Greensboro Daily Photo

Outdoor Sculpture Garden

This sculpture is part of an outdoor sculpture garden at the Greensboro Cultural Arts Center on Davie Street, just outside Cafe Europa. This publicly displayed art has a modern "Calderesque" look. It brightens up this little part of town. Since today is First Friday, it will be a good evening to head downtown and see if you can find this piece of art. There will be plenty to enjoy. The merchants and museums really open their hearts to the community and offer lots to see, and do, and, sometimes, a little snack. From Festival Park to the Cultural Arts Center  to the corner of Lee Street and South Elm, there is so much to do and see.

Have a happy weekend, folks, and do take time to enjoy our great city. 

Kirkwood Clay

Husband and wife potters Scott and Tiffany Hansman started Kirkwood Pottery together. They made their retail debut at the Yanceyville Farmers Curb Market yesterday at the annual pottery festivel. Kirkwood Pottery is made on a wheel and is sturdy, well-balanced, and ready to use. With their wide array of colors, Scott and Tiffany have made something to match every kitchen. They spend a great deal of time on the ergonomics of their pieces- especially perfecting handles -- and so the pieces are easy to use. In addition to vessels, they make clay earrings. Prices are extremely reasonable.  

Scott teaches English and Tiffany manages a wellness program. Likely, Scott can tell you about pottery across the centuries and everything that has ever been written about it and Tiffany can tell you what kind of nutritious meals to consume on the pottery plates. Let's hope that this is a profitable hobby that will continue to nurture their relationship for a long time. Congratulations on a great day at the pottery festival.

 

Diana Al-Hadid at Weatherspoon Art Museum

The above bronze sculpture, by Diana Al-Hadid, is currently on exhibit at the Weatherspoon Art Museum on the campus of UNCG. The photo features Syrian-born, Ohio-raised Al-Hadid's statue of a Florida coed having been melted.

Yesterday, New York art critic and curator Gregory Volk spoke about Al-Hadid's art at the Weatherspoon. This was a culminating event after his meeting with UNCG art faculty and students earlier in the day. Volk says that Al-Hadid's work is mobile in time; looking as if it were unearthed three hundred years ago while at the same time the drippy bronze looking as if it is left over from a post-future catastrophe. Volk says Al-Hadid brings motion to static work. The art represents her state of in-between-ness, between the Middle East and mid-West; with a sense of freedom and a sense of woundesness. He says her art merits repeated viewing; something deeper and more meaningful emerges each time.* The 32-year-old Al-Hadid is in Utah at the moment; however, she was here in February at the opening of the exhibit.

Because Greensboro is a community with many institutions of higher education, we have access to many events free and open to the public. If you get a chance, stop by the Weatherspoon and see what you think about the Al-Hadid exhibit. Some people find it inspiring; some find it depressing.  Go and form your own opinion.  We have the feeling that the next time we see Al-Hadid's work, it will not be at a free museum in our own back yard!

*all loosely quoted.

Lida Witherspoon

Lida Witherspoon is another one of 205 Collaborative's many talented artists. Lida, whose background is theater, attended UNCG as well as the North Carolina School for the Arts. Lida has done any exciting things relating to theater. In 2002, she was in charge of painting the first set for Triad Stage, Tenessee Williams' classic, "Suddenly Last Summer."

These days, Lida mostly focuses on painting her giant, Asian-themed tapestries and pondering the great stories behind them. Evident in her art, Lida loves storytelling and folk tales. When she is not painting away at 205 Collaborative, she is often seen at local music festivals, which she enjoys organizing as well as attending.  Her translucent 9' tapestries-  full of dragons, earth, water, and fire-  are even more beautiful in person. If you stop by to see them, make sure to visit during the daytime when the natural light filters through the cloth, bringing her scenes to life. 

Given her love of Chinese art, Lida  hopes to study the Chinese language, possibly at UNCG. Let's hope Google translate didn't play a trick on us and that "好运/ Hǎo yùn" really does mean, "good luck".

Karen Bjork Dischell

Karen Bjork Dischell was the featured artist at last night's First Friday at 205 Collaborative. Karen, originally from Massachusetts, has been in Greensboro for twenty years. Her professional training was at the School of the Worchester Art Museum and the University of Massachusetts Amherst where she studied drawing and printmaking.

In the above photo, Karen is surrounded by her recent work, inspired by the trees and greenery of her neighborhood. Karen paints with oils, adding layers of paint and glazing until the light and texture are just perfect. In addition to 205 Collaborative, Karen also sells her artwork locally through Fat Cat, Ltd. in Oak Ridge. Karen, recipient of a 2009 United Arts Council grant,  is generous to the local community, often donating artwork for schools and non-profits for their fundraisers. She even donated a mural to a local elemetary school. We are so lucky to have her living and painting in our community.

If you get a chance, stop by 205 Collaborative at 205 Lyndon Street in the historic 1927 building that was formerly Crutchfield Plumbing. Karen's work doesn't take up the full 18,000 square feet of the building, but it does bring a tremendous amount of warmth and cheer to the cavernous, industrial space.

Pearl of Equality on Hamburger Square

Greensboro has 8 coffee-cup sculptures to honor the Greensboro Sit-ins. The art project was a collaborative effort between The United Arts Council, The International Civil Rights Center and Museum, and Action Greensboro's synerG Group. Each sculpture has a quote that demonstrates the courage of the four men who sat at the Woolworth lunch counter in 1960, starting the sit in's.

The cup photographed above, called 'Pearl of Equality' by Timothy Daniel, is located on Hamburger Square near Natty Greene's. You can enlarge the photo to read the Margaret Mead quote. We want to share Daniel's quote about the meaning behind his sculpture. "The idea of the sharp, stony oyster guarding its precious treasure came to me almost immediately to symbolize the whole 'Eye on the Prize' feeling on the civil rights struggle. The oyster's shell would represent the old status quo, and the flesh and pearl would represent the wonderful bounty awaiting those persistent enough to seek it."

Here is a map for a walking tour of all the cups. It is also the reference for the quote. Pearl of Equality is #3 on the walking tour. The photo was taken last spring, so, if you head down to see it, the trees are not yet budding!

Compton Nocturne at the Weatherspoon

Compton Nocturne (1999) by Alison Saar is a highly visible piece of sculpture at the Weatherspoon Art Gallery. This sculpture piece is representative of Saar's work. The the female figure features prominently in LA born Saar's art, relevant to her theme of  personal and cultural identity. Her work is known for its balance of strength and tenderness (reference).  In the above sculpture, the harsh coldness of glass and tin contrast with the warmth of wood, paint, and tar. The translucence of of the glass protruding from the hair warms up the image of the figure exposed to the elements. The piece looks especially cold this time of year in the harsh light of the trees-without-leaves in the background.

Teachers visiting the Weatherspoon use Saar's piece, in conjunction with Judith Shea's Urban Francis ( in the back courtyard) to help develop creative and critical thinking skills and perceptual awareness in their students*  Saar's recumbent figure contrasts sharply with Shea's standing and fully clothed sculpture (see here and closeup here). 

If you are local, we hope you remember what a wonderful resource Greensboro has in the Weatherspoon. Not only is it in our backyard, the entrance is free, as is parking. One exhibit closes this weekend and two open up. So, there is plenty to see today and there will be plenty different to see next week. Start your new year on the right path by getting out to enjoy some art. For free!

 

* see a sample lesson plan here.

Bamboo Frame Hut at Greensboro College

Art on college campuses can be so creative. Above, we see a work of art on the campus of Greensboro College, in the open field near the library. The hut is constructed of bamboo and old picture frames. Imagine standing inside here and framing your face for a photo. It is very creative. It will look even more spectacular if we get snow. We checked the website for Greensboro College and nothing about this structure appears to be written. The signs beside it states that the structure is monitored by video surveillance; however, nothing about the piece is available on-site. It is also fun to stand inside and watch people walk by.

If anybody knows about the Bamboo Frame Hut, please let us know.

Courtney E Cormier at First Friday

Today is First Friday and shops and galleries in Downtown Greensboro  will stay open for your enjoyment. Last month, at Artmongerz, we fell in love with the satirical-realistic oil paintings by Courtney Cormier. Cormier describes the above series as "marketing scheme rejects" -  as toys that illustrate the societal pressures and stresses of adulthood. There is a "grimacing reality behind the bright hues." Cormier, originally from New Hampshire, is a full-time artist in Greensboro and is currently showing out of Artmongerz.

Cormier, a person of many talents, is a 5-time world champion baton twirler who was a twirler at the University of Tennessee, where she earned a degree in psychology. In the above photo of her paintings, you see the iconic little tikes cozy coupe wrecked and abandoned on the side of the road. You see Mr. Potatohead about to shave with a potato peeler which, unbeknownst to him, could cause permanent damage to his skin. Cromier's art gets you to look twice, to think about childhood, and to try to interpret the contemporary meaning. 

Every time we attend First Friday, we see something new, fun, and creative. Last month, it was Cormier's work. What will it be tonight? For sure, The January First Friday will be a great way to begin the weekend, the new year. Hope to see you there tonight.  Maybe we'll pull up in a cozy coupe! Beep, beep...

Lake Brandt Meets Christo & Jeanne-Claude

Lake Brandt looks like it is hosting an installation by Christo and Jeanne-Claude, the married couple famous for installing enviornmental works of art by the mile. In reality, in the photo above, you see a barrier around Lake Brandt (at Lake Higgins) intended to keeping contaminants from entering the water while North Battleground (Highway 220) gets widened- Project R-2309. The project has been underway since May; however, only recently have we enjoyed the great, golden wall.* Tetra Tech of New York was awarded the 96 million dollar contract; we're betting they are the ones making sure that our drinking water stays safe and clean. Even in the above photo, you can see the difference in movement of water to the left of the barrier and to the right of it. We wish we had access to a small airplane to do an aerial photo shoot of the snakelike object. It is our own little Running Fence.

*read more here.

Duane at Chartreuse

Duane is a freelance artist who turns old factory carts into coffee tables. He takes parts of farm and mill equipment, mostly wooden, and transforms them into lighting. In short, he restores and preserves iconic pieces of Greensboro's history. Above, we see him working away in back of cHARTreUSE, an artist/antique center on Merritt Drive. Duane's whole family is artistically gifted. He and his son have performed in CTG's Wizzard of Oz together. His wife is creative, too. How wonderful when family members have so much in common.

With the building of the nearby Spring Place, a community of student housing, on land that once held Pomona Cotton Mill, Duane's creations are coming full circle- without leaving the neighborhood- from mill, to Duane's hands, back to the nearby apartments. 

This scene is right around the corner from our favorite little red mill house and Deep Roots Market; a little neighborhood that is developing tremendous character. It would be great if Deep Roots Westside would not have to close when Deep Roots Eastside opens! For now, stop by and marvel at Duane's woodworking skills and then head to Deep Roots for a giant tahini cookie! Better yet, treat Duane to one!

TAG, You're It!

Today, we're back in High Point at 220 East Commerce Avenue at Theatre Art Galleries, also known as TAG. TAG combines performance art with visual art. The main gallery, shown above, is currently featuring an exhibit entitled "No Boundaries: Two Generations Face to Face. Artists Lucy Davis Phillips and Harriet Marshall Goode are a perfect pair to share gallery space. Both are figurative artists who like to show a great deal of emotion and construct narrative in their work. Harriet does the larger pieces which show women full-length and face forward, often doing something really unusual, like carrying a chicken. Seeing the figures, painted with some details merely suggested, makes one wonder if they are fading from view or coming into focus. To be sure, one does not feel alone when in a room with the work of these two Carolina gals. Harriet is from Rock Hill, South Carolina and Lucy from High Point.

High Point Theatre is located in the furniture district of High Point. Starting December 6th, the North Carolina Shakespeare will begin performing Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" there. If the performance is as good as it was last year, we may have to go twice!

Stop back by Greensboro Daily Photo, tomorrow. We'll be back in Greensboro. And, if we are lucky, Time Warner Cable will get our internet working and we'll be finished coffee shop hopping to use the internet.

Colonial Materials, Inc.

The above photo is a view of Colonial Materials, Inc. the largest distributor of drywall in North Carolina. The Pleasant Garden Yard opened in 1992 and is located on Hunt Road. We stumbled on it when we were driving along country roads in southeastern Guilford County in search of a little splash of color on an otherwise drab day. When we rounded the corner, just south of Pleasant Garden, and saw this riot of secondary color (orange, green, purple), it was just what we were seeking. If you are from elsewhere, does your community have a drywall business this bright and cheerful?  We like the way the fallow field in the foreground adds to a touch of nature to the scene.

The scene looks like a place Swedish artist Michael Johansson could have fun organizing. We'd like to see Andreas Gursky, who took the world's most expensive photograph, come photograph this Guilford County scene. (To our artist and non-artist readers alike, if you click through these last two links, your appreciation of this post will be enhanced).

The Seat Belt Chair

The Greensboro/High Point area is known for furniture making. The above photo shows some creative furniture currently on display at the north gates at the Piedmont-Triad Airport. The white chair (with the wire figure) and the black chairs in back are seat belt chairs- as seen in the Hunger Games. They were designed by the High Point-based Phillips Collection who are known as manufacturers of some pretty fabulous accent furniture. With other countries able to mass produce furniture cheaper, America's niche is creative design. Hats off to North Carolina-based Margaret Hungerford for getting these chairs used in the mass-market movie.

Unfortunately, you have to be traveling to get behind airport security to see this display. Fortunately, we had time to enjoy it during our travels this weekend- and remembered to snap a photo to share. We hope this little peek will entice you to have a look at even more furniture made in the Piedmont-Triad Area. Here's to a great work week, dear readers. And, next time you need furniture, come on down!

Randall Jarrell

Randall Jarrell (1914-1965) was a highly-regarded, mid-20th century poet and critic. A native of Nashville, TN, Jarrell lived and taught in Greensboro, at UNCG, from 1947-1965. He sojourned in Washington, D.C. from 1956 to 1958, serving in a position that would come to be known as national poet laureate. Jarrell's great lament was that poetry had such a small audience. In 2009, the Beltway Poetry Quarterly published an extremely informative article about Jarrell, a must-read for those interested in this literary scholar (read here).

Today's photo is a portrait of Jarrell, painted by Greensboro's own Betty Watson. Mrs. Watson and her husband were family friends of the Jarrells as both men worked at UNCG. The above photo has been brought out of storage and now hangs on the second floor of Jackson Library at UNCG. The photo does not do justice to the brilliant colors of the portrait. If you are local and appreciate fine art, you must go see it in person. A carpeted area, with a grouping of chairs, invites visitors to sit and enjoy this fine work of art. It would be lovely to sit there while reading Jarrell's poems.

Mrs. Watson has been in the news recently because her other portarit of Jarrell is currently on display at the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery (reference).  While the Jarrells and her husband are long gone, Mrs. Watson, at age 85, continues to paint in her Greensboro studio. How wonderful that she has lived to see how much the public appreciates her fine art.

See two more GDP features of Jarrell here and here. 

Kim's Pottery Studio

This past Sunday, the 16th Annual Triad Pottery Festival was held at the Yanceyville Farmer's Market. In the above photo, Benjamin Winslow- of Kim's Pottery in Eden,- demonstrates his great expertise at the wheel. Benjamin, originally from South Korea, studied art at Valdosta State University in Georgia. His study of art fueled his love of oil painting and pottery. Now, on most days, he can be found in his studio in downtown Eden where he not only makes and sells his wares, but also gives lessons and allows students to have studio time. Benjamin is such a calm and patient person. He is the perfect  person to demonstrate his work at the Farmers' Market. 

We like to attend the Triad Pottery Festival for many reasons, one of which is that  it is  held the weekend before local potter, Leanne Pizio holds her fall Leanne Pizio's Keep It Local event. If you need some good holiday gifts, head out to Leanne's. There will be at least 17 vendors and a great art hunt and the setting is bucolic. Hope to see you there. North Carolina is famous for its pottery. There is something special about eating and drinking from a handmade vessel- especially when it is local. 

Margot Robinson, Artist

Margot Robinson is one of the many talented artistes with a studio in the Creative Center. The Center is located at 900 16th Street, across the street from Buffalo Presbyterian Church, at the western tip of the Billy "Crash" Craddock Bridge. It brings together creative souls from all over the city and offers everything from yoga to Spanish to studio space. Margot shares a very large 3rd floor studio with Karen Dresser whose art quilts can be seen adorning the wall. Karen's abstract figures, as seen above, complement Margot's textured, pottery pieces.

Margot's sculptures are known as peaceful warriors and they are based on Japanese tomb sculptures. Her intent is for the sculptures to bring "a feeling of peace and joy" to their owner. She leaves the eyes hollow; they are the window to the soul. The ambiguous ethnicity of the peaceful warriors leaves much of the interpretation up to the owner. Some of the figures are reminiscent of little Russian grandmothers; others resemble Japanese figures from a different era. Margot shapes something ancient, yet contemporary into each of her clay figures.We met up with Margot (and Karen) last night at the Center, where she treated us to snacks and great conversation.  

Last night's Candlelight Studio Tour at the Creative Center was the perfect way to finish out a great, First Friday. With a drum circle and hula hoopers outside, and artists like Margot inside, we saw firsthand just how vibrant Greensboro's art scene has become.

Latin Roots at Earthworks Gallery

Last Friday was hopping at First Friday in Downtown Greensboro. The above photo was taken at the opening reception for the exhibit "Latin Roots" at Earthworks Gallery. The exhibit celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month. Last week's music and the month-long exhibit are made possible in part by Casa Azul, an organization that is the catalyst for many great events celebrating Latino culture in the wider Greensboro area. Earthworks Gallery, the event's host, is located at 500 South Elm Street, just across the tracks from the Cascade Saloon Building- the one that has been so much in the news lately.

The man on the left side of this photo, Jim Rientjes, is one of the proprietors of Earthworks. Jim is a very talented potter and he works day and night to ensure that the potters, jewlers, and other artists at Earthworks are represented well. We own pottery made by several of the artists represented here.

If you get a chance, stop and show your support for Earthworks, Casa Azul, and the artists involved in the Latin Roots Exhibit. Items are available for purchase at all price points. Look for the display with the papel picado.  And, as for getting all that visual stimulation- priceless.

La Vitrine.........

This window dressing, at design ARCHIVES on South Elm Street made us feel as if we were hanging out in Paris or New York City. Everyone loves a creative window display and this one was just so visually appealing that we're giving it an eight-mannequins-up award. Owner and Curator Kit Rodenbaugh, along with her very capable staff and vendors, keep their vintage and handmade emporium attractive and are constantly making us do a double take when walking by. This was the view of "la vitrine" at design ARCHIVES in early August. 

We looked at our recent posts and decided that GDP needed a good dose of color and a little levity to kick off a new month. Elm Street is so full of not just color but also LOCAL color and is a great place to take photos. On the same block as design ARCHIVES, we photographed this and this. Time to head back downtown and see what we can find on South Elm Street today. 

For yet another GDP riot of color, see this rooster, and this greenway trash. We're sharing today's post with Weekend Reflections where reflections are not only appreciated, they are expected. Goodbye, August; hello, September!

Leak Chapel with its Beautiful Tapestry

The above photo was taken in Leak Chapel at West Market Street United Methodist Church. This comforting chapel is accessed most easily from the side street off of Market- John Wesley Way. The centerpiece of the chapel is the round tapestry, A Sacred Story.  The design was created by Catherine Kapikian and was funded by Olivia Burwell. The piece was fabricated by members and friends of West Market Street United Street Church and dedicated six years ago on April 9, 2006. 

The square, symmetrical crosses, along the side of each wall, lead the eye right to the beautiful circle of cloth. Each time you look at it, you will find a bit more symbolism and more complex patterns. At first, the eye is drawn to the color, the crescent moon, and the contrast between the light and dark colors. Soon, the eye sees the negative space, the white, that also holds crosses, circles (of life) and crescent moons. The day we were at the chapel for a funeral, the tapestry formed the perfect backdrop for bringing closure to our friend's long, full life.

Happy Sunday everyone. 

 

Kids Path

Today, we are featuring another rainbow. The above mural adorns the wall of the children's activity room on the main floor of Kids Path. Kids Path was founded by Hospice and Pallative Care in Greensboro as a place to care for seriously ill and grieving children. They provide supportive services for children and their families, helping them cope with illness and loss. The facility, open since 2001, is located at 2504 Summit Avenue. On the outside and inside alike, the atmosphere is soothing and visually appealing. 

Artists Hannah Mathis and Mike Gaydon painted the above mural and it is even more beautiful in person that in this photo. The more you look at it, the more details you see. Exactly four months ago, GDP reader Nita Fleming asked if we would feature the above mural. Nita, thank you so much for making us aware of, not only this beautiful artwork, but also this community resource that provides such an important service for our community.

The rainbow is a spectrum of light that connects earth to the heavens, not unlike the work of the very dedicated staff at Kids Path. 

Emilio Rojas-- Artist in Residence

Emilio Rojas is an artist in residence this month at the Elsewhere Artist Collaborative on Elm Street. Rojas, originally from Mexico City, comes to Greensboro via Vancouver. Rojas is an interdisciplinary artist who works a lot as a performer, photographer and videographer. The day we met Emilio, we were drawn to his work through the film he has compiled on Patricia Allison-- an environmentalist very involved in sustainable agriculture and permaculture. (You can see the film about Patricia Allison being shown against a backdrop of hardback books on the little table to Emelio's right in the above photo).

The project he is currently working on while in Greensboro involves exploring issues of racism and homophobia through a surreal narrative film. He hopes to collaborate with local community members, especially those who are socially active or personally affected by civil rights issues and issues of marginalized populations. If you are interested in meeting Emelio or helping him with his research, contact him through Elsewhere this month. He will present his work while in Greensboro at the August First Friday (8/3). 

First Friday Fun

July is well under way. Above is a scene at Elements Gallery, 526 South Elm Street, taken at last night's First Friday celebration. Greensboro has some great artists, visual and performing alike, and Elements Gallery is a co-op of about 45 artists. They all work together to keep this gallery dynamic and stocked with colorful items..

Last night, Vance Archer was playing fiddle. He also sells painted blocks of wood in the gallery. (Unfortunately, we didn't get the name of the guitar player). At last night's event, people enjoyed seeing the paintings, jewelry, pottery and other items offered for sale.  During First Friday, Elements Gallery serves light appetizers and beverages, as do many of the galleries.

If you missed First Friday downtown, today, you can head to the festivities in the Lindley Park neighborhood. They will be celebrating from 12-8pm at the corner of Walker and Elam Avenues.

V Visual Arts

The above photo was taken at Art Quest which is part of Green Hill Center for North Carolina Art in the Cultural Arts Center on Davie Street.* Art Quest is a hands-on haven for creativity for children and adults alike. Some of the stations at Art Quest include a clay area, a puppet theater, a fiber space, and the very wonderful painting station featured above. The heavily-painted easels at the painting station are located in the back room. The letters, above the easels, spelling NC ART, are made of recycled materials: As examples,"A" is scraps of moulding, "R" is #2 pencils glued onto a piece of cardboard, "T" is wound yarn.

Today is ABC Wednesday and the letter of the week is "V". For this round of the alphabet game, we're featuring "causes" relevant to Greensboro and "V" is for "visual arts." Greensboro abounds with non-profits committed to bringing art to those who might otherwise not be able to afford it. If you are local, head down to Art Quest and have a chat with the curator, Edie Carpenter and learn about all of the local artists who collaborate in the space. If you love art, you'll have trouble resisting  becoming a member.

 

*Monday, we featured Roy Nydorf's exhibit at Green Hill, next door to Art Quest.

Mosaic of Children 2012

Greensboro's 2012 Mosaic Festival was held this last weekend. Mosaic is an annual food, music, art, and dance festival that builds community among the diverse ethnic groups in Greensboro. The event is a place for people of all ethnicities, races, ages, socio-economic groups, political beliefs, and educational levels to come together for an afternoon. This past Saturday, the weather was beautiful. From university professors to bare-footed toddlers, fun was had by all. The venue, Festival Park at 200 North Davie Street, was perfect. The above photo of children playing in harmony captures the spirit of the event. For an afternoon, people focused on similarities; not differences. It was beautiful. 

Almost 5,000 people were in attendance. Church World Services, the events host, organzied a Kickstarter project for the festival. The project did not receive full funding and they are still accepting pledges. How about paying it forward and making a little donation to the project (here). They need about $1,200 more dollars by Wednesday to reach the 2,500 goal for the project. Kickstarter is "all-or-none." Without the additional funding, they lose it all. If you are local, your donation will help our community. If you are not local, consider donating and then using this project as a template for a multi-cultural project in your own community. Donate here. 

O. Henry Portrait

Today, we bring you a portrait of Greensboro's world famous writer, O. Henry- born William Sydney Porter- who lived from 1862-1910. This painting was commissioned for the opening of the new O. Henry Hotel in 1998. The original O. Henry Hotel was built in 1919 and torn down in 1979. The current property evokes the old-world charm of the original hotel and gives a nod to O. Henry himself.

Local artist Frank P. "Chip" Holton, III did a great job of making the painting look like it was painted during O. Henry's lifetime. Also, he situated the painting in Greensboro as O. Henry is reading a Greensboro newspaper. Holton has made over 500 pieces of original art for the Quaintance-Weaver group. In the Quaintance-Weaver properties alone, Holton has quite a reperitore;  with his art ranging from modern to traditional to a 17th-century inspired mural- a still-life. If you have a little time one afternoon, stop by for tea at the hotel and have a closer look at the above photo. As for us, we hope to interview Holton this summer so we can find out how he decided to paint O. Henry in this pose. Happy Tuesday, folks!

 

 

Sunday in the Park at the Opening of the Downtown Greenway

We had the good fortune of spending Sunday afternoon in Morehead Park at the grand opening of the hub of the Downtown Greenway. This section of the greenway is inviting to pedestrians and bikers alike. From humans to leashed canines, fun was had by all. In the above photo, you see two of the gates inside the 1928 underpass of a railroad trestle that has been abandoned since the 1970's. The gates, have LED lights that change color before your eyes. Between the colorful light show and the diverse patterns in the art-deco inspired gates, the space is a visual feast. Jim Gallucci designed the gates, finding inspiration in the Southern Bell office building located, nearby, in downtown Greensboro. Scott Richardson is the brilliant designer of the interactive lighting effects.

Above, you see several people involved with the event. They are listening to the very inspiring speech of Rocco Landesman, Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), who was praising Greensboro for its public art. The project was partially funded by an NEA grant.* Mayor Pro Tem, Yvonne Johnson is seated in the purple suit. Artists Jim Gallucci and Scott Richardson are immediately to the right of the photographer (with Jim wearing a hat). Churk Cornelio is in the front row wearing a red shirt. He served as speaker and emcee. Mr. Cornelio is an executive at Lincoln Financial Group, one of the major donors for the project. To his left is Linda Carlisle, Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources.

If you get a chance, make this park one of your weekend destinations. We hope organizations will continue to use this space and hold events here. Parking is readily available and it is a great way to bring the community together. Greensboro......... come on down!

*read more here.

Enjoying Morehead Park

The pile of rubbish in yesterday's photo consisted of paint rollers that were used to create the artwork at Morehead Park, under Edgeworth and Freeman Mill Road at Spring Garden Street. It is hard to capture the beauty and creativity of this project in one photo. Imagine riding your bike, approaching old fencing, and out-of-control kudzu vines and spotting this oasis of creativity. It will bring a smile to your face, the first time you see it.

Who would ever think that hanging out under a highway, beside a railroad track could be so beautiful? Don't forget that the opening celebration is tomorrow from 2-5pm. As for today, put on a little green white and red, call a friend, and head out to enjoy some Cinco de Mayo events in the area.

Painting the Town: Downtown Greenway Event

While doing a little urban exploring this week, we stumbled upon a pile of technicolor garbage and just had to investigate. We were struck by the fact that from this riot of colorful garbage, we could see the Center for New North Carolinians peeking through (from behind the orange paint roller). The juxtaposition of the rainbow and the house serving immigrants represents the diversity of our citizens. As we investigated the history behind our urban archeological find, we learned the following:

Above, you see the used paint rollers from the Spring Garden Street Mural Project. You have a chance to tour this area on Sunday, May 6th, from 2-5 pm.  Downtown Greensboro will be celebrating an amazing Downtown Greenway Project with, among other activities, a ribbon cutting for Morehead Park at Lee and Spring Garden Streets at Freeman Mill Road. Also, nearby Moorehead Linear Park will be unveiled. An abandoned railroad tressle that has been upcycled with a gate by Greensboro's Jim Gallucci and interactive lighting by Scott Richardson will be unveiled. To top it all off, Laurelyn Dossett will bring out her band to play music. For three hours, community art extending to Warnersville will come alive before our eyes. This downtown area will be the hub of Greensboro's entire bike and walking trail system. Sunday's celebration will be  quite a community event. Read more here.

If you are feeling a little blue, come on down and add some red, orange, yellow, green, purple, black, and white to your life!

100 x 100

Last night, there was a lot happening in downtown Greensboro. From people playing keyboard in Center City Park, to a baseball game in the new stadium, to people enjoying dinner outside at Cafe Europa to artists and patrons at the one hundred for one hundred art show and sale and the Center for Visual Artists on Davie Street. The gallery, in downtown Greensboro, is a great venue for artists to show and sell their work. We're featuring the post today because it is the most time sensitive. These wonderful pieces of art will be available today and after that, the gallery will hang a new show. This summer, the Center will offer some spectacular summer art camps. Perhaps you can stop by and give a 100 "donation" and leave with a work of art.

We loved being out mingling among the students. Tattoos and stretched earlobes were extremely peopular with the younger generation artists. Their art was refreshing and affordable, and worth looking at. Many young artists were having great discussions about art. In the case of the man in the tye-dyed shirt, and the tatooed arm, he was so vibrant and colorful.... body art.

If you haven't been to the Center for Visual Artists in the Cultural Arts Center, stop by and see this great show.

Guy and Jerry's Burger Spot

North Battleground is abuzz about Guy and Jerry's Burger Spot. 3750-A Battleground Avenue hasn't been this busy since, well, since we can remember. Jerry Kizhnerman and Guy Bradley opened the burger shop about two months ago and word has spread like wildfire that the food is great and the prices are reasonable. The outdoor seating area is now open and, above, we see artists painting away at the mural on the side of the restaurant. Hopefully, Guy and Jerry identify the artists on the restaurant's facebook page. The outdoor seating will be fabulous this summer. If you are not a shopper, you can walk down from the Wal-mart parking lot and dine while your friends and loved ones finish their power shopping. Philly burgers, add jalapeños; truffle fries; Greek salad, add chicken; sweet potato fries, serve them just the way they are; veggie burger. You just might have to try it all!

We had to reread this post today because we love to affectionately call the Burger Spot "Ben and Jerry's" (as in ice-cream). Now if they paint black and white cows into the mural, we'll really be confused! If you like murals, visit Monday Murals to see more!

Cranes for Japan

The Greensboro Origami Project is trying to make 1,000 cranes for Japan. Today, we share a window full of origami cranes, seen in the window of the Green Bean Coffee House at 341 South Elm Street. The Origami Peace Memorial is intended to be a memorial for the Japanese families and businesses that are rebuilding and trying to move forward after the tsunami. The one year anniversary of this terrible event was March 11th. See the project's facebook page here. If you have time, read the stor of Sadako Saski, The Thousand Origami Cranes, to further appreciate the cultural significance of cranes in Japanese society. In the meantime, if you have a minute, head to 341 South Elm Street and fold a crane or two. It looks like Greensboro has a little way to go in the folding department. We're not at 1,000.... yet. Regardless, such a nice gesture.

We're sharing this photo with weekend reflections because nobody appreciates a storefront window more than our friends at this meme!

Alley behind Elm Street

During First Friday in downtown Greensboro last week, we happened upon this alley behind the 600 block of Elm Street. This specific section is located behind the Elsewhere Art Collaborative. Notice the bottle wall, hand-placed brick path, rain barrel, hanging baskets, and garden space. This alley is a cozy little oasis in the heart of the city. If you want to see perhaps the most creative, efficient, use of a small, outdoor space in Greensboro, visit Elsewhere and venture beyond the back door.

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood... well, in the alley!

Floral Art on Elm Street

Elm Street is abloom, too!

This weekend while we were out photographing redbud blooms in the Greensboro Hebrew Cemetery, "Kang" was busy securing glossy magazine photos of flowers onto a lamp post in front of the Green Bean Coffee Shop. The metal pole is covered from base to top with lovely, springlike pictures. From a distance, it almost looks as if butterflies have landed on Elm Street.

One of the barristas at the Green Bean said an artist who calls himself "Kang" worked on the pole for two days. It is such a fun, uplifting work of temporary street art. A harsh rain or extreme wind will be the demise of this masterpiece. However, if you head to Elm Street soon, you will see this lovely piece that took hours and hours to cut and paste! It looks much better in person, as a 15 foot pole is hard to capture and retain the details available in a close-up.

If you know more about this installation or the elusive "Kang", who is not jumping out on a google search, please let us know! We have a hunch there is a story behind this project. Could it be that ELSEWHERE Collaborative is priming us for their annual spring reopening?

In the meantime, we're enjoying every photo we took of this project-- from every angle.

Digital Gothic Gate

Today's post takes us to Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Downtown Greensboro. We're not sure when Holy Trinity was constructed; however, the Episcopal Church came into being after the American Revolution when America was breaking away from England. Its constitution was established in 1789.

In the above photo, the metal gate is a piece of sculpture by Greensboro's very talented Jim Gallucci. According to the plaque to the right, it was given to the glory of God in loving memory of: Mary Lee Copeland, Tullross Fleming, Katie Fleming, Margaret Welch Lambeth, Mary Adair Phifer, Edward William Phifer,Jr.,  Lucille Woolfolk Wells, and Henry Herbert Wells, Jr. For the brief moment that we were photographing Gallucci's gate, the sun's rays began glowing in all their glory.

We try to feature something spiritual and worthy of reflection each Sunday. Holy Trinity's labyrinth was featured previously as one of our Sunday selections. Wherever you live or whatever you believe, may these warm rays of light shine when you need them most.

Moye's Barber Shop

Saturday is the day to do ordinary things, wash your car, get a haircut, go to the grocery store. Here we are in front of Moye's BARBER SHOP on MLK Drive in the Asheboro Community. Stand-alone barber shops remind us of old-time, Mayberry days and Andy Griffith ways. They are getting harder and harder to come by. Notice that every vehicle in the parking lot is a truck. The iconic barber shop is a place for guys to go and get their look refreshed as well as catch up on neighborhood news. Likely the man who owns the red truck is as particular about his own appearance as he is about the way his truck shines from top to bottom!

What kind of ordinary things are on your 'to do' list today?  We're planning on taking some photos and getting a jump start on next week's posts. Happy Saturday and Happy Weekend Reflections.

Green Hill Center for North Carolina Art

Green Hill Center for North Carolina Art is located in the Cultural Arts Center on Davie Street. Since 1974, they have been showcasing great art in the Triad. Approximately 175 North Carolina artists a year either show their art, share their knowledge through workshops and events, or sell artwork through Green Hill. The center also has an extensive community outreach program and an interactive gallery for children, ArtQuest.  Currently, they are featuring an exhibit of four artists, entitled, Word Maps. If you are looking for something to do, head on over and immerse yourself in art*

In the above photo, the double doors on the right lead to the gallery, the art in the front is available for purchase in the gift shop. The table and chairs in the foreground are for the public to come and relax and are also used during special events. The man on the left is trying to get a couple of minutes of alone time while his children were at a birthday party held at ArtQuest. Fun was had by all and visual stimulation was everywhere.

*For hours of operation, directions, and other details, access Green Hill's website here.

Taylor Art Gallery at NC A&T, The Student Show

In the above photo: Twas the night before February 1st at the Taylor Art Gallery at Dudley University Galleries on the campus of NC A&T University. Students and staff alike were working diligently to have the Annual Student Art Exhibition ready for viewing the following day. February 1st is an extremely important day on the NC A&T campus.  Yesterday, the three living members of the Greensboro Four* and the son of David Richmond** were on campus for a breakfast and presentation. University students, faculty and staff; public school students; and community members alike had an opportunity to be part of this great event. Given all of the visitors and media attention regarding the remembering of the NC A&T community's contributions to the Civil Rights Movement, it was a day for the campus to look its very best.

Hopefully, visitors on campus, not only yesterday but for the duration of the visit, will have a chance to stop by Taylor Art Gallery.  The student artists put considerable effort into their pieces. Visual art is a window into the mind of an artist; and time will tell, out of this generation, who will become the heroes and what will be the artifacts to be revered in future decades.

*Jibreel Khazan [formerly Ezell Blair, Jr.], Franklin McCain, and Joseph McNeil

**Mr. Richmond died of cancer in 1990.

C is for Civil Rights... February 1st

Today is February 1st, the start of African American History Month. Greensboro is has much to celebrate with respect to civil rights. First, we have the International Civil Rights Museum on Elm Street. We have two historically black institutions of higher education. One of our crowning contributions to the civil rights movement in the 1960's was the Greensboro Sit-ins, which took place at the lunch counter at Woolworth's Department Store, downtown on Elm Street. Fifty-two years today, four freshmen at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical College in Greensboro sat down and asked for a cup of coffee at the lunch counter at the Woolworth's Department Store. These four African-American college students, featured above in this order-- David Richmond, Franklin McCain, Ezell Blair, Jr., and Joseph McNeal-- refused to leave the "whites-only" lunch counter. Their peaceful, but tenacious, actions helped spark a movement that spread to other southern cities (read more here).

We feature this statue/monument at least once a year; however, one needs only to step foot on the NCA&T campus and look at this statue to realize the importance of the actions of these men.  From this vantage point, the four figures are imposing and make us realize just how small we are in comparison to their contribution of making the United States a more just and civil place. 

Today is ABC Wednesday and our cause for this round is civil rights. "C" is for CIVIL RIGHTS.

Pam Chappell, Artist

Greensboro artist Pam Chappell, originally from Florida, has been living in North Carolina for over 35 years. She is a third generation artist who only began painting about five years ago. Her love for animals has fueled her passion for painting. Being surrounded by art her whole life must have made becoming an artist a little easier. Chappell works in her Walker Avenue studio with her cockatiels and long-haired dachsunds close by to inspire her. She loves painting animals, still life scenes, and portraits. Chappell has taken lessons from Connie Winters, Connie Logan and Karine Thoresen. Over the years, she has developed her own style and has recently started giving lessons. She and her husband John King, who is a professional photographer, find inspiration for their art during their world travels.

If you notice her name on next fall's Art Stock tour of in-home galleries, be sure to stop by. You will enjoy her art, snacks, and conversation in a beautiful setting. Marvelous landscaping surrounds her studio and creates a backyard oasis of beauty in Lindley Park. Pam Chappell is one of the many great residents of Greensboro we have had the pleasure to meet through Greensboro Daily Photo.