One Year!
(photo taken one year ago, 2022, when I was considering renting this space)
Can you believe that OMG Studios Boise has been open for a year? OMG! And what a year it’s been. Between #OMGFemaleFilmmakers, OMG Studios Boise, and OMG Media Outlet, I’ve had my hands full. Add in a graduate degree program, health issues, an anxious dog, and three cats who aim to kill me in my sleep, and we’ve got an unmatched year of awesomeness. My last day of school was Sunday, November 26th, and in true Steph fashion, as soon as I submitted my final, I hopped on a plane bound for Atlanta, Georgia, to create content with and for local nonprofit, United Vision for Idaho.
(Martin Luther King, Jr’s childhood home)
While working in Atlanta, we also toured around Sweet Auburn, the neighborhood where Martin Luther King, Jr. spent much of his time. We stopped by the house he grew up in on Auburn Street along with Ebenezer Baptist Church where Daddy King preached and MLK, Jr. was an assistant paster. After spending time learning about King and Coretta Scott King at Freedom Hall, we walked down Auburn Street into downtown Atlanta. The murals and artwork adorning that city were breathtaking and heart touching. We met so many incredible people all with vastly different stories to tell. There was Beauty, the houseless woman who called Adrienne, one of the people I was travelling with, Mama, because as soon as Adrienne made contact with Beauty, she treated Beauty as a human being. Beauty hugged Mama and cried in her arms telling her that she was the first white woman to actually speak to her and that she wished Adrienne were her actual Mama. These things still happen in 2023, where one race spouts hate to the other and for Adrienne to be the first white woman to show Beauty kindness? Our hearts broke for Beauty and for all the people who still have to fight this. No one should experience hate.
We met so many people who just wanted to talk. One of our Lyft drivers asked us how we felt about the Israel-Hamas War in Gaza. A young lady we met at a bar called Church now wants to volunteer for UVI. We drank horribly mixed drinks at a small pizza joint, where the owner told us that he recently had to fire all of his employees and had no idea how to bartend. I gave him some tips on how to better craft his next Moscow Mule. We stayed in John Wesley Dobbs’ house, the unofficial “mayor” of Auburn Avenue. He co-founded the Atlanta Negro Voters League and his grandson, Maynard Jackson was the first African-American mayor of Atlanta (1974-1982). We learned, we experienced, and my heart felt the energy of this historic place where life still happens and people still live.
As we close out 2023 and head into 2024, my ask for all of us is to open our hearts to other people. Share the love. Share life. And most importantly, share experiences that bring us closer together. Small acts of kindness can change the course of a day, a month, a life. I hope Beauty slept well after our encounter - we gave her money for a bath and a bed at the local shelter. That night the temperatures dipped below freezing, not really normal for Atlanta, Georgia. And not appropriate for anyone who has to sleep in a tent found while dumpster diving.
(Ebenezer Baptist Church)
New Years Eve Mixed Media Mixer - CANCELLED
Sadly, I have to cancel this year's New Years Eve Mixed Media Mixer. As we head into 2024, I’m making some changes to my event offerings. The Mixer isn’t disappearing entirely, just updating! Stay tuned in 2024, for our next Mixer and other events. Dare I say it: 2024 will be lit!
Upcoming Events & Classes
OMG Studios Boise Anniversary &
Steph’s Graduation Party!
December 9, 11am-4pm
Come dressed in your best 90’s prom attire to commemorate with Steph on completing grad school and the 1 year anniversary of OMG Studios Boise.
On Saturday, December 9th, 11am-4pm, celebrate Steph’s completion of her grad program at Southern New Hampshire University. She’ll be virtually receiving her Master of Art in Communication with an emphasis on New Media and Marketing, while also celebrating one year as OMG Studios Boise. Bring your favorite snacks and drinks to share with everyone along with your own 90’s awesomeness.
Exploring the Magic of SoulCollage®
Friday, February 23, 2024, 7:00pm-9:00pm
Join SoulCollage® facilitator Nova Calverley-Chase for an evening of reflection, awakening, and discovery. During this workshop, you will:
intuitively create two collaged cards
give voice to your cards through guided journaling
deepen your awareness and understanding of the many aspects that make up you
$20 - RSVP by Venmo @Nova-Calverley-Chase
(be sure to include your email address)
Questions? Call/text 801-574-0777
or email selkie.soul.dreams@gmail.com