50th running of the Atlanta Steeplechase
When: Saturday, April 18. Gates open at 9 a.m.
Where: Kingston Downs, Kingston.
Tickets: $30 per person, general admission. Children 12 and under, free.
Events: Besides horse racing, there will be the parade of the Budweiser Clydesdales, Jack Russell terrier races, bagpipers, skydivers, in-field shopping, plus the crowd favorite: the ladies hat parade and contest.
Information: www.atlantasteeplechase.org
Giddy-up
In college, Jay Scott was an art major. He also played football. But Scott soon decided to pass on football and pursue art.
The artist: Scott gave up his football scholarship at the University of Arizona and enrolled at the Laguna Beach College of Art + Design in California. After graduation, he worked in special effects, on movies (Jurassic Park III) and on his sculpture. The classically trained artist eventually found his niche: fine art and working with galleries and interior designers. In 2009, Scott and his family moved from Arizona, where he ran a gallery, to Alpharetta.
The goods: Abstract, transitional paintings of Southern landscapes, trees, city scenes (The Fox Theatre and Coca-Cola), and horses, which remind him of Tucson, where he grew up. Depending on size, prices range from $750 to $5,000.
Materials: Mixed media. He starts with a buildup of acrylic paint and then adds accents of charcoal and pastel — and eventually oil highlights.
Claim to fame: First major public commission for the City of Laguna Beach in 2002. Also created artwork for the Water Polo Hall of Fame, the City of Nashville and Warner Brothers. Also for celebrity artists, including Lil Wayne, Zac Brown Band, Rascal Flatts and Mack Maine.
Where to buy: Ivan Pitoni, owner of Chic Evolution in Art, 29 Milton Ave., Alpharetta (on Facebook: Chic Evolution in Art). Learn more about Scott at www.jayscottstudios.com.
Fashion forward
Inspired by the timeless style of Southern women, Atlanta native Abbey Glass designs classic, tailored clothing with a modern twist.
The founder: Abigail May Glass grew up in Atlanta's Ansley Park. She attended Central Saint Martins in London and the Rhode Island School of Design. After graduation, she moved back to Atlanta and started making custom evening gowns and coats.
The company: Abbey Glass Studios, founded in Atlanta in 2013. The clothing line includes dresses, skirts, tops and outerwear. "I love a great fitting trench coat, a full skirt in a lux fabric, or a fit and flare dress in a memorable print or pattern," said Glass.
Favorites: Valerie Halter Top ($210); Leather Liv Tank ($385); Leopard Jacquard Skirt ($385); Joni Midi Skirt ($450) and the Opal Dress ($410).
Fun request: Swarovski Crystalized Silk Organza Wraps to match customers dresses.
Big break: Won a finalist spot in the annual Supima Design Competition at the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in September 2012. The contest was created to give runway exposure to young talent.
Claim to fame: Miss Universe, Olivia Culpo, wore her Poppy cotton evening gown to the Harvest Ball Gala in New York City.
Where to buy: www.abbey-glass.com. Also in the Atlanta area at several trunk shows, including April 14 at Tootsies (tootsies.com), 3400 Around Lenox Road NE (# 219); April 18 at the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra's show house (www.decoratorsshowhouse.org); and (May 16) with painter Britt Bass Turner (brittbass.com) at 22-B East Andrews Drive in Buckhead.
Gator chic
Mary and Katie Tutwiler founded Cocodri, a small Louisiana-based company that turns alligator hide into elegant, must-have leather goods.
The founders: Mary Tutwiler, working as a journalist, was sent to cover the acquisition of the Lafayette alligator tannery by Hermes, the French fashion house. At the end of the tour, she impulsively bought a small tanned alligator skin. Tutwiler worked with some friends to hand make a wallet for herself. It turned out so well she created a company to explore the possibilities of more goods. Katie, Mary's daughter, came up with the company's name.
The company: Cocodri was founded in Lafayette in 2009. The alligators come from Louisiana bayous and farms and are tanned in Lafayette, where the company's handsome goods are hand made by local craftsmen.
The name: The word "cocodrie" is Cajun French for alligator.
The main goods: Alligator billfolds ($364), flasks ($364), belts ($338) and clutches ($1,664). Also custom work, especially for hunters with their own skins.
What's popular: Flasks. The stainless steel, six-ounce screw-top hip flask is wrapped in alligator hide. Best-selling color: Cognac, of course.
Other favorites: For women, the clutches, made from the bony back of the alligator and dyed colors like turquoise and coral.
Fun or unusual request: A cotton candy pink bicycle seat for a guy who races. Also, alligator-accented flip-flops in bright colors.
Where to buy: www.cocodri.com. For custom orders or belt sizes, call Mary at 337-380-3726.
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