This new series takes you behind-the-scenes into the "creative diets" of our staff. Each week, one of us will share a list of five things that grabbed our attention or inspired us creatively that week.
One: Amy Sherald on the cover of Vanity Fair
Columbus native Amy Sherald is most widely known (well, until now) for her portrait of Michelle Obama on view at the Smithsonian. This week, however, her portrait of Breonna Taylor made history when it graced the cover of Vanity Fair. Read about the special edition guest edited by Ta-Nehisi Coates for more information on why Sherald's work was chosen.
Two: This vintage poem that perfectly describes the MLB right now.
Our staff loves the Braves. Our friends love the Braves. Around here, everybody loves the Braves. And this means we also all love Braves history. Right?
Here's a favorite nugget brought to our attention this week. It's steeped in Braves history, but also feels more relevant than ever. The following poem by Gerald Hern was printed in in the September 14, 1948 edition of the Boston Post. (We found it here.)
First we'll use Spahn, then we'll use Sain, Then an off day, followed by rain. Back will come Spahn, followed by Sain, And followed, we hope, by two days of rain. -Gerald Hern, 1948.
Sounds a little like pandemic baseball and the current taxi squad situation we're witnessing in Atlanta this summer, no?
Three: The power of fresh flowers in our homes right now.
From Natalia Temesgen this week...
"For most of quarantine, I've had at least one vase of flowers looking alive and hopeful somewhere in the house. I have always loved a bouquet as an occasional pick-me-up, but being inside the house so often makes them feel almost essential. Whether I grab them at the store, or make something out of the herbs, flowering tree branches, and rosebuds in my yard. The point is they are always beautiful and living and you know their vibrance is finite. They help me stay present, which helps me stay hopeful."
Four: Our Curiosity about Steeplechase as a Sport
Steeplechase at Callaway is happening this year, but it's going to look pretty different due to COVID-19. (More on their plans in The Sunday Best next week!)
Let's spend this year supporting the arts, and learning about the actual sport that inspired The Race's founding in the first place. Join our team for coverage this fall. We're officially a media sponsor for The 2020 Race, so expect lots of information on each of this year's beneficiaries in the arts, as well as a larger emphasis on the sport this year. Learn with us as we work to intentionally educate ourselves on steeplechasing, a sport that plays such an important part of our local culture.
Starting this week, our editor will be tracking the National Steeplechase Association (apparently, most simply call it the "NSA") to learn about the horses and jockeys we'll be seeing on the track at Callaway this year. Let's see how much we can all learn before race day! Learn along with us by following the NSA here and here.
Five: Local Artist Booth Malone
Speaking of Steeplechase, there's no local artist that has painted more of the local equestrian scene than Booth Malone. His work is incredible, and if you're not already following him online, you're missing out. Spoiler: He paints other things, too.