Special Events

Ryan Usher is a contemporary artist recognized for his innovative approach to visual arts. Operating under the name Grouch Bucket, his work encompasses a range of mediums, including illustration, animation, and digital art. Usher's artistic practice delves into themes of identity, trauma, spirituality, and the interplay between personal and collective experiences conveyed through vibrant colors and striking characters.

In 2020, Usher transitioned from his career as a touring drummer to concentrate exclusively on visual art. Since then, his work has been featured in prominent publications such as Medicine at Michigan Magazine, The Tennessean, PASTE Magazine, and Entheosope Magazine. He has collaborated with a diverse array of musicians, including Jason Isbell, Amos Lee, Suzanne Santo, and Morgxn, as well as comedians such as Tyler Gaca, Stanzi Potenza, Jazmyn W, and Wally Baram.

in collaboration with The Madnest & Exist Impactfully

Marlos E’van, originally from Tupelo, MS, interweaves different mediums such as painting, performance, and filmmaking creating worlds in which their art recollects cultural histories: joy, pain, celebration, sorrow, and complex emotions from reenacted scenes of American narratives. Marlos’ work is inspired by cult films such as Robocop, Total Recall, and Terminator; which blend fiction set alongside backdrops of dystopian landscapes and alternative realities which speak to long-standing American social problems. 

E’vans use of found materials, obsessive mark making, text, and hyperbole encourages dialogue among different classes and demographics. The symbols they use, such as historical figures and fast food elements are commonly found in the history of Western civilization; these symbols cross-examine stereotypes and institutions that allow certain inequalities to thrive. By changing the context of these elements, E’van transforms them into instruments of meaningful reflection and understanding. 

Alan Messer has been photographing musicians for five decades. His career began at sixteen on December 4th, 1967, working from Dezo Hoffmann's London studio as a freelance and as a staff photographer for the Record Mirror, pop magazine. During the seventies, Alan was the resident Old Grey Whistle Test photographer (BBC TV), toured briefly with Iggy Pop and Deep Purple and photographed many visiting touring American bands and artists, either in his London studio or on the road.

Excited by America and it's music, Alan moved to Nashville in 1978 to open a studio. An amazing opportunity to photograph the country music scene unfolded, as his style of photography attracted musicians, record companies and legendary artists like, Johnny Cash. During the 80's, Alan Messer’s career soared being a prolific primary Nashville photographer, often shooting a session or an album cover every day. Some of those sessions were in his studio or in Austin, Texas with Stevie Ray Vaughan, Willie Nelson or Joe Ely.

He's photographed an endless list of the greats, from John Lennon to David Bowie, Diana Ross to the Rolling Stones, Bob Marley to Johnny Cash and many more. Alan is a relentless photographer, he has hundreds of albums and CD's to his credit and a Grammy for album packaging photography/design. But the best reward is simply, the picture.

Alan is currently working on his archives, documentary and books. Every picture is a story.

in collaboration with The Madnest & Exist Impactfully

sculptress: Tori Smith

visual artist: Marlos E'Van

permanent tin local artist collection: Hannah McCormick, Bill Warren, James McCormick, Izzy Thorton, Coulter Fussell, Church Goin Mule

Water Valley High School stars: 

Exist Impactfully Vending Collective: