Written by Elise Mullen, photos by Gaby Martinez
Juliana Lupacchino, a 2017 SCAD Fibers alumni, and William Kesling, a 2016 SCAD Graphic Design alumni, have always known they wanted to create an experience for people, unlike typical gallery shows.
“We first started by doing a small show that was more gallery-
The pop-up installation, located just outside downtown Savannah, opens to the public November 14. Inside an enormous warehouse, Dime Store Red will be an immersive and interactive experience for all who come to see it. “We want to make work that’s tangible and immersive. Everything we are doing is pushing the boundaries to what’s expected. Dime Store Red is fun.” Lupacchino said.
They credit their educational background at SCAD for giving them the artistic freedom to learn about collaborations and work well with people in different fields within the art community. They have even brought in local businesses and artists to help them pull off this installation. “Collaboration is key at SCAD. When you put two minds together and involve people that have these crazy skills that you don’t, there is so much you can do,” Lupacchino said.
Touching on his time at SCAD, Kesling emphasized the importance of developing a strong work ethic during school. “College in general is, if you want to do it, do it,” Kesling said. “Nobody is going to babysit you to push yourself. Going through an art school especially, it’s really tough not to latch onto other people’s work and go to museums and try to recreate things.”
Finding success right out of college has come down to their simple motto of pushing through and following their gut. “You have to make the things you want to do because nobody is going to hand them to you. Just go for it!” Kesling said. “It’s a large investment, but investing in yourself now is better than investing in yourself when you are forty and you are wishing you put time and money into it.”
While Kesling said he’s learned how to bounce back, he still acknowledges that good businesses take time to develop and are often unpredictable. “Understanding every day has success in it, and being able to digress, even if you’re working twenty-four seven, give yourself a pat on the back and push forward, go to the next day, work through problems because life is full of problems,” Kesling said.
Their takeaway from this project is humbling, and at first, left Lupacchino at a loss for words. “I’ve poured my everything into this. Out of anything it’s just been, go for it,” Lupacchino said. “We’ve had so many ideas and we want to inspire so many people, we didn’t say no.”
Dime Store Red opens to the public November 14 and closes November 22. They have also put together a Kickstarter that helps them fund their installation and by donating, you can get exclusive Dime Store Red merch. For more information check out their Kickstarter and Instagram.
