A year of Shiny Objects (and a murder in Manhattan)

11 minutes ago

5 min read

Well, look at us. A whole year of Shiny Objects. Apparently, we really can keep a newsletter going while being distracted by approximately 47 other shiny things.

When we started, we wanted a place to share the work, people and ideas catching our attention. A year later, there’s still plenty to crow about (as evidenced by this longer-than-usual newsletter!). Thank you for opening, reading and making a little room for us in your inbox.

This month, we’re looking back at a season of art with the Provincetown Art Gallery Association, sharing our work on Cape Cod Children’s Place’s annual report, and checking in on artist Evans Arnold’s new studio. We also helped capture the pumpkins, music and community spirit at the Chatham Chamber’s Oktoberfest.

Mama Crow posing after some apple picking at Crow Farm in Sandwich, in front of the crow car. #brandingnerd

Around the nest, we’ve welcomed photographer Lauren Clough to the flock. And we took the whole crew to New York City for a little time together outside our usual calls and client projects. Turns out, getting out of the nest is pretty good for the birds in it.

With November here, we’re feeling especially grateful for the clients who trust us with their stories, the collaborators who make the work better, and this creative crew. And naturally, we’re marking the occasion with a few irrational fears, favorite indulgences and one Crow who would absolutely board an unidentified spacecraft. You’ll find those in the Flock Files.

Here’s to another year of good stories, bright ideas and the occasional squirrel moment.

Warmly,

Meet Lauren Clough

You may have already spotted Lauren behind the camera at a client event. Now, we’re making her place in the flock official.

Wondering how to pronounce her last name? Here's a hint: it rhymes with crow.

Lauren brings more than 20 years of photography and visual storytelling experience to Two Crows. As the owner of Lauren Clough Photography, she has photographed families, businesses, performances, landscapes and community events across the Cape.

She also created For the Love of Cape Cod, a lifestyle brand inspired by her connection to this place. A Cape resident since 2004 and a graduate of Leadership Cape Cod’s Community Leadership Institute, Lauren shares our enthusiasm for the people and organizations helping our communities thrive.

We’re delighted to have her eye, creativity and community spirit in the nest. Welcome, Lauren!

PAGA: A Season Worth Strolling

The Provincetown Art Gallery Association is wrapping up its 2026 Friday Night Gallery Stroll season this month, bringing a season of exhibitions and artist receptions to a close.

We’ve enjoyed supporting PAGA with social media and weekly emails to help share the work of Provincetown’s gallery community. Emily even joined a stroll to experience it firsthand! Research has its perks. The Friday strolls may be on pause for the season, but there’s still art to discover. Keep an eye on PAGA for what’s next.

Evans Arnold: Room to Create

A new studio is a good reason to help people get to know the artist behind the work.

As Evans Arnold settles into his new studio and gallery on Main Street Hyannis, we’re continuing to support his social media and developing video content with Marin Misoda of MySoda Productions. The studio is accross from Salon 700 on the west end of town (near our friends at The West End!) and is open by appointment (info@evansarnold.com).

Emily, Lauren and Tracy just spent a lovely morning at the studio with Evans, interviewing him about his journey and connection to art as a musical composition. In his words, "Each shape, color and layer builds on the last until the piece finds its rhythm and feels complete." We look forward to sharing more of his work, process and creative space.

Cape Cod Children’s Place: A Year, Thoughtfully Told

An annual report has a lot to carry: a year of work, the people behind it and the support that makes it possible.

For Cape Cod Children’s Place’s FY26 report, Tracy and Silvi brought those elements together through design and layout, using photography and softer shades of the organization’s color palette to make the pages welcoming and easy to navigate. It’s work we love: helping a community organization share its story in a way that invites people to spend time with it.

Chatham Oktoberfest: Pumpkins, People and a Little Yodeling

Chatham Chamber’s Oktoberfest gave Lauren plenty to point her camera at. Think pumpkins, food, vendors, music, a kid zone and, yes, yodeling. She moved between locations throughout the day, capturing the festivities at Kate Gould Park and beyond. Her collection includes both the little details and the larger community scenes that give an event its personality. A very photogenic day at work!

The Crows Take Manhattan

Even Crows need to spread their wings once in a while. In early October, we took the whole flock to New York City, trading our usual Zoom calls for some time together in the city.

There were excellent bagels. There was excellent pizza. We caught the Broadway hit Oh, Mary! and had a Times Square pedicab adventure. We also hopped aboard the Staten Island Ferry for a look at the Statue of Liberty on what was a gorgeous warm fall day. But mostly, it was a chance to enjoy being together outside the usual client projects and deadlines. We spend plenty of time collaborating, and getting the whole crew out of the nest reminded us how much we enjoy each other’s company, too.

Good food, a little adventure and some pretty excellent birds. An anniversary-season treat for the whole flock. See the fun reel Emily made on our Facebook page

One Year of Crowing: Tricks & Treats

To celebrate a year of Shiny Objects, Margot asked each of us for a little Halloween-inspired disclosure. The trick: something that scares us. The treat: something we absolutely love.

We learned a few things. Some of them raise even more questions.

Margot

Trick: Getting blood drawn. I pass out. It’s ridiculous, but at least I’ll never be a vampire.

Treat: Being creative or crafty. Add snacks and I’m even happier.

Emily

Trick: Seeing people running in normal clothes. Not workout clothes. Regular clothes. It freaks me out.

Treat: PUMPKIN EVERYTHING, with cider donuts for good measure. The best ones are from Atkins Farm in Amherst. If you went to UMass, you already know.

Lauren

Trick: Heights... and I used to get along. Zip-lining over the White Mountains? No problem. Driving the Amalfi Coast? A little questionable. Hiking the Grand Canyon? That did me in. I now have a very healthy respect for gravity.

Treat: Treasure hunting, both creating hunts and following them. Give me a cryptic clue, a mysterious map or a riddle, and I’ll happily spend hours exploring obscure corners of Cape Cod. Have I ever found the treasure? Not once. Have I gotten VERY close? Yes. Will I become ridiculously obsessed with the next one? Absolutely.

Tracy

Trick: Clowns. Full stop. They’re supposed to bring joy, but all I see is Pennywise. And why do they keep turning up unexpectedly in movies, commercials and random places? There should be a warning.

Treat: A good glass of wine, triple-crème brie, watching 30 Rock for the hundredth time, and singing lullabies to my dog. Yes, I do that. He told me he loves it.

Silvi

Trick: People holding a kitchen knife incorrectly. Tuck those fingers in! I will NOT be holding your butchered hand at the hospital. That’s on you.

Treat: Aliens and UFOs. If a spaceship lands in my backyard, I’m hopping in. I want to believe.