The LocaL, January 2023

Whoo-wee its 2023.

Y’all, I promise I have waited as long as I could to use ‘whoo-wee’ in a sentence.

I am just overjoyed that it’s finally time – time to get back to doing things without having to worry about if we should or shouldn’t. Should we pick this date? Should we wait? Should we make the call? Should we stop doing things that put our hopes and dreams to the side, and party like it’s 1999? I think it’s time to party.

This is the first January issue we’ve done since 2020, and I’m very sure it’s one of our best. They all are.

Every month leading in, I always worry if we are going to actually get it done, and this one was no exception. With the holidays, the end of the year, the fact that we’ve been doing these issues every other month for two years … I’m going to be completely honest. I got scared.

Things we thought were going to happen fell through, not once, not twice, but every single possible feature we thought we were going to feature, didn’t happen. Advertisers who needed to scrape what they could for their holiday shopping held off and we added a new writer to the team.

It was looking kinda crazy. Then, as if by Christmas miracle, I reminded myself of what a wonderful man, my good friend and mentor, Jim Powell, once told me. He said, “Every time I thought I couldn’t handle everything the good Lord put on my plate, I gave it to him and let it go and every time, things took care of themselves.”

They did just that. Religious beliefs aside, sometimes, you gotta let it go. Sometimes, you just gotta let things happen as they may because we tend to get ourselves caught up when we try to handle too much.

I thank Jim for sharing such wisdom and kindness with me.

If there’s anything I wish for us all going into this new year, it is just that. More wisdom, and more kindness.

In the meantime, it might be cold out there, but at least you’re here. Take advantage of the many wonderful people, places and things we’ve got going on in the month of January. Jess Jones has a very nice Valentine’s Day surprise, and Julie Umberger’s art is just so beautiful and fascinating and she is putting a new show together at King Gallery. International artist Bruno Zupan has an amazing show happening in Atlantic City, and you may be surprised by his ties to Columbus. Hope, healing and a much needed effort for the Arts in Columbus comes to us by the power of a few good women, and you can read all about it by new writer Sarah Algoe with her first article about Columbus’ newest mural. Plus, we’ve got the perfect spot to grab a bite when you want to cozy up, over at The Animal Farm on 12th. It’s all inside and more.

Thank you for reading,

We Are All About.

Monica Jones

Artwork by Julie Umberger

Humane Society’s

Training Your Pup at Any Age

newly adopted shelter animals. One of the top reasons was behavioral issues.

½ Off Tuesdays At The Columbus Collective Museums

f you answered yes, then we have the solution you’ve been looking for. Just imagine having a dog that will sit and stay on command, walk calmly on a leash and come when you call them. Your dog can, and Paws Humane can help.

I

Last year, Paws Humane Society introduced a new program to the community, the Paws Training Academy. We host group-training sessions and private lessons that help strengthen the bond between owners and their pets, ensuring both remain happy and healthy. Paws Training Academy offers six one-hour sessions that focus on commands such as sit, stay and come, as well as teaching your pet vital leash manners. Behavioral concerns do not have to cause you or your pet stress. We will help your pet build confidence while providing the

We took action, and Paws Training Academy was formed as a solution-based, affordable resource to help mitigate owner surrenders.

At Paws Humane Society, we believe training is essential to pet ownership. It is never too late to start training. Dogs that have anxiety issues or timid personalities can also benefit from training. It builds confidence and creates a sense of accomplishment, and provides positive communication with our four-legged family members. Positive communication builds an atmosphere of trust and safety, which ensures the time spent with your pet is stress-free, happy, and healthy. Mental stimulation is also just as important as physical training. It is a vital part of the dog’s overall health and must never be overlooked or neglected.

Discover the wonder of the Columbus Collective Museums at River Market Antiques. Immerse yourself in a maze of thrifting and discovery. Originally the Lunch Box Museum, now also the Royal Crown Cola Museum, The Chero-Cola Museum, The Nehi Drink Museum, The Georgia Radio Museum, The Tom Huston Peanut Museum a Car Museum and more. Over 1,000 lunch boxes will just get you started. Local Readers get ½ off their ticket price every Tuesday. River Market Antiques, open 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Monday - Saturday , 3218 Hamilton Road, Columbus

No Shame Theatre

Every Friday night, come out to the Springer (side door) for a good ole hosting of No Shame Theatre. You never know what you’re going to get. Comedy, poetry, skits or music acts. Everything is good and even if it’s not? NO SHAME here. Be an act, just don’t act up. Sign up starts at 10 p.m., show starts at 10:30. Every Friday Night , Springer Opera House, Columbus

Sketching Under the Skylight

Leave your voices at the door & witness the power of the creative process as professional artists sketch from a live model in costume under the magical skylights of the Bo Bartlett Center. Free admission and open to the public. The second Thursday of each month. 3 p.m - 5 p.m. , The Bo Bartlett Center, 921 Front Avenue, Columbus

Beethoven’s Eighth

Answering the question of what Beethoven did between his glorious Seventh and the cosmic Ninth symphonies. Hear the vivacious and quirky Eighth Symphony, music for oboe and strings by Vaughan Williams performed by CSO principal oboist Erica Howard, and a lively work by young American composer Jessie Montgomery. Visit csoga.org/tickets for more information. Saturday, January 7, 7:30 p.m. , Present by the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, 900 Broadway, Columbus

Aquila Theatre: Julius Caesar

If you have adopted a new dog or even have a dog of many years, training is possible. You CAN teach a dog new tricks, and Paws Training Academy is here to help. For more information on how you can sign up, visit https://pawpartner.com/pawshumane-society, click “make a reservation”, create an account, and select your preferred training session. If you want to speak with someone about training your pet, call 706-565-0035.

4900 Milgen Road Columbus pawshumane.org office@pawshumane.org (706) 565-0035 • Vet Clin

Take on the journey into a world of conspiracy and betrayal. Fresh from success on the battlefield, a triumphant Caesar returns to Rome a virtual dictator. Brutus, Cassius and a group of like-minded senators decide that his undemocratic power grab must be stopped and Caesar assassinated. After the act has been carried out, violence erupts on the streets of the capital and the country is plunged into civil war. The conspirators find they must contend with forces still loyal to the murdered leader, led by Mark Antony and Caesar’s nephew, Octavius. The play reaches its climax when the two opposing sides meet in battle at Philippi, and the fate of a nation hangs in the balance. Thursday, January 12, 10 a.m. , by RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, 900 Broadway, Columbus

Aquila Theatre: Pride and Prejudice

necessary mental stimulation they need to thrive. Going back a year ago, we noticed a very serious trend happening nationwide. Adoptions were slowing, owner surrenders were increasing, and shelters were filling up. We had to take a step back to evaluate why people were surrendering their

Humane Society’s

Published in 1813, Jane Austen’s ultimate romantic comedy, Pride and Prejudice, has stood the test of time. As the Bennet sisters try to navigate their way toward love and marriage, Austen humorously skewers the hypocrisies and absurdities of the English class system, and puts the thoughts and feelings of her women characters front and center. Filled with unforgettable characters, this sharp social satire has it all: wit, romance and lots of dancing. Friday, January 13, 7:30 p.m. , RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, 900 Broadway, Columbus

Does your dog have selective hearing?

Shen Yun

Travel back to the magical world of ancient China. Experience a lost culture through the incredible art of classical Chinese dance, and see legends come to life. Shen Yun makes this possible by pushing the boundaries of the performing arts, with a unique blend of stunning costuming, high-tech backdrops, and an orchestra like no other. Be prepared for a theatrical experience that will take your breath away. For more information and to buy tickets, 877-285-7469, contact@falundafaga.org.

Tuesday, January 17, 7:30 – 9:45 p.m. , RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, 900 Broadway, Columbus

First Act: “Going on a Bear Hunt” (ages 1-8)

The North Columbus Public Library is happy to announce that we are partnering with the Springer Opera House’s brand new First Act Program to bring you “Going on a Bear Hunt”. Meant for families with young children (ages 1-8), First Act is a completely interactive and immersive experience where the actors face many challenges presented in the story, and they need YOUR help to overcome them! Come early, as there will be 30 minutes of pre-show activities for the whole family! The best part about this experience? It’s completely Free. Saturday, January 21, 1 p.m., & January 28, 10:30 a.m. , North Columbus Public Library, 5689 Armour Road, Columbus

Junie B.’s Essential Survival Guide to School

Now that Junie B. Jones has been going to school for over one-and-a-half years, who better to write the book on Everything you need to know? From bus rules and Band-Aids to carpools to cookies, Junie B. and friends deliver the definitive word on surviving and thriving in style. With a jillion tips, tricks, and trip-ups, Junie B. shares her hard-won expertise and shows us all how school is sometimes scary, sometimes super-fun, and Always something to sing about. Tuesday, January 24, 9:30 a.m. & 11:30 a.m. Ages: Grades K through 4. Junie B.’s Essential Survival Guide to School, RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, 900 Broadway, Columbus

The Play that Goes Wrong

Welcome to the production of Murder at Haversham Manor put on by the very sincere but totally inept company of actors of the Cornley Drama Society. During the performance, an avalanche of disasters befalls the cast, including doors that won’t open, lost props, forgotten lines, collapsing scenery and actors being knocked unconscious. Eventually, the disastrous murder mystery comes to an end with the most outrageous final scene in at least 3000 years of live theatre. A convulsively hilarious Broadway and West End comedy hit, THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG is winner of the 2015 Olivier Award for Best Comedy and has enjoyed a continuous run in London since 2012. J anuary 26 - February 5, 7:30 - 9 p.m. , The Springer Main Stage Series, Springer Opera House, 103 East 10th Street, Columbus Riverdance

A powerful and stirring reinvention of this beloved favorite, celebrated the world over for its Grammy award-winning score and the thrilling energy and passion of its Irish and international dance. Twentyfive years on, composer Bill Whelan has rerecorded his mesmerizing soundtrack while producer Moya Doherty and director John McColgan have completely reimagined the ground-breaking show with innovative and spectacular lighting, projection, stage and costume designs. Immerse yourself in the extraordinary power and grace of its music and dance–beloved by fans of all ages. Fall in love with the magic of Riverdance all over again. For over 25 years, nothing has carried the energy, the sensuality and the spectacle of Riverdance. Thursday, January 26, 7:30 p.m. , RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, 900 Broadway, Columbus

The Cat Behind The Hat!

Comes to Heritage Art Center

Ann Jackson Gallery presents a compelling selection of artworks from The Art of Dr. Seuss Collection. Visitors may explore and acquire works from Dr. Suess’s best-known children’s books, as well as The Secret Art of Dr. Seuss. A mind-expanding collection based on decads of artwork, which Dr. Seuss created at night for his own personal pleasure. Admission is Free. Friday, January 27, 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. , Saturday, noon - 7 p.m., Sunday, noon - 4 p.m., Heritage Art Center, 102 6th Street, Columbus

My Fair Lady

From Lincoln Center Theater that brought you The King & I and South Pacific, comes “a sumptuous new production of the most perfect musical of all time” (Entertainment Weekly), Lerner & Loewe’s My Fair Lady. Director Bartlett Sher’s glowing production is “thrilling, glorious and better than it ever was” (New York Times). “Every so often a revival comes along that reminds you how indispensable great theater can be”. Boasting such classic songs as “I Could Have Danced All Night,” “The Rain in Spain,” “Wouldn’t It Be Loverly” and “On the Street Where You Live,” My Fair Lady tells the story of Eliza Doolittle, a young Cockney flower seller, and Henry Higgins, a linguistics professor who is determined to transform her into his idea of a “proper lady.” But who is really being transformed? Tuesday, January 31 & Wednesday, February 1st, 7:30 p.m. , RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, 900 Broadway, Columbus

Atlanta Symphony Orchestra

Music Director Nathalie Stutzmann guides the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra into the evocative soundscapes of Prokofiev and Shostakovich. With a kaleidoscope of orchestral color, Maestro Stutzmann and the ASO bring out the power, nuance and audacity of these legends. The Sinfonia concertante features “one of the finest among the astonishing gallery of young virtuoso cellists” (Gramophone magazine), Johannes Moser. Saturday, February 4, 7:30 p.m. , RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, 900 Broadway, Columbus Want to see your event listed here? Email:eventsthelocalcolumbus.com

HOPE HEALING ADVOCACY & THE FUTURE OF ART IN COLUMBUS

By Sarah Algoe

I t is truly exhilarating to be at the forefront of an artistic movement, especially in a city in the midst of cultural revitalization. Several of the women leading this movement, Hannah Israel, Becca Zajac, and Sherricka Day, have formed a group known as Advocacy Through Art, and have taken it upon themselves to advocate for more public art in Columbus.

It is this indomitable team that spearheaded the creation of the Hope, Healing and Community mural adorning the Talbotton Road retaining wall below the Ronald McDonald house.

The location of the mural was chosen both because of its prominent location and by “the fact that it’s sitting across from Piedmont, which made it fit in with the theme of healing and hope, and to the community around it. We hope that looking out those windows will give them some inspiration or hope for the future. Also the Ronald McDonald house offers services to families with children and babies having health problems, which also felt very appropriate to me. It’s in a place that could use a lot more life and color,” says Day.

It is their mission to create safe spaces for art to thrive in our community. Yet it is not just art they seek to champion, but also diversity. “For me, when I look at the

hoping for something to happen in our lives,” Day said.

The mural’s artist, Thomas “Detour” Evans, was initially pitched by Zajac, and it was obvious from the start he was the right choice for this project. “We felt like he would be a good fit for what we were trying to capture,” Day said. “His art is very colorful. He always puts subjects into his art that are from the community. He doesn’t just paint, he gets the stories of the subjects, gets to know them, and pulls their experience into his art. Because we were trying to represent the community there, it felt like he was the best fit.”

Evans chose five individuals from the Rose Hill area in Waverly Terrace to feature in the mural. The installation begins with Channu Harris and Tramal Davis II, students from Fox Elementary, and continues on to Dr. Gurkeerat

Yet most of the art around Columbus is on private property. “There really isn’t any precedent for public art on public property,” says Day. “We want to foster creativity and innovation and diversity, and a lot of the subjects and movements are happening now.” With fastidious negotiation and unmatched diplomacy, it was only a matter of time before the advocates were successful in their petition to the city council.

“It was a breath of fresh air when we were able to see the mural come to life. It’s all in how you approach things. It could have been a huge argument, but instead we took some of the feedback into consideration so we could come to a happy medium. Once it was up and we saw how excited people

people who are represented in that mural, I see humanity. Different nationalities, different ages, professions, and simply, differences. Seeing those faces on the wall together represents unity and hope to me. The hands in the middle pull it all together. We’re all looking forward to something,

Singh from Piedmont hospital. Past the open hands, representing kindness and community, is Angie Wright, a local kitchen manager from Meals on Wheels. Next to her is Mickey Webb, a Vietnam veteran, and finally Rebecca Hubbard, a woman who preaches the gospel to passersby on Hamilton Road.

One of the reasons the project came to mind was a realization that public art was largely missing from the Columbus landscape, and it didn’t seem like the city was making it a priority. Day explained, “when we started, it seemed like a great idea. The idea sparked from what happened in 2020 with George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. You started to see cities recognize that, and you’d see them put up public art as a rallying cry to move forward.”

were about it, I knew we had done the right thing. Now that we are where we are and we’ve had a lot of positive feedback, we feel like we are going to see more public art in the future,” Sherricka said.

When asked where she sees the art community going in the next five to ten years, Day said, “I think this is a stepping stone. I see a lot more public art out there.

Different statues and pieces, but I see it as a launch for this movement toward having more art in the community. Especially outside of the downtown area. That area is

Channu Harris

Tramal Davis II

Hannah Israel, Sherricka Day, Becca Zajac

Thomas “Detour” Evans

Dr. Gurkeerat Singh

welcoming and vibrant, and is more of a pocket of what we want everything else to look like. I think we’re going to see a wave of art projects and pieces that everyone can enjoy, and perhaps even attract visitors to the area.”

Day also wants projects like this to give some hope to local artists that this community supports local artists, so they don’t feel the need to move away for success.

“I’m hoping that it also keeps more of our artists here, that we can have projects here to motivate them so they can have a career behind it,” she said. “It’s discouraging - people pack up and leave to find a community that will embrace them and provide them with more opportunities,

and I’m looking forward to seeing Columbus be able to offer that.”

Day, Zajac, and Israel’s initiative expands into a project called Columbus 2025. “I feel like a lot of people aren’t aware of the initiative, but basically the whole mission is to move Columbus forward and intended to connect our community through three pillars: jobs, talent and place, this project falls under Place” Day said.

The project includes the installation of five more murals, with hopeful completion by the second quarter

of 2023. It is the goal of this project to connect artists in our community with opportunities, and to bring creative life to our city. For artists who wish to get involved, head over to Columbus2025.com. They will be compiling a database for future projects as well.

In the meantime, make sure to give a drive by the Hope, Healing and Community Mural. We are sure you’ll find it as breathtaking as we do.u

Angie Wright

Mickey Webb

Rebecca Hubbard

LAUNCHES NEW DIGITAL EXHIBITION

From The Chattahoochee Valley Libraries

TO SHARE & COLLECT UNTOLD STORIES

Chattahoochee Valley Libraries’ “Columbus, Georgia: Hear Us Talking” is a new digital exhibition focusing on the stories of traditionally marginalized peoples and their impact on Columbus history. This free online exhibit features innovative ways for the public to access our complex local history while also making it possible to contribute to the Library’s Genealogy and Local History Collection.

“Columbus, Georgia: Hear Us Talking” showcases a timeline that puts Columbus’s history into perspective

legendary scrambled dogs so fondly, and we are proud to share his story.

his suit in 1945, which helped set a precedent for other all-white primaries around the United States.

with the history of the United States. The exhibition features community figures and provides context to the impact they had on our history. One iconic example is local legend Lieutenant Stevens who arrived at Dinglewood Pharmacy in 1944, which is towards the end of World War II and before the Civil Rights Act of 1965. Columbus remembers Lieutenant Stevens and his

Also of particular note for this new exhibition is the history of Mildred Lane Rivers Terry, who was the first librarian of the Fourth Avenue Library, which opened in 1953 as the first public library for Black people in Columbus. The exhibit includes an oral history by Deborah Clark, who speaks about her journey from using the Fourth Avenue Public Library as a child to working at the Mildred L. Terry Public Library as a Library Associate. Both personal and powerful, her story details her experience of more than 35 years of employment and how she and the dedicated staff of the Mildred Terry branch have worked to carry on a longstanding and uncompromised tradition of service for all. More untold stories are needed, and with additional submissions from the local community, staff can embed oral histories in the exhibit that feature the lived experiences of Black history in Columbus. These stories can be archived not only for the local community but for research purposes worldwide.

CVL Librarian Whit Gaines, who helped oversee the development of the project, shared, “It was vital that local community members be involved in the creation of the exhibit from the very start. We organized a Community Advisory Board consisting of local historians, genealogists, and customers with lived experiences. Community members Alfonso Johnson, Zach Jakes, Linda McCardle, and Dalton Royer assisted with fact-checking and user testing before launch. They also added personal experiences and submitted items for digitization such as commemorative artifacts that helped make the exhibit a collaborative success.”

Gaines also recalled, “When reviewing the exhibit, Alfonso Johnson was thrilled to see his cousin Primus E. King’s story told for the current generation.” In 1944, Primus E. King walked into the Muscogee County Courthouse during the all-white Democratic Party primary where he was accosted by a white police officer and not allowed to place his vote. Primus King walked three blocks to the office of attorney Oscar Smith Sr. and hired him to sue the Democratic Party. Primus won

When researching historic houses for this project, staff found multiple instances where resident Charlotte Frazier advocated for the preservation of Black history in our area. Inspired by her advocacy, the exhibit details and includes an acknowledgment of Frazier’s vital work including the preservation of the Spencer House, the Liberty Theatre, and the Ma Rainey House. Naming

local community members like Charlotte Frazier is important for uplifting the voices and work of marginalized groups.

While digitization provides free and open access to materials that might otherwise be challenging to find or fragile to handle, digital exhibits also give library users the tools they need to make sense of these materials in context. “We live in a beautiful city rich in architecture

and history, but many do not know of the sacrifices of those who helped build that history. This exhibit brings awareness and respect to the history we unknowingly walk or drive by every day,” librarian Whit Gaines said.

CVL encourages local residents to become involved by submitting information to the local history timeline, submitting items for digitization, or by sharing an oral

Mildred L Terry

Mildred L Terry Sign

William Spencer House

history. Current major events in Columbus that will have a lasting impact on our history are also considered, such as photos of the Black Lives Matter marches held in various locations around Columbus in 2020. Detailed information about how to make submissions can be found on the “Share Your Story” page on the exhibit homepage. Additional inquiries can be emailed to : genealogy@cvlga.org.

This digital exhibition, the first of its kind for Chattahoochee Valley Libraries, was produced in conjunction with the Digital Library of Georgia as part of the Georgia Public Libraries DigEx program. The project can be accessed through the QR code featured at the end of this article or by visiting the Library website at www.cvlga.org.

The Genealogy and Local History staff at the Columbus Public Library, 3000 Macon Road, is dedicated to collecting, preserving, and putting local historical preservation in the hands of our community. The Genealogy Room contains historical records and local histories from all over the southeastern United States. Staff offer monthly classes and a variety of free online resources such as Ancestry.com Library Edition, and HeritageQuest. No previous experience is required. Learn more at www.cvlga.org.

The Chattahoochee Valley Libraries is a seven-branch system that serves more than 250,000 people in four counties, Muscogee, Chattahoochee, Marion and Stewart. The Library system is the most widely used cultural institution in the region, with more than 30,000 residents holding library cards. CVL’s mission is to be your place, your partner, your library. www.cvlga.org

Georgia Public Library Service (GPLS) empowers libraries to improve the lives of all Georgians by encouraging reading, literacy, and education through the continuing support and improvement of public libraries. GPLS is a unit of the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia. This project is supported with federal Library Services and Technology Act funds administered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services through GPLS. www. georgialibraries.org u

Crown and Comedy Night @ The Loft

It’s always laughs at the Loft as our favorite hostess with the mostest Lil’ Bit takes the stage to introduce the best comedians around. Great drinks, good friends and lots of comedy. Every Thursday night at the Loft, 1032 Broadway, Columbus

Live Music @ Nutwood Winery

Come out every Friday & Saturday when the winery features a local performer in their Tasting Room. No cover charge. Free parking. Every Friday at 6 p.m. and Saturday at 2 p.m. - 10 p.m., Nutwood Winery, 1339 Upper Big Springs Road, LaGrange

Jazz @ The Loft

Deep Jazz from the Deep south. Admission is Free. Every Friday night at the Loft. 1032 Broadway, Columbus

Funny First Fridays

Come out and get you dose of laughter for the month. Top national talent from Comic View, Def Comedy Jam, and Comedy Central. Hosted by Def Comedy Jam Alumni, Small Fire. Every first Friday of the month, 8 p.m., Brought to you by NY Entertains, Warehouse 9, 920 9th Street, Columbus

MG3 Band Debut Show

@

Wild Wing Cafe

Join us for out first public show. We’re ready to Rock the night away and party with you all. Friday, January 6, 8:30 p.m., Wild Wing Cafe, 6525 Whittlesey Boulevard, Columbus

Stained Glass Saints @ The Outskirts

Get the first full weekend of the New Year started right with a healthy dose of Loud, Heavy, Classic Rock. Make plans now to be there. Saturday, January 7, 9 p.m., The Outskirts 5736 Veterans Pkwy,

Columbus

Dixie Red @ Eighty Five

We are looking forward to playing and hang out with you all. The place is cool and the food is good. Saturday, January 14, 7 p.m., Eighty Five, 6052 Georgia Highway 85, Ellerslie

Whiskey Moon @ The Loft

Join us at one of Columbus’ premier live music venues. Incredible food, ice cold drinks & the best Classic Rock, Country and Dance favorites to make this a helluva Saturday night party. Saturday, January 14, 9 p.m., The Loft, 1032 Broadway, Columbus

Dixie Red @ The Loft

Looking forward to seeing everyone at The Loft in Columbus. Make plans now to join us. Saturday, January 21, 9 p.m. , Dixie Red, The Loft, 1032 Broadway, Columabus

Want to see your event listed here?

Email:eventsthelocalcolumbus.com

Busy Hands

By Natalie Downey

Scraps of paper, forgotten photographs, old magazines – these are the things that make Julie Umberger’s eyes light up. She knows she can take these bits and pieces and turn them into astounding creations. Each find is an opportunity to tell a story and spark inspiration for her viewers.

What started as an exercise in kindergarten to practice her cutting skills - her mother would give her scraps of paper to practice on - became a passion for Julie when she discovered the joy of piecing paper scraps together to make collages. It wasn’t long before she was making personal collages to give to friends and family as gifts. “I was obsessed,” Julie remembers. Today, Julie has rediscovered her passion for “problem solving with paper,” as she calls it, but her work goes

of patterns and colors.

“I enjoy all steps of the process,” Julie explains. Paper c ollage art includes the collecting of the images, cutting, arranging, and completing a finished product. Working with paper presents unique challenges that digital collage artists don’t face. “I have to work with what I have,” Julie explains.

Storytelling has become a big part of the process. With her Circus series, Julie began incorporating stories into each piece, imagining a background for each of the women portrayed, with these details adding dimension to the pages. “Stories are happening as I’m putting these figures in their new environments,” Julie says. It’s not that she sets out to tell a specific story with a photograph, but that as she creates the collage, it inspires a story that she

Julie graduated in 2009 with her BFA in studio art and spent many years expressing herself through painting. About a year and a half ago, feeling the desire to create in a new way, Julie had a conversation with her sister-in-law which jogged her memory of crafting collages as a child.

much deeper than that. It’s more than just fitting pieces together in a way that looks good. Julie’s love for images, especially of women, inspires feminist pieces that tell a story and give new life to forgotten images. Using photos from books and magazines that would have been discarded, Julie creates analog paper collages with layers

feels compelled to include with the piece. While carefully cutting out the photographs, her busy hands connect to her mind, and she begins to wonder what this person was like off the page.

The result is an authentic and compassionate work, both feminine and fierce, one that inspires the viewer to consider the fact that each face in a photograph has a background, a history, and a story all its own.

While Julie hopes her art inspires personal interpretation from her viewers, she does find herself focusing on messages with each collection. Her Circus collection has a theme of female power and talent. The

from the ‘Collage’ collection

Julie Umberger

Ring Master

Floral Collection

from her ‘Collage’ collection from

messages in the collection are both ironic and bold - a resurrection of photos from a time when females weren’t always viewed as powerful, the 1950s, combined with a bold declaration of their actual power. An homage to the beauty of bodies that haven’t been digitally retouched, Julie portrays these figures in daring feats in her Circus series, such as walking a tightrope. “I turned them into these talented women wielding power as opposed to just being beautiful people to look at,” Julie explains.

In her Floral series, Julie honors the women by adorning them in colorful and ornate floral arrangements.

Julie often works in themes, collections, and series. She recently created a Holiday series, and also has a Dessert series displayed and on sale at Custom Cake Studio in Old Town (3540 Massee Lane). She has plans for an upcoming series

As an artist, Julie hopes her unique contribution will inspire viewers to create their own art and gain an appreciation for what it can do for others. Her desire is to keep evolving and expand her work to create more displays to share with the community, whose response to her work has been generous. “I’m so flattered,” Julie says.

Julie’s paper collage art can be seen on display at Heritage Art Center year round, as well as her instagram page @julieumbergerart where you can check out videos of the process she uses to create collages. To purchase, see photographs of her collections, find out about upcoming shows or just check out more art, visit julieumbergerart.com. u

which will feature a Fungi collection. This series will have an opening show at the newly opened King Gallery (3211 Howard Avenue). Be on the lookout for upcoming details.

Approachable, interesting, and personal, Julie intends for her pieces to invite a wide array of viewers. “It’s for everyone,” she explains.

Most of all, Julie desires to evoke an emotional response from her viewers with her art.

from ‘Circus’

from her ‘Collage’ collection

from her ‘Collage’ collection

Floral Collection

from her ‘Balloon’ collection

Dance Lessons - Let’s Dance Y’all Line and Ballroom Dance Lessons and Quarterly Organized Dances. Every Monday, 6 - 7:30 p.m. , Hilton Terrace Baptist Church Gym (in back), 2236 Warm Springs, Road, Columbus It’s Bing-GO

Enjoy an exciting spin on the classic game of chance. The vibe is always fun, friendly, lively, and enjoyable…like, for real for real . Every Tuesday at Maple Mart (must be 21+) and Every Thursday at Fetch Park a great time for the whole family, including the dog. Want to hire us for your next event? Or get hired? Call Kendrea at 762-258-1244 (call or text). Every week, 7 p.m. , Columbus Zumbini Winter Session (parents and kids)

45 minutes of can’t-stop, won’t-stop bonding, learning, and fun from birth to five years old. Focusing on energy, fun, and play to contribute toward the natural development of cognitive, social, emotional, and physical skills. Our eight week session will have you moving like a crocodile, jammin’ in your jammies, and stomping your feet.Siblings under 6 months old are Free. Zumbini with Jessica, zumbini.com. All weeks: $100 First Child $50 Second Child. Every Thursday, January 12 - March 17 , at Banks Food Hall, Front Avenue, Columbus Motor and

Mouths Monthly Meet Up

A family friendly monthly meeting of car guys/girls to run their motor mouths about their vehicles. Held the 2nd Sunday of month from 8-11am . Windsor Village parking lot, Carnoisseur Detail side, Columbus Roll Clinic @ YMCA

Learn the basics in the pool with one of our awesome instructors. Gear and boats available upon request. This is a fantastic way to introduce yourself whitewater kayaking. Pool sessions are also a great way to stay in paddling shape through the winter and practice your roll. $15 member $20 non-member. Call 706-321-4720 to confirm that you’ll be attending, request gear, kayaks, etc. Every weekend through January , event by Whitewater Express, at YMCA, Uptown, Columbus

Red Nose Half Marathon

This 13.1 mile course starts & finishes at 11th & Broadway following the Riverwalk. There is a 3 1/2 hour time limit. 16 minutes/per mile. There are no fees to register - it’s Free. However, packet pick up will be on Friday, 1/ 6, 12:00 pm - 8:00 pm, Saturday, 1/7, 6:30 am - 7:45 am Registration closes 1/5/23. 14 and under, 15-19, 2029, 10 year age groups up to 70+; All categories Male & Female. Medal to 1st 700 that cross the finish line. Saturday, January 7, 8 a.m. , Event by Big Dog Fleet Feet, Columbus

Healing Mind, Body & Spirit Workshop

An inspirational class employing skills to overcome stress including demonstrations of tapping, neuro-emotional technique, nutritional tips, and practical applications. Presented by Dr. Bob Feinberg. Saturday, January 7, 2 –5 p.m. , Art of Yoga, Armour Road, Columbus

Antique & Collectible Auction

Make your plans to join us for a Huge antique and collectible auction night. 3 miles down 431 from Hwy 280 going toward Eufaula. Friday, January 13, 6:30 p.m. , Auction 431 South, 3748 US 431 South, Phenix City

Roller Derby New Skater/Official Recruitment

Our Meet & Greet and Info Session on our Winter roller derby recruitment. Come have a slice of pizza, meet some members of the team, and sign up for bootcamp. You do not have to have experience or your own gear to join us for bootcamp. We will teach you and guide you to becoming a Muscogee Roller Girl. Friday, January 13, 7 p.m., at The Pizza Place, 1030 Broadway, Columbus

Creative Memories New Beginnings Crop

Spend the day creating your pages for your albums or creating cards to share with others. Supplies will be available. Snacks and drinks provided. Plus some great prizes and giveaways and special purchase opportunities. Cost is only $10 for the day. Message or text me for details. 706 530 1692. Bring a friend for an extra gift. Saturday, January 14, 9 a.m. , 1192 Double Churches Rd, Columbus Chakra Education Workshop

This experience is designed to help you release stress from your being by creating a safe environment to allow you to work through blockages, let go, and simply relax. When we return to a state of coherency, we return to feeling like our healthiest, most true selves. Saturday, January 14, noon – 3 p.m. , Chakra Education Workshop, Art of Yoga, 4924 Armour Road, Columbus Autonation’s Rodeo Columbus

Presented by Kissin 99.3 Pro Rodeo is coming to town. Columbus has never before hosted rodeo like this. The best of Bareback Riding, Steer Wrestling, Team Roping, Saddle Bronc Riding, TieDown Roping, Bull Riding, rodeo clowns, bull fighters and much much more. Get your tickets by ticketmaster. Hiloprorodeo. com. Saturday, January 14, 7:30 p.m. , Columbus Civic Center, Columbus Winter Paint Party at the Farm House Restaurant

Another fun paint night at the Farm House. Paint a beautiful winter scene. No experience required, all materials included. $40. Add on dinner for $15. Enjoy a variety of seasonal soups, bread, drink and dessert. Dinner served at 5:30 , class begins at 6:00 pm Tuesday, January 17, 5:30 – 9 p.m. , The Farm House Restaurant, 469 Farmhouse Road, Ellerslie

Author Marie Benedict

The beloved national best-selling author of The Personal Librarian and Her Hidden Genius who tells the historicallybased stories of women who made great contributions to society but did not receive acclaim or credit for their efforts, will be giving a free public presentation and booksigning. No tickets or reservations are needed. Friday, January 20 11:00 a.m. , the Columbus Public Library, 3000 Macon Road, Columbus

Mardi Gras Pop Up Market

Admission is Free. Mardi Gras Souvenirs, Carnival Supplies, Art & Face Jewelry, Food & Desserts, Music & Clothes. A family friendly event, with music, food and lots of wonder to find. Saturday, January 21, 10 a.m. –10 p.m. , Mardi Gras Pop Up Market, North Hall, Trade Center, 801 Front Ave, Columbus

How to Start a Photography Business with Sammie Saxon

Get pro tips & network with other photographers on starting a photography business. Locally-based and Nationally recognized photographer Sammie Saxon shares his professional insights on developing a successful photography business right here and right now. Monday, January 23, 7 p.m. , Heritage Art Center, 102 6th Street, Columbus

Want to see your event listed here?

Email:eventsthelocalcolumbus.com

We Tried The

And We Liked It!

By Natalie Downey

Your experience at The Animal Farm begins the moment you walk in. Quaint home decor and casual vibes makes it feel like a place where everybody knows somebody. Complete with a fully stocked shelf of spirits to imbibe on the right and a huge, beautiful art piece by local artist, Katie Jacobson on the left of the entry room, the restaurant glows with a welcoming, comfortable atmosphere.

Walking in, it feels like a neat neighborhood gathering place, cozy and relaxed, with a warm welcoming staff. Continue on to your table to find that their chef-driven menu fuses this down-home feel with true fine dining. A local favorite, The Animal Farm offers a place for all occasions, from a quick brunch to a date night celebration worthy of that $200.00 bottle of wine.

At The Animal Farm, comfort foods with creative twists like the House Pimento Cheese adorn the menu, with eclectic offerings that are new, yet nostalgic.

The Animal Farm’s menu includes intricate, farm fresh dishes, such as the Smoked Double Bone Pork Chop with mashed sweet potatoes, a mouth-watering dish reminiscent of a fancy Sunday dinner. It truly warms the soul on a cold winter day.

A full bar with an extensive selection of beers, wines, whiskeys, and seasonal cocktails offers endless drink

#TastyAF

possibilities and seasonal specials like the hot Irish coffee with a rich layer of whipped cream on top. The Animal Farm also has a patio behind the restaurant allowing guests to enjoy open-air dining, a great place to gather with friends and family on the warmer days for those special events or to find some privacy for an intimate dinner.

Any cheeseburger connoisseur will want to try the Harlot Burger. This juicy full-flavor double patty cheeseburger is unforgettable. It’s melty, it’s gooey, it’s the perfect balance of structure, ingredients and composition. A true piece of art that (as the saying goes) the AF team has certainly “put their foot in” in the best way possible.

And who knew kale could be so life-changing? The Animal Farm’s kale caesar salad features smoky bacon, creamy, tangy caesar dressing, shredded parmesan, and perfectly crunchy panko. The result is a bold flavored salad that is light and delicate yet hearty and savory. Served on a massive plate, the salad is big enough to share (but you won’t want to).

returning to his hometown of Columbus. With years of experience in all aspects of running a restaurant, it was time for Hudson to open one of his own, and Animal Farm was born.

For the team at The Animal Farm, it’s simply all about their customers, and the food is what sets them apart. Their attention to detail and commitment to creating delicious meals makes Animal Farm a restaurant worth visiting again and again.

We asked bartender Devon what he is most passionate about working at The Animal Farm.

“The response from the community really, everyone new in town wants to come see us and bring a friend. It’s a very social place and especially during these last two years, it brings us so much joy to see the love this community has for us,” he said. His favorite dish? Devon immediately responded, “The Grit Bowl, hands down. You get stone ground grits - sourced from Athens, sausage, bacon, two eggs and our delicious tater tots on top. Pair that with an Irish Coffee or Espresso Martini and it’s a perfect afternoon.”

Simply put, the crew at the Animal Farm take nostalgic comfort food to a whole new level.

Their hearty Braised Beef Pasta, featuring braised prime chuck and a red wine reduction, is a savory, mature take on a childhood favorite, reminiscent of beef stroganoff that comes topped with a lob of mozzarella cheese instead of sour cream.

Working with local farms, the restaurant uses seasonal produce when possible, and the team hopes to use more local produce and support more local farms as the restaurant continues to grow and deepen its connections within the community.

We certainly hope they do. We loved our time visiting the restaurant, and they offer the community a unique, down home, yet top-notch approach to dining in Uptown. “It’s a restaurant for anybody,” owner Hudson says.

To take a bite for yourself, The Animal Farm is located at 105 12th Street in Columbus. Current hours of operation are Tuesday - Friday: 11:00 - 3:00 & 5:00 - 9:00. Saturday: 10:00 - 3:00 & 5:00 - 10:00. Sunday brunch: 10:00 - 2:00.

To make a reservation, or find more information about upcoming tasting events visit their Instagram and Facebook pages #tastyAF @theanimalfarmcolumbus, as well as their website at www.theanimalfarmcolumbus.com.u

Hudson Terrell, Animal Farm’s owner, has always wanted to be a restaurateur. He started as a dishwasher at the Five and Ten restaurant in Athens and within two years had worked his way up to manager. He managed the critically acclaimed Acre Restaurant in Auburn before

The Harlot Burger

Irish Coffee

Tomato Soup & Grilled Cheese

Hudson With Chris Lane During Fox & Friends

Pork Chop

Kale Salad

BRUNO ZUPAN

My Friend, the Earth

had in Atlanta. Though Zupan is from Slovenia and divides his time painting between Paris, Mallorca, Venice, and NYC, he has also planted deep roots in his wife’s hometown of Columbus.

“Columbus is very fortunate to have an international artist and his wife who consider your city a home. It says something important about what Columbus has to offer,” said museum representative

W orld-renowned artist Bruno Zupan’s new show, My Friend, the Earth, will be on display in Atlanta at the Millennium Gate Museum in Atlantic Station, opening January 29th and running through April 8th.

By Sarah Algoe

Headquarters, not to mention our very own Columbus Museum. His work includes vibrant impressionist paintings of everything from the salty Mediterranean landscape to the Chattahoochee River here in town, or

Amanda Brown Olmstead.

Zupan met his wife, Jane Richie, in Paris. She was on a study-abroad trip and came across him while he was painting. She was singing “Georgia on My Mind,” he recalled in a 2015 interview with the Ledger-Enquirer.

“I started calling her Georgia. I never heard the name Jane before, so to me she was a Georgia,” he told the paper. Soon he was stateside, and the two were married.

Anita Thomas, a friend of Richie who also grew up in Columbus and has become a collector of Zupan’s art, was so excited to hear about the exhibit that she agreed to lend one of her pieces to the show.

“When Bruno called about the possibility of this show, I was thrilled to death. I am so proud of his paintings that we enjoy every day in our home and know other collectors in Atlanta and certainly in Columbus, Georgia, my friend’s hometown, and mine. There are many collections there, including the Columbus Museum. They are so proud to have his work. I can’t wait for more of my friends and people across Atlanta to see this marvelous, beautiful work.” Thomas said.

Zupan’s work is a celebration of the natural world. He pays homage to the rivers, the grass, the trees, the mountains, and to the seasons that enfold them. Enamored with light and the pursuit of it, he investigates

A monolith of the Columbus art society, Zupan’s work can be found in illustrious collections worldwide, including The Museo de Mallorca, le Palais de Nations, Geneva, the Library of Congress, and the UN

the lights twinkling at Lakebottom Park.

My Friend, the Earth is an unusual exhibit in that it is one of the largest displays of Zupan’s work - 35 paintings - and is the first major art show he has ever

Bruno Zupan

Bruno Zupan Ocean

Hanging Cherry Blossoms, 2022 Oil and Goldleaf on Canvas 38 x 51 in

the way a sunset reaches its golden glow over magical landscapes, a romantic portal into glimmering nostalgia for places never seen.

Reminiscent of the finest impressionist paintersthink Monet, Manet or Renoir - Zupan’s masterful rendering of natural beauty provides access to memories of an Earth we may have lost to desperation and greed.

“His realism and his focus on nature and the earth is so alluring,” says Olmstead. “People know that an experience with nature is something that can give them relaxation, inspiration, and hope. I believe that the identity one can find there, looking at a painting that brings the outside inside, is something that is universally attractive.”

This appeal to a viewer’s emotions has led to Zupan’s great success, with his work adorning the walls of prestigious private collectors, including the Turner, Vanderbilt, Rockefeller, Rothschild, and Swaroski families, not to mention those of foreign royalty.

His focus on the earth and her natural landscapes is especially topical, as there is a summit also being produced by Olmstead in Atlanta about democracy and climate change. “We are living in a time, a century, when people are destroying the earth,” says Olmstead.“Seeing an artist using his talent to capture the beauty of nature is very appropriate right now.

Maybe as people come to enjoy these paintings, maybe what they’ll see is God’s nature, and maybe they’ll learn to take better care of it.”

The location of the exhibit, the Millennium Gate Museum, is apt in that it has served to revitalize the Atlantic Station area itself. Built on an empty brown field, what is now a glorious nucleus of art and culture, used to be a vacant void in the center of Atlanta. At the heart of the museum square is a striking Arc de Triomphe, reminiscent of that crowning the Champs Elysees in Paris. “It’s so elegant,” states Olmstead, “to have a museum nestled inside, and to have this exhibit on the walls there. It ties beautifully into the international story depicted by Zupan in his art.”

Special thanks to Rodney Cook, CEO of the National Monument Foundation and mastermind behind Atlantic Station, for raising the funds to make this exhibit possible, and to Pat Daniel for helping coordinate Zupan’s participation.u

Untitled Landscape, 41x38

Spring Blossoms by artist Bruno Zupan

Bruno Zupan

Bouquet Study in My Window Oil on Canvas 32 x 39 in

Not PhotoJustWork

By Sarah Algoe

I n the past, many cultures believed a photograph could “steal” a subject’s soul. Yet it is this magic that lends photography its unique power. To feel so seen, so literally and emotionally exposed, is a knowing that many would face with trepidation. It is that raw

she says. She decided to focus on boudoir first and foremost, and it is this service that has become the cornerstone of her current work.

“I like to bring an editorial vibe to a boudoir session. I’m super excited to be able to bring all of my creative ideas into a shoot, and maybe do it a little bit differently than it’s been done before,” Jones says

The artist’s duty is, at its core, to express emotion and make those parts both seen and unseen visible. Jones’ ability to access this mindset in her clients is what makes her art so powerful. “I’m more in tune

“My purpose is to coax those physical feelings and emotions out of my subject. It can be uncomfortable, and some of my clients feel strange when they are in the process, but when they see the photos they’re usually really amazed. We all possess those emotions inside of us - extreme joy and pleasure and confidence. That one is really tough. It feels really foreign to a lot of people. But the majority of it is body positioning and a tilt of the head. A lot of it is the tone of voice that I use around them or the things that I say. It can just be a split second that I see the emotion come across their face and they nail it, and when I see that I get super excited. It’s the shot I was looking for, and I think it’s rewarding on both sides.”

humanity, however, which creates art.

A true artist, Jess Jones’ ability to elicit and capture this moment of pure emotion through her photography truly sets her apart. Her work is tasteful and innovative - it seems to come as naturally to her as breathing.

As with most young photographers, Jones “started out doing everything; weddings, family stuff, mostly just taking jobs because I needed the money.” She soon came to realize she was spreading herself too thin between so many different jobs and genres, and it was preventing her from reaching her potential. “I realized that I wasn’t really serving people properly,”

with this genre. I’m in tune with what women’s pain points are,” she says.

“I took a lot of posing classes online, but I would say the most impactful was The Art of Emotion,” she recalls. This class taught “mirroring” emotions, which is a psychological term describing how one can use physical mimicry of another’s body language in order to foster closeness. It is a cyclical, physical practice of empathy, where you can become so in tune with someone to the point that you can actually influence each other’s emotions.

In Jones’ studio, boudoir photography gives women access to parts of themselves that may be difficult to claim.The relationship between photographer, subject,

Jess Jones

Jess Jones

and the camera itself becomes almost like a therapy session.

“People tell me stories all the time about stuff that they’ve gone through, and sometimes it’s a lot. I just hope that I can make people feel a bit better, a bit more comfortable in their body and in their everyday life,” she said. “I guess I’m starting to understand more about people’s struggles, and what their body language means. I do feel like I offer people a bit of therapeutic release. I don’t think I’m qualified to give people advice, I just try to listen and help as much as I can. Even just the process of it helps people. Women who were abused will say ‘I didn’t know that I needed it as much as I did.’”

A satisfied client wrote, “We often lose ourselves in life. Whether it be focusing on kids, our careers, being wives, or just getting caught up in basic everyday living. I am so thankful I came across Jess’ page and signed up to do this. Originally I was thinking about my husband and how much he would like it, but deep down I knew I was doing this for myself. It took me out of my routine, and out of my comfort zone, but it gave me that boost of confidence we all need every now and then. Jess, I will cherish this forever. You are an artist that can showcase true beauty. Not only do I feel like you captured my true self on the outside, but I feel like you captured my soul and personality. I can’t thank you enough! These pictures are worth more to me than words!”

Jess creates true art, and is constantly evolving and searching for new creative avenues, including lighting, props (things like climbing ropes and crochet dresses), and ways to make her clients feel beautiful and seen. If you are looking to book with her or check out her work, visit jessjonesboudoir.com. You can also join her Facebook Group to hear about all the latest… and psst psst. She’s offering $200 off your session for her Valentine’s Day special. Receive a Bonus if you tell her we sent ya. u