The minuscule worlds designed by Sam Copeland and Aleia Murawski (previously) are just like ours—only a little bit slimier. Creating small, nostalgic dioramas for the past few years, the pair has a robust collection of sets fit for their tiny snail pals. The mollusks are caught slithering up to a video rental spot to browse horror films like The Snexorcist and Shellraiser, taking a snooze at their office job, and giving themselves a pep talk in the pink-tiled bathroom of a dive bar. Puns and adorable miniature renditions of common objects like a bulky desktop computer and bottles of nail polish fill the scenes, which feel like they’re plucked straight from the 90s.

Copeland and Murawski will have work in a group exhibition opening September 30 at Bedford Gallery in Walnut Creek, California, and have a follow-up to their book, Snail World: Life in the Slimelight, slated for publishing in 2024 by Broccoli. They’re currently in progress on a few video projects, which you can find on Instagram.

Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $5 per month. The article It’s a Snail World After All: Tiny Molluscs Slide Around Town in Nostalgic Miniature Sets appeared first on Colossal.

It was her love of nature and spunk that turned Sarah Matheson Harris into an oyster farmer.

“I grew up in Gloucester, on Mobjack Bay, and my father in particular always had an incredibly love and appreciation of the water,” Sarah said in a recent interview with the Gazette. “When I was 25, both my parents became very sick from different illnesses; they ended up passing away one month apart from each other. At that age, losing both parents in what felt like in the blink of an eye was completely unfathomable, and it changed the course of my life.”

Sarah has a master’s degree in brand strategy and, after graduating, worked for an advertising company that served Google and NBC News. But while earning a living in the corporate world, she realized she was on a path of drifting further and further away from her family and the legacy they left behind.

“My husband and I had already been pushed so far outside our comfort zones that making a jump at that time didn’t seem impossible. We decided to start an oyster farm.”

I asked Sarah, how did she and her husband go about starting an oyster farm?

“There is no right way to get started other than just getting oysters in the water,” Sarah said with a smile. “In Virginia, you are allowed by right to grow oysters on your lease in cages less than a foot off the bottom. But we always wanted to try floating or suspended growing methods. However, this requires a lengthy permitting process. So, in 2020, we ordered a small first round of seed along with bottom cages and put them out in front of our home. A year later, we decided to change course and go after the suspended longline growing permit. We found a waterfront property to house our operations.”

The Matheson Oyster Co., of which Sarah is the owner and chief marketing officer, while her husband Eric is the business manager and her brother-in-law Cory is head of operations, has already achieved a sterling reputation.

I asked Sarah, what makes their oysters special?

“The confluence of water quality, location and taste make the Mobjack Bay absolutely incredible for growing oysters,” Sarah said. “There is no land mass between our farm and the mouth of the Mobjack Bay where it meets the Chesapeake Bay. There is a salt shelf right at the mouth that delivers a perfectly balanced mid-salinity range that’s nearly impossible to find anywhere else in Virginia. There are four rivers that converge into the Mobjack which imparts a sweetness that balances the saltiness coming from the Chesapeake.”

Sarah explained that she, her husband and her brother-in-law started the business as a family because of what each brings to the table. “I think that’s what really led to our immediate success. I come from marketing and advertising. Eric has a business background, and Cory manages the actual growing of the oysters. Since we are a family, we’re able to have our team meetings poolside with margaritas.”

Although high quality oyster farming has become Sarah’s passion, her determination to have the business contribute to protecting the natural resources is just as strong.

“We are surrounded by beautiful marshes and shorelines that are under constant threat of erosion,” she said. “And from a more macro viewpoint, what do we need to do to fight rising carbon levels in the water, water acidification, shoreline erosion and warming water temperatures? I would love us to find a place in the community where our business can fit into having a direct impact on tackling these issues.”

Operating an oyster company often requires some ingenuity to troubleshoot whatever Mother Nature throws at you, Sarah said.

During a particularly strong winter storm, they realized they needed to add a strong rope to their moored boat as it was threatening to come off its anchor.

“The best plan we could come up with,” Sarah said, “was to tie a rope around my brother-in-law’s waist and let him kayak out to the boat while we held the spool with a long metal rod to make sure he could get back to shore. It looked completely ridiculous, but it worked.”

Frank Shatz is a Williamsburg resident. He is the author of “Reports from a Distant Place,” the compilation of his selected columns. The book is available at the Bruton Parish Shop and Amazon.com.

The finer points of key fobs, towels, and tea cups make their way into Kei Endo’s meticulously detailed floor plans of Japanese hotel rooms (previously). Carefully measured, the interior diagrams depict the furnishings, amenities, and layouts of various rooms, from corner suites to intimate sleeping pods. Endo elaborates on style elements like creative wall decor or unique views, including dimensions for every aspect of the room, right down to the height of the wine glasses.

The images here are part of a vibrant collection comprising Endo’s new book, Tokyo Hotel Sketch ,just released in Japan by Gakugei Publishing. Find more of the artist’s work on her website, and follow updates on X and Instagram.

The Aoyama Grand Hotel

Hilltop Hotel

Hotel Hisoca Ikebukuro

Hotel K5

9h Akasaka Sleep Lab

The Yokohama Bay Hotel Tokyu

Shiroiya Hotel

Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $5 per month. The article Elaborately Detailed Illustrations of Japanese Hotel Rooms by Kei Endo Highlight Architecture and Ornament appeared first on Colossal.

National launch of Commerce Media allows retailers the ability to monetize their online and in-store shelf space with brand sponsored ad placements and product listings.

NEW YORK, Aug. 29, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Surfside Solutions Inc. (“Surfside”), building the next generation of advertising technology to help reach customers with personalized marketing, today announced the national launch of its latest product offering, Commerce Media.

In private beta since April 2023, this innovative solution empowers cannabis brands by opening a new advertising channel directly within a retailer’s ecommerce websites and marketplaces.

The expanded offering will accelerate the ability for retailers and cannabis dispensaries to personalize and improve shopping experiences, while providing brands the ability to secure priority placements, improve exposure to in-market shoppers and measure all media to SKU-level sales.

“Consumers are demanding a more relevant buying experience and businesses need to adapt and ensure they have the right technology and economics to be able to grow,” said Michael Blanche, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Surfside. “Commerce Media solves these two problems by tailoring shoppable content and creative messaging for each individual customer, enabling digital businesses to remove irrelevant noise and generating a new high-margin revenue stream.”

“We used Surfside’s Commerce Media ads to support revenue across our retail footprint in the Northeast and have been thrilled with the ability to drive incremental sales and see real results. By delivering ads directly where products are being sold online, we saw a measurable lift in sales month-over-month and have already expanded the campaign across our multi-state wholesale network,” said Pete Truby, VP of Marketing at Glorious Cannabis Company

With these updates, the Surfside Platform now supports both on-site and off-site advertising, unifying off-site ads from mainstream websites and apps, with personalized on-site shopping experiences driven by ads tailored to shoppers’ interests and previous purchasing habits. The Commerce Media Platform is available across all markets and is easy to integrate with existing point-of-sale and ecommerce software, making it a turnkey solution for retailers to generate a new revenue stream, while improving conversion rates and driving incremental sales.

“Surfside’s on-site advertising is a terrific way to grow website ROI and elevate partnered brands’ product sales. Their team is knowledgeable, responsive, and dedicated to driving results,” said Ryan Silve, General Manager at Redi.

To learn more about Surfside’s new offerings or schedule a demo, email [email protected] or visit us at https://www.surfside.io/commerce-media.

ABOUT SURFSIDE

Surfside is a fully connected marketing platform that aggregates first-party data across all customer touchpoints, allowing advertisers the ability to better understand, target, and measure how to influence current and future customers. By combining the power of a customer data platform (CDP) with a Demand Side Platform (DSP), Surfside simplifies the process of turning first-party data into personalized marketing campaigns through the monetization of online and in-store audiences.

Media Contact:

Scott Cianciulli
The Plunkett Group
(212) 739-6753
[email protected]

Related Links
https://www.surfside.io

SOURCE Surfside Solutions Inc.

Locals came out to see what local crafters and artists had to offer at the Clinton County Farmers Market “Art at the Market” on Saturday.

John Hamilton | News Journal

Locals came out to see what local crafters and artists had to offer at the Clinton County Farmers Market “Art at the Market” on Saturday.

John Hamilton | News Journal

Locals came out to see what local crafters and artists had to offer at the Clinton County Farmers Market “Art at the Market” on Saturday.

Locals came out to see what local crafters and artists had to offer at the Clinton County Farmers Market “Art at the Market” on Saturday.

ASU creatives of all sorts are kicking off the semester with events ranging from dance to drama, film to gaming, and painting to sculpting.

If you are having a hard time deciding what to do or where to go, look no further! The Echo made a list of the best of ASU’s artistic showcases and opportunities happening this week and a little extra from the greater community.

Drawing with Dean

The Art Student (K)oalition will host Drawing with Dean starting on Tuesday, Aug. 29, from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. in room 420 of ASU’s Art Building. At this free event, students will participate in a faculty-led figure-drawing workshop with a live nude model. Participants must bring their preferred medium and their own drawing implements. This workshop is part of an 11-week series. You can RSVP and find other dates on Sun Devil Sync.  

Naturespace workshop: nature drawing session

Relax and draw at the Naturespace workshop on Wednesday, Aug. 30, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. for ASU students. Bring your own art supplies to sketch Hayden Library’s natural history collection in 311E. Be sure to register through the ASU Library in order to claim your seat. Later dates for this workshop are Sept. 6 and 20, Oct. 4 and 18, and  Nov. 1 and 15. 

“Stop Making Sense” opening reception

Enjoy the surreal and imaginative work of a group of ASU student artists and alumni at the “Stop Making Sense” exhibition at Gallery 100. Works in this collection are by artists Kaitlyn Ashcroft, Soraya Burrow, Devin Dawson, Nicole Everding, Ashley Latin, Natalia López, Jennifer Marcial-Kissi, and Luis Zamora and include acrylic, oil, watercolor and traditional drawing materials. The opening reception for the exhibition will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 29, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The exhibition will run from Aug. 28 to Sept. 8 during gallery hours from noon to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday. 

Black Student Union Sip N’ Paint

Students can join the Black Student Union (West) for painting, music and drinks in theDelph Courtyard of the West campus on Friday, Sept. 1, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Sip N’ Paint event. The organization’s duty is to “assist African American students in attaining their educational goals, encourage other African Americans to pursue higher education and promote cultural awareness,” according to their Sun Devil Sync page. You can RSVP and learn more about the Black Student Union’s other events on Sun Devil Sync. 

“Foundations” exhibition

The “Foundations”exhibition in the Harry Wood Gallery of the Art Building explores skateboarding and its influence through the work of artists Benjamin Bobinac, Milan Bobinac, Hunter Boyd, Sawyer Boyd and Clifford Smith. The exhibition is free and open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 28 through Friday, Aug. 31.

Tango Club practica

The Tango Club at ASU Practica welcomes students of all skill levels to the dance floor in Wexler Hall, room A118, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 31. Participate in an Argentine tango lesson, open dancing and activities. The Tango Club holds practicas every Thursday, as well as stage Argentine Tango practice on Tuesdays. These events are free, but you should RSVP on Sun Devil Sync. 

Devilettes auditions

ASU’s jazz and hip-hop dance performance team, the Devilettes, will be holding auditions on Saturday, Sept. 2, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. To try out for this official ASU club sports team, you will need to fill out a waiver and audition form. On audition day, meet in the Sun Devil Fitness Complex Infinity Studio. Wear all black and bring your sun card, tennis shoes, a water bottle, a snack, and optionally jazz shoes. 

Scriptless meeting

Scriptless, ASU’s documentary filmmaking and reality television production club, will hold a meeting this Wednesday, Aug. 30, from 7 to 8 p.m. in room BA 257 of the Business Administration building. Scriptless members will learn about production and gain hands-on experience throughout the semester or school year by working together to produce short documentary films or reality series. Visit Sun Devil Sync to RSVP and learn more about the club.

READ MORE:  Behind the scenes of new student-produced reality show ‘Safety’

“Oppenheimer” in IMAX 70mm

ASU cinephiles, did you know that the only place to watch Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” on a 70mm IMAX screen is in Tempe at the Harkins Theatre Arizona Mills 18? In an interview with the Associated Press, Nolan revealed that this is his recommended viewing experience for the film. Showtimes and dates are available on the Harkins website. 

Society of West ASU Gamers meeting

The Society of West ASU Gamers brings together community members “with a shared interest in all versions of fandoms and gaming, including but not limited to video games, tabletop gaming, and roleplaying games,” according to the club’s bylaws. The club will meet on Thursday, Aug. 31, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. in theKiva Lecture Hall at the ASU West campus. You can RSVP, find details about the weekly Thursday meetings, and join the club discord on Sun Devil Sync. 

Adventurers Wanted Inc. weekly play meeting

Role-playing game enthusiasts, join Adventurers Wanted Inc. this Friday, Sept. 1, from 6 to 11 p.m. in theFarmers Education building, room 228, for an evening of introductions and gameplay. Adventurers Wanted Inc. brings together students with all levels of experience to play Dungeons and Dragons, as well as other systems, and connect players with game masters to create new worlds. This is a recurring Friday meeting. To RSVP, join the club’s discord, and find information about recurring meetings, visit Sun Devil Sync.

READ MORE: Adventurers Wanted: a world beyond Dungeons and Dragons

University Street Market

The University Street Market is hosting its first-ever Downtown Phoenix flea market on Thursday, Aug. 31. You will need to bring your best tote bag for all of the second-hand fashion finds from this sustainable student event. The market’s Instagram and TikTok are good resources to stay updated on event details for this and other markets, as well as the latest in ASU fashion. 

READ MORE:  ASU students embrace vintage fashion through secondhand suppliers

First Friday

Just blocks away from ASU’s downtown campus, Roosevelt Row will come to life at the end of the week for First Friday. This street market and art walk shows off a potpourri of local artists and vendors. There is thrifting, shopping and some killer food trucks giving you a taste of Arizona. The event runs from 6 to 10 p.m. Be sure to research your route and departure times before coming from another campus via light rail or campus shuttle. Street parking is metered. This event reoccurs on the first Friday of each month.

Edited by Claire van Doren, Walker Smith and Sadie Buggle. 

Reach the reporter at spbracci@asu.edu and follow @SophiaBraccio on X. 

Like The State Press on Facebook and follow @statepress on Twitter. 

“The birds are the underdogs,” says Stephanie Brown. “They co-exist with us almost invisibly in our lives if you aren’t looking for them. They’re small but full of attitude and powerful in great numbers.”

Brown returns to the tiny, yet commanding creatures in her ongoing series, The Torchbearers. Comprised of well over 100 tattoos in full color, the collection features common species like sparrows and starlings grasping lit matches in their beaks. The Troy, New York-based artist, whose practice spans drawing, painting, and the inked pieces shown here, began the series in 2019 after about a year of studying and rendering the specimens within the Field Museum’s Bird Division. She explains:

Spending time in that collection helped me understand their role not just as scientific artifacts but how these preserved bodies can help contemporary scientists in their study, often in the effort of conserving what populations are left. Looking back it feels quaint, but in 2019 it felt like the climate crisis had reached maximum volume, with the hottest years on record at the time. Around the same time, I had found an old Victorian Christmas card of these sparrows marching in a procession through the snow, holding tiny torches in the dark night, an image I immediately loved and wanted to adapt into a tattoo.

Melding these sources sparked what’s now a robust aviary that’s both an ode to the beauty and singularity of each creature and a beacon of hope. “There are so many analogies to be made,” the artist says. “The smallest light can lead the way in the darkness. It only takes a spark to start a fire; size does not matter. Natural wildfires even have a regenerative purpose: to clear crowded brush and return nutrients to the earth only to have more biodiversity return its wake.”

Bluebird and quail

While tattoos naturally fade and lose detail over time, Brown’s paintings are exemplary of her profound consideration of the animals themselves. With luminous color and delicately fringed feathers, the birds in “In the Dark” and “Chimney Swift” are elegant and active, leading the charge toward something new. These features echo the inked Torchbearers. The works are “a symbol of perseverance for the sheer willpower it takes to survive in this world either personally, socially, or environmentally—a reminder to be vigilant against the systems that exist and maybe just holding hope for a cleansing fire to free us from them and make room for a better world.”

While Brown is largely booked for tattoos at the moment—keep an eye on her Instagram for openings—she does have originals, prints, stickers, and more available in her shop. You can also see her work later this year at Antler Gallery in Portland and Living Room Gallery in Chicago.

Sparrows

Sparrows

Top left: Magpie. Top right: English robin. Bottom left: Female bluebird. Bottom right: Starling

Barnswallow

Fighting sparrows

“In the Dark”

“Chimney Swifts”

Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $5 per month. The article Luminous Birds Strike Toward a Better Future in Stephanie Brown’s Tattooed Aviary appeared first on Colossal.

What do skateboarding and ceramics have in common? Artist and avid skater Brock DeBoer discovered the medium as a teenager during a requisite stint in summer school, and he latched on to learning something new. “When I sat at the potter’s wheel, I was challenging myself almost the same way as I did skateboarding,” the Los Angeles-based artist says. “Like, okay, next one is gonna be taller or wider, or I’m going to make this shape I saw in a book, and almost overnight, I had found something that would change my life.”

DeBoer attended ceramics classes in community college while he was still in high school, and as a student at the Kansas City Art Institute, he was introduced to porcelain. It sparked a practice he has pursued since. Portraying objects we typically associate with heavy use, like sneakers, radios, and basketballs, the artist elicits a playful tension between fragility and function. “The subjects, such as the sneakers, have a shelf life before the soles crumble and bubbles pop, and having the ability to preserve them and give them a new life is interesting to me,” he says.

Each piece’s decor harkens back to popular traditions in pottery like blue-and-white Chinese porcelain, which emerged in the 14th century and was wildly popular in Europe, spurring subsequent styles like Royal Delft. “Adding this surface decoration also folds a layer of history into the sculptures, which I think is even more impactful when on these common objects,” he says.

DeBoer chooses everyday, recognizable items as a way to emphasize the medium itself. “Presenting something familiar allows the viewer to experience and be absorbed in the exactness of the sculpture before reading too much into it,” he says. “There’s a challenge to capturing objects like this. And in this way, because there is no room for shortcuts, every detail has to be perfect.”

Recently, DeBoer has been learning glass casting and is looking forward to incorporating new techniques into his work, along with creating larger-scale installations inspired by his time in L.A. See more on his website, and follow updates on Instagram. You might also enjoy Brendan Lee Satish Tang’s porcelain-inspired drawings or Helena Hauss’ Delft-style weaponry.

Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $5 per month. The article In Remarkably Realistic Sculptures, Brock DeBoer Preserves Quotidian Objects in Porcelain appeared first on Colossal.