Miscellaneous
The walls of The Sweet Shop create a platform for a writer to write anything they want. These individuals have control and free reign to create a meaningful text and what they want it to share long after their text has been produced. Among the signatures and "Class of __" messages, there are various images and texts of all sorts covering the walls and booths found inside. What is interesting about this set of artifacts is how it represents the conversations happening within the building. Andrea Lunsford comments on how "Writing is both relational and responsive, always in some way part of an ongoing conversation with others" (20). Each message is a part of a larger narrative. While these pieces of everyday writing appear mundane and unimportant, the opposite is in play. A more significant story is being told with each text commentating on the community and history of an establishment such as Florida State University.
This artifact was created by a past Florida State University student from the class of 2007 who returned to campus. This artifact exhibits something new as the writer speaks directly to The Sweet Shop and not to other students. She also is representative of past students being drawn back to this location. The author has returned to campus to find a piece of her college years changed positively and calls on nostalgia for the times spent there. With a promise to return in ten years, she ends the message and completes the act of creating text.
This artifact created by Alex and Hailey on November 26th, 2019, commemorates the two students failing their German test. The artifact shows that the text produced in this space is not solely meant for positivity but is a place to remember. And remembering doesn't only include the happy and successful moments but the disappointing ones, which are inevitable to the human experience, especially to the college experience.
This artifact is representative of the encouragements and conversations aimed directly at the college students reading the texts. As the unknown creator utilizes the business's popularity and the integral role it plays on campus and the college experience to give the college student some advice. It is very easy for college to seem overwhelming. Still, this artifact contributes to an ongoing conversation as they tell the reader to remember that "this time is all about you!"
This artifact created by Hailey G. is another message that speaks to the reader as her purpose for creating the text is not solely memorializing herself but what she wishes to share with others which is the "Jesus Loves You! <3 John 3:16." A simple message with the intention to make an impact and share with those who come across it while they are in the space.