Painting With A Twist Creates Art in Murfreesboro

By Dillon Henderson

Motlow Buzz Contributing Writer

            MURFREESBORO, Tenn.—The Painting with a Twist art studio in Murfreesboro offers a creative place for emerging painters in the community to learn the art of painting from professional artists.

According to Assistant Manager Nicole Martin, painters provide the tools and advice necessary for individuals to create a painting. She was interviewed on Nov. 17 during an event in the studio at 2615 Medical Center Parkway.

Martin said that Painting with a Twist offers a wide range of painting classes for customers who want to create their own artwork. Aspiring artists cans sign up at https://www.paintingwithatwist.com/studio/murfreesboro/.

“The store provides a step-by-step process to help every individual create his or her dream painting,” martin added. “It typically takes two hours for a painting to be created.”

She and her staff work with customers till 12 a.m. on busy weekends and till 10 p.m. on weekdays. PWAT offers a unique and guided experience for its guests.

"Glass Flower Vase" by Dillon Henderson

Upcoming classes and/or workshops at PWAT’s Murfreesboro studio include

* A “For Unto Us” painting class for artists age 15 and over from 6-8 p.m. on Dec. 13.

* A “Tri-Star Ornament” painting class for artists age 15 and over from 7-9 p.m. on Dec. 14.

* A “Holiday Tree of Life” painting class for artists age 7 and over from 3:30-5:30 p.m. on Dec. 15.

* A “Rustic Santa” class for artists age 15 and over from 7-9 p.m. on Dec. 19.

Martin noted that PWAT opened its first studio in Mandeville, Louisiana, after Hurricane Katrina hit that state as a way to provide relief and relaxation. Funds raised by PWAT have been used in the community. The founders, Cathy Deano and Renee Maloney, did not realize they were about to start a national franchise from a self-made local establishment.

Painting with a Twist opened in Rutherford County seven years ago because Murfreesboro franchisee Teresa Johnson loves art and wanted to help artists that she loves and supports. Customers, both young and old, are able to visit PWAT to create something for the Murfreesboro community. PWAT provides a welcoming environment for self-expression and getting to know others.

Martin said that art lovers “can participate in corporate training to learn how to run a successful franchise.” This additional training takes place in New Orleans at Painting with a Twist’s home office. She noted that one key to a successful location is effectively marketing painting classes on social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook.

Martin said future developments for the arts studio will be slow since it is self-made and a non-profit organization, but it will continue to offer more artwork choices. The owners plan to develop more stores around the United States to bring in more revenue and spread their unique concept.

PWAT is locally owned, and customers receive small business perks like knowing staff members who care about artists’ work in the community. The studio holds high standards for customer service and prides itself on showcasing art by local artists for Middle Tennesseans to enjoy.

“The store will be doing holiday paintings all throughout December, and in January we will be going back to moderate paintings our artists have made,” Martin said.

For more information about painting with a Twist in Murfreesboro, visit https://www.paintingwithatwist.com/studio/murfreesboro/faq/. 

Smyrna Chick-fil-A to Undergo Renovation

By Landon McCallister 

Motlow Buzz Contributing Writer 

SMYRNA, Tenn.-- The Chick-fil-A at 470 Sam Ridley Parkway W. in Smyrna will be shut down for six weeks in either February or March 2018 for an extensive renovation, according to Director of Operations Chuck Bean.

Chick-fil-A will essentially double in size to help give guests the best possible experience. It will also expand its parking lot. One new thing that will be coming is another drive-thru to help guests to be served as fast as possible. Another new feature that is coming is a new mobile area station that allows customers to order online so food will be ready when they arrive. 

"The guest experience always comes first," said Bean. "We are a quick service, not a fast food service." 

Photo by Landon McCallister

Some ways that will help improve the speed of service are changes that are taking place in the back of the store that guests do not see. Currently one unit is dedicated to the preparation food for everyone. After the renovation is complete, the kitchen size will double. This means workers will be committed to either the drive-thru or taking orders inside the store. 

To make things simpler, there will essentially be two people cooking the chicken, two people making sandwiches, two people boxing the chicken nuggets and strips, and two people making fries. 

With the expansion of the store, Bean hopes that the Smyrna Chick-fil-A will be more welcoming for customers with more room, a shorter drive-thru line, and faster service. 

Some menu changes have already occurred with the addition of macaroni and cheese, which has been a popular item for kids, and family-style meals, which feed four people. The family-style meals include two main food items and two side items. 

Chick-fil-A customers should know soon if special events or discounts will be offered to help celebrate the store's reopening. 

Chick-fil-A in Smyrna is a $6 million business. After the renovation takes place, Bean hopes the store can eventually become an $8 million business. By the end of 2019, he hopes that the store can become an $11 million business. 

Accomplishing this would be an unprecedented significant jump in just two years. Not only is it almost doubling the money the store earns, but doubling the number of people who get served.  

 Motlow students are also excited to hear about the expansion of the store.  

"I love Chick-fil-A, but I usually only go early in the morning or late at night when they are not busy," said Courtney Howard. "I will definitely be going more often." 

Overall, Chick Fil A is renovating to benefit the customers, and that’s how it has been since Truett Cathy started the business.  

"We're not just in the chicken business, we're in the people business," said Cathy. 

For more information or to see the Chick-fil-A menu, visit www.chick-fil-a.com.

New Seasonal Ice Rink Opens as Part of Winterfest

By Maria Mansour

Motlow Buzz Contributing Writer

            MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – The Hearthstone Group has added a winter touch to the holiday season by opening an ice skating rink as part of Winterfest at Fountains at Gateway, 1500 Medical Center Parkway in Murfreesboro.

            Winterfest Ice Skating, the first ice skating rink in Rutherford County, will operate at various hours through Jan. 3, 2018. Marlene Holland, a spokesperson for Hearthstone, said the company chose Murfreesboro for the attraction because it wanted to contribute to the community.

Photo By Maria Mansour

Admission for ice skating is $15 for adults, $12 for children age 4-12, and free for kids age 3 and under. Skate rentals are included in the admission price. Individuals can also bring their own skates. Trainer frames are available for kids who are learning to skate.

"We are truly delighted to introduce Winterfest at Fountains and bring outdoor ice skating to Murfreesboro," said Scott Graby, president of Hearthstone Properties.

Fountains at Gateway is a 31-acre development that includes office buildings, event space, and stores and restaurants. There are plans to add apartments and a hotel.

The Fountains ice rink is located near Saint Thomas Hospital in Rutherford County. Other Winterfest activities include pictures with Santa, and special events such as Movies on Ice and live concerts. The grounds are adorned with holiday decorations such as sparkling lights and Christmas trees.

Photo By Maria Mansour

Hours of operation and a schedule of activities for Winterfest at Fountains at Gateway are published at www.FountainsWinterfest.com.

The skating rink is equipped with a chiller that keeps the ice between 10 and 15 degrees. This prevents the ice from melting on warm weather days. Visitors can even enjoy ice skating on rainy days if they do not mind getting wet.

Fountains at Gateway is the first walkable, urban-style community in Rutherford County that is designed to fills people’s professional and lifestyle needs with residential apartments and commercial offices up to 470,000 feet. The interior design for the project was created to make individuals feel welcome to stay at home and enjoy engaging in a variety of indoor and outdoor activities.

 At Fountains at Gateway, families can visit the Soda Bar café’ for ice cream or hot beverages, including coffee and hot chocolate. Children enjoy new flavors of ice cream while playing on the splash pad, an outdoor play area with fountains, nozzles, sprinklers and other structures that spray water.

Photo By Maria Mansour

“We provide ice skating, hot chocolate, movie nights, a Ball Brothers concert, and a tacky sweater night as event activities,” Holland said.

Fountains at Gateway also has an Anytime Fitness that is open 24 hours. It has a well-trained staff, and the gym offers private bathrooms with showers.

Homegrown Marketplace is a boutique and gift shop that sells different styles of décor and furniture for the home, gifts, handmade items, and local foods like spices, honey and sauces.

Also, e. Allen is a new luxury store that sells specially designed shoes, boots and handmade jewelry for women.

The Kitchen Fresh is a restaurant that serves fresh organic food that’s made from scratch and available for dine-in or take-out.

Nothing Bundt Cakes is a bakery that’s located at the main entrance of Fountains at Gateway. The bakery makes a variety of cake flavors and sizes. It makes cakes only from pure, fine and fresh ingredients.

        Fountains at Gateway has hired 15 workers for Winterfest. It has been a challenge staffing, organizing, and setting up the event.

Photo By Maria Mansour

        “We have different sponsors to support different events,” Holland added.

Hearthstone Group, which organized Winterfest, is accepting donations to help underwrite event-related costs.

Graby announced that two retail businesses are about to open in the Fountains at Gateway community. The Social Chair Bar will serve luxury signature dishes.

Winterfest, which is designed for annual events, is expected to host Winterfest again next year. Other activities planned for 2018 include private events, church and youth events, holiday parties, and school spirit nights.

MTSU Students Perform Shakespeare’s 'A Midsummer Night’s Dream'

By Shanice Green

Motlow Buzz Contributing Writer

            MURFREESBORO, Tenn.— The crowd at Middle Tennessee State University's Tucker Theatre roared with a standing ovation after actors completed their stirring performance of William Shakespeare’s romantic comedy, "A Midsummer Night’s Dream," on Nov. 10.

            MTSU’s Theatre and Dance Department's faculty and students staged the classic play with professional actors from the Nashville Shakespeare Festival. The NSF has been remaking Shakespearean plays since the late 1900s. The organization’s motto is to further educate people in Middle Tennessee about how Shakespeare shaped the art of theatre.

            "A Midsummer Night’s Dream" is a famous play that displays the controversial love triangles springing up around the marriage of the Duke of Athens, Theseus, and the Queen of the Amazon, Hippolyta. The play included mystical creatures and falls into one of Shakespeare’s lovely fantasy genres.

            The production’s cast included students from MTSU and actors from the NSF. Student actors included Alex Pulley (Hermia); Chris Anderson (Lysander); Kryslin Williams (Helena); Conner McCabe (Demetrius); Justin Hand (Bottom); and Parker Chase (Puck). Actors from the NSF were Denice Hicks (Titania) and Brian Russell (Oberon).

            The show was directed by MTSU Professor of Theatre Santiago Sosa. The set for the play was funded by Ascend Federal Credit Union and organized by MTSU theatre students.

            The set was created to occur around Ancient Greece and a mystical forest as well. The stage had a beautiful scenery with neutral colors such as green and blue. The whole play was set at night, so the lights were dimmed over the projection of the Ancient Greek buildings and the projection of the moon with trees.

            MTSU’s costume artists matched the clothes to the setting of the play for the Ancient Greek culture. The men wore a chiton, a chlamys and sandals. The women wore a dress or a short cloak. The fairies wore floral garments with green body paint. The artists also attempted to make the characters appear fashionable by adding a ‘60s and ‘70s look.

            According to student actor Chris Anderson, a junior at MTSU, the experience of performing in one of Shakespeare’s play was an opportunity of a lifetime, although time-consuming and hard work.

            “Shakespeare is difficult to understand starting off," Anderson said. "However, if you take the time to dissect the language and make it your own, one will be able to project the true meaning of Shakespeare as he meant for it to be interpreted.”

            Anderson added, "We spent countless hours putting in the practice to make such a beautiful product, and to me it was well worth it.”

            Anyone was welcome to visit MTSU in Murfreesboro to experience the nature and words of Shakespeare. The 7:30 p.m. Friday show drew a large audience and filled the auditorium with laughter.

            Throughout the entire performance, the audience was full of happiness due to the actors’ additional dialogue. The audience consisted of mostly MTSU students who had classmates who were performing in the show. This made the comedic play that more entertaining for the audience.

            “It was a lot different than I expected due to it being funny, and I didn’t expect it to be funny,” said Motlow State Community College student Kortney Zienkiewicz.

            Following “A Midsummer Night’s Dream," MTSU’s Theatre and Dance Department will perform "Joys of the Season" on Dec. 3 during the university's "Winterfest." In Spring of 2018, MTSU students will take the stage on March 1 for "The Taste of Sunrise" by Suzan Zeder. All upcoming show and event tickets are on sale through Tucker Theatre at www.mtsu.edu/tuckertheatre/shows.

            Motlow students, faculty, administrators and staff can learn more about MTSU’s Theatre and Dance programs at www.mtsu.edu/theatreanddance.

            For more information about the Nashville Shakespeare Festival, visit www.nashvilleshakes.org.

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