Better known as Smiley: Co-founder of SPARK Art—the creative force behind Columbus, Georgia Rocks sensation and Phenix City ArtPark New public park celebrates Grand Opening Saturday, Sept. 14 Why did Columbus, Georgia Rocks become such a fun phenomenon? “I feel like it became such a big success because it let everyone, whether they are artistic or not, get involved. It was more about...
Team River Runner, Ft. Benning / Warrior on the Water What is Team River Runner? “Team River Runner is a national 501c3 nonprofit. The goal is to get military veterans and their families out on the water as cheap as possible, if not for free. To promote healing and fellowship with fellow veterans. A lot of the veterans are coming back and wanting something with the adrenaline similar to...
Retired President & CEO, W..C. Bradley Co. Real Estate; Pioneer of Uptown’s Urban Renewal Looking around us, is the Columbus riverfront today living proof of that old city slogan—’What Progress Has Preserved’? “Yeah, I think so.The re-adaptive use of these old mills just south of here set the stage for the modern style here at the Rapids, which also incorporates aspects of the textile...
How did you choose the years to examine in your new book, Early Alabama: An Illustrated Guide to the Formative Years, 1798–1826? “Prior to statehood, the Mississippi Territory grew to eventually divide both Mississippi, which became a state in 1817, and Alabama, which became one a couple of years later in 1819. Both states trace their origins to the original formation of the Mississippi...
How did you come up with the name, Heritage Art Center? “I wanted to pay tribute to my dad, Roger Williamson, who passed away. He always wanted to pursue art but he worked in the mills all his life, putting in lots of hours first at Fieldcrest and then the majority of his career at Swift. My dad loved woodworking. He made incredible furniture; he did phenomenal cabinetry. He always...
Illustrator / Graphic Designer / Real Toon Social-Justice Doodler You caused an online stir back in February, when Buzzfeed wrote about your renderings of Black Disney princesses. What do you think the general public’s reaction is going to be when they’re shown Jesus was a black man? “I think we’ve already started to see more and more images of Jesus as a black man. I know that I’ve personally...
Trombonist (Atlantis Collective), Label Co-Founder (CloudStepper Records), Audio Engineer (The Loft Recording Studio) How did playing in a marching band prepare you to become a professional musician? “A lot of the marching band stuff that I did, especially later in high school, was in more of a leadership role. A lot of it was listening skills—knowing how to be part of a band. The leadership...
What does being directly involved in the fight to cure Alzheimer’s mean to you personally?“My grandfather [Jeff Kirkland] passed away from the disease about six years ago. So at that point I became interested in learning more about the disease. I think that, presently, almost everyone has a tie to the disease, either by losing a loved one, or as a caregiver to someone with Alzheimer’s.”...
Executive Director, Homeless Resource Network Center, Inc. Is the homeless population of Columbus swept under the rug? “I don’t think it’s visible for many people. I don’t think many people feel there’s much homelessness in the community. But we do. Poverty is the best indicator of homelessness and we have growing poverty here—so we’ll probably continue to have a growing homeless population...
Director, Building Inspections & Code Enforcement Dept., Columbus Consolidated Government Why is the city putting such an emphasis on blighted properties now? “Since I’ve been over the department the last 3 years, I think it’s always been an issue, and it’s just something that we’re putting a magnifying glass on now. What will the plan to fight blight be like once put into action? The first...