Statts Fest was missing its guest of honor this year. Jason Statts was a SCAD alumnus, graphic designer, and musician who was paralyzed after being shot in an armed robbery in 2008.
When Statts’ medical bills started piling up, his closest supporters formed Friends of Statts and planned the first Statts Fest to raise money.
After he passed away last month, his friends and family decided that Statts Fest was the perfect occasion to celebrate Jason's life and legacy. This time, at Starland Yard.
David Williams met Statts while attending SCAD, and he said they became close friends. They were together the night of the armed robbery, and both Statts and Williams were shot. Williams recovered from his injuries. Staats would live the rest of his days as a quadriplegic.
Williams was among the founding members of Friends of Statts. “It was never hard to do this because he would have done it for us," Williams said.
Starland Yard manager, Ava Pandiani, said Statts was loved and admired by his friends and family. “Everyone who speaks about him just says how resilient he was, and how he did everything in his power to make the best of his life after that accident," said Pandiani.
Some attendees said they didn’t know Statts, but they come every year for the festival. “I didn’t know that he passed away," said Rebecca Gonzalez, a guest at Statts Fest. "So, I feel like it’s even more meaningful to be here.”
For his closest friends, this event was their way of honoring Statts.
“We’re here, more specifically just to celebrate Jason’s life," said Williams. "He requested not to have a funeral. He wanted to have a party. We were already doing this. So, we decided to tie it all together and do it upright.”
The proceeds from this year’s Statts Fest will go towards paying off some of Statts remaining medical bills, and Williams said The Friends of Statts organization is still collecting donations to add to this fund.