Reflections & Projections

Now that we're a couple weeks post launch into the Owl's Hill Art Center's social media venture, we here up The Hill have had the opportunity to reflect upon many things, and we find ourselves, first and foremost, profoundly grateful. Grateful for the support of the Crumbleville community. Grateful for one another. Grateful to have the opportunity to practice our arts and run our businesses out of such a place as this old mill. Owl's Creek fills us with her energy and her songs, rolling as she does out of the Summertimes, from no one knows quite where. For the waters, and the woods, and the hills around us, we are grateful. And we are grateful for  all of you.

Often enough, it's been remarked by those new to the Owl's Hill Arts Center that they had no idea we were here; or maybe had heard of the place, but knew nothing of it. We are an idea factory, a group of creatives and the more practical, who believe in the power collaborative creativity. But more, it's the belief in sharing what you create.

Owl's Hill is small businesses. It's Cephalus Ruffalo and Bright Boy Graphix, Subversive Media and The Wandering Mind Bookstore. Owl's Hill is artists: fine art photography from Terra Finis Studios, the metal-work of Penitence Beneficia Biddiford, the patron of Owl's Hill,  and the painters and ceramicists whose works fill the Owl's Hill Gallery.

And speaking of the Gallery, what a jewel it's become! Through the largely  unheralded efforts of Ms. Biddiford and several associates, we have hosted exhibitions, lectures and readings, all set amidst the wondrous and colorful artwork in the Gallery. But it has come time to seriously step up the game. We are proud to announce The Owl's Hill Artists Series: Live In The Gallery. Every month we will bring you a socially responsible performance, live from the Owl's Hill Gallery. Limited tickets will be sold, and seats will be set throughout the listening environment maximizing sight lines and maintaining physical distance. Our first show is set for October 27, and it's huge: the legendary bluesman Snuff Juice Slim! (With, or without his erstwhile band, The Cuspidors.) Be sure to check out our FaceBook page for more information on tickets, merch and other interesting tidbits.

Snuff Juice Slim

Snuff Juice Slim, so the story goes, had a sweet gig: three weekends at the Cyclamate Tavern on Aburrido Street, through the end of February. But the Covid caught Slim in Crumbleville, the Cuspidors scattered, ("like rats before the plague, the bastards," noted Slim,) and he was stuck.

With few good options for travel or employment before him, Slim took up residence in a recently vacated bootlegger's cabin, way back in the Summertime Hills. He says the solitude suits him; and he's been working--with just a laptop, his guitar and a rudimentary recording set-up--on an album of songs he describes as "swamp rock lullabies." 'Bayou Grenouille Blues' appeared in our in-box the other day, first tune out of the old boy since he began his hiatus in the Summertimes. And. It. Is. Epic.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2OABT7NOMo

This Just In, On The Down Low & Totally Unverifiable!

Morris Quant was day-drinking at The Cyclamate Monday around noon, when Snuff Juice Slim snuck into town to grab some dip,  joining Moe afterwards at the Clyclamate for a long afternoon of quaffing and chew. As the sun sank low, says Moe, Slim began to spill some beans, allegedly  confessing his undying love and admiration for our own P.B.Biddiford, as well as his intention to entitle the new album, "Penitence, Forever & Always." We'll see. The dribble-chinned duo was discovered the next day stretched out beatific and oblivious, dozing in the early morning sun on the banks of the Old Mill Stream. Regardless, keep that noise under your hat!