Green Pages

Former Chamblee City Hall to Reopen as Spruill Studios in June

By Chris

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CHAMBLEE, Ga. — The Spruill Center for the Arts announced Feb. 9 that the former Chamblee City Hall will reopen in June as Spruill Studios, a new creative facility designed to provide affordable studio space for artists across metro Atlanta.

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The renovated building will feature 15 individual studios—nine approximately 200 square feet and six about 100 square feet. In addition to private workspaces, the facility will include a dedicated public gallery to showcase artwork created by resident artists.

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Spruill officials also plan to host open studio tours in conjunction with major community events, creating opportunities for the public to engage directly with local artists.

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Meeting a Community Need

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Spruill CEO Alan Mothner said the project addresses a long-identified need for accessible and affordable creative space in the north metro area.

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“With so much upheaval in funding and an increasingly challenging environment for artists, we’re fortunate to be able to offer this subsidized creative space,” Mothner said. “During our strategic planning process two years ago, our stakeholders identified a clear need for affordable and accessible studio space in the Perimeter area. We’re thrilled to partner with the City of Chamblee to offer this space and programming for area artists. Spruill Studios is the next chapter in what is now a 50-plus-year legacy for our organization.”

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A New Chapter for a Historic Building

Chamblee Mayor Brian Mock described the project as a win for both the city and the arts community.

“This partnership represents a beautiful evolution of our former city hall—from a place of civic leadership to a space where creativity and community can thrive together,” Mock said. “We’re proud to partner with Spruill Center for the Arts and look forward to seeing this historic building continue to serve our community.”

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With construction and renovations underway, Spruill Studios is set to open its doors in June, offering a new hub for artistic collaboration and cultural enrichment in the Perimeter area.

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Iron Lung: Fame or Quality?

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Review by Shaneice S.

 

Film adaptations often carry a negative reputation, as truly faithful recreations of source material are rare. Major studios sometimes rely on big-name actors or online popularity to draw audiences, assuming star power guarantees quality. However, Iron Lung offers something many modern adaptations lack—passion and respect for its origins.

Originally created as an indie cosmic horror video game, Iron Lung follows a prisoner trapped inside a small submarine exploring a “blood ocean” on a desolate moon. The mission: photograph strange underwater locations to uncover clues about a catastrophic event known as the “Quiet Rapture,” all while avoiding whatever lurks in the darkness below. The claustrophobic setting and minimal guidance create a tense, psychological horror experience.

The game was later adapted into a film directed by Markiplier, a YouTuber with millions of followers. Because of his online fame, some critics were quick to dismiss the project as overrated before its release. However, as someone unfamiliar with his content, I found the film to be a compelling and surprisingly faithful adaptation.

Released in North America on January 30, 2026, the movie effectively captures the suffocating isolation of being trapped inside a confined submarine. The constant sense of helplessness builds as the audience slowly realizes there is no escape—only the inevitable. Rather than altering the story’s foundation, the film adds context and depth, strengthening the plot without compromising its integrity.

The production also gained attention for its technical achievements. It was widely praised for its realistic portrayal of radiation and its physical side effects. In a striking milestone, the film reportedly broke a world record for the most fake blood used in a movie—approximately 80,000 gallons (300,000 liters).

Financially, Iron Lung proved to be a commercial success, grossing $34 million against a modest $3 million production budget. Despite receiving mixed reviews from some critics, the film stands as an example that adaptations driven by creativity and dedication—rather than fame alone—can succeed.

Overall, Iron Lung demonstrates that quality storytelling and passion for the source material matter far more than celebrity status. For fans of psychological and cosmic horror, this adaptation is highly recommended.

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