Photo Gallery | After more than decade, Live from Memphis comes to an end
A movement lead by grassroot support for local artists, musicians, filmmakers and culture for more than a decade is coming to an end.
Live from Memphis posted a message on their Facebook page and website Wednesday stating that the organization will no longer be able to showcase local creative talent mostly due to financial constraints.
Founder Christopher Reyes wrote in the message," The bottom line is that our site has far outgrown our resources to run it. Over the last two years I've been juggling content between servers to keep costs down. It's finally come to that point where we just can't do it anymore. We had the passion, just not the financial support."
Live from Memphis provided media production, design and web services that benefited organizations in the city.
Their website that shared positive stories of the creative side of Memphis no longer accessible.
Many Memphians view this as a huge loss to the Memphis community.
University of Memphis film professor David Appleby said Live from Memphis helped keep talent in the city.
"We graduated a good number of talented students from our film program over the years, but most found they needed to move elsewhere to make a living. The thriving community of filmmakers, musicians, and other artists who live and work here now wasn't created overnight. It took a lot of work by a lot of people over many years, and Live From Memphis has been an integral part of that effort," said Appleby.
Appleby said that the community still has Indie Memphis, On Location Memphis, Fuel Film — but, Live from Memphis will be sorely missed.
"Their vision, talent, and determination to create a community of like minded artists, to help them network, and to showcase their work has been instrumental in changing the art climate in this city," said Appleby.
On Facebook, many people congratulated Live from Memphis on the difference they have made in the art and music community as well as the entire city.
Reyes ended his Facebook, online message with, "The creatives of Memphis need more than just cheerleaders. Filling out the check box is no way to make change."
