Held Here: Profiles in Presence…
Welcome to Held Here, where I share portraits of people shaping Macon and beyond—artists, activists, musicians, neighbors. Each profile is rooted in observation and conversation, capturing not only what someone does, but who they are, and how their presence ripples through place and time. This is storytelling that honors the quiet builders, the culture shapers, and the ones holding the door open for others.
Kirk West: A Life in Focus, Behind the Lens and Behind the Scenes
Kirk West archived the Allman Brothers Band while living the music. As tour manager, photographer, and co-founder of The Big House Museum, Kirk captured history as it happened. This Held Here Profile honors the legacy he built—behind the lens, behind the band, and right here in Macon, Georgia.
Erin Hawkins: Connecting and Coloring Macon
She’s painted schools, sidewalks, and hearts all across Macon. From crosswalk murals that save lives to student art projects that change them, Erin Hawkins—aka Mama Hawk Draws—quietly transforms every space she touches. She doesn’t need the spotlight. Just a wall, a brush, and a community ready to rise.
Chris Hicks: The Soulful Shredder of Macon
Discover the roots and road stories of Chris Hicks, Macon-native guitarist and vocalist of The Marshall Tucker Band. A Southern Rock lifer with stories that span from Stevie Ray to Skynyrd.
She Keene: Art with Teeth, and a Grin
She Keene isn’t just creating art—she’s building a feminist roadmap. With hidden histories and a sharp tongue for the patriarchy, she’s turning overalls into armor and helping Macon Rise.
DSTO Moore: Giving People Flowers While They Can Still Smell Them
DSTO isn’t just a photographer. He’s a civic poet with a lens—someone who captures people not just in frame, but in full humanity. He’s a man using art as a form of stewardship, legacy, and emotional justice.