Eatonville Release Party Wrap-up.

DSC00070

The FL release party for Annalemma Issue Seven: Endurance was held in Eatonville, FL. Why?

DSC00003

Because of this man: Ted Hollins.

DSC00053

I first heard about Ted at a photo show curated by our very own print designer, Jen O’Malley. Jen consulted N.Y. Nathiri (director of the The Hurson Museum and founding board member of The Association to Preserve the Eatonville Community, pictured left) to determine who was the best photographer in Eatonville. She didn’t hesitate to name Ted. When Jen and I started talking about featured artists for the Endurance issue, Ted’s name kept coming up. He’s been documenting the ZORA! festival for the last 21 years. To us, nothing said endurance like the life and work of Zora.

DSC_0788

So we put together Ted’s photo essay, we got N.Y. to write a really beautiful foreward for it and we decided to donate a portion of the proceeds from the issue to the Hurston Museum.

DSC00073

To get a sense of closure to the project, it only seemed right to throw the release party in Eatonville at the Hurston Museum. So that’s what we did.

DSC00009

And a lot of people came out and had a damn good time, as was our intention. Alberta, Moms, Karina and Alberto.

DSC_0786

I stood up and said basically everything you just read. People looked at me funny while I spoke.

DSC00018

My heart was warmed with the old and new friends that came out to support. Metha and Kris.

DSC00023

The Black Bean Deli catering crew unleashed an avalanche of empanadas that Eatonville was not prepared for. They were not wearing sock garters so their socks got blown clean off. Andy, Janelle, Gabi and Jessi.

DSC00001

Magazines were perused and enjoyed. It was, far and away, the best Anna party ever thrown.

DSC00058

Thanks to Ted, Jen, N.Y. Nathiri, The Hurston Musuem, and, most of all, the Eatonville community for welcoming a bunch of strangely dressed outsiders with open arms. Don’t miss ZORA! fest happening at the end of January!

Leave a Reply