CCAD faculty, alum & student cook up creative concepts for new restaurant

Soulshine Tavern & Kitchen serves upscale American food, local craft drinks, and, thanks to folks at Columbus College of Art & Design, lots of creativity.

Josh Bodman, Chair of the Advertising & Graphic Design program at CCAD, worked on the restaurant’s brand essence, brand positioning, website, menus, signage, and social media. Kelly DeVore, Interior Design Chair, transformed the space and was responsible for the interior design, flow, materials, furnishings, permits, and final touches. And Joel Gundlach, Professor of Interior Design and Industrial Design, worked on laser cutting, installing the interior signage, and building the bar shelves and cabinets.

CCAD alum Dylan Menges (Advertising & Graphic Design, 1998) created a mural that pays tribute to the restaurant’s namesake, The Allman Brothers Band’s song Soulshine.

And current student Audrey Stemen (Advertising & Graphic Design, 2019) created illustrations for the children’s menu. (“It’s probably the best kid’s menu ever,” Bodman said.)

“We collaborate a lot in the classroom but to do it outside the classroom with other CCAD folks was very exciting,” Bodman said.

The CCAD connection came after Soulshine owner Andrew Arthurs reached out to CCAD last year.

He said he has been really impressed by the work of the CCAD folks.

“It’s been really fantastic,” Arthurs said. “I’ve been able to share what I have in mind, and they bring it to life.”

Soulshine opened in New Albany in June and has received a warm welcome in the area.

“It’s really remarkable,” Arthurs said. “I couldn’t have done it without them.”

Read about Soulshine in the Jan. 24 edition of Columbus Alive.