Greensboro Daily Photo

Rast Mural on Mill Street

How lucky we were to be driving along Mill Street and notice a mural being installed! The graffiti street artist Julien Ripert, the artist known as Rast, is featured in the above photo. Julien hails from Paris, France, but is in Greensboro for three weeks to create this mural and another one at Red Cinema. He has been an artist for 15 years and is self-taught. His work can be found in France, Mexico City, Puerto Rico, Belgium, and more. If you look at his work on Instagram (@artisteRAST), you will notice that he is known for painting building-sized, murals, busts of people. Some of his murals include very powerful images of men, and women, mostly older. The texture of his work, and the items people are holding or the things surrounding them, really add a focal point to his work.

The above mural is only half way done. We'll have to return for a follow up photo because Julien will connect the mural to an electrical source and part of the mural will spin. We can't wait to see the movement, added dimension, and additional paint to this project. One of our favorite pieces of Julien's work is "Good Planet" Urgency, an acrylic mural of an older man with a gray beard and mustache,  holding a globe that actually spins (posted on Instagram on May 2, 2021). Drive by, behind Saffron on Mill Street, and have a look if you get a chance. If you see Julien, please give him a big Greensboro welcome. He speaks French, English, and Spanish- and maybe more!

Happy Wednesday!

A Legacy of Leadership

The Center for Creative Leadership, founded in 1970,  is a wealth of Greensboro history. First of all, it was started by the family that created Vicks VapoRub, the Richardsons. On the middle shelf on the right is a gold jar of the salve, the billionth, yes billionth, jar. This product was selling well, even during the Great Depression. If you see the monitor in the bottom center of the photo, there is a very informative presentation about the history of the Richardson family, the history of the Vicks VapoRub product, and how that ties into the founding of the Center for Creative Leadership (CCL).

Lunsford Richardson (1854- 1919) is the pharmacist who created a salve to relieve symptoms of a common cold. The menthol that went into the salve was a drug from Japan. Lunsford's son, Henry Smith Richardson Sr. (1885- 1972), worked in the family business. As a quote in the presentation explains, H. Smith Richardson "began researching what separates a successful organization from one that fails. He devoted his time to developing ways to identify, evaluate, train and advance future leaders, and established the Smith Richardson Foundation in 1935."  H. Smith Richardson Jr. (1920- 1999) continued the work of his father and grandfather. Smith Richardson Jr. "was instrumental in creating the Center for Creative Leadership, an institute that trains executives, military officers and politicians in business and government. Mr. Richardson was chairman of the center's board from 1972 until 1994.*

The CCL, a global leader in leadership training, is located right here, between Bur-Mil Park/Owl's Roost and Hamburg Mill Road on North Battleground (Highway 220). Just think, it all has its roots in the work of the pharmacist who created the Vicks products. In the short hour we were at CCL, it was fascinating to hear the conversations related to the Richardson families companies and products. One person, who seemed to be very knowledgeable, talked about a garden that they had growing plants that could be used for medicinal purposes. If it has not been done already, getting oral histories of people who have first-hand information about the Vicks factory and some of the stories that only people who worked at the factory would know. As for the CCL, they have many books about leadership and much of the work they are doing today.

 

*Reference and more information in New York Times article from 1999. See HERE.

 

 

Vicki Johnson- Artists of Greensboro

Vicki Johnson, born in Murphy, NC, has been living in Guilford County since first grade. She graduated from Grimsley High School, the FIRST year it was renamed from Greensboro Senior High School to Grimsley.* The above photo was taken this past weekend, at Irving Park Art & Frame at 2105 W. Cornwallis Drive, where Vicki has some of her art hanging in their current exhibit. Vicki also has paintings currently on display  at the exhibit at the Center for Creative Leadership (CCL). Several of her pieces sold at the opening reception on Friday. Since retiring from the Communications Department of the Greensboro Police Department, Vicki has been able to focus on her art full time. She has a studio at Sternberger Artist Center on Summit Avenue. Vicki studied Art & English at Western Carolina University and has had careers related to both areas of study. 

If you get a chance, go see Vicki's art at the Center for Creative Leadership (limited hours) or at Irving Park Art & Frame (during the work day). Also, her paintings are hanging at Wellspring in the Care Center side of the facility. Vicki uses color masterfully and has artwork available at all price points and in all sizes. Also, keep your eyes open. Next time you read about a show or open house at Sternberger, you will have a chance to see even more of her work. It is always nice to see artists living their dream. Greensboro is lucky to have places committed to supporting local artists. The CCL and Irving Park Art & Frame both have several shows a year featuring local artists.

By the way, Irving Park Art & Frame is for sale. If you bought this wonderful, local business, you, too could be part of featuring the artists of Greensboro.

Happy Monday!

 

* Interesting article about Grimsley's history HERE.

Evangel Fellowship Church of God

Yesterday, we went on an adventure, in search of a church we haven't yet featured on Greensboro Daily Photo. We found a church,  at the end of East Cone Boulevard, past McKnight Mill Road, past Sportsplex, almost at the point where Cone Boulevard intersects with White Elder Road. The church is Evangel Fellowship Church of God in Church (2207 East Cone Boulevard). Evangel Fellowship is on the north side of Cone, across the street from Guilford Preparatory Academy. The pastor is Otis Lockett, Jr. who,  on Saturday, August 20, will marry Andrea Shelby. Pastor  Lockett's parents were the founders of the church. His mother is still alive and actively involved in church leadership. Pastor Lockett, Senior passed.

The church is a giant church that offers so many services for members of all ages. There is a youth facility at the property and one wing appears to be an extension of Guilford Preparatory Academy. to give you the scope of this church, almost 8,000 people follow their Facebook page. If you are in Greensboro and interested in a dynamic and active Pentecostal Church, Evangel Church may be perfect for you. You can follow them on Facebook and see if the sermons resonate with you.

Happy Sunday!

Center Creative Leadership

Last night was the opening reception for an art exhibit at the Center for Creative Leadership (CCL) on 220 North near Owls Roost and Bur-Mil Park. Six artists have their work in a show, entitled, Unexpected Treasures (Kathy Brusnighan, Laura Clisset, Vicki Johnson, Susan Lange, Jean Smith, and Ashley Walters). The opening reception was very well attended with the parking lot full on a Friday night. There were nice snacks and the atmosphere was conducive to relaxing, admiring art, and even strolling the lovely grounds of the Center for Creative Leadership.

Founded in 1970, CCL is committed to advancing the understanding of leadership what it entails to be an effective leader.   When on the CCL campus, you can see the video and artifacts about the Richardson Family. The family's lucrative business began with Lunsford Richardson, American Pharmacist and founder of Vick Chemical Company. It would be H. Smith Richardson, Jr., who would turn the concept of leadership and training leaders into a business. Today CCL is a global enterprise with its roots and home base right here in Greensboro North Carolina. 

One of the big surprises was that during the opening reception, lovely piano playing could be heard throughout the building. The pianist was Lisa Sinclair, a CCL employee for 34 years. While you won't be treated to Linda's piano playing, it is possible to stop by and see the artwork, by appointment, until November 18th. 

Happy Saturday!

The People's Market in Glenwood

This photo was taken yesterday, early evening (about 7:00 pm) at the People's Market in Glenwood. The market is held every Thursday, at the corner of Glenwood Avenue and Florida Street in the Glenwood neighborhood. Glenwood is a neighborhood just south of Gate City Boulevard between Coliseum Boulevard and Freeman Mill Road. The Glenwood neighborhood dates back to the early 20th century and is said to be THE most diverse neighborhood in all of North Carolina. The neighborhood works hard to celebrate its diversity and to get people at all income levels interacting and supporting each other. The clouds were so beautiful and, if you were outside at night, you saw the glorious Sturgeon moon; full and bright!

The People's Market is every Thursday from 5:30- 8:00pm from April through October. You can get everything from vegan food to fresh produce to hand pressed juices to free items, and MORE! Walking through this market reminded us that on the weekends in Greensboro,  and there are many options for purchasing produce and other goods locally. Please challenge yourself to support local farmers, vendors, and artists. Unless they are swamped, most will take the time to chat and make a personal connection with you. Tomorrow, there will be music at the Greensboro Farmers Curb Market on Yanceyville (9:00- 11:30). Recipes for success will be there and offering free tastings. We hope to see you there tomorrow and at the Peoples Market next Thursday- and everywhere else in between.

Happy Friday!

Summer Sunset

The weather in Greensboro has been a little crazy, ranging from storm warnings, lightening storms, and days in the mid 90s! It looks like the 90s are behind us for at least the next week. But, today may be rainy.  The above photo was taken in northwest Greensboro; it is a sunset reflection off of a water feature on the Carlson Farms Golf Course. Sunsets always look better when reflected off of water. Also, if you notice the texture of the water, this is evidence that the wind was blowing. The water part of the above sunset looks like an impressionist painting. The sun sets at 8:14 pm tonight. Plus, it is a full moon, the Sturgeon Moon. The name, "sturgeon" is derived from the fact that the sturgeon are mostly caught this time of year, in the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain. It rises at 9:35 pm and is also nice to view over a body of water.

If we can get the rain to hold out, that moon should be beautiful. Do you have a "go to" viewing spot?

Happy Thursday!

Caribbean Flamingos at the Greensboro Science Center

Yes we have Caribbean flamingos in Greensboro. If you have been to the Greensboro Science Center lately, you have probably seen this exhibit. The Caribbean flamingo is native to not only the Caribbean, but also South America and the Galápagos Islands. These interesting creatures are approximately 5' tall and weigh between 4-9 pounds. They can live up to 50 years. They usually only lay one egg at a time and it takes close to 30 days to hatch. The birds can be hard to get them to the point where they warm up to their keeper. However, the ones at the science center  seem relatively settled in. It is fun to watch them eat and to interact with each other.

We hope you have been  safe during the recent storms, and, that you get a chance to visit the Greensboro Science Center soon! Have a great rest of your day!

Happy Wednesday!