Bike Race THIS SUNDAY!

Don't forget!!! Our Roadrunner Alleycat Race is THIS Sunday, May 23rd! Registration starts at Pegasus Records (located at 612 E. Tennessee Street) in downtown Florence at 4pm. The race starts at 5! There will be an after party once the race is over with live music by The Bear, Feeling Positive, Rise Up Howlin' Werewolf, and possibly more...music starts at 7. We'll be grilling hot dogs & hamburgers as well.

Race participants get into the after party for free, but if you'd just like to come hang out & hear the music, there will be a $5 cover.

Also, be sure to check out the article from today's Times Daily about the race!

See you Sunday!

shirts!

We have shirts in! The Roadrunner Alleycat Race shirts are $15. The design is printed on super-soft Alternative Apparel Vintage Soft tees. We ordered a small batch of them to start with and they're going fast! We'll place another order before the race.

We also ordered new Art Hive shirts...these are $15! This design is also printed on Alternative Apparel Vintage Soft tees. They will be available at all Art Hive events...if you're not local though and want one, we have a PayPal account and can mail one to you. Just be sure to let us know what size you need!

May Artist of the Month

Meet our May Artist of the Month, Shawn Wallace. His work is now hanging at Rivertown Coffee Co. in downtown Florence. Stop by and check it out!

Tell us a little about yourself...

I was born and rasied in the central Appalachian region of Virginia. I have been painting for 17 years. I started out as a sign painter but always made paintings for myself or family members. I started preaching the gospel in 2003 and I moved to Alabama in 2004 to preach for the Church of Christ that meets in Phil Campbell. I attend the Memphis College of Art and will be a graduate with a BFA in painting in May.

What materials do you use in your art? (and why?)
Most of my art is made using acrylic paint on found objects (mostly wood). I think the found objects lend themselves to the folk art aesthetic in my work and they also have a redemptive quality about them that I, as a Christian appreciate. I use collage from old magazines and books. I take anything people give me and I enjoy seeing what I can make from it.

Describe your artistic style and/or approach.
My style of work is very hard to label and I really would rather not label it. Some people have called it Visionary, some Surreal, others call me a Regionalist. I just like to call it my own. My approach to painting is drawn from my unique life experiences growing up in the rural mountains of Virginia. The people, the landscape, all of it is one of the most peculiar and well preserved American cultures that still exist today that hasn't been dissolved in the proverbial melting pot of the U.S. My work is heavily story driven and reads very much like an illustration. I sketch and think a lot before I ever put brush to canvas.

What influences your art?
My life experiences and religious convictions are the two biggest influences on my work. Artists that have influenced me are Andrew Wyeth, Thomas Hart Benton, N.C. Wyeth, Mark Ryden and Red Grooms. I draw inspiration from the works of these painters, though most are very far from one another in style. It's their subject matter and honesty I relate to. I also draw influence from music, specifically that of The Avett Brothers and traditional mountain music.

What do you want the viewer to take away from your art?
That not all crazy looking paintings are crazy.

What do you do when you're not making art?
I study the Bible, history and read every day. I enjoy spending time with my wife and dogs. I also enjoy architecture and seeing the country. I watch documentaries, the stranger the better and enjoy exploring new places. I collect old books and shop at thrift stores. I attend several folk art shows and when I get the opportunity I like to spend time with other artists or be alone. I find being alone a necessity for turning out a lot of work.

How can people contact you if they are interested in purchasing your art?
Phone: 256-436-3581
Website: www.shawnwallaceart.com
Email: goodboyart@ymail.com

roadrunner alleycat race!

Everybody come to this! We're super-excited about this fundraiser. So far we've had prizes donated from Pegasus Records and Rivertown Coffee Company. We have a few bands lined up for the after party including The Bear & Rise Up Howlin' Werewolf...sure to be a good time!

NEXT TRUNK SHOW!!

We are having a trunk show at Rivertown Coffee Co. on April 10th! If you'd like to set up with us, PLEASE e-mail us and let us know at thearthive.al@gmail.com ! We ask that everyone provide their own tables/chairs, but if you absolutely cannot find one, let us know & we'll try to help out.

Thanks!

March Artist of the Month

Meet our March artist of the month (as well as one of our founding members), Maggie Crisler.

Tell us a little about yourself (name, affiliations, etc.)

My name is Maggie Crisler and I am a photographer & graphic designer. I graduated from the University of Alabama last May with a degree in graphic design & advertising. I moved back to Florence after 4 years in Tuscaloosa to marry my sweetheart. I'm also a barista at Rivertown Coffee Co.

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

As far as photography goes, I work mostly with my Canon 30D and Photoshop. I have an old 35mm Minolta that I still play around with from time to time. For design work, I like to stick with Adobe Illustrator. I also like to hand-print some of my design work and prefer either linoleum blocks or screenprinting. I love the slight variations and imperfections that result from hand-printing things.

Describe your artistic style and/or approach.

People are most definitely my favorite subjects. I tend to talk a lot when I'm shooting...I feel it makes my subjects more comfortable. The more comfortable they are, the more natural the photos...and the closer I can get (which works well for my composites). I love shooting close so I can capture every detail possible. When designing, I spend most of my time manipulating type. I took a typography class when I was a junior in college and it ruined me. I'm a type freak now. I love design that is clean, simple & straight-forward. I suppose I feel the same about photography as well.

What influences your art?

People. The way they move, look, act, dress...everything. People fascinate me.

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

I want them to see the beauty in the subject the same way that I do. I want them to notice all the little details that I do, and even some that I may have missed.

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

A fairly sizable part of my time is spent doing things for the Art Hive. I can usually be found at Rivertown - working or not working. I enjoy spending time with my husband and our Scottish Terrier, Simon...we're pretty hooked on The Office and Arrested Development. I love sewing and cooking. I spend a good deal of time with friends as well.

How can someone contact you if they are interested in purchasing your art?

My website has contact info on it...please visit. www.magpie-photo.com or you can follow my blog: magpiephoto.tumblr.com

Upcoming events!

Hello everyone!

We wanted to inform you all about a few upcoming events that we would like you to participate in! We are having a general interest meeting this Thursday (Feb 25th) at 5:30 p.m. in the Visual Arts Building Rm 121 at UNA. We will be providing a few light snacks, information about what we are doing, what you can do to get more involved, and we will be there to answer any questions you may have. We know this is short notice, so we are also planning on having another general interest meeting at 5:30 pm on Thursday, March 11. It will also mostly likely be in the Visual Arts Building, but we have to get the date approved first. If the location changes, we will let you know.

We have a Draw-a-thon in the works! The date for this will be March 5th- March 6th (First Friday continuing into Saturday). This will be a 24 hour drawing event from 7 p.m. to 7 p.m. The cost will be $5 per person. Bring your friends & family and let's draw! We will have some materials provided, but you can also bring your drawing materials of choice. The money raised will go towards supplies to make this event happen and also to help us raise money to go towards our building. This event will be located at The End which is located at 106 South Pine Street Florence, AL, 35630.

Thank you all for your interest and support. If you have any questions, please e-mail us at thearthive.al@gmail.com