Greensboro Daily Photo

Bobby Goffredo, Graffiti Artist

Bobby Goffredo is a graffiti artist from Staten Island, New York. He has been in the Jamestown/High Point area for five years. Yesterday, we saw him painting murals at Dino's Audio Video at 3116 Battleground Avenue. Bobby has been at it a few weeks, with more to go. Bobby has been painting graffiti for years,  remembering fondly riding into New York City, as a child with his dad, and being fascinated by all of the graffiti. He developed his graffiti skills in New York back when the work was not appreciated  as an art form in the same way it is today.

Bobby is a cancer survivor whose cancer is attributed to being a first responder at the Twin Towers on 911. As inspiration to himself and others, on the other side of Dino's, he has plans to paint a cancer ribbon and writing the encouraging message, "Nobody Fights Alone."  He also paints his fingernails the color the cancer awareness ribbon for a given month (see colors HERE). We hope Bobby feels at home in the Greensboro area. Maybe Bobby could teach a graffiti class at Hirsch Wellness Center, a place dedicated to bringing  art to cancer survivors and their families. In the meantime, we'll keep our eye on the building across from Balance Day Spa on Battleground Avenue as it transforms into a bright pop of color; not only advertising Dino's business, but also reminding us to live every day to the fullest.

Happy Friday!

Tabata Chisse, Photographer

This past Friday night, Casa Azul held an opening night reception with an opportunity to see art and meet artists.  The theme of the exhibit was "Chronicles de Cocina: The Stories We Tell Through Latinx Food." The event was held at the African American Atelier in the Greensboro Cultural Arts Center on Davie Street. The above photo features photographer Tabata Chisse with the three photos she has in the exhibit. To the left of the photos are her proud parents. Tabata's photos are centered around the theme of corn, a staple of Mexican cuisine and culture.  Corn represents sustenance, fertility, and ancestral wisdom. In the Mayan and Aztec empires, it was used in ceremonies and seen as a sacred gift from the gods.

Through her photography, Tabata aspires to keep Mexican culture alive not only in herself, but also in others who are far from their homeland. Her photographs keep Mexican culture close. Also, to Tabata, photography is a way to express her feelings and emotions and has therapeutic aspects. In her artist's statement for the exhibit, she states she learned from a young age that love and food are one and the same.  In Mexico, she has been part of 10 different exhibits, and now, she is exhibiting in the USA. In addition to being a photographer, Tabata is a credentialed nurse and make-up artist. From what we've seen, she is one of those people who can do anything she sets her mind to. We look forward to following Tabata's career(s) in Greensboro.  We hope you can get to the Cultural Arts Center see the exhibit and that you have a chance to meet Tabata somewhere along the way. You can tell by her smile she is a warm and kind person.

Happy Labor Day!

Vida Pour Tea

Vida Pour Tea, located at 412 State Street, had a big birthday. This past weekend, they celebrated their 10th! Above is a photo of Sarah Chapman, the genius behind Vida Pour Tea and her artist in residence, Liz McKinnon. The photo was taken on celebration day and a quiet moment before all of the planned festivities began. Before opening the shop, Sarah started out learning about teas and mixing small batches for doulas, local businesses, and her growing following of tea drinkers. After carefully looking for a place to open a brick and mortar store, she decided on this 1940s stand-alone building on State Street. She took a chance on State Street when it was struggling to find an identity and to attract customers- in spite of being on the edge of Irving Park. Indeed, over the years, Sarah and her faithful staff have played a key role in helping with the revitalization of State Street.

Some customers come into Vida Pour Tea, knowing exactly what they want. For others, less experienced or decisive, Sarah and her staff lead them to the perfect choice.  If you want to learn more about Sarah's journey from Syracuse, New York, where she played ice hockey with the guys, to tea-mixologist in Greensboro, read this very nice article about her in Our State Magazine in 2018 ( HERE). We've been sold on this Greensboro treasure since the beginning. See our 2014 post HERE. And not to slight Liz, she has been painting walls, signs, having her art shows, and selling artwork at Vida Pour Tea since the beginning. It is easy to see how this dynamic duo has become best of friends. Liz is currently working on a calendar with a different tea maiden every month. Her watercolors are so earthy and organic, a perfect fit for the tea shop.* Stop in and see both for yourself- but not today. They are closed Sundays and Mondays.

Happy Monday!

*See a post about Liz, HERE.

Visual and Performing Arts at the Continental Club, Downtown

Last night was hopping at the Continental Club at 816 South Elm Street. Viva Le Vox with the Tremors, among a backdrop of  artwork by Jack Stone and Frank Russell.  The guest list read like a Who's Who is Greensboro artists.  We didn't even have a chance to interview anyone because artists were having deep, meaningful conversations with each other. Above, accomplished mixed-media artist Jerry Cartwright and Frank Russell are discussing Frank's mixed media pieces. The fish hanging from the ceiling are also Frank's artwork. You may recognize them from local restaurants over the last decade. The event was billed as a vernissage- the first usage of the word we've heard in Greensboro. Let's hope vernissages are trending in Greensboro. The back room of the Continental Club is perfect for these events, and Preston Wiles was the perfect host. The almost-solstice, very full moon was an added bonus.

Today, the arts will continue to thrive with the Summer Solstice event at the Greensboro Arboretum from 2:00 p.m.- 10:00 p.m.  We can't wait. See you there.

Happy Saturday!

Florayma Garcia and Kiosco Mexican Grill

Today's photo features Kiosco Mexican Grill at 3011 Spring Garden Street (established 2009 at the corner of Holden Road). The first thing you notice upon entering Kiosco is the mural painted by local artist Chip Holton. You may recognize the style from Chip's artwork at Lucky 32 and the O. Henry Hotel. The above scene is of Degollado, a small town in Jalisco, Mexico, the Kiosco owner's hometown. 

Upon arrival we were greeted like royalty by Florayma Garcia- above. We went to lunch with dear friend Alice Hill, a retired UNCG Spanish lecturer and Kiosco regular. Florayma greeted "Alicia" by name and we could tell by the enthusiastic exchange, they have become friends. Florayma knew all about the mural and the artist and pointed out Chip's other murals throughout the restaurant. Alice has been telling us about these murals for years. We are so happy to have finally seen them. Truly, Chip Holton is one of Greensboro's treasured artists. Also, the food at Kiosco is fabulous, and Florayma is a personable, exemplary employee. After meeting Florayma, we saw how,  you are a regular, she will learn your name and you can pick right up where you left off on the conversation from the last time you visited. Places, like Kiosco with good food and original art, make Greensboro a wonderful city to live in, but it is the people, like Florayma, Alice, and Chip who make Greensboro so special. 

Happy Summer Solstice!

Look Twice Clocks

This weekend, we were eating brunch at the bar at The Sage Mule at 608 Battleground Avenue, near Green Hill Cemetery when we spotted the above clock. Actually there was one of these clocks on each beam between the north bank of windows. The clocks were made by woodcarver David M. Hinshaw.  They are called Look Twice Clocks because the hour hand it on the top and the minute hand is on the bottom. Can you tell what time it is? 

The clock in the photo is made of spalted maple with walnut plugs. The plugs represent the hour. It is wonderful to eat at a local restaurant and see local art (available for sale) on the wall. Also, we love creativity of this woodworking project. We had never seen one before. Analog clocks are going the way of cursive writing; so it takes a special person to add yet another step to reading analog time: Split hands.  If you didn't figure it out, the current time on the above clock is 9:27.

Happy Monday!

LEAP Artists Imagine Outer Space at Green Hill

The Green Hill Center for North Carolina Art has dynamic exhibits that are displayed in the Greensboro Cultural Arts Center on Davie Street. Currently, they have an exciting exhibit featuring all things outer space. It is called LEAP: Artists Imagine Outer Space. There are space suits, as the artist imagines it. There are futuristic outposts, fictional persona, and works of art that inspire viewers to imagine our place in the universe.  This is a creative, interactive exhibit that will hold the attention of people of all ages. 

This exhibit will be installed until June 29th and on First Friday (June 7th) the exhibit will be open from 3:00 pm- 9:00 pm. It will be a great way to kick off summer fun.  During First Friday there will be participatory activities. The above photo is an example of the level of engagement and intergenerational fun possible at this exhibit.

Happy Thursday!

911 Sculpture Project

We've mentioned the 911 Sculpture Project by Jim Gallucci a couple of times now, so, we thought we'd feature it again. Located in the 500 block of South Elm Street, the sculpture was installed in downtown Greensboro in 1917, replacing the Martin Luther King bust which was relocated in Old Asheboro.

The base of the sculpture has a pentagon shape. Two steel beams from the World Trade Center hold the moveable gate together. The sculpture has fifty sheets of steel, replicating paper fluttering to the ground. In all, 16 tons of steel from the NYC building were used. Gallucci put so much thought into the construction of this work of art, we're convinced he would do the News & Record justice. He would work his magic with pieces of the rubble we've shown you over the past two days. To help you orient, also seen in the above photo is the Christman Company building at 408 South Elm Street.

Happy Wednesday!

First Friday, CVA, & Kimberly Terbush

It is First Friday in downtown Greensboro and May should be a good one. The weather will be warm and dry, and shops and galleries will be open. The above photo, from the March First Friday, features Kim Terbush who- among other things- is the gallery coordinator for the Center for Visual Artists. The gallery, located at 200 North Davie Street, will have their annual 100 x 100 fundraiser. 100 artists pieces will be available and for purchase at $100. If all pieces are sold, that will be $10,000 for the gallery. Fingers crossed!

Kim come to CVA from the Weatherspoon Art Gallery in Greensboro. History, art, fundraising, coordinating loans and traveling exhibitions, consulting, lecturing, and providing workshops are a few of her many skills. A graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology, Greensboro is lucky to have here. She is already doing great things for CVA and we can't wait to see tonight's exhibit. Many of the artists will be on site and this is a great opportunity to interact with not only artists, but also patrons of the arts. You may want to consider joining CVA, for as little as $60 a year, you can be connected to a very special group. If you see Kim before we do, tell her she's up on GDP. 

Happy Friday!

Moroccan-American Artist Lalla Essaydi Visits Greensboro

Last night, Lalla Essaydi spoke as a Falk Visiting Artist at the Weatherspoon Art Gallery on the campus of UNC Greensboro. She is a Moroccan-American artist whose portraits of Moroccan women are laboriously crafted in a way that can take up to two years to stage. She fills the walls and clothing of the scenes with Arabic calligraphy and puts henna designs on women and their garments. The Arabic writing tells the stories of the models and the artist as they sit together preparing to stage the photo. The stories are not meant to be read by the viewers, but instead are part of the experience created by the artist for her models. They are written in a way that the viewer cannot read; so in essence the stories are hidden in plain view. Ms Essaydi addresses very complicated topics like male gaze, Orientalism, and western perceptions of Muslim and Arabic women. Essaydi's models are very aware of gaze and they look back!

Ms. Essaydi combines the everyday with the elegant. In one series of clothing, she designed "cloth" out of parts of bullet casings. In her latest project, she assembled beer caps, creating beautiful clothing with an elegant traditional design. Not only do the clothing pieces take two years to make, some weigh more than 200 pounds.  The Weatherspoon has modern and contemporary artwork  that represents the diversity in society today. They also work hard to engage community members from all walks of life. Greensboro is lucky to have the Weatherspoon Art Museum, a space that makes possible memorable presentations like the evening with Lalla Essaydi.

Happy Friday!

Annie Klick Pottery

The Mud Buddies Pottery Show was held at Bur-Mil at the Park Event Center this past Sunday. The place was filled with fabulous pottery of over 20 local potters. There were artists there with all levels of expertise from full-time, professional artists,  pottery teachers, and students selling their wares. Featured above in Annie Klick, who organized the show. She is holding one of her mugs, one that was wood fired. The weather was perfect and people were eager to get out and enjoy the warm weather. There were lots of Easter-themed items as well as items that would look great  in Greensboro homes, mountain retreats, and beach houses. We bought a couple of gifts (including the mug in Annie's hand).  She had some great berry bowls.

If you missed the March event, there will be other opportunities, including the fall show of the Mud-buddies. You can find Annie on Facebook and Instagram. We have so many talented potters in Greensboro. Remember to buy local.

Happy Tuesday!

Black History Month Sunset

Closing out Black History Month, with an extra day this leap year, we find ourselves on the stairs of the Historic Dudley Memorial Building. It was originally the administration building on the campus of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical University (NC A&T). It was built in 1930, making it close to 100 years old. It is a beautiful brick building that now houses the University Galleries. The architectural style of the building is Neoclassical Revival; you can see the columns peeking on the outer edge of the photo. While the building isn't visible here, what is in view is the back of the 2001  Barnhill monument, February One ( also known as The A&T Four Monument). The four men here are remembered for their contributions to the Civil Rights Movement and the Sit-Ins. On February 1, 1960, they walked from campus to take their place at the Woolworth lunch counter to the west of campus.

While the sun is setting in the photo, the shadows are long, and Black History Month is coming to a close, let us hope the journey towards a just and fair world will continue. 

Happy Leap Day!

A Boy and His Dog

When we were out exploring northeast Greensboro this weekend, we stopped by The Lusk Center, Caregiving Education Center. Located at 2501 Summit Avenue, the center is a palliative and hospice care collective. They specialize for tailoring care plans to meet the needs of their clients. End of life care is never easy, but it helps to have people listening to patients and caregivers. In front of the building is the sweetest statue. The Boy and His Dog, donated by Joseph M. Bryan, Jr., was created by Lloyd Le Blanc and Judith Holmes Dreary. This husband and wife duo have created many sculptures together. There is something bittersweet about the boy walking towards hospice and palliative care with the little doggie walking faithfully behind. The sculptors really captured mood and emotion. It reminds us of the statue of O. Henry's dog "Pete" downtown, across from Tanger Center. If you are on North summit, stop by and have a look at the statue.

Justice Henry Frye and Shirley Frye Statue in Center City

This past Tuesday, February 20th, a statue was unveiled in Center City Park in honor of Justice Henry E. Frye and Shirley T. Frye. This inspiring Greensboro couple attended the event with their family, Governor Roy Cooper, Mayor Nancy Vaughn, and other prominent Greensboro citizens. It is so appropriate that both appear on the statue together as they are a team, united in their efforts to serve community and to live meaningful lives. Henry Frye has achieved many firsts in his life, Among them, he was the first African-American chief justice in North Carolina; the first elected to the North Carolina General Assembly; and the first to graduate from the UNC School of Law.  Both graduated from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University in 1953. He and Mrs. Frye have both been involved in a number of civic causes throughout their lives.

The statue was funded by the Bryan Foundation and created by artist/sculptor Maria Kirby Smith. We were told she had the Fryes model several outfits before their settling on the ones in the sculpture above. On Mrs. Frye's left shoulder is a butterfly pin, adding a touch of her personal flair to the piece. We learned that Chief Justice Frye has his own personal style. He can articulately summarize a meeting and do so in rhyme. While we were admiring the statue, the above, unidentified couple came to see it. We love the way their holding hands echoes the Fryes' gesture. Truly, the Fryes are a team.

Happy Saturday!

Window Displays on Elm Street

Do you love to window shop? Some cities are knows for window displays, especially NYC. Downtown Greensboro, on Elm Street, some stores consistently have inspiring window displays Oscar Oglethorpe Optometry (OOO), on 226 South Elm Street, is one such place.The above photo features their current window display. The eyes play with the theme of what happens inside the store. The hearts are a nod to Valentine's Day. The pops of pink brighten up an otherwise gray winter day. The multi- talented Rafa, an Oscar Oglethorpe employee, designed the window.

Oscar Oglethorpe is located in the Ellis Stone building, which was constructed in 1949. It was a locally-owned department store back when downtown department stores were all the rage across America. Its style is modernist and it was put on the National Register of Historic Places in 2004. This building is a fine example of downtown Greensboro's efforts to maintain the integrity of the look of Elm Street of yesteryear, while updating interiors to keep stores relevant to the expectations of shoppers. When the lighting is right, this OOO building makes a backdrop for a photo shoot. The above pair just happened to walk into view as we were photographing the facade. Head downtown and have a look for yourself.

Happy Saturday!

Lalla Essaydi Photography at Weatherspoon

Lalla Essaydi will be a Falk Visiting Artist this spring at the Weatherspoon Art Gallery on the UNCG campus. Currently, her photos are on display and she will speak on Thursday April 4th from 4:30-5:30 pm. Ms. Essaydi grew up in Morocco and has an international backgroun,  having lived in Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, and now, the United States. Her art is presented through multiple lenses, that of a Moroccan, a liberal, a Muslim woman, and a traditionalist. Currently, her work on display at the Weatherspoon. It addresses past and present perspectives, especially related to the interpretations of  Moroccan women in art. One example is Orientalism, the fantasized images of the people and places of North Africa and the Middle East. The more you look at her photos, the more you notice. The figures are covered with Arabic calligraphy, reminiscent of the writing you see on the walls of mosques. 

The Weatherspoon is located at 500 Tate Street on the southeastern end of UNCG's campus. Entry is free and there is parking in back. This museum is a local treasure and a fun way to spend an afternoon. The Weatherspoon brings the world to Greensboro in a way that makes one want to travel and learn more. We are looking forward to Ms. Essaydi's presentation in April.

Happy Thursday!

Eclectic by Nature

Today's photo features a mural on the back of the Eclectic by Nature shop. The business is located in a stand-alone house on State Street, right beside Vida-Pour-Tea. Owned by Pavane Taylor, it is a shop that specializes in spirituality products. The mural in the above photo sets the tone for the kinds of items you will see when entering the shop. There are prayer flags in the background; the sun, moon, a candle, crystals, and nature in the foreground. For many, these are alternative religions, very different from the God and Christ based religions. However, there are many different types of spirituality present int eh Greensboro community. For those seeking spirituality more related to the elements and nature, this is one of the few go-to places in the area. They should be open today from 11:00 am- 6:00 pm.

Here is a photo we took of the front of the building nine years ago, back in March 2015 when we had snow in Greensboro. The building is so nicely curated inside and out.

Happy Sunday!

Receiver

If you are looking for something meaningful to do on a winter day, we'd suggest you visit the Weatherspoon Art Museum on the southeast corner of the UNCG campus, at the corner of Spring Garden Street and Tate Street. The above photo is of the rear entrance, near the dedicated parking area for museum visitors. The painted bronze sculpture in the center of the photo is "Receiver."  It has been placed in the courtyard and Urban Francis has been moved to the second floor. The artist of this sculpture is Huma Bhabha, who was born in Pakistan, but now lives in New York State. She is known for ambiguity in her art and based on the description of the piece, the title could refer to the receiver-like headphones in the figure's ears, it could refer to the figure itself- as in a being who receives others and who receives communication- or likely both.

According to The Center for New North Carolinians, there are approximately 1,000 Pakistanis living in Guilford County (reference), and many live around Allen J Elementary School in High Point. Allen J offers a dual-language immersion program in Urdu, a language of Pakistan. The program has gained national attention (reference).  The Weatherspoon Art Museum is mindful of the growing diversity in the population of Greensboro, Guilford County, North Carolina and the United States. Their acquisitions and exhibits reflect this growing diversity. The Bhabha sculpture is one of many examples.  If you get a chance, stop by and see this sculpture, and also the exhibits. If you like photography, you will really enjoy the current exhibits. See information about exhibits and hours here.

Happy Midweek! 

Common Grounds Downtown

Downtown Common Grounds at 631 South Elm Street will celebrate its one year anniversary within the month. Since opening last February, they have opened their outdoor seating space and installed this metal owl sculpture. It was made specifically for the coffee shop. If you look closely, you can see the letters COMMON GROUNDS are attached to the metal arch at the front. We wish we knew who the artist is, but didn't seem a name posted anywhere. If you know, please let us know. We should have gone in and asked when we were downtown, on our urban walk, snapping photos this week.

Downtown Common Grounds has started featuring a lot of live music. It is one of many coffee shops to open downtown over the last few years and it makes a great place to work on work, read, or socialize. Their specialty drinks are named after famous actors. Who could resist a Marilyn Monroe or a Marlon Brando? Today would be a great day to head to downtown Greensboro and visit any of the coffee (or retail) shops.  Remember, the free hop-on trolley is still running. You can traverse Elm Street in no timw

Happy Saturday!

Remembering O. Henry & Gift of the Magi

Today is the winter solstice, the day the North Pole reaches its maximum tilt away from the sun. Today, sunrise is at 7:26 am and sunset is at 5:08 pm. In these times of extended darkness, reading is a great way to spend the evening. Let us remember that the writer O. Henry (William Sydney Porter)  was from Greensboro. There is a complex of three statues dedicated to the artist at the corner of Bellemeade and North Elm Street, right across from Tanger Center. It is a lovely place to visit. The above photo is of the open book sculpture. There is also a sculpture of O.Henry himself and a statue of his small dog. The book is 7' by 14'. It is open to the opening page of the short story, "The Gift of the Magi".

In "The Gift of the Magi," a young couple by gifts for each other by selling their greatest treasure. It reminds us, during the Christmas season, that love is more valuable than worldly possessions. The writing on the bottom left panel reads, " "Dell" said he, "let's put our Christmas presents away and keep 'em a while They're too nice to use just at present. I sold the watch to get the money to buy your combs. And now suppose you put the chops on."  What sacrifices have we made for each other this December? We can do great things without even needing to spend money. Let's all check out a copy of O.Henry short stories from the library, snuggle up, and have a good read.

Happy Thursday!

The Kindness of Strangers

The above photo features the cast glass sculpture, Kindness, by Ben Greene-Colonnese. It is perfect for the dark days of winter, serendipitously placed in the window with the "Self-Help" building in the background. In his artist statement, Ben says "he has spent the last 10-plus years [rock] climbing, studying and creating artwork inspired by the southern Appalachian Mountains.

Seeing this sculpture at Green Hill Gallery on Davie Street reminded us that the theme of the O.Henry Magazine essay contest this year is "The Kindness of Strangers." You can be the person who did a kind deed or who had a stranger be kind to you.* There is a 1,000 word limit and the deadline is 12/24 and submitted to [email protected]. Even if your essay isn't selected as the one of three winners, you will have done a kind deed to have shared a great moment in your life. Feel good stories have a way of lifting moods. We love the above sculpture and you can see it (and even purchase it) between now and February 17, 2004. If you have a window where the sunlight can travel through the glass, you will be mesmerized by the way this sculpture changes with the weather.

Let us know if you win the O. Henry Essay Contest, or, if you become the lucky owner of the Green-Colonnese piece. We'll be on the lookout.

Happy Tuesday!

 

*Scroll down on the page, HERE, to read more.

Patsy Paints

Today's photo features Patsy Bohlen who offered her paintings for sale at the holiday market this past Sunday at the Greensboro Farmers Curb Market on Yanceyville. Patsy, or Señora Bohlen as her students called her, retired from teaching second grade at Jones Elementary School. Patsy taught in the Spanish immersion program with special expertise in science. Perhaps that is the reason she loves painting plants and animals.  While already a talented painting, Patsy still takes lessons from Carol Coates at Revolution Mill. If you are interested in purchasing a painting or lovely cards, made from her artwork, contact her at [email protected] If you are still looking for gifts for family and friends, please remember our local artists.

 Thank you Sra. Bohlen for your years of service to the Guilford County Schools. Here's to success in your second career!

Happy Tuesday!

Happy Thanksgiving 2023

Happy Thanksgiving! Today, we're featuring the "Helping Hands" sculpture by Gary Lee Price, in front of the Cone Health Cancer Center on Friendly Avenue. The sculpture was installed in recognition of volunteerism by the Wesley Long Hospital Auxiliary. For Thanksgiving, celebrated by so many, let us not forget those who are at work today, caring for our loved ones or seeing that needed services are available. Those of us who are off, let us be thankful.

As we enter the holiday season between Thanksgiving and Christmas, may we all remember to help each other. If you are able, please volunteer, either formally for an organization or informally for a friend or neighbor. If you need help, may someone be there with helping hands. Often, something as simple as a phone call, letter, or card makes all the difference. In Greensboro, Jewish volunteers fill in for Christian employees at the hospital on Christmas. This is such a lovely gesture. Today, we are thankful for those who give the gift of time. The sculpture also reminds us of the importance of touch. Here's to all of us touching the lives of others, in any way we can.

Happy Thanksgiving! We are grateful for you!

Southeast High School Art and the PTSA

Yesterday, we had the opportunity to visit Southeast High School. We were struck by the friendliness of all the teachers and staff. Additionally, the Parent-Teacher-Student Association provided a chili lunch for teachers and staff. Options ranged from traditional to turkey based to white chili. The white chili options were consumed first. Yesterday and today in Guilford County Schools are teacher workdays. While workdays can be a challenge for families without childcare, these days are much needed for teachers to get paperwork done and prepare lessons for the remainder of the semester. On site, we were impressed with all of the art in the school. The above piece is located on an interior courtyard, located just outside the art classroom. The globe in hand sends the message that, with hard work and a commitment to learning,  students have access to the world.

Schools are closed today to give people an opportunity to attend the North Carolina A&T University Homecoming.*  If you want to be part of the fun, head downtown or to campus. Crowds are predicted to be large. Remember alum and current students, make good choices. You've got the whole world in your hand. Thinking of PTSA, it would be interesting to know how many parents, teachers, and students in the Guilford County Schools will  attend the NC A &T State University homecoming.We're betting a LOT!

Happy Friday, everyone!

 

* See here for more information about what is billed as "The Greatest Homecoming on Earth."

The Arc of Greensboro and High Point

The Arc of Greensboro began in 1953, and in High Point in 1957. It is a grassroots organization started by the parents of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities.A large part of the early years of the organization was dedicated to advocacy and educating the community at large about the potential of this special population. It is incorporated as a 501 (c) (3) that gets grants  from many organizations; however, they also have fundraisers.

This evening, The Arc of High Point will have their annual art auction. It is a silent auction of art painted by program participants throughout the year. You can attend in person at The Art Gallery at Congdon Yards (400 West English Road, Suite 151) from 6:00- 7:30 pm, or you can actually bid online. Get tickets HERE. The above photo features three pieces of art on the wall of The Arc School and it is very likely these pieces will be for sale tonight. Hats off to their art teacher, Liz McKinnon, who determines the theme for the evening and help students hone their art skills all year long. Liz has a way of bringing the inner artist out of her students. From Greensboro to High Point and all the corners of Guilford County, events like this have a way of bring people together. They remind us that all people who live here are part of our village. The theme this year is Art Eternal.

Happy Wednesday!

Keep It Local 2023

 

 

It may seem like we feature art a lot on GDP. Greensboro does have a lot of artists and it is such a fabulous way to keep our dollars local. You can buy original art, and develop a personal connection with the artist, for sometimes even less than the price of mass produced art. On fall weekends, Greensboro is brimming with activities. One event we love to visit is Leanne Pizio's "Keep It Local" Art Show in Oak Ridge right on Highway 150, just east of Oak Ridge Military Academy- 2409 Oak Ridge Road. It is happening tomorrow from 10am-3pm. Usually there is someone in costume out parking cars and Leanne' brightly painted truck. You can't miss it! The show will start at 10 am and end at 3pm. This is the 25th anniversary of this art show and at least 25 artists will be there selling. There is so much to see at this family friendly event where you can purchase your Christmas items early. The above photo is of Leanne at her last show, walking around visiting and checking on vendors. 

Also tomorrow, State Street will have a multi-vendor event that will begin at 12noon and end at 12 midnight. While shops will be closed in the evening, Bull City Ciderworks will be going strong until midnight and even rolling out a special cider for the event. The "Falling Together" Art Show will run from 1-4pm at 404 Sherrill Street. Wherever you decide to spend the day, we hope it is a great one. See you all tomorrow!

Happy Friday!

Meet Joann, Annette, Nancy, and Sara from Artstock 2023

ArtStock 2023 was fabulous. The creativity of the artists was impressive. Fifty-seven artists participated; some were in their own, in-home studios. Other banded together in more public spaces. Such was the case with the above quartet. They were set up in the Cultural Arts Center on Davie Street. Featured from left to right: Joann Rich, collage artist; Anette Speaks, jewelry artist; Nancy Seay, watercolorist and photographer; and Sara Cogswell, art and fibre jeweler. All four women have lead active lives and bring so much passion and lived experiences to their artwork.

Joann lived in Barcelona, a city bursting with color and the unique architecture of Antoni Gaudi. You see that love of color and the beauty of Barcelona in her mixed media collages. Annette paints an array of diverse people, from many different cultures on organic materials like, cherry pits and pistachio shells. She also makes paper mache by pulverizing junk mail and painting over the dried pieces. We have seen her necklaces, like the one she is holding in her hand, with nearly 200 different faces (she paints the front and back). Nancy is a landscape architect and master gardener, in addition to being a visual artist. She gets her watercolors printed onto scarves, and they turn heads when you wear them. Sara began as a fibre artist and now uses fibers, literally small threads, and weaves them together to make beautiful earrings and necklaces. Much of her aesthetic comes from having lived in Japan. She works at the Cultural Arts Center. You should try to find her to admire her art. These four were perfectly paired together at Art Stock yesterday. Some of their work is available, year round,  at the gift shop beside Art Quest.

This post gives you a tiny idea of what you can experience at Art Stock. Thank you, ladies, for sharing your talent and joy with us yesterday afternoon.

Happy Monday!

Saturday Night: Trash Bash Competition

On Saturday night, Reconsidered Goods held a Trash Bash Sculpture competition at the Greensboro Project Space at 111 East Washington Place. It was like Greensboro's own Project Runway style competition event. Twenty five people signed up to participate at Reconsidered Goods and were randomly assigned to one of 5 teams. Five people who had never met before, some not even artists, came together and had 70 minutes to assemble items from giant tubs of repurposed materials brought from Reconsidered Goods. Teams quickly came together and produced very creative works of art. Community members milled around, observing the event in process. Snacks were provided. Master makers walked around and drilled things to the wall as requested.

The exhibition will be on display at 111 East Washington Place until October 17th. The final pieces are fascinating. The one photographed above, Team 2, happened to be the grand prize winner. The winning team also used their "mystery box" of junk, earning bonus points. In true Reconsidered Goods fashion, their grand prize trophy was fashioned from materials harvested from Reconsidered Goods. A baby doll head was at the top of their trophy, as well as all of the consolation trophies. Team 5 created a giant Medusa head. It was fantastic, too. To be sure, they were all unique. This is such a good example of community building, turning trash to treasure, and nurturing creativity. Donate to Reconsidered Goods and you will be doing your share to make great events happen.

Happy Tuesday!

Jaguars of East Greensboro

We love going for Sunday drives around Greensboro and this beauty, a Jaguar XK, is what we found in East Greensboro near Bennett College. The rainbow, holographic chrome wrap is definitely a show stopper. There is a Jaguar dealership in Greensboro at 1205 Bradford Parkway; however, the above vehicle has a temporary tag, registered in South Carolina. There was also another vehicle with a purple, holographic vehicle wrap in front of this one. These wraps are designed out of adhesive polyester.

Several companies in Greensboro offer the wrapping service and the wrapping of a luxury car like this can cost well into the thousands. It must be a fascinating process to watch and probably requires a lot of skill. To be sure, this is not a car that goes unnoticed, whether it is parked on a quiet, city street or causing up and down Elm Street on a Saturday night! We're on the lookout for it, now that we've seen it!

Happy Wednesday!

Clay Thornton, Executive Director, Hirsch Wellness Center

Clay Thornton recently joined Hirsch Wellness Center as executive director, but he has worked in creative services for the last 35 years. He has a BA in fine arts and graphics with a minor in ceramics from UNC Chapel Hill. Above, he is photographed in front of some of the art currently being auctioned as a fundraiser for Hirsch Wellness.  See HERE.  for over 200 works of art to view and bid on. The bidding will culminate on Friday evening at 8:00 pm, after a gala evening with entertainment and fun to be had by all. All members of the community are invited to purchase a ticket for the gala ($50). 

All proceeds from the event help maintain the Healing Arts programming and classes at no cost to cancer patients. Hirsch Wellness serves not only people in treatment, but also survivors, caregivers, and medical staff. They offer at 35+ experiences a month (from yoga to painting classes) and serve approximately 300 people. If you want to see the artwork this week, you can stop by Gallery 1250 at Revolution Mill off of Yanceyville Street. The gallery is open from 3:00- 6:00 pm, which is how we met Clay. He was so personable, answered all of our questions, and gave us an impromptu tour. He will also be at the 15th annual gala this Friday as will Founder Louise Grape, who is a survivor of breast cancer twice.  Louise knows firsthand the importance of self-care and emotional support during and after cancer. Hirsch Wellness has been helping others on this journey since 2008.  There is so much wonderful art, all donated by accomplished artists in the community.

National College Colors Day

Tomorrow is National College Colors Day; so, search your closet for clothing to represent your favorite institution of higher education. The University of North Carolina at Greensboro has been publicizing the event widely and is hoping everyone will wear blue and gold tomorrow.  The men's soccer team hosts Louisville at 7:00 pm and faculty and staff who arrive before 7:00 pm in school colors have a chance to win a raffle. T-shirts are being handed out on campus this week.

While the above photo is lacking in blue and gold, it does feature one of the newest sculptures on campus. This is the new woven bronze woman's tribute sculpture outside the Stone Building, at the back of the Elliot University Center. To help orient you, it is as if this sculpture is looking at Minerva. This sculpture is Astera and she symbolizes the "aspirations and spirits of all the women who passed through Woman's College's halls." * Bronze is a strong material; the open weave and opening on other side, partially stop the eye, but make it possible to see through it. Children, and probably college students, love to hop in and actually sit in the statue. The interior makes a beautiful backdrop for photos. So, don some blue and gold and go take a selfie with Astera, whose name means star, but also the Latin name for daisy, which is considered the UNCG flower.

The sculptor is Michael Stutz.  It reminds us that universities are dynamic places adding resources and making changes on an ongoing basis. 

Happy Thursday and the last day of August!

 

*reference and link HERE.

Woodworker Ken Collins

Some houses absolutely reflect the personalities of the owner. Such is the case of this artist at 832 Glenwood Avenue in the Glenwood neighborhood of Greensboro. Ken Collins has his "shingle" displayed at his driveway announcing that he is a woodworker. However, Ken is so much more.  As you can see from the art around the yard, Ken is quite the metalworker and upcycler, too. It is hard to see in the photo, but the metal fan blade flowers have glass telephone insulators as their centers.

Ken's studio is behind his house and it seems every few years when we drive by the artwork has changed. Also, we have seen his work available at ReAligned Antique Store at 115 East Lewis Street, downtown. We don't really know him personally, but years ago, Ken repaired and rewired a lamp for us and did a fabulous job. It is so meaningful to meet local, creative people. We actually featured him in person eight years ago, and hope to have a chance to see more of his artwork.

If you look at your home, what does it say about your? We're always on the lookout for great people and places to feature. Let us know.

Happy Thursday (the new Friday)!

Native American Art Gallery and Resources in Guilford County

The Native American Art Gallery in the Cultural Arts Center on Davie Street is filled with some lovely arts and crafts, as seen in the above photo. It has been open since 1990. They both exhibit and sell Native American art.  They also have annual exhibitions and multi-disciplinary arts and education programs. It is a 501 (c) 3 agency and do a lot to support the local Native American community.

Also, mark your calendars as The Guilford Native American Association will host their 46th Annual Pow Wow September 15-17. At the Pow Wow, you can see many intricately handcrafted items in use. For example a jingle dress usually has 365 jingles on it, one for every day of the year. You may see people wearing their best moccasins.  Did you know that the Guilford County Schools has an American Indian Education Program? They help Native American students achieve academically and provide opportunities for students to engage in cultural activities facilitated by Native community members.  There is a lot of overlap in participation between these groups, creating a way for the Native community members to stay connected to the past and in the present.

Happy Wednesday!

Crosswalk Tamra Hunt

Recently, we ran across this crosswalk in the Glenwood neighborhood of Greensboro. It is located on Neal Street at the intersection with Haywood, very near Gate City Boulevard. To help you orient to the location, in the upper right hand corner of the photo you can see the UNCG's Kaplan Recreation Center. The artist is Tamra Hunt, who is a Greensboro based artist and member of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina. This crosswalk is part of Creative Greensboro's Neighborhood Art Program. Hunt has spearheaded performance and visual arts programs in the Glenwood neighborhood, helping people learn about indigenous people in the community. 

If. you are interested, read the City of Greensboro's page (HERE)  where Tamra shares the meaning of each piece of the above artwork. If you drive to Glenwood to see this artwork, also drive by the Lonnie Revels Greenway (see HERE) another place of recognition of a member of the Lumbee Tribe.

Jim Gallucci's Millennium Gate Close Up

Jim Gallucci's Millennium Gate, located in the 200 block of South Greene Street,  was dedicated on December 30, 2000. When we featured the 20' tall gate on Greensboro Daily Photo in 2016 (see HERE), we featured the whole gate. Earlier in the summer, we spent quite a bit of time at Governmental Plaza, especially focusing on the individual components of the gate. Seventeen artists were involved in creating the 105 icons on the gate and spanning 1,000 years of history. These icons were selected by the Greensboro Community.*

Because our public library system does so much for the Greensboro community, we honed in on the section of the gate showcasing the Greensboro Public Library. Look at that child reading a book and how the "cut out" parts of the book open up to reveal the world at the child's fingertips. And then there are the children at the bottom with doors opening for them. All of this opportunity is made possible thanks to a library card, and we are seeing it thanks to the artist who created it and Jim Gallucci who sculpted it out of galvanized steel and silicon bronze!

*Reference and see more details, here.

Thought Provoking Mural Beside the Children's Museum

 

This is a slice of the mural on the northern wall of the Brenner Children's Museum in downtown Greensboro. It is on the East Lindsay Street side, at the corner of Church Street. It was painted in 2010 by Kathleen Kennedy. If you haven't walked and admired the mural over the last 13 years, you owe it to yourself to do so. It evokes the word cloud poetry that was popular a couple of decades ago. We love the fact that the word "Greensboro" appears prominently. 

The plaque at the edge of the wall says, "This mural celebrates Guilford College's contribution to communities locally, nationally, and globally" from the Center for Principled Problem Solving Engage. Inspire. Learn. It is a really good wall for a photo shoot. It is a corner that doesn't get a lot of traffic. We were reacquainted with it a few weeks ago when we walked from the Greensboro Farmers Curb Market on Yanceyville to downtown Greensboro. Walking downtown in Greensboro is fun, early on a weekend morning when there aren't many cars out. That is also a great time to bike. It is amazing what you will notice, being out in public,  when not in a vehicle.

Happy Wednesday! Happy last day of May!

The Bear Witness Camera

Last Tuesday, April 18, 2023, people came out in droves for the dedication of the Holocaust sculpture in LeBauer Park. The focus is understandably on the four women and one child standing, waiting for their inevitable death courageously. However, just beyond the women is a bronze camera that represents the reason the women were immortalized together. A Nazi photographer was documenting, one photo at a time, the murder of a group of people hated for their religion. The above photo shows installation day with people interacting with "She Wouldn't Take Off Her Boots" through the lens of the Nazi photographer. The bronze camera is called "The Bear Witness Camera" and is placed there by the Manning Kaplan family "In honor of Congresswoman for leading the fight against antisemitism, racism, and injustice."

Notice all of the hands in this photo. The “photographer’s” left hand is visible through the camera lens. His right hand is holding the hand of another. The woman to the right is clinging to her mobility scooter with her hand. The dominant feature surrounding the camera is hands. Hands can be destructive and evil, as with the case of the Nazis, including the Nazi who would have been taking this photo.  Also, hands can do so much good.

We join hands to connect with each other;  we cook, eat, and create things with our hands; we support ourselves with with our hands; we pray with our hands; we welcome new life from the womb with our hands. Hands are such a window into our thoughts. The hands in this photo tell us that on this afternoon in April, the people of Greensboro were coming together, joining hands, to support people in pain and to hope to live in a world where we use our hands only for the best of deeds.

On a related topic- hands; the first place for writing in O. Henry Magazine is published in the current issue. The title is "What Are You Going To Do With Your Hands?" by McCabe Coolidge. Be prepared to shed a tear.

Happy Monday!

Peoples Print Workshop Exhibit at Weatherspoon Art Museum

The above photo is from an exhibit at Weatherspoon Art Gallery on the campus of University of North Carolina Greensboro. It is part of the exhibit of the People's Print Workshop, an tied to a movement related to the Mexican Revolution. They created prints, posters, and flyers to inform as many people as possible about the issues of the day. The above photo addresses the quality of life of farm workers from Mexico in the mid-20th century.  This linocut, by María Luisa Martín, is called "The Harvest, Harvesting in the fields. Something exciting about the exhibit of roughly 40 pieces is the result of two art history classes in 1922 curating the installation. This example of student engagement is aligned with the movement in education to give students experiences that are directly applicable to future careers.

If you want to see this exhibit, it will be installed until May 15th. Remember, the Weatherspoon is free and open to the public and there is parking in the rear of the building. It is now possible to order coffee from the coffee cart inside. No longer is it necessary to leave the museum to have robust discussions over a cup of Joe! Happy Thursday! The museum is open until 8pm on Thursday's. While the coffee  cart will be gone, there will be plenty of great art to enjoy.

Palm Sunday, Minerva, and Mercy Hill

Today is Palm Sunday; for Christians, the day Christ entered into Jerusalem. It is the first day of Holy Week. So why does the above photo feature the Minerva Statue on the campus * of UNCG? Well, last week, we were walking across campus and noticed the apples are back. As tradition has it, since Minerva is the goddess of wisdom, justice, law, and victory, college students leave an apple, with one bite out,  at her base to bring them luck during exams. However, curiously, we noticed someone was placing Easter eggs at the base, too. We had to investigate.

As it turns out, college students (a few, off on the right edge of the photo, you can see a couple of them) were placing the plastic eggs in highly visible places. Inside was a piece of candy and a note advertising a church service geared towards college students. a service and a late night party at Mercy Hill Church, the northwest campus at 5330 Edgefield Road.  Stuffed in with a wrapped piece of candy, the message read, "Join us as we celebrate Easter with other college students across the Triad! We would love to see you there." The students felt like the Easter egg hunt would be more effective than just having an informational table. Let's hope the effort worked for them and that the students who are looking for Christian fellowship found their way to Mercy Hill. Mercy Hill has 5 campuses in Guilford County and services all this week, including a "Walk through" experience on Good Friday. See their schedule of events for the week HERE. There will be something to do almost every day this week. We're wondering how the students hiding the eggs in plain sight became affiliated with Mercy Hill and whether or not new students attended this week. 

Have a great week, and, if you are looking for a spiritual connection, this is a good week to find it.

Happy Palm Sunday!

* watch this short Youtube video about the Minerva statue. See HERE for the story of the sculptor of the Minerva statue, James Barnhill. 

Oscar Oglethorpe and the Magical display!

Since we were in the 200 block of South Elm Street yesterday, we'll stay there today at 226 South Elm, admiring the window of Oscar Oglethorpe. This eyeglasses shop aways has fabulous windows. This one was staged by Tammy Tamster Pegram. The window has been stalled for the Month of March. In asking Tammy about it,  * we learned that she wanted a spring "flower power" decoration. Tammy tells us, she was thinking about "springing into new growth while embracing styles of past and having NEW retro Eyewear to SEE the world's beauty thru diversity." Tammy added that she wanted to "show the joy of vibrant colors in eyewear and elsewhere."  Finally, Tammy wanted to embrace, along the way, for Women's History Month. The pink and orange window sure appeals to us. 

Thank you Oscar Oglethorpe and Tammy Pegram for bring us a little joy in the heart of downtown!

 

* Learn more about Tammy, HERE.