Matthews Makers: David Johnson of Silent Images

If a picture speaks a thousand words, David Johnson, director of Matthews-based nonprofit Silent Images, has a lot to say.

As a graduate of UNC Chapel Hill, David spent many years teaching and coaching tennis. Through travel he found his passion for capturing stories through photography. In 2006, on his first major assignment in Darfur, Sudan, David realized his ability to tell the stories of those who cannot speak for themselves: those impacted by genocide. As David explains, “It was out of this conviction that I founded Silent Images and wrote and published Voices of Sudan in 2007 and Voice of Beauty in 2009.” Silent Images is now a nonprofit with a full team of photographers and filmmakers who provide visual storytelling to other charities.

David not only lives in downtown Matthews but as director for Silent Images, he also works there. On any given day you’ll see him zipping around town on his bike or outside spending time with his wife and daughters. Work and family blend seamlessly through proximity.

Whether behind the camera or guiding his staff, David continues to empower stories to be told.

Photos courtesy of David Johnson

Matthews Makers: Vivian Brenner

Vivian Brenner is a woman of infinite patience, at least where yarn is concerned. As a textile artist, Vivian works primarily with cotton, linen, wool, and silk to weave and knit functional works of art. She explains, "I prefer natural fibers, as they are minimally polluting, and don't harm the environment. Natural fibers also feel better when worn!" By knitting and weaving, Vivian produces scarves, shawls, woven dog leashes, coasters, and hand towels.

Although she's no longer in the corporate world, it's rare that Vivian's not working. Vivian is often knitting, even when frequenting town council meetings, having coffee with friends, and volunteering with area nonprofits. While her studio is in her home, the looms, yarn, and tools are taking up lots of friendly space, a basket of homespun yarn, and a variety of knitting needles are always in tow.

As a Matthews resident for almost 20 years, Brenner feels very connected to the community. She loves the proximity and the convenience of necessities. Being able to do most of her shopping and errands in the downtown neighborhood makes "retired" life in Matthews enjoyable.

Find Vivian this Saturday at the Small Business Saturday Makers' Market at the Loyalist from 1 to 4 pm.

Photos courtesy of Vivian Brenner

Matthews Makers: Sweet Union Candles

Shannon Pearman is the talent behind Sweet Union Candles. As her business name indicates, Shannon lives in Union County, but frequents Matthews for shopping and restaurants. Her hand-poured soy candles can be found in locally-owned businesses all over the area. {She’d love to find a Matthews shop to carry Sweet Union Candles, too.}

Sustainability is at the heart of Sweet Union Candles. They are 100% soy and poured in recycled wine and beer bottles. Scented with essential oils, these candles are aromatic and will fill up any room.

Find Sweet Union Candles this Saturday at the Small Business Saturday Makers’ Market at the Loyalist from 1 to 4 pm.

Photos courtesy of Good Cup

Matthews Makers: Peterson MADE

Barb Peterson is Peterson MADE, modern jewelry uniquely crafted with traditional techniques. Each series is a handcrafted, small-batch collection of one-of-a-kind jewelry for both women and men. Evident of her extensive training in time-tested gold-smithing skills, Barb uses techniques such as wax carving and lost-wax casting to create clean lines, unique textures, and bold statement pieces. In Peterson MADE jewelry, you’ll find diversity in the use of mixed-metals, highlighting gemstones and minerals.

Originally from Ohio, Barb, her husband, and two long-haired dachshunds live in Matthews. The couple moved to town over 20 years ago and raised their family here. The Petersons are in love with the small-town community of Matthews, with easy access to all that Charlotte offers.

Before mastering the art of metalsmithing, Barb worked in global financial services and technology. These days she takes those business skills {and understanding for customer service} and applies them to Peterson MADE. With attention to design and craftsmanship, each piece of Peterson MADE is handcrafted by Barb in her Matthews studio. What has, in the past, been offered through custom commissions, online, and through private trunk shows, Barb is now branching out to markets.

Have jewelry best forgotten in the backs of drawers? Barb takes custom commissions, lovingly updating family heirlooms, up-cycling diamonds and gemstones, and reusing the original metal to give a new life to sentimental pieces through modern design.

Find Peterson MADE this Saturday at the Small Business Saturday Makers’ Market at the Loyalist from 1 to 4 pm.

Photos courtesy of Good Cup

Matthews Makers: Good Cup

Through Good Cup, the Chopas family, Joshua, Debbie, and their two kids are making a big difference, one cup at a time. Their approach is honest and straightforward—offering customers what they serve in their own home. The result isn’t just a coffee; it’s a thoughtfully crafted, intentional, drinkable experience in a casual atmosphere. Using a variety of herbs, and flavors, the Chopas have found the formula to partner with artists, farmers, botanists, and creators to infuse a work of art into a unique cup of coffee, chai, tea or tonic. Try the house specialty: a wildflower latte topped with edible flowers.

Good Cup started at the Matthews Community Farmers’ Market and has grown into a brick and mortar coffee shop. Innovators in both beverages and business, the Chopas family found a solid partnership with the Loyalist by using their restaurant space during the Loyalist’s off hours. Need to caffeinate your next event? Good Cup can bring their mobile set up to you and will create a menu specific to the season and your needs.

Using coffee, teas, and other locally-sourced ingredients, each Good Cup is a drinkable work of art.

Find Good Cup this Saturday at the Small Business Saturday Makers’ Market at the Loyalist from 1 to 4 pm. {Check them out at the Matthews Farmers’ Market and weekday mornings at the Loyalist, too.}

Photos courtesy of Good Cup

Matthews Makers: Lamplit Creations

Lamplit Creations is Gordon and Nina Clemmons, a husband and wife creative duo. Gordon, woodworker extraordinaire, handcrafts heirloom furniture, cutting boards, and keepsakes. Nina, the eye behind the camera, focuses on social media and makes her fair share of wares as well (she’s currently working on a line of holiday ornaments for Lamplit).

Lamplit Creations started several years ago when Gordon built a workshop in the country with his own two hands. Now, as a family of four and living in Matthews, the Clemmons are helping others make memories through handcrafted heirloom furniture and keepsakes. In a world of disposable and forgettable “stuff,” Lamplit creates heirlooms that will last for generations.

As a family, the Clemmons live, create, eat, and play in Matthews. Their work and their lifestyle is inspired by the small-business community that's currently blossoming here. They love supporting other small businesses and makers in Matthews and are working hard to become an established name in the community.

Find Lamplit Creations this Saturday at the Small Business Saturday Makers’ Market at the Loyalist from 1 to 4 pm.

Photos courtesy of Lamplit Creations

Matthews Morning Minute: September 26, 2018

News About Town: During their November 27, 2017 meeting the Board of Commissioners approved a preliminary design for a pedestrian crossing at North Trade Street between Matthews Station and Brakeman’s/105 Cigar. Town staff estimated hiring a consultant for the preliminary design work would come in around $10,000.

When proposals came back Alta Design, the best qualified firm estimated $81,221 for the preliminary design work. No decision was made and the Board has asked town staff for more information.

News Above Town: If humid and sticky is your thing then you’re in luck this week. The last couple times the Weather Channel has called for storms the forecast changed, but right now they say we can expect afternoon storms and a high around 87.

News Around Town: For more than three decades ArtFest, now Artwalk and MusicFest, has been bringing art to the forefront in downtown Matthews. Beyond the usual Juried Fine Art Show and High School Art Exhibit, and live music, the Matthews Chamber of Commerce has expanded the kids art area as well as  craft beer & wine. Get some extra culture this Saturday, September 29, on the green in front of Town Hall from 10 AM until 6 PM.

One Good Thing: We have a giveaway on our Facebook page! We’re so proud of our Matthews-centric postcards (plus who doesn’t love receiving mail?) that we have 2 sets to giveaway. There are three easy peasy ways to win and you can do any or all for three chances to win!
**Find your favorite post here, then tell us which is your favorite over in the comments on the giveaway post on Facebook.
**While your there, tag a friend in the comments on the giveaway post. 
**follow us on Instagram. 

Silent Images: The Conversation Starters

Photo by Cyma Shapiro

Silent Images is a non-profit organization that provides charities with professional photography and video services that educate and inspire viewers to take action.

Preserving the dignity of the story is most important to Johnson.

Tucked away in the far left corner of the old brick Matthews Marketplace on South Trade St. is a group of employees working diligently on a variety of projects, most of which involve the (shooting and) editing of videos. This is clearly a millennial-driven space – something one might easily see in New York City, Chicago or San Francisco.  Tall ceilings, tree illustrations on walls, prayers on cards, blessings on rocks, a bike from Africa, international still photos all bespeak and reflect the quiet passions and intent of David Johnson – owner of Silent Images. (Named with a nod to Proverb 38 1.) This place and work is clearly a calling for David and a mission with a message.   

“We are a nonprofit that tells stories for other nonprofits - we serve other nonprofits by helping to tell their stories,” said Johnson. “We’re telling stories of hope in the midst of some sort of injustice,” he said, explaining, “A nonprofit exists because they are trying to fill a gap for somebody…..(like, saying) ‘I feel overwhelmed

by something’ – genocide, human trafficking, lack of water, housing, whatever. But, we’re not going to tell the same story that the media is telling because they tell the doom-and-gloom  -- that’s what gets the most attention or makes the most money. We want to tell them the story of hope.”

Photo by Cyma Shapiro

This mission and message extends back to 2006: while returning from an overseas trip, then-English teacher Johnson looked up at an airport TV monitor to see the amalgam of overlapping current events he had missed – Anna Nicole Smith’s death and Britney Spear’s head-shaving incident, to name a few.   As a volunteer who had annually gone on overseas trips with nonprofit organizations, he had seen many catastrophic events – including the genocide of Darfur – where he’d just returned from. However, this time, he could not get the images he had just witnessed out of his head, nor the juxtaposition of the mundanity of what the media was showing versus what he’d just seen. There and then, he realized that the mass-media had failed - these less significant stories far overshadowed those that he felt were more important, occurring each and every day all across the world.

He came home a changed man with a “burn to tell stories.”  Johnson quit his job to put his creative writing skills together with still-photographs to capture images and events around the world. He found a void he thought he could fill – “no one was providing services for small nonprofits that don’t have budgets,” he said.   Within one year, he and his Board of Directors made a fundamental decision to forego utilizing photography, choosing to focus on videography to capture the story.

Silent Images team. Photo courtesy Silent Images

“I’ve always been entrepreneurial, always looked for opportunities and been somewhat of a risk taker,” reflected Johnson, adding that while he was single and without encumbrances, he could more easily pursue an uncertain path.

Originally working out of a room in the First Baptist Church, then leasing commercial space on West John Street to finding his present two-level office space, Johnson is quite comfortable acknowledging that his life and work have melded into one.  “I feel like I haven’t worked a day in my life,” he said. "(This work is) purposeful, missionful. There’s something about waking up and doing what you (love) know(ing) you’ve contributed something, today, to help somebody out.”

In his earliest years, Johnson used his own work and the work of wedding and corporate photographers who volunteered their time on his projects. Nearly a dozen years later, he has six employees whom he admires and is clearly bursting with pride when he discusses their work, skills, and abilities. “I love what they produce – they are so talented,” he said, adding that he has moved his role from being hands-on to serving as a “mentor, coach – really I’m a ‘cheerleader’ to them.”

“Psalms 31: 8 - Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. ”

Photo by Cyma Shapiro

Working with donors as well as local and national nonprofit organizations, Johnson, himself, has been on nearly one dozen trips to Tanzania and Kenya. He and/or his employees have also worked in Burma (Bush Foundation), Mexico and South America (World Vision), Ethiopia (US Embassy) and With Open Eyes (Africa). Locally, he’s also made inroads with nonprofits such as United Way, Big Brother/Big Sister and Habitat for Humanity (Charlotte). All his work has been referred through word of mouth.

“Preserving the dignity of the story,” is most important to Johnson. “When you are dealing with sensitive subjects where people could feel exploited through the camera…My team all signs a kind of code-of-ethics that you are there to be a servant first, and a photographer second.  Yes, we’re storytellers and do a clean production…but we’ve treated (our subjects) with sensitivity (too).”

Photo by Cyma Shapiro

Within the next year, his employees will travel to Haiti and to the Middle East. “These are the stories that haven’t really been discussed,” he said.  His mission is to “connect the human journey to (capturing) that story.” Videos range in length from 30 seconds to 25 minutes.

Of significance to the naming of his company is “the importance of being observant and the importance of listening,” said Johnson. “I think those are two things you can’t teach and they are two timeless things that are particularly important for the next generation: to be observant and still, to be quiet and listen - which I imagine has become much more difficult.  When someone is able to do that, it makes their story (line) and production that much poignant and it grabs (the viewer’s) attention because somebody has paid close attention to the detail of the story… With all the distraction of social media, it gets harder and harder to be still,” said Johnson.

“When someone is able to [be observant and still], it makes their story and production poignant and it grabs attention because somebody has paid close attention to the detail of the story.”

Unlike many other businesses intent on continual growth, Johnson is clear that he wants to continue his work as a small company with a precise mission. “I’m content with our size,” he said. “There’s something about keeping it small and (retaining) the quality (just) where we are – we can produce high quality and with the personal touch.”

Most recently, Silent Images just released the first of three series on mental health issues – depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder. Next, they hope to tackle the subject of suicide, PTSD, and opioid addiction.  

“The things we look for are stories that haven’t really been discussed,” said Johnson. “We know the media covers stories, but often they just give facts and tragic facts. We want to do the human journey – the (personal) story.  We like to look for those quiet, hidden stories to unveil the conversation in a new way… We like to call ourselves the ‘conversation starters’ – we’re not experts in any of these areas, but we love serving those who are the experts and starting a new conversation around (any of) those topics.”

Viewers can watch “Into the Light” videos from the Compass & Light documentary series on Sunday, October 28 from 7 – 8:30 p.m. at Christ Central Church, 3646 Central Ave., Charlotte. RSVP @ Silent Images.

Boat in water in Burma. Photo courtesy Silent Images

Boy in alley in Burma. Photo courtesy Silent Images

Woman in Sudan. Photo courtesy Silent Images

Medical care in Kenya. Photo courtesy Silent Images