This Spring, the OA will focus on food.

Through fresh reporting, in-depth profiles, and daring personal essays, this issue will explore what we eat: people, industries, and tastes that both build and challenge our ideas of Southern food.

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Florida's Utopia

Artist: Rylan Steele

Project: Ave Maria

Description: Rylan Steele’s Ave Maria is an investigation of the 5000-acre unincorporated town that goes by the same name. Founded in South Florida by pizza mogul Tom Monaghan, Ave Maria was built in 2005 and marketed to retirees and young families alike as a utopia for strict Catholics. However, the community was hit hard by both the 2008 housing crisis and a severe mosquito infestation, leaving it unclear how, or if, Ave Maria will succeed.

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    Farm, Ave Maria, Florida, 2014

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    Model, Ave Maria, Florida, 2013

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    Morning Fog, Ave Maria, Florida, 2013

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    Oratory Steps, Ave Maria, Florida, 2015

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    Statue, Ave Maria, Florida, 2012

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    Gyrenes’ Field, Ave Maria, Florida, 2014

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    Founders Museum, Ave Maria, Florida, 2013

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    Nuns, Ave Maria, Florida, 2015

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    Oratory Evening, Ave Maria, Florida, 2015

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    Street Lamps, Ave Maria, Florida, 2015

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    Model Home, Ave Maria, 2012

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    Remaining Carrara Marble, Ave Maria, Florida, 2012

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    Tree Trimming, Ave Maria, Florida, 2015

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    Stranded, Ave Maria, Florida, 2013

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    Oratory Interior, Ave Maria, Florida, 2013

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    Walking to School, Ave Maria, Florida, 2013

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    Trap, Ave Maria, Florida, 2013

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    Patrons Sign, Ave Maria, Florida, 2014

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    Gas Station, Ave Maria, Florida, 2012

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    Religious Tchotchkes, Ave Maria, Florida, 2015

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    Baseball Bats, Ave Maria, Florida, 2012

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    Tour Group, Ave Maria, Florida, 2015

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    Gymnasium, Ave Maria, Florida, 2014

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    Cafeteria, Ave Maria, Florida, 2013

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    Storm, Ave Maria, Florida, 2013

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    Memorial Cross, Ave Maria, Florida, 2015

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Eyes on the South is curated by Jeff Rich. The weekly series features selections of current work from Southern artists, or artists whose photography concerns the South. To submit your work to the series, email Jeff.





Rylan Steele

Rylan Steele is an artist residing in Columbus, Georgia. His first monograph, Ave Maria, was just published by Aint–Bad. View more of his work on his website or on Instagram at @rylansteele.