update!

We had a benefit show on July 17th with music from Browan Lollar, John Cartwright, Matt Spencer (of Fistful of Beard), and Ursa Locomodus. Eli Flippen & Pegasus Records were generous enough to host the event for us. The fundraiser was a success & we are so thankful for all the support that we receive from the community!

Here are a few photos from the event.

We raised approximately $300 which will help us tremendously in applying for our 501c3 status with the IRS.

Also, if you're in Florence this week for the W.C. Handy Festival, we will be set up at Handy on the Plaza on Mobile Street tomorrow and Friday. We partnered with the end. to build an entry way for the event. Please come see us! We'd love to meet our supporters and get to chat with you about what we're doing.

One more thing! We are in the process of planning the Indian Summer Art & Music Festival. It is scheduled for September 4th. The event will run from noon until 9pm and feature music from Sparrow & the Ghost (Tuscaloosa), The Bear, and others. We will also have interactive art projects throughout the day and local artists set up showing their work.

ARTISTS!!! If you are interested in setting up for the event, e-mail us at thearthive.al@gmail.com with the subject "Indian Summer." We will get back to you with details for the event.

BENEFIT SHOW!!

We know it's short notice, but we will be hosting a benefit show at Pegasus Records next Saturday. We would love to see you there! We've steadily been receiving more and more interest in what we're doing and have had many people ask when we'll have the space open. The sooner we can raise funds for renovations, the sooner our doors will be open. We appreciate all the support we've received thus far!

Also, we've partnered with Rivertown Coffee Co. to have a Trunk Show every third Saturday of the month. We'll be set up on the sidewalk outside of Rivertown next Saturday from 1pm until about 7pm.

So, come out & check out the art & handmade goods and then head over to Pegasus with us for some awesome local music!

July Artist of the Month

Meet our July Artist of the Month, Aaron Keen! His work is now hanging up at Rivertown Coffee Co. through the end of August. Be sure to stop by sometime and check it out!

Tell us a little about yourself.

Raised by two old hippies and loving the life they have shown me. It’s about making a life, not a living.

What materials do you use in your art? (and why?)

Mainly I use spray paint and acrylics. I feel that the unforgiving aerosol makes my work more natural and how it was supposed to be rather than how I wanted it to be.

Describe your artistic style and/or approach.
I really appreciate Brazilian graffiti. The "who gives a hell" approach really appeals to me. I don't try to make work that other people will enjoy as much as I try to make paintings that I can confidently talk about to the viewer.

What influences your art?
Dreams are the main influence in my art. When I wake up in the middle of the night, I try to make sense of what I was dreaming and then paint it the next day. I feel that the sub-consciousness is the most honest a person can get.

What do you want the viewer to take away from your art? 

I want the viewer to enjoy the colors, the strokes, the contrast, and the story that goes with the piece. They are all simple enough but surreal enough to make a general thought turn into a conversation for a group of viewers

What do you do when you're not making art?

Bartending and sleeping.

How can people contact you if they are interested in purchasing your art?
205-478-3581 or aaron_keen2002@yahoo.com or 512 Hermitage Dr. come on by.