Artist Spotlight: Sarah Greene Reed

Artist Spotlight

Sep 13

Each month, we highlight one of the talented artists in our reuse community. This month, it’s multimedia artist, Sarah Greene Reed of Demolition Derby Hats!

While Sarah has been an artist for many years, hat making is a recent addition to her expansive repertoire. Continue below to learn more about what inspires her and how reuse plays a major role in her art!

1. When did you start making derby-style hats?

I’ve always been a hat person. The 80s were my jam. I used to work at a boutique in high school that sold amazing hats. I wore one to my high school graduation, I wore one for my college interviews, I wore one in an argument with my old boyfriend’s ex-girlfriend (and realized mid-rant that she couldn’t possibly take me seriously in a huge hat with floppy bow). There have been lots of hats in my life. However, I didn’t start making them until this year after I went to the Kentucky Derby in May. My husband and I got married on Derby Day in 2000 and we were supposed to attend the 2020 Derby for our 20th anniversary. Well, COVID happened and those plans got delayed. Multiple times. So, let’s just say the pump was primed by the time I finally got to go in 2022! It did not disappoint. So many gorgeous hats! When I got home to Austin I immediately wanted to find a way to get back to the Derby. It seemed like hat making was a good start. I had gone to some shops in Louisville and, while there were plenty of gorgeous, super fancy hats to be found, they were all made with new materials. I think that most people just wear their Derby hats for a few hours and then relegate them to the back of their closet. What a waste! Derby hats are the Mardi Gras beads of Louisville. So, I issued a challenge to myself to make hats just as beautiful as the new ones in the fancy boutiques but I could only use recycled material. In doing so, I created a new opportunity for myself and I got to give life back to old things!

2. Which aspect of creating is your favorite?

I’m a color girl. I love the moment when I pair the adornments with the foundation of the hat. There’s usually a pretty obvious color solution that presents itself. For example, it would be so easy to stick light pink flowers on a dark pink hat. I find joy in NOT doing that and creating a more interesting color story. But, frankly, I enjoy the whole process. I used to be a housewares buyer for a vintage store, so I love the thrill of the material hunt in thrift shops. I like organizing my pretty ribbons and flowers in my studio. I like surprising myself with unusual combinations and compositions on the hats. And, finally, I love to put on some music and sew and glue methodically. It’s all pretty great!

3. Where do you get your inspiration?

I get inspiration from the materials. What’s amazing about using recycled items is that you can’t really control what you find. If I were making hats with new materials I could order specific colors and shapes. With recycled materials that’s all out the window. It’s exciting to see what I find and let that lead the way. Also, as I touched on earlier, I’m inspired by COLOR. In my studio I have a large set of notecards taped to my wall. They are essentially like British Pantone color swatches for things found in nature: the pale blue breast color of a certain bird, the acid green moss found on a type of tree. I’m constantly inspired by the riot of color in our world.

4. What is your preferred way to engage with your audience?

Social media has been very helpful in building my career. I wear a lot of hats. (Ouch! That’s a terrible pun!) But, I’m a painter, decorator, yoga teacher, retreat leader, and I was in the wedding biz for over a decade. I find that simply talking about what I’m up to and what excites me will most often generate a conversation. People want to connect. I just posted about these hats recently and the response was overwhelming! I enjoy making things with little to no input and then putting them out there and seeing what resonates.

5. How does reuse play a part in your creativity?

I’ve always looked at ways to use things beyond their intended purpose. I attended North Carolina School of the Arts for high school and for my degree project I made dresses out of hardware. One was entirely “embroidered” with screws, mending plates, and small metal bits and pieces. The shoulder straps hung from industrial eye hooks. Another dress had a skirt made from rusty chicken wire. After NCSA I went to the Rhode Island School of Design where I majored in photography. However, I never really did photography! (Ha ha, sorry Dad.) I would cut up my negatives and collage them. I think I always wanted to create my own medium. So, reuse falls directly in line with that. There is no rule book for reuse and that is massively appealing to me!

6. What compels you to donate to ACR?

ACR is just the best! It’s a true Austin treasure. What a dream to be able to find affordable creative materials that are even BETTER than the ones you would get from the big box shops. I’m constantly amazed by how organized ACR is. The sheer volume of items could be a little overwhelming but ACR does such an incredible job of keeping everything contained and searchable. ACR is amazing and Austin needs to keep it thriving!

7. Do you have a favorite ACR find? How did you use it?

A few months ago I found a hardbound book that turned out to actually be a box. Within it were dozens of old paper maps. I’m holding on to them until I have a small space to wallpaper. I’m not sure where this room will be but when I find it I’ll be ready!

8. Where can we find out more about your work?

You can find Demolition Derby Hats on my website: www.sarahgreenereed.com