internet and technology would hold up.

There have been glitches, and I do wish that everyone had equal access to excellent internet, but the community spirit in the virtual classroom has been fantastic.”

“The administration did a great job in helping faculty get prepared, and we were all encouraged by the enthusiastic ‘all hands on deck’ mentality everyone — faculty, staff, supportive family members — had,” Celeste said. Without a sense of positivity from the school, the process of shifting to a virtual learning environment would have been much more difficult for faculty.

The commitment of students to staying positive is not going unnoticed by professors.

“I’m surprised in a very positive way by the resilience of most of the students,” Cyril said. “I was worried that there may be less motivation, more mental anguish — but generally, students are showing a great drive and up-beat spirit. This makes me feel so much better about the whole situation, and I believe we all got closer in some respect while being physically more distant.”

Despite the current situation in the world, students are working hard to stay positive and focus on improving their art. “During the first week, I was really happily surprised with how good it felt to finally begin classes, particularly

Professors Celeste and Cyril Guichard may have been thrown a curveball with the switch to online learning, but they didn’t let it disrupt their dedication to their students.

While Celeste has built upon knowledge she already had from previous experience with online classes, Cyril has spent time making videos of lectures and greetings in order to help his students.

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Professor Stu Thompson Brings Relevancy to the Classroom Oct. 17, 2019 Written by Colleen Miller, Photos by Nick Thomsen

Stuart “Stu” Thompson is one of the new additions to SCAD’s advertising faculty. This professor feels strongly about engaging with students in their creative processes. As he worked alongside one of his students in Adler Hall,Thompson’s laid back, conversational style set the room at ease. Injected with Thompson’s zeal, ideas began to flow freely from professor to student. “Now my student will go off and explore, and that’s the way it should be,” Thompson said.

“I have pivoted a bunch of times in my career in advertising,” Thompson said. “I did traditional advertising, then I did digital, social and experiential. So, I’ve done these crazy shifts and enhanced my skill set the longer I’ve gone on. I kind of got burnt out to be perfectly honest. I have done 20 years in traditional agencies.”

Thompson’s journey to become a SCAD professor began as he searched to reconnect with these creative, collaborative experiences.

“I was a writer by discipline, but I call myself a thinker, because I think almost as much visually as I do in words.”

Thompson’s own advertising career had many twists and turns. After graduating from the University of Alabama and attending Creative Circus in Atlanta, Thompson began to work for a variety of agencies.

Thompson’s leadership roles in agencies often removed him from the hands-on aspects of creative problem-solving. “I taught on and off the past 17 years at different places while I was working

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full-time. It kept me on my toes and in the spirit of students where there is free-thinking and no rules,” Thompson said. s working at advertising agencies became more time consuming, he was unable to continue his teaching. “I missed that environment,” Thompson said. hen the opportunity to teach at S arose, Thompson umped on the chance. “I like to follow the opportunities that come to you,” Thompson said. “ ust chase and embrace.”

Thompson plans to continue his freelance work even as he works as a S professor. ust this fall, he worked with ain ose to collaborate with the nited Nations N . e continues to contribute to their social campaign raising awareness of the N’s 17 Sustainable evelopment oals. sing ItStarts ith s and the ne ord hallenge, people are encouraged to write one word that describes how they want to change the world on their nger to post on social media.

“I wanted to do more of the problem-solving that is inherent in this job. That’s where the magic happens.”

Through freelance pro ects and past advertising experience, Thompson brings a level of relevancy to the classroom that he is happy to share with students. “Students are our representation, our ambassadors,” Thompson said. pproaching his classroom with high energy, Thompson seeks to nurture these ambassadors of the future.

Professor Stu Thompson Follow-up May 7, 2020 Written by Colleen Miller

After working in the advertising industry and on freelance jobs since becoming a SCAD professor, Stu Thompson is more than familiar with the bene ts and limitations of connecting virtually. is experience with fostering human connection and capitalizing on the e ciency of online communication has translated positively in the classroom. “[Online] you’re going to get about the same amount of facetime with me as in the classroom ,” Thompson said. “ aybe even more.”

This may be because Thompson views online learning as e cient but lacking in the “human factor” of face to face communication. To combat this, he frequently gives feedback using voice memos and uses oom breakout rooms for “hyper-focused feedback.”

Despite the limitations of online learning, Thompson said, “This is an opportunity to be a better critical thinker.” ith fewer opportunities to rely on the guidance of peers and professors, students are encouraged to nd answers for themselves by exploring the resources at their ngertips. “This accountability needs to be built into everything we do,” said Thompson.

In fact, online classes can even be engaging. “ e’re always trying to learn as students and teachers,” Thompson said. “It’s been kind of fun for me.” any lecturers have found their way to class with Thompson inviting a few of his friends in the industry to give insights.

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Savannah Charm Welcome to an inside look at some of the newest restaurants, the best businesses to pick up supplies and interviews with the people who make Savannah what it is. This is Savannah Charm.

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“I want to buy from the farmer out on the island, not the company importing and storing.”

— Brandy Williamson

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“The South is what I know and love.”

— Elizabeth Seeger

Savannah 'She'fs:

Brandy Williamson w

elcome to Savannah ‘Shef’s, a series spotlighting the women who define the flavor of Savannah. The moniker “Shef” owes its origins to the ladies of Cherry Bombe, an indie magazine dedicated to sharing the stories of women in the world of food.

This past fall, District borrowed the term as a springboard to explore the girl power in Savannah's kitchens.

Brandy Williamson is the mastermind behind The Public, Soho South Café, Agency (Atlanta), executive chef at Local 11 Ten. As the name suggests, this venue, located at 1011 Bull Street, is all about locality. The restaurant is farm to table focused, proudly supporting nearby farmers to craft seasonal dishes. “I want to buy from the farmer out on the island, not the company importing and storing,” Williamson said.

“I want to buy from the farmer out on the island, not the company importing and storing,” Eating locally goes hand in hand with eating seasonally. At Local 11 Ten, the menu changes with the seasons in order to accentuate the region’s freshest bounty.

Revisioning offerings is hard work for everyone, but Williamson and her staff know the worth of produce at its peak.

“I’m not going to sacrifice what I want to be for someone else,” Williamson said. “It sounds weird, from someone who cooks for

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THE BUZZ • FALL 2020

Written by Sophie Leopold, Photos by Kendra Frankle

other people, but I’m not going to sacrifice quality for anything.” Simplicity is also a core element of Williamson’s cooking style. “We don’t need to manipulate food to make it delicious,” Williamson said. “You don’t have to process food as much as we do.”

Phrases such as ‘farm to table’ and ‘clean eating’ may be buzz words in today’s restaurant industry, but those principles have been present in Williamson’s kitchen throughout her life. Williamson credits her late grandmother as the individual who first fostered her joy of cooking and eating.

Her grandmother was a single parent of 13, a woman who created a home in a true farm to fork spirit. According to Williamson, everything was homegrown. She raised cows and pigs, slaughtered them and broke the meat down herself. Williamson’s grandmother used what she had, not because doing so was trendy, but because the knowledge of how to make a meal out of anything kept her family thriving.

Williamson recalls riding home from visits to grandma’s, a lard biscuit in each hand, with warmth. “You can eat well no matter if you’re dirt poor or filthy rich,” Williamson said.

Williamson’s heart has always been in the kitchen, but the realization of cooking as a career came later. As a senior business student at her native North Carolina State University, she struck up a conversation with a classmate who attended culinary school.

Williamson had never imagined the option before that moment. Following college graduation in May of 2005, she began her

studies at Le Cordon Bleu in September.

From day one Williamson knew it was the right decision to make.

After culinary school, she found herself interning in Savannah, soon establishing the city as home. “It sucks you in,” Williamson said. Over the course of five years, Williamson worked her way from intern to executive chef at Sapphire Grill, and found that Savannah was the place to stay and flourish her Southern palette. Next, she was hired onto the team at Local 11 Ten. “What’s the worst [about professional kitchens]? The heat, the stress, the pressure,” Williamson said. “But what’s the best? The heat, the stress, the pressure. I love the grit, noise and fire. I love serving people and making them happy.”

While Williamson is classically French trained, she’s not going home to whip up croquettes or soufflé. In fact, fine dining is a rarity in her daily life. Milk and cereal are always well stocked. On weeknights she fires up the barbeque, opting for simply grilled proteins and vegetables. Williamson harks back to grandma by buying a large cut of meat and pairing down the portions herself.

When entertaining for a crowd, it’s a big pot of Brunswick stew.

“Good food is good food, you know it when you see it.” Williamson said.

Savannah 'She'fs:

Kaitlyn Bryant

On Baking Auspiciously

B

y definition, auspicious is an adjective meaning ‘conducive to success; favorable.’ For Kaitlyn Bryant and Mark Ekstrom, the fiancé owner duo of Auspicious Baking Company, it’s their preferred method of baking with love. “It’s all about the feeling that we put into our baking, the environment in which the food is prepared,” Bryant said.

Bryant sourced inspiration from the Gypsy philosophy of infusing homemade food with positivity. To be auspicious in the kitchen is to cook with good fortune, so the person eating prospers. Auspicious has not only become a way to describe Bryant’s baking mantra but her culinary beginnings as well.

While Bryant grew up as a chef’s daughter, ease ruled at home. Low key meals on the fly were often the result of her father’s hectic schedule. When Bryant’s dad was around to make a family feast, she learned the virtues of slowing down to savor. The resonant message: good food takes time. Today, Bryant thrives on playing with ingredients to introduce new recipes, without losing touch with her foundation of simplicity. “A lot of what you see reflected on the menu are comfortable, convenient foods, such as poptarts, ham and cheese sandwiches,” Bryant said.

In high school, Bryant worked as a busser, her first foray into fine dining. There, the

Written by Sophie Leopold, Photos by Kendra Frankle

pastry chef took her under his wing. Bryant recalls him “looking after the kids,” and slipping them bread to fuel through the shift. Bryant remained in that restaurant for several years, earning her rise through the ranks. Stepping up to a food runner position allowed her to get closer to the food. From training new hires to prepping salads and appetizers, she eventually landed the role as head pastry chef at age seventeen. “A young chef was thrown in when we lost our executive,” Bryant said. “He was given a chance, and then he gave me one. I was taught to sink or swim at a young age.”

“It’s all about the feeling that we put into our baking, the environment in which the food is prepared,” When Bryant and fiancé Ekstrom arrived in Savannah they were delighted by the active food scene. But instead of latching on to an established bakery, they had the initiative to found a unique venture. “I think at first it was about finding my place, then not finding it, which turned into opening our own,” Bryant said. “No one was there to give me the dream job, so I created it for myself.” They began life in Savannah taking restaurant jobs to gain more experience. When the opportunity struck to make their goals a reality, they

jumped on it. For the past two years, the Auspicious kitchen and storefront on Skidaway Road has been hosting bi-weekly bake sales. Sunday mornings, perfect for a post church treat; and Tuesdays, with hours extending into the afternoon for lunch.

On the days doors are closed to the public, the Auspicious team is busy baking for businesses around town selling their product. Find Auspicious goodies at Perc Coffee Roasters, The Paris Market, Mirabelle Café, Brighter Day Natural Foods, Purrvana Café and Cat Lounge, El Coyote, Toasted Barrel, Fox and Fig Café, Cohen’s Retreat and Wyld.

Since the community can’t get enough of Auspicious, Bryant and Ekstrom continue to strive for more. As the new year approaches, Auspicious is preparing for an expansion and moving to a new location. Devotees can follow their pastry cravings to Skidaway Road and Ferguson Avenue, where a growing menu and retail seating soon awaits.

In the meantime, pulling a batch of fresh baked bread out of the oven is a joy for Bryant.

“I load something into the oven, asking how’s this going to turn out?” Bryant said. “Then the relief, even after hundreds of times. Every day the fear keeps us honest that way.”

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Local businesses Lend Students a Hand with Projects.

Writing and photos by Perrin Smith

Y

ou’ve just been assigned a project for class. The deadline is coming up fast and your head is spinning. You need props — no, you need an outfit —maybe both. More often than not class projects are assigned and due quicker than you’d like, always sneaking up before you’re ready for them.

Whether it’s finding objects for a still life project or sourcing outfits and locations for a fashion shoot or short film, there are stores and businesses all over Savannah that have just about whatever you need for any project you’re undertaking. With so many options, what stores do you trust? Who has your back? Well, here are three affordable, practical and helpful options.

Wright Square Vintage

Film Biz Recycling

House of Strut

Nestled alongside Wright Square at 14 W. State St., Wright Square Vintage has been servicing the Savannah area for the past three years with their brand and variety of antique items.

Settled less than a mile from the Hive and Turner House, Film Biz Recycling is Savannah’s one and only prop house.

Last but not least is House of Strut. Arguably the most well-known on the list, House of Strut offers unique outfits and vintage styles at affordable costs. Specializing in clothing, they are the perfect resource for a fashion shoot or even costume sourcing for a short film.

Magazines, smoking pipes, glass eyes and Kodachrome slides — there’s just about everything you could ever want for a still life or a photo shoot. Items are affordable if you’re looking to buy, but Wright Square Vintage understands the budget most SCAD students are working under. So, don’t worry, they have a rental policy on every item in the store.

Renting is simple, easy and painless. All you do is pay for 30 percent of the item’s cost.

After that, the item is yours for a week. You’ll only ever need to pay more for an item if it’s damaged or not returned.

“SCAD is good to us, so why not reciprocate that,” said Andy Sher, the self-titled Man in Charge. Sher has been leading the pack for making item rentals affordable. With 34 unique vendors supplying the store, every one of them adds to a collection of items curated for students.

“They cater to SCAD student’s needs. They really know what you’ll want.”

Some of their top-selling items include vinyl records, film slides and even jewelry. To top everything off, they even boast the largest selection of film cameras in Savannah.

Everywhere you look there’s something unique that could be perfect for a number of “out there” projects.

DISTRICT IN BLOOM • FALL 2020

This is definitely a place that’s meant more for furnishing a film set or a theatre production, but the sheer number of props around make it perfect for any set project.

Film Biz Recycling has the most diverse stock of props than any other business on the list.

There’s vintage TVs, furniture and even office paperwork and medical equipment. The idea is to have just about anything you could ever need for any project.

To add more credibility to Film Biz Recycling, they are also frequently involved with major productions around Savannah. “We definitely rented some of our items to ‘Lady and the Tramp,’ as well as ‘Council of Dads’ that’s here right now,” said Samita Wolfe, president of Film Biz Recycling.

For students, the process of renting is by appointment only. In order to see what they have on offer, all you have to do is visit their website, select make an appointment and then choose a time. Then all you have to do is show up. Once you’re there, you can photograph the items you might want to rent and later send the photos of what you’ll need to Wolfe. From that point on, a rental cost will be tallied based on the items. But again, don’t worry! SCAD students take a 10 percent discount on all rentals.

House of Strut is exceedingly notable because of the variety of outfits they have on the racks. “We have stuff from the 80s, even Y2K and the groovy 70s,” said Addie Jo Bannerman, manager of House of Strut.

House of Strut, like the other businesses on this list, also offer a rental policy for SCAD students. For students, all you pay is 30 percent of the garments listed price, and from there, the garment is yours for up to three days.

In addition, House of Strut makes sure that all of their clothing is perfect for experimentation. “It’s all gender-neutral or cross gender. We encourage you to use whatever you want,” Bannerman said. “Get creative with it.”

Starlandia

Wright Square Vintage

Follow-Up Written by Colleen Miller

Clinton Edminster, founder of Starlandia, has found more than enough to keep him busy during quarantine between running for Savannah’s second District County Commissioner and managing his store. One thing he is certain of:

“Nothing will go back [to exactly how it was before].

Time only moves in one direction, but there will be elements of the past we will pull through.”

After closing Starlandia’s storefront March 18 to protect against spreading COVID-19, Edminster took a short break from his work.

It wasn’t long before he was back at it again and the store began offering “sidewalk sales.”

By placing an order via email, social media or a phone call, customers are able to request their shopping list and pay with a credit card.

Then using precautions such as masks and gloves, the art supplies are available for pickup at the store’s front door.

With seven to eight of these orders on an average day, lowering expenses and government subsidies, Edminster is confident Starlandia will open its doors to the public in the future. As of now, the date this may occur is uncertain. “We are more conservative about these decisions related to our health and the health of our customers,” Edminster said.

Wright Square Vintage: Operating Under Quarantine

Written by Perrin Smith

Businesses across America briefly closed their doors due to the outbreak of COVID-19. Back in early March, business owners were hopeful that quarantine would only last a couple of weeks.

That was a dangerous underestimate.

In the months following the initial wave of the Coronavirus in the United States, businesses struggled to keep afloat.

Without customers, there exists few ways for employers to pay their employees and rent. Many businesses around the country feared going under. This is the case for Savannah’s Wright Square Vintage and Retro Mall.

“I guess you could say [COVID-19] has affected our business dramatically,” said Andy Sher, the owner and man in charge at Wright Square Vintage. “We closed our business March 21. We remain closed as of today, June 3. We continue to pay our bills, such as rent, utilities and employee salaries. But we have no revenue; we are existing on our savings. I’m not sure we will have a business to reopen if this drags through the Fall.”

But not having customers is one of the last things on Sher’s mind. He is more concerned with keeping his employees and customers safe from contracting COVID-19.

Last week, one of my dealers tested positive for COVID-19. Had I opened two weeks ago, I wonder how many of my employees and customers would have faced the risk of getting sick. My dealer didn’t know he contracted it — now he’s facing the fight of his life.”

Sher has hope that there are alternative options to continue business. With the threat of a prolonged quarantine — even lasting until the end of the year — Sher, and other business owners are turning to new methods to keep their shops open.

“We are in the process of launching a sales website. As just about all of my employees are SCAD students, the launch of the site has been delated as they had to finish the quarter before diving into a website project,” said Sher.

The need to keep businesses afloat is very real. The struggle to maintain safety and a livelihood is difficult, if not seemingly impossible, for many small business owners. Andy Sher is aware of the dangers everyone is facing. He understands the risk you take when opening a business back up, and the potential danger for shoppers.

“We considered a GoFundMe; however, it seems selfish. There are so many suffering worse than us.”

“It’s a daily challenge to remain in a safe environment,” Sher stated, “We have 32 dealers that rent space in the mall.

SCADDISTRICT.COM

Breakfast at Sophie’s: Farmer’s Market Tour May 19, 2020 Written by Sophie Leopold and Paige Mathieson, Photos by Emily Budine, Illustrations by Mel Petzoldt

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he Farmer’s Market isn’t just for kale enthusiasts and Gwyneth Paltrow wannabes. On Saturday mornings, local vendors and growers gather at Forsyth Park to share their goods with the community. There’s fresh produce, artisan pastries and specialty food products aplenty. While the quality is always top notch, this market is accessible to everyone, no chef’s kitchen or hordes of cash required. Join District Staff for a tour of the market, student-friendly snack highlights and few market shopping tips.

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Five Ways to Become A Sustainable Consumer I Nov. 13, 2020 Written by Molly Dunn, Photos by Emily Budine, Illustrations by Mel Petzoldt

n a world run by convenience, rising emissions and plastic are making headlines like never before. Single-use plastic is all around us, which makes it seem unavoidable and impossible to cut out.

Carbon dioxide levels have been on the rise for decades, destroying our ozone faster than trees can replenish.

This all can feel overwhelming at times, but do not feel discouraged.

There are simple steps anyone can take to begin their journey toward sustainability. You don’t have to give up your modern life and move to the forest. Instead, here are five ways you, and everyone you know, can take a step in the right direction to support the health of our planet.

1. Buy Local When you buy from local businesses, you cut down your carbon footprint and directly support the community’s wellbeing. On a large scale, corporations are the number one contributors to plastic waste and carbon dioxide emissions. Mass production is the least sustainable industry, yet it’s almost impossible to avoid it. By supporting local businesses, you are supporting small-batch creators, family farmers and personalized business practices.

When shopping in Savannah, check out Brighter Day for healthy foods and sustainably produced items. Nourish, located on Broughton St., provides plastic-free packaging for soaps and beauty products that are made by hand.

2. Buy Reusable Single-use paper and plastic occupy landfills faster than any other waste. Each year in America, 100 billion single-use plastic bags are used only for about 12 minutes on average. Just bringing a couple of reusable bags to the store would cut down plastic bag consumption by 1,200 bags per household per year.

Americans only recycle one out of every 200 bags even though it’s said over and over, reusable products are the future.

3. Buy in Bulk Now that you have your reusable grocery bags, catch the Forsyth Farmers Market every Saturday morning in downtown Savannah from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Buying your produce, dairy, nuts and baked goods locally gives you the ability to choose just how much you want to bring home. Avoiding prepackaged foods allows you to take only what you need. Even better, you get to continue to support your local businesses that work hard to make sustainability available to all.

They are more than just a trend; they are sustainable. In the long run, a reusable grocery bag will minimize plastic waste and give you an excuse to spread the word on sustainable living. It’s that easy.

More reusable products are hitting the market these days that extend further than just shopping bags. Now, you can even be conscientious about the products you put on your body. “Myro deodorant” is an up and coming all natural deodorant brand with refillable pods. No more throwing away single-use cases of deodorant. The heavy plastics of the mass manufactured products end up in landfills by the hundreds each year. Even thinking about replacing one beauty product in your home with a sustainable alternative can make an impact.

4. Buy Biodegradable When avoiding plastic products begins to feel impossible, look for biodegradable substitutes. Paper or wood products may not always be practical or viable, so many companies are turning towards bamboo as their primary source of material. Wowe produces biodegradable bamboo toothbrushes to replace your average plastic toothbrush. As a recommendation, a person should replace their toothbrush every three months, meaning that on average, one person throws away more than 300 plastic toothbrushes in their lifetime. As a plus, Wowe packages all their products with recycled paper materials.

5. Buy Conscientiously Finally, pay attention to what you buy. Read labels, take a look at the ingredients and keep sustainability at the forefront of your mind. Whenever you are able, make the green choice. It’s not always possible to avoid plastic, but as long as you make an effort to think and live differently, you are making a change. Support your local businesses, bring a shopping bag with you and pay attention to what your household products are made with. Keep your eyes open and be intentional. Together, we can make changes that sustain.

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With a rise in sales and success, Satchel is now known throughout the South East for its unique assortment of bags, wallets, clutches and more. Magazines such as Lucky, Southern Living, Fortune, Travel + Leisure, and Garden & Gun have praised Satchel’s products for their functionality and wide array of materials, patterns, and designs.

When asked about her secret to success, Seeger responded, “Ask all the questions. If you don’t ask, the answer will always be no.”

Even after thirteen years of experience, she is still constantly learning how to run her business and the more business grows, the more questions she asks.

The praise and success are humbling for Seeger, who doesn’t aspire to be the center of attention. “One of the most rewarding things is seeing people I don’t know carry the bags I make, whether it’s someone down on Broughton Street or a person in the JFK airport,” Seeger said. on, the two worked tirelessly to transform Satchel into a fully in-house brand. Satchel’s inventory was now exclusively conceived, designed, and manufactured, by Seeger and Lewis in their Broughton Street location.

Despite its newfound success, Satchel faced yet another threat, late in 2013. A big buyer was sweeping through Broughton Street, trying to push major chain brands and retailers into the highly profitable real estate.

Many local businesses were forced out of their storefronts and had to seek out new venues. Satchel found itself a home on the corner of Bull and Liberty Streets.

“It ended up being a blessing in disguise,” Seeger said. She split the shop in two, keeping the front as a store and converting the back into a design studio. “What you think are conscious decisions are not

decisions at all, it’s just what you do to solve your own problems,” Seeger said. Since the move, Satchel has flourished, adding on six more “Satchelettes” to its staff. “The key is to surround yourself with really good people,” Seeger said, “build a community.”

“One of the most rewarding things is seeing people I don’t know carry the bags I make, whether it’s someone down on Broughton Street or a person in the JFK airport,” Seeger began releasing two collections a year, a fall/winter and a spring/summer, working to streamline designs to meet the growing demand for her accessories.

It’s Business as Usual for Satchel During Quarantine Written by Rachele Terranova

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lizabeth Seeger [2005 BFA Fashion] has been challenged with navigating small business ownership during the time of the Coronavirus pandemic. As the founder of Satchel, Seeger has had to adapt to life during the pandemic for herself and her business.

Like many shops, Seeger had to close retail locations for Satchel, as well as their sister company, Port City Sewing Factory, furloughing most of their employees. With help from the Payroll Protection Program funds during the first round, Satchel was able to get working again. Since then, all employees have been able to return to work. “Like many other shops, we’ve had to get creative to be able to continue selling our handmade goods while everyone was advised to stay home,” Seeger said. “We worked as remotely as possible, offered curbside

pick up and limited local delivery and we did free shipping for a certain period of time.”

During quarantine, Satchel has begun a “Buy One, Give One” program which allows customers to purchase masks that retail for $20 each. For each sold, one is donated to a charity in need. With overwhelming success, they sold over one hundred in the first week.

They were able to send the one hundred ‘get one’ masks to Park Place Outreach, which services at-risk youth.

Due to the growing scarcity of reusable masks and the need to support local businesses, Satchel has been able to work with restaurants, hotels and organizations to make masks for their employees. Perry Lane Hotel was the first to reach out. Seeger noted, “When Peregrin and Emporium reopened, we were thrilled to have our masks worn

Satchel has gone on to start up a sister company, by the name of Port City Sewing Factory and open a new location in the Savannah Airport.

Seeger is still a dreamer at heart. She plans to continue growing her brand over the next few years, hoping to add more locations in the South East, in cities such as Charleston and New Orleans. But in the meantime, you can find Seeger sitting at her vintage sewing machine, laughing with her friends, and chatting with customers, as they fall in love with her latest creations.

“I love what I do,” Seeger said. “I’ve learned a lot to get where I am right now, and if I had the chance, I wouldn’t take any of it back.”

by their team members. They were very gracious in giving us feedback on the design and functionality of the masks from the perspective of the hospitality industry. We have also worked with a few local restaurants and are offering fabrics to coordinate with their uniform or dress codes.”

Seeger and her team have been pushed to dig deeper into their abilities to work remotely, while also learning the technical side of it all. A unique feature the company has used to adapt to the online shopping experience is including a comment box at checkout so clients list their second and third leather choices when placing their order.

Though there are many challenges and changes to work through on a daily basis, the passion for creating handmade goods is always constant. “Working out these kinks has held precedent over creating new designs so we can still provide an exceptional customer experience despite the limits that the pandemic has created for doing business as usual,” Seeger said.

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reedom is found within the black hair salon. If we’re being honest, you walk in looking rough — wig off, hair tied up, bonnet on. It’s the only place other than the comfort of your own home where that behavior is socially acceptable.

You’ve been there for about two and a half hours and no one’s even touched your head. It’s fine though, because you have stacks on stacks of hair magazines to flip through and all your girls are here for company. Maybe they’re getting their hair done, maybe they’re here involuntarily.

Either way, this is an all-day affair.

There’s only one rule: don’t even bother to show up if you’re tender-headed. Your curls and coils are combed with the largest teeth, scrubbed with the longest nails, and burned with the hottest irons.

Around 1 p.m., a woman (a savior, really) takes orders for the Jamacian restaurant next door, curing everyone of their lunchtime crankiness. How she fits all the orders on that tiny slip of paper is beyond me.

Soon, the salon smells of beef patties, coco bread, oxtail and rice and peas. With appetites satisfied, the jewelry man stops by with his latest finds. He’s smart because

you can’t run away when your butt’s glued to a styling chair.

Black hair salons are probably the reason the magazine industry is going out of business as the gossip is better — and free. Topics of conversation probably include: your neighbors, the latest family relationship scandal and opinions on celebrities, while the only person who gets a good wrap is the Holy Trinity.

All the while BET plays in the background.

By day’s end you’ve probably watched "Boyz n the Hood", "Friday" and "Baby Boy", among others, three times.

In the end, it’s all worth it when the styling chair swivels around to slowly reveal your brand new look in the mirror. Remember, if anyone asks if that’s your real hair, it is— because you paid for it.

You not only look better, but you feel better, ready to take on the world, because you know there’s women rooting for you.

There’s women that’ll be there, ready to comb out the kinks again, when the world tangles you up again.

Editorial originally published on scadmanor.com Feb. 24, 2020

Hot Combs and HOT GOSSIP

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Words Hannah Harris Photography Lance Langel Creative Director/Stylist Morgan Daniel Models Tamia Haskins Taylor Elam Kaitlyn Brown Makeup Artist Taylor Petrone

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The Mental Health Discussion Mental health is a major concern. At art school, many of us know that better than anyone. From the ways it can inspire amazing work, to stopping it in its tracks. How do other students create from their experiences with mental health? What resources does SCAD offer? Here’s a look into parts of the important mental health discussion at SCAD.

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“Mental health, ultimately, is part of everything we do.”

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“We want people to know it’s okay to reach out. There’s no judgement.”

— Chris Corbett

— Saige Buffington

A Brief History of Fire I

often think about my life during summer. The purple midnights I swam in beetle and leaf ridden pools under wings of heat-lightning – the air full of cicadas preaching to the trees and the often think about mysmell life of during magnolias summer. opening their lips. And The purple midnightsthe I swam fireflies! in beetle My brother and and I would steal leaf ridden pools under into wings the of heat-lightning corpse of wet pine behind our – the air full of cicadas home, preaching our little to the veil trees tucked away from the and the smell of magnolias world, opening and chase theirthe lips. motes of candlelight And the fireflies! My brother bobbing andinI would the shadows steal just to brag that we had hunted fey and survived their into the corpse of wet pine behind our home, our little veil tucked away clever from tricks. the world, and chase the motes of candlelight bobbing in the shadows just to brag that Summer we hadchanged hunted fey with every passing and survived their cleveryear: tricks. cigarettes for bee stings or for when my brother walked the dog, sun-blistered and heat-dizzy heads from Summer changed withshoulders every passing year: cigarettes for bee stings dashing or for through when the my neighbors’ yards, brother walked thehurricanes, dog, sun-blistered fallen power lines, with their steel cables sparking shoulders and heat-dizzy heads from dashingand writhing amid shattered like centipedes. Fireworks through the neighbors’ yards, trees hurricanes, fallen power lines, with and their gun smoke, steel cables my dad’s rusted pickup, sparking and writhing trembling amid shattered to life and trees hummingbirds with scarlet juddering from every like centipedes. Fireworks andthroats gun smoke, of honeysuckle. my dad’s rusted pickup,swallow trembling to life and Wrestling on the hummingbirds with scarlet trampoline, throats ajuddering roadmap of burns across from every swallow of honeysuckle. my body and Wrestling orange pollen staining on the trampoline, a roadmap my face. of Each burnssummer across brought its own my body and orange pollen stainingThis my face. fascinations. world around me was Each summer broughtenough. its own fascinations.

This world around me was enough.

What I remember of childhood, of the What I remember of childhood, of the nights where mynights brother and I captured where my brother andwarbling I captured toadswarbling and aching eyes from lack toads and aching eyesof from sleep, lack became of sleep, a slow blur of memories became a slow blur ofuntil memories until I all I could seeallthrough their papercould see through their thin paper-thin skin was everything skin was lurking beneath. everything lurking beneath.

What remained from the house-fire was What remained from athe house-fire was a rotted tooth of debris, cracked down rotted tooth of debris, down the thecracked middle as the opposite of love drifted middle as the opposite of love drifted out.the “Hell out.

“Hell is real,” preacher cried. The is real,” the preacher cried.

Theofweight of his weight his blood-shot eyes was the blood-shot eyes was thebreath breathofofhungry hungry fire against my face. against my face. “Hell is“Hell real, isand weand arewe living real, are living in it.” Oh, I in it.” Oh, I understood understood hell. hell.

Written by Josh Smile

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Right: Devin Porter

DSGN115 final project is a haunting portrayal of beauty and society. Here, the porcelain woman represents beauty, frozen, as society tries to pull her under the water. As Devin explains, “we are always trying to capture beauty, regardless of the well-being of the thing we find beautiful, rather than letting the beautiful thing be free.”

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DISTRICT IN BLOOM • FALL 2020

...

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DISTRICT IN BLOOM • FALL 2020

Shot and Edited by Maygan Thompson Responses Gathered by Jade Smith, Kelsea Sexton, Chris Tarrants

SCADDISTRICT.COM

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Undergrad, Grad, Alumn — Oh My! Current students sparking change. Graduate mentors and Alumni taking Manhattan and Disney by storm. Why do we do it? Interviews and profiles with SCAD’s best and brightest.

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“Fibers encompass illustration but also includes so much more.

I fell in love with the diversity of the department and its endless possibilities.”

— Abby Rayner

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“Take advantage of collaboration. These are the skills that you cannot gain anywhere else if you are a creative.”

— Emilie Kefalas

Abby Rayner: Sparkle Plenty March 2, 2020 Writing and Photos by Kendra Frankle

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hile scrolling through Instagram during the holiday season, I stumbled across a post displaying different designs of beautiful symbols on light and dark blue and blush silk scarves. The scarves were filled with different symbols I recognized they were related to Judaism. I was inspired by the beauty and intricacies of the scarves, especially after realizing that Abby ayner, senior fibers major here at SCA had created them herself. Abby was selling the scarves as Hanukkah presents for Jewish women. I knew immediately I wanted to meet with her and hear the story behind the project.

Not many people come to SCAD thinking, “I m going to major in fibers, because not a lot of people know what it means to be a fibers major, or even what fibers is. ike many SCA students, Abby, a five-footnothing girl with a heart bigger than her body, began her journey at SCA as an Illustration major. Although Abby came to SCA with an illustration in mind, she has always been drawn to embellished and colorful textiles.

Like many students at SCAD, Abby was completely obsessed with the TV show “Project unway as a kid. “ y aunt gave me the nickname ‘Sparkle Plenty’ because I loved glitzy clothes. These skills are very apparent when you look at the designs on her scarves. As we wandered around the fibers building, looking for the perfect place to take photographs, Abby commented, “fibers encompass illustration but also includes so much more. I fell in love with the diversity of the department and its endless possibilities.

“Judaism has always had a place in my work and I usually turn towards my faith when I feel stuck with a project, said Abby. The elegant scarves Abby created are based on her professor asking the class to create a print or pattern that has a “function or brings awareness to something. “I was really struggling with finding inspiration for this project, so I went to our Chabad, an organization that focuses on making Judaism relevant in day to day life, said Abby.

At this point the location hunt stopped and found us sitting in an empty classroom talking. “Zelly, the wife of the Chabad Rabbis and a very close friend of mine, reminded mew of the story of Miriam and it went from there. iriam was the first female figure in the Bible to be named a prophet. “She’s pretty much the original feminist, Abby said with her curly red hair glowing in the natural light of the building.

“Being Jewish is about having a sense of community wherever I go.”

Miriam expresses leadership during the Jewish Exodus from Egypt. After Moses parts the Red Sea, leaving the Egyptians to be engulfed by the waves, iriam rejoices with the women in song and dance as their lives are spared. “The iconic scene of Miriam and the women dancing with tambourines not only represents the strength and resilience of the Jewish women but also a moment when all Jewish women can rejoice together in their faith, Abby continues. “ iriam is also regarded as the ‘well’ that sustained the Jewish people during their journey, providing water to the people and animals in the desert. This abundance of water, owers, and food frames the women illustrated in my design. Abby s textile strives to unite all Jewish women.

“So, what does being Jewish mean to you I asked as we continued to wander throughout the different classrooms of the ibers building. “ y, that s a loaded uestion She responded. “Being Jewish is about having a sense of community wherever I go. ven though many of us don t grow up surrounded by a large Jewish community, if you run into one, they’re always welcoming and accepting.

The Jewish community in Baton Rouge, La. where Abby grew up is relatively small compared to the rest of the world.

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DISTRICT IN BLOOM • FALL 2020

I couldn’t help but relate to Abby at this moment as I thought the same thing growing up. Abby told me that for the first two years of high school she went to a small Christian school, she was the only Jew in the entire school. At the beginning of her schooling, Abby told me she learned quickly that her faith was not going to be embraced by everyone. “I dealt with both blind hatred and pure ignorance,” she said. Although she had to learn to overcome the hatred, Abby also encountered people who just wanted to learn more about Judaism and were respectful of the different beliefs. “Coming across these issues at a young age taught me how to be outspoken, firm in my beliefs, and patient,” Abby said.

I started to forget this was our first-time meeting — Abby’s ease with conversation and large smile quickly puts others at ease.

Our “interview” turned more into a chat between friends instead of a discussion between strangers. “To me, Judaism is a shared heritage, understanding of struggle, a celebration of tradition, and of course, the best excuse to stuff your face with carbs every Friday night,” Abby shared.

The more Abby and I talked, the more our lives growing up seemed to mirror each other.

Brought up in a multicultural family with a Jewish father and a mother who recently converted, Abby has always identified as Jewish. Emphasizing the celebration of tradition, taking care of others, and bringing beauty in the world in your own unique way are some of the typical Jewish values that Abby was raised with. While discussing her work in the past two years it’s clear that not only have these values always been a part of Abby’s life, but they have also become customary to the work she has created. “My senior collection focuses on bringing new life

to traditional textiles and Jewish themes so that they continue to be relevant in our everchanging lives,” said Abby.

When choosing to create a scarf as her design, the goal was to create a textile that all Jewish women could find a purpose for. “In Reform and Conservative Judaism, women wear prayer shawls to the synagogue, but Orthodox women don’t, so I knew that a prayer shawl wasn’t going to do the job. The versatility of a scarf made sense because it could be used as a neck scarf, purse accessory, headband, or headscarf to express Jewish pride,” said Abby. Abby’s textile strives to unite all Jewish women.

“Judaism is an incredibly diverse religion, culture, and ethnicity. I don’t believe that there is a right or wrong way to ‘Jew’. There’s a quote that describes this perfectly — ‘You put two Jews together, you get three opinions’ — everyone has their own traditions and ways of observing. A Jew is a Jew, is a Jew, is a Jew.”

“My senior collection focuses on bringing new life to traditional textiles and Jewish themes so that they continue to be relevant in our ever-changing lives.”

Now that Abby had the idea, it was time for her to put her thoughts into action. Beginning with designing the scarves to production and marketing, the entire process took around a year for Abby to complete. Research seemed to play an important role in Abby’s initial process, she took an entire week to research her concept before she actually put pencil to paper. The idea of fibers tends to be thought

of as a physical process. Sewing designs into fabric or hand-dying the materials, but Abby introduced me to the digital side of Fibers.

Most of her work is done digitally and in Photoshop. After her design was finalized, she sent color and material test prints to three different companies before she felt confident that the place she chose would bring her designs to life perfectly. Taking the time to perfect the project is something that makes Abby’s work so special. She went above and beyond instead of just completing the assignment for class.

“This project has given me the confidence to pursue more Judaism related projects throughout my senior year,” Abby said. “I try not to worry about the balance of Jewish and non-Jewish work in my portfolio because it’s something I’m really passionate about and it’s important to create positive dialog, especially in our world today.”

Last quarter, Abby made a pattern collection that illustrates the symbolic fruits and grains that make up the Seven Species pomegranates, olives, dates, barley, wheat, figs, and grapes. The patterns of the Seven Species explore a modern twist on traditional Judaica, allowing the patterns to speak through a more vibrant color palette with whimsical brushwork. “There are a number of successful Jewish designers, Tory Burch, Diane Von Furstenberg, Donna Karan and Pnina Tornai” Abby named a few. “Judaism isn’t represented on the runway like other cultural and ethnic groups,” Abby said. “In the future, I hope that my art will continue to bridge the gaps within our diverse culture, as well as create a conversation with the broader community.”

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Former District Editor in Chief Emilie Kefalas’ play hits Manhattan Oct. 10, 2019 Written by Sophie Leopold

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ince graduating from SCAD in 2018, Emilie Kefalas [B.F.A. Writing] has remained a busy bee in pursuit of her goals. Kefalas’s position at Disney [external communications coordinator at Disney Parks, Experiences & Products in Glendale, California] and promoting her own work keeps her buzzing around the country. Kefalas isn’t one to shy away from multitasking, for juggling her ventures is all part of the fun. “Replay,” Kefalas’s play about female sports announcers, made its Manhattan theatre debut in October 2019.

“A Capitol’s Dream” is a children’s book in which her words and illustrations are illuminated as a tour guide of Capitol Hill. “It was a passion project,” Kefalas said. “Now that it’s complete I cannot wait to do more in a series of US capital-based books.”

Before Kefalas was a published author or even a storyteller, she was a listener. Kefalas describes her earliest relationship with reading and writing as a sort of yin and yang dynamic. As a small child, picking up a book wasn’t what ignited those

initial sparks. However, narrative was shared with her, she devoured it. Kefalas remembers being read to, observing the world around and spinning her own stories from those young perceptions.

By her teens, efalas was finding regular solace in journaling and poetry. Her prose writing was for her eyes only as she gained confidence for her grasp on language. Although efalas knew she was on the writing path, SCAD wasn’t the next stop. With sights set on an English degree, Kefalas latched onto convention at Saint Mary’s in Notre Dame, Illinois. Her liberal arts studies prompted a series of robust opportunities, from a Congressional internship in Washington to the Disney college program in Orlando. Both positions became a springboard for her endeavors today.

At Disney, Kefalas was inspired to realign her trajectory towards the creative. She thought back to SCAD, the school that had hovered on the edge of her original undergraduate search. Kefalas found herself thinking: what ever happened to that design school?

“Don’t ever let time stop you from doing a cool project or dream…

“When you taste a really good food and the flavors linger for years after, said efalas, in regards to the way she remembered the possibility of attending SCAD. Kefalas made the switch, arriving in the fall of 2015 at the Savannah campus, and from day one, she dabbled in everything. “There’s no barrier between you and getting your work out there while you are at SCAD,” Kefalas said. “Start your own business, freelance, go ahead and make money with your skillset.”

Kefalas stresses collaboration just as much as personal development.

“Whatever you want to do or try, partner with it,” Kefalas said. “Nothing is holding you back.

Take advantage of collaboration. These are the skills that you cannot gain anywhere else if you are a creative.”

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…that’s how I got this book published, this play written, don’t wait.”

The most expansive of Kefalas’s SCAD collaborations took place at District. Kefalas sought out student journalism immediately; attributing it as the bedrock of her social life, the drive to excel professionally and academically. Kefalas attended an interest meeting, then every subsequent session that followed. Over the course of three years, efalas worked up from a sta writer, to assistant assignment editor, to chief assignment editor, to ending on a high note as editor in chief.

Hands on involvement with student media gave Kefalas momentum towards more prospects to share her work. She recommends keeping tabs on local outlets, who is writing for them and what they are writing about. “Ground yourself in place, and see what is published there,” Kefalas

said. “Everything you hand in to a professor, write as if you were submitting it, and then go submit it.”

When in doubt, just sit down and write.

According to Kefalas, working the muscle daily is the di erence between a writer and a hobbyist. It’s setting aside the time to make it happen, whether she produces something wonderful or nonsensical is besides the point.

“Don’t ever let time stop you from doing a cool project or dream,” said Kefalas. “That’s how I got this book published, this play written, don’t wait.”

Fresh out of Sav: Nicholas Hammond at Disney Aug. 22, 2019 Written by Nicholas Hammond, Photos by Nick Thomsen

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efore my first day starting at Walt Disney Imagineering, I had a crystal-clear vision of what the workspace and job would be like: very organized, streamlined designwith a continual reworking of things until they reached perfection.

However, in that first week of work, I truly realized just what I had just gotten myself into. One of the things that stood out right away was how much was actually going on at the same time within the company. Teams of designers, engineers, fabricators and everyone in between passing the baton from group to group with a singular goal of making it to the finish line of a project, just in time for

“Being thrown into the project on the first day, I realized that I was going to have to learn new programs, gain knowledge and skills to become a valuable member of the team, fast.”

a new one to start to pick up momentum.

Being thrown into the project on the first day, I realized that I was going to have to learn new programs, gain knowledge and skills to become a valuable member of the team, fast. In the first few weeks, I powered away at these new skills to make myself the asset that I needed to be. Being able to adapt has truly made me reliable.

One of my proudest moments so far took place in a meeting where we discussed what needed to be done, and my team member [without a second thought] handed me a list of tasks because she knew they would get done quickly and efficiently.

I think the skill of adapting truly came from my time at SCAD. In both my classes and my positions in Residence Life and Housing and SCAD Serve, I always had to think on my feet, making decisions on the fly. In the real world, there truly is no other way to be. If you can figure out how to morph and power up to the position at hand, you have the capability to be successful anywhere.

Outside of work, when I am not attempting to learn a new program or make sure that I’m prepared for the days to come, it’s been strange having some time to myself. The pleasures of reading books and even bingewatching Netflix shows have come back into my life. I truly forgot how wonderful that can be. Having already spent a summer in Orlando, it’s been about finding some of the hole in the wall places throughout the city.

And of course, I have been taking advantage of going to theme parks while I can. From traveling to a land in a galaxy far, far away to waiting seven hours for a ride on a magical motorcycle with Hagrid, I am making sure to soak in every moment.

Looking towards the next few months of the internship, I plan on continuing to learn and grow as a designer and as a professional. I know that opportunity is boundless if I leave myself open to anything that is thrown my way. I am excited to make connections and see where the magic takes me.

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Claire Rosen Gives Insight Into Her Creative Process Jun. 9, 2020 Writing, Photo, and Video by Jordan Petteys and Illustration by Kris Miller

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laire Rosen, a cool and collected mentor dipped in spontaneity, attended Student Media’s WordCast earlier this year to engage students in her photographic process. The alumnae and author of “Imaginarium: The Process Behind the Pictures” captivated her audience with inspiring stories from her childhood and endeavors overseas.

Mainly, she encouraged students to “tend to your spirituality,” “be consistently filling your wells,” and “not take yourself so seriously all the time,” Rosen said.

Rosen explained that the pressure to make something amazing, important or incredible leads to stress. Many agreed that in busyness, a creative discipline is the first thing to go. However, she offered that channeling metacognitive practices help free up the mind. Having an “artist day” an hour

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a week for exploration and being creative — no boundaries, no limitations, no rules — this is one of her secrets. “Focusing on play and failure allows for innovation,” Rosen said.

As an explorer who stages feasts and portrait studios for animals all over the world, Rosen often deals with a stigma that if she loves what she does, then she doesn’t have a real job. Many SCAD students found her words hitting a little too close to home, worried about the connotations of a career in the arts.

“How can you get your work in front of people that are not photographers?” asked Rosen. Ultimately, she stated, everyone wants to love what they do, so those who earn a living with their gifts and passions are the lucky ones, and perhaps others are

merely dabbling in bitterness or insecurity.

She also assured attendees that “having a life” gives artists expressional content.

Dressed in bedazzled pink sunglasses, knee high rain boots and scouting aisles for sensual, rusty fabric straight out of the Renaissance, this is Rosen in action. Her time in Savannah paved an opportunity to photograph and bond with baby goats at Bootleg Farms. Rosen draped two cement blocks and a plank with burnt orange fabric and artichokes and constructed a formal table setting. She staggered delicacies like apple pie and radishes from end to

“Everyone wants to love what they do, so those who earn a living with their gifts and passions are the lucky ones.”

end, embellishing the surface with flower petals, pinecones and clay mushrooms.

And then the goats ... so the platters came crashing — not to mention the bleating echoing from ear to ear at the sight of a marvelous dinner. Medieval music flowed from a distant cell phone speaker while Rosen captured the fantastical feast behind a Fuji camera. From “posed” portraits before a handmade rug to chewed up tripods and tablecloths, these baby goats contributed to an afternoon of passion without the pressure. “Be consistently filling your well,” Rosen said.

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ilmmaker ThĂŠo Collet discusses in the video his experiences filming documentaries in Syria, Jordan as well as the Mexico-U.S. border.

Collet emphasizes aspects of humanitarian situations and reveals what’s not often covered by traditional media outlets. Collet is currently raising money to work on a documentary focused on the Mexico-U.S. border.

Pandemic Inspires New Intentions from Trish Andersen Interview conducted May 14, 2020 Written by Elise Mullen

Instead, Andersen was challenged emotionally and found it difficult to work with that mindset. “I had to find my own ways to deal with this sadness for the world and remind myself that using my hands and creating things is really healing for me. Also, this is an unprecedented time. Patience with oneself is key,” Andersen said.

One project that has come out of quarantine for Andersen is her Worry Dolls. “The Worry Dolls were a project I started as a way to get myself out of my ‘slump’. They are inspired by an idea I had for a large installation based on traditional Guatemalan worry dolls. These tiny dolls would be given to children and legend has it if you told them your worries and put them under your pillow at night all of your worries would go away by morning,” Anderson said. “I love this concept but added a little feature to mine where you can flip the sculpture around and talk to yourself [in a mirror] about your gratitude, because I believe this is really how you can make your worries go away. I found the very repetitive hands on process of creating all them very healing. Once they were all done, I left them as surprises on people's doorsteps.”

Being open to new ways of life during this time has been important, Andersen said, “The biggest challenge is I miss interactions with people beyond my partner and our cats.

But it has opened up a totally new way to connect and communicate. I have been able to connect with more people now than ever so I'm constantly reminding myself of this when I get lonely.”

The uncertainty of the pandemic is challenging, especially for creatives. Despite that, Andersen said, “Be patient and kind to yourself! Do what feels right for you. I personally found I needed to use my hands to feel okay in this time, but it's okay if you need to sit or pause too. I also remind myself that things are always uncertain — we never know what is coming tomorrow, day by day!”

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rish Andersen, a 2005 Fibers Alumni, has used the pandemic as a time to reflect on the work she makes and the intentions behind it. Work life hasn’t changed much for Andersen during the stay at home orders, “I live and work in my house so not much changed at the beginning of all this,” Andersen said.

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Illustration by Mel Petzoldt

SCAD Student Media is the hub for all things newsworthy at SCAD. Starting with District in 1995, we have since grown to encompass a wide variety of outlets. From SCAD Radio’s 24/7 music and album reviews to The Manor’s fashion coverage and spotlighting editorials of student work; and from The HoneyDripper’s extensive showcase of the best illustration and sequential arts work SCAD students have to offer, to news coverage of the tech world from Render Q. Student Media is the place for all things news, opinion and music for the SCAD student body.

Words by Minnie Black, Creative Direction and Styling by Minnie Black and Anna Mcgregor, Photography by Geoff Haggray, Assistant photographer Nina Amanuma, BTS photographer Seth Stromberger, Modeled by Audrey Amarice, Giana DeAngelis and Madison Bryan

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Podcasts to Listen To Sit back, relax and listen along with our wonderful SCAD hosts as they explore their love for music, movies, theme parks and more! Find more of our student podcasts on www. scadradio.org/podcasts/.

The Enchanted Podcast Your hosts, Lauren Arnold and Halle Garrett, bring you all the latest Disney news! Each week has a new subject along with recent updates about the theme parks or media.

With more than 20 episodes, there’s a variety of topics for listeners to choose from.

It’s always a fun time with the friends as they discuss attractions, movies, food and more! Listen on Spotify or anywhere else you get your podcast, and follow on Twitter at @TheEnchantedPod for more.

Check out “Interviewing Dove McHargue: a Musician Who’s Also SCAD’s SEQA Chair”

by Elliot Ferro on scadradio.org.

Welcoming SCAD Radio’s New O icers Maya Looney, SCAD Radio General Manager After emerging from a Carboniferous bog roughly 200 million years ago, scientists still haven’t quite figured out what Maya’s purpose is yet. She is commonly found knitting, making spreadsheets and professing her deep love for AJJ to anyone who will listen. If you’ve collected data on this creature, please alert your local animal control facility.

Cher Shaffer, SCAD Radio Events Manager Howdy! I study illustration and am minoring in scientific illustration and drawing. I grew up in Denton, Texas, home of Goatman’s Bridge and “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.” On my radio show, I host interviews of local artists.

Gone With the Review Redd and El put on the ritz in weekly reviews as they reminisce on scary, spooky movies from “Cinderella” to “Cabin in the Woods.”

Maygan Thompson, SCAD Radio Video Director Maygan was born and grew up in ‘Almost Canada’ (better known as Richmond, Vt.). There she grew to despise even the thought of snow — which is one of the many reasons she finds herself at SCAD majoring in film and working as Video Director at SCAD Radio. When she’s not trapped in a windowless room editing the next probably not-big hit film, you can find her at Foxy Loxy consuming copious amounts of matcha or in Forsyth admiring the dogs from afar — but being too socially awkward to ask their owners if she can pet them.

Mel Petzoldt, SCAD Radio Graphics Director Mel was sprung from Dunkin’s laboratory to consume Chai Latte Delights and with a surprise ability to sew cute clothes. They are currently attempting to eat the world’s largest cinnamon roll from Oregon that weighs 1,149.7 pounds. When not practicing to break this record, Mel enjoys hosting their radio show, BeeJazzed, finding new vinyls and using Pinterest for Animal Crossing island inspiration.

A Feminist Take Podcast Women are affected by all parts of the world around them, so why can’t every issue be a ‘women’s issue?' Welcome to “A Feminist Take,” where hosts break down and discuss ALL matters that impact women — not just the ones they’ve been assigned — through the intersectional, nuanced lens of feminism.

Hailey Feller, SCAD Radio Music Director Hailey is a sophomore studying documentary photography. When Hailey finally gets time for herself, she’ll probably be watching come 80's or 90's classic movie. She is a sucker for vintage things including film cameras and vinyl. She’s recently picked up longboarding and cooking while living with her best friend in Savannah. With a positive outlook, anything is possible. Hailey can’t wait for the future.

Sam Esterline, SCAD Radio Program Director Born in the heart of the Arctic Ocean, Sam has a natural affinity for the cold and a love for his fellow sea-dwelling creatures such as the squid. Did you know that certain species of squid grow as large as 43 feet long, while others can camouflage themselves simply by turning their skin transparent? Seriously, squids are cool. Like his beloved cephalopods, Sam is known to have eight arms, two tentacles, and can usually be found listening to Childish Gambino’s “Awaken, My Love!”

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