Five student artists at Ashley Hall were challenged by their 3-D Design/Sculpture Instructor, Nancy Langston, to bring their art to life and get it out where it can be seen. Today their artistry is seen every day by the hundreds of customers who frequent West Ashley's newest rendition of Jack's Cosmic Dogs at 817 St. Andrew's Boulevard in West Ashley. "Jack's Cosmic Dogs seemed like such a great opportunity so I approached the owners, Jack Hurley and Dave Lorenz, with the concept," said Langston. "Then the students, on their own, had to meet with Jack and Dave to explain and sell their ideas for the project. They told the girls, 'Please have some fun.' And they did." The five student artists -- Macon Bianucci, Anna Lanford, Molly Mead, Jane Gilbert and Alex des Francs -- were tasked with creating a visual statement for Jack's Cosmic Dogs while working as a team. They presented white board concepts to Hurley and Lorenz and went through the entire life cycle of the project settling on seven 4' x 8' plywood panels for their painted images. They bought the wood, primed it and chose colors and some very creative imagery to meld with the thematic style of Jack's retro hot dog store. "They went back and forth, coming up with something new, juxtaposing art and time while twisting images," said Langston. "The vision just flowed." The result is one mural 20 feet wide and 8 feet tall by the rear entrance to Jack's and two additional 4' x 8' panels inside near Hurley's eclectic robot. The murals are fun, bright with swirls of color and imagery that includes the Morton Salt girl, ice cream cone rockets and Audrey Hepburn on an electric pickle. Langston was a studio artist for years before teaching at Ashley Hall. "The success of this project will transfer to any business idea they may ever pursue. You can't be afraid to fail." Said Hurley, "We couldn't be more thrilled with the results, and it was a privilege working with the fine students and faculty of Ashley Hall." Hurley, in his career, has successfully developed multiple, themed, conceptual food and beverage locations from Vermont to South Carolina. He supports education at all levels, especially young readers, with Jumpstart's Read for the Record Program and Dolly Parton's Imagination Library.
PHOTOGRAPH BY GREGORY HOFFMAN From the left, Jack Hurley, owner of Jack's Cosmic Dogs, stands with Macon Bianucci, Anna Lanford, Molly Mead, Jane Gilbert and Alex des Francs, all of whom attend Ashley Hall
BY GREGG HOFFMAN OF Charleston Mercury
Reposted with permission of the Charleston Mercury.