(Flashing marquee:) Don’t miss renowned poster designers Dan Ibarra and Michael Byzewski, speaking tonight at SCAD’s Arnold Hall.  The pair are co-founders of Aesthetic Apparatus (AA), a full time graphic design shop in Minneapolis known for its hand screened concert posters. AA has created limited edition posters for Lucinda Williams, The New Pornographers, Spoon, Frank Black, Dinosaur Jr., Grizzly Bear and more.

The duo’s work also grabbed the attention of brands that were attracted by the their energetic, artistic vision. A diverse collection of brands including Burton Snowboards, Stella Artois, Harper Collins, The Criterion Collection and The American Cancer Society have all sought the distinctive creative look that emanates from the world of Aesthetic Apparatus.  Their artwork has been hailed in Rolling Stone, Communication Arts, HOW, Readymade Magazine and Jane, as well as being featured in a variety of design publications. Solidifying their position at the forefront of original rock concert poster design, they are featured in Chronicle Books’ The Art of Modern Rock.

The first in the series of the Creative Seed Initiative, the lecture will take place tonight at 7pm.  Admission is free and open to the public.  The Creative Seed Initiative is a collaborative effort of the Savannah College of Art and Design and BFG Communications, an award-winning experiential agency with headquarters in Hilton Head, South Carolina.

It cannot be denied: Local is the new Black.  In the past decade, trends have seen Americans returning to the good old fashion way of doing food – buying it not in prepackaged, shrinkwrapped squares of food colored convenience, but going out to fresh air markets (daily, weekly) and stocking up on the wholesome, fresh, locally-produced goodness that mother nature has to offer.  Why?  There are some solid arguments out there that it is a) healthier, b) tastes better, c) more environmentally friendly and d) better for the local economy (more informative resources on local food: 10 Reasons to Eat Local Food, Eating Better than Organic, Eat Local, Stay Healthy.)

Wait a stinkin’ second.  So if buying local is better for you, your wallet, your community and the environment, then why not do it?  The problem for so many in smaller cities has largely been accessibility.  When I first moved to Savannah I had trouble figuring out where the local market was.  Thankfully, various groups and individuals have worked tirelessly to bring the local, fresh produce of the hinterlands into Savannah at least once a week.  But a good thing is about to get better.

You don’t have to travel to New York, Paris or Milan to appreciate world class fashion.  Thanks to the Savannah College of Art & Design, Savannah (and Atlanta) is getting an intoxicating dose of the chic world of style.  SCAD Style, the college’s signature design and style event, is a series of events featuring world-renowned artists, designers and industry professionals and highlighting several of the college’s programs of study, including fashion, fibers, interior design, metals and jewelry, and architecture.

Mychael Knight, of season four of Bravo’s Project Runway, lectures at SCAD Style on May 13 & 14.

Spanning a nearly two month duration, March 23 – May 16 (yes, we’re a little late),  SCAD Style’s lineup includes an awards gala, fashion show, exhibitions of clothing design, jewelry, illustration and photography, a tour of homes, book signings and lectures by countless fashion elite.  The festivities kicked off in March with the SCAD Style Étoile Awards honoring design and style luminaries Russell Simmons, Amanda Burden, Cornelia Guest, William Ivey Long and Robin Givhan.  April’s schedule boasted vignettes of social and style intercourse, featuring (among others) design impresario Jonathan Adler, Creative Director of Barneys New York Simon Doonan, fashionistas Badgley Mischka, trend-setting jewelry designer Anthony Nak and Crabtree & Evelyn creative partner and host of Bravo’s Top Design India Hicks.

As several of you may have already saw on our Facebook or Twitter accounts, Savannah (and the Creative Coast) made a short guest appearance on the Today Show last Friday.

Well, sorta.

Two of our favorite TCCa fans and biggest supporters, Hannah Byrne (of SmackDab Studios) and Jennifer Abshire Patterson (of Abshire PR) carted an awesome Creative Coast sign up to NYC to flash in front of the Today Show hordes.

Next stop, an interview with Matt Lauer.

Thanks, guys!!

(The following clip is a little blurry, but worth a look. We hear the sign came through clear, bright and bold on the tube Friday morning! P.S. Having problems viewing it in your browser? Check it out on Youtube.)