News Release

Authenticity perfected.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 6, 2013 CONTACTS: Anne Kelley 1109 S. Congress Ave. Austin, TX 78704 (512) 444-7375 wetsalonanne@gmail.com NEWS RELEASE

WET HAIR SALON AND COSMETIC STUDIO TRANSFORMS INTO A GALLERY TO SUPPORT LOCAL ARTIST, RUBY MARTIN.
AUSTIN, TX (26 December 2013) WET Salon and Studio, located at 1109 South Congress, is a hair salon with a unique twist and that is not referring to a hairstyle. Although the salon attracts talented stylists and beauty professionals, WETs community involvement is what makes it a gem amongst its competition.

Once a month, an event called First Thursdays is held in the salon. At this event, a local artist sets up his/ her work all-over the salon, and transforms it into a gallery. On January 3rd at 7:00 P.M., local artist Ruby Martin , a young photographer, will display her work throughout the salon and host her first showing, free of charge thanks to the generosity

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and hospitality of WET Salon and Studio. Her work will be displayed on all of the bare walls. WETs owners, Eric Massey and Jimmy Haddox, will let Martin use the salon to present and sell her work to the First Thursday crowds. WET frequently donates its space to artists during First Thursdays. Jimmy says, Its good karma both for us and the local artists.

WETs commitment, passion, and dependability shows in the way they serve the Austin community both through their First Thursday events and artistic abilities with hair and makeup. WET regularly donates time, money, and services to local organizations including the Lone Star Paralysis Foundation, Texas School for the Deaf, and the Austin Film Society. As Eric says, We dont just do great hairany hair salon could do that. Dad always told me to treat people the way you wanted to be treated, so thats how we run this place. We want you to build relationships and feel comfortable, invited and welcome. Founders Eric Massey and Jimmy Haddox wanted to create a salon that promoted individual style and authenticity, while maintaining the highest standards of perfection in the industry, so they opened WET in 2000, after having trained and worked with hair and makeup for over ten years prior. The salon has grown since it first opened and now has 20 employees. In addition to hair coloring, cuts, styling, dreadlocks, and extensions, WET offers makeup, waxing, and scalp/hair treatments. WET is open seven days a week.

### www.wetsalonatx.com For more information or to schedule your interview with the artist, please contact Anne Kelley, (512) 444-7375, wetsalonanne@gmail.com

Authenticity perfected.

Dear Jessica,

Austinites love to support local businesses, and there is a local business that loves to support Austinites. WET Salon and Studio has found a unique way to give back to the Austin community by turning its space into an art gallery, free of charge, to support local artists.

For the January 3rd, First Thursday event on Congress Avenue, WET Salon and Studio will transform. WET will donate the salons space to artist Ruby Martin, so Martin can display and sell her art to the First Thursday crowds. Martins one- of- a- kind, contemporary photography will be on display in the gallery from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. at 1109 South Congress Avenue. This is an opportunity to interview Martin and find out what this act of generosity means to her and all of the other local artists that appreciate what WET is doing for some of the members of the community. WETs owners, Eric Massey and Jimmy Haddox, frequently donate the salons space to local artists. As Jimmy says, Its good karma both for us and the local artists.

I have included some possible interview questions to demonstrate the great conversations you could have with Martin and the salons owners. A fact sheet about WET is included as well. Please contact me if you need additional information. Sincerely, Anne Kelley Contact: Anne Kelley, (512) 444-7375, wetsalonanne@gmail.com

Authenticity perfected.

FACT SHEET:
WET Salon and Studio opened in 2000, when SoCo was the up and coming funky Austin hot- spot. WET is the only salon in Austin with three American Board Certified Master Colorists on staff. The Austin Chronicle voted WET the best hair salon in 2012. WET stylist Jen Rische is famous for her stylish and daring up dos. The Austin Chronicle awarded her the Best Daring Do Award in 2013. WET regularly donates time, services, and money to local organizations. In 2012, WET donated to the Settlement Home for Children, HAAM, Texas School for the Deaf, Austin Film Society, Pin-ups for Paws, Partnership for Children, St. Baldrick's Foundation, People's Community Clinic and the Breast Cancer Resource Center. WET co-owner, Jimmy Haddox, is a local musician and is in a rock band called Jimmy and the Mustangs. They can be found playing at local bars and restaurants. WET is open seven days a week even on Sundays! WET stylists do extensions, dreadlocks, wedding up-dos, waxing, and makeup in addition to traditional salon services.

For more information, visit the website www.wetsalonatx.com Contact: Anne Kelley, (512) 444-7375, wetsalonanne@gmail.com

Authenticity perfected.

SAMPLE INTERVIEW QUESTIONS FOR ARTIST, RUBY MARTIN How did you find out that WET would be willing to give you the salon for a night to use as your personal gallery? What did this opportunity mean to you? How do you think this evening will help you overallmore exposure, more sales, more connections, or all of those things? How many people do you think will show up for your First Thursday event? Is there a crossover between WETs clientele and your artistic style? Why show your art at WET rather than any other venue?

POSSIBLE INTERVIEW QUESTIONS FOR WETS OWNERS, JIMMY HADDOX AND ERIC MASSEY Where did you get the idea to use the salon as a gallery? Does WET make money from this event in any way? What makes WET unlike any other salon? Wet has 20 employees, 18 of whom are stylists. What do the other two do? How do you find artists to donate the salon to for First Thursdays? How often do you donate the salon for First Thursday events? Jimmy, how does your experience as a musician influence your decision to support local artists? How did you choose the intriguing name WET?