Sopchoppys slow-paced lifestyle and strong community support inspire local artists to create meaningful work. From festival designs to handmade instruments, the towns art scene reflects its deep cultural and natural roots Watch the video to hear local artists in Sopchoppy talk about what art means for this small town.BROADCAST TRANSCRIPT:I first learned about the towns creative scene from Corey Benedict, a DJ and artist who grew up here.COREY BENEDICT: Theres something about the area that brings amazing art out of people.KENZIE KRUEGER: Why is art so important in Sopchoppy?COREY BENEDICT: Theres a long history of art coming from Sopchoppypeople coming to record, singersbut I think its the environment. The slower pace helps artists create their best work.Benedict says many artists rely on the communitys support to thrive.COREY BENEDICT: Theres not a lot of money in music. Most people do it for love, from the heart.With a population under 500, theres no official data on the economic impact artists bring to Sopchoppy. But for the creatives I spoke with, community support means everything.RACHELL MATHIS: I love seeing someone walk past with a Worm Gruntn Festival shirt or driving by signs I designed for 4-H. Its a true honor, and it inspires me to keep going.Artists like Mathis are proof of how creativity enriches the town.Sammy Tedder, a filmmaker and musician, highlights Sopchoppys natural beauty in his work. After decades in a challenging industry, he emphasizes the importance of emotional support for artists.Thats why Benedict believes theres so many artists in Sopchoppy, because of the encouragement from their neighbors.SAMMY TEDDER: If someone appreciates what you do, it means the world. That encouragement keeps you going and inspires you to improve.COREY BENEDICT: The local community loves their artists so much. That love helps us here and could inspireHere are links to some of the artist's work:http://DjButch.net https://youtu.be/7I3tDAo6YRc https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557377665777&mibextid=ZbWKwL