Greensboro Daily Photo

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.

Gin Wall, Talented Felter at Greensboro Farmers Market

If you're at the Greensboro Farmers Market on Yanceyville Street today and you like all things felted, stop by and visit Gin.  Originally from Kansas, Gin Wall studied horticulture and zoo agriculture, putting her knowledge of plants and animals to good use in her career at the North Carolina Zoo. The felted plants and animals reflect her knowledge of flora and fauna; Gin probably doesn't even have to look at anything for a reference. On the day we visited, Gin was working on a custom order of a giant felted pea pod filled with big felted peas. She learned crafting from her mother and has turned felting and crocheting into a full-time gig, now that she's retired from the zoo. 

If you can't make it to the farmers market today, tomorrow is Curiosities of the Curb, an afternoon filled with artists who cater to people who like a little whimsy in their art. Also, there will be antiques and plenty of upcycled items at the event. We don't think Gin will be there though.  Stop by today to visit her booth and soak in all of the many shade of green so prevalent in spring.

Happy Saturday!

Percy Street Free Little Art Gallery (FLAG)

The Percy Street Free Little Art Gallery* is part of an initiative similar to the Little Free Library initiative.  The owner keeps it stocked with delightful pieces of art, and even sometimes jewelry. You are always free to take a piece or art. This gallery box is located to the Greensboro Curb Market on Yanceyville Street and we stop by for a look every time we go to the farmers market. We keep hoping to meet (and interview) the owners, but never see them out when driving by. We also want to honor their privacy and not go banging on their door at some early hour on a Saturday! The last time we were there, we picked up an ink drawing of a praying mantis. There were some rainbow earrings that were delightful, but we always limit ourselves to just one!

Here is a photo of the inside of the gallery from the day we visited in March 2022. We had a request by local artist, Bobby Craddock to feature the exterior of the box. We love requests and try to honor them, as time permits. Thanks to Bobby, we snapped this photo which, from this angle, really accentuates the little slice-of-pie shaped land that hosts the gallery. Bobby started a group 50+ Artists and Makers, and the members of that group will love to see this box. It would be wonderful to have more of them in the area. Whereas Greensboro Daily Photo inspires to keep showcasing and learning more about our community, a FLAG inspires you to make art every day! Stop by 717 Percy Street next time you are in the area and have a look for yourself. We didn't measure, but are guessing the box is 2' x 1'. 

Happy Friday! 

 

 

*Here is the home page to the Free Little Art Gallery, in case you want to start one or find one near you.

Dr Alvin Blount, Mural on South Elm Street

Thursday was such a warm day in Greensboro, at 81ºF, the warmest February 23rd on record. After the afternoon shower, the sky brightened up again. On our trek along the 600 block of South Elm Street, we ran across this mural to Dr. Alvin Blount. As you can see, there is a bust and to the right, a THKU which presumably is a "thank you" to a man who did so much for integrating the hospital system in Greensboro. Dr. Blount was one of 10 plaintiffs in the 1962 Simkins vs. Moses H. Cone lawsuit in which it was determined that federal dollars for public facilities should not be used to discriminate. 

Blount was from Raleigh, NC, but attended N.C. A&T in Greensboro. To learn more about this inspirational person, who was the first black surgeon to work at Moses Cone and who practiced medicine until the end of his life, see HERE. Dr. Alvin Vincent Blount died on January 6, 2017. Thank you for all you did to make a difference in the world, Dr. Blount!

If you want to see the mural, head to the east side of the 600 block of South Elm Street. We're not sure who created the mural. Do you know? The mural has, to the left, " Dr. Blount, Cone Hospital @ 1.4.4.0. It is a lovely addition to downtown.

Happy Saturday!

Love Greensboro

We found a great poster to reflect how we at GDP feel about Greensboro. We got print number 16/30 of the 12 1/2" by 19" poster.  In addition to the heart within the circle graphic, in the green, 31 Greensboro neighborhoods (from Adams Farm to Westerwood) are typed in an ALL CAPS, gray font. Believe it or not, it can be hard to find things with the word "Greensboro" on them. The posters are on sale at Reconsidered Goods. Look in the section with frames and prints- midway back on the left of the store, .

In doing a little more research about lovegreensboro, we found the group began in 2012, with the first online reference through Fox8, posted 9/3, 2012. The article, was entitled, " 'Love Greensboro' group wants to make city better." According to the article, the group was comprised of community leaders, business owners, and volunteers. They worked to bring people together to make Greensboro better and it was open to anyone interested. "Better" seems to have centered around expanding visibility of all the city has to offer, beyond Elm Street. The last post on their Facebook page was 2018, so we're concluding that the organization was viable for about 6 years. There may be a few posters left, if you are interested. We're wondering who designed and printed it. 

Happy Tuesday! For Christians, today is Shrove Tuesday. For revelers, Mardi Gras and Carnaval are in full swing!

#ReconsideredGoods #RG #DGSO

 

Ebenezer Baptist in the Yarn Bombed Yard

The Glenwood neighborhood of Greensboro is so full of creative people. If you live in Glenwood, likely, you have seen the Ebenezer Baptist Church bus parked in the yard that is yarn bombed in memory of Joseph. Joseph died on December 12, 2012 and thirteen years later, the yarn bombing continues to grow. This tree trunk in the photo is one of many trees in the yard filled with color. The day we were there, birds and squirrels were romping around on the yarn- probably helping keep it bug free. 

Ebenezer Baptist is located at 2700 West Vandalia Road. In 14 years of Sundays with spiritual posts on Greensboro Daily Photo (which would be over 700) , it appears we haven't featured Ebenezer Baptist yet! Oh well, that is the kind of carrot dangling that keeps us traipsing Greensboro, ever in search of new people and places. According to their website, the church is committed to helping people experience a life connected to Christ. They believe in evangelism, fellowship, and Christian family relationships. If you are interested, they have 8:45 am and 10:45 am in-person services. Their 10:00 am service is online. 

The next time we are at the corner of Hertford and Lexington in Glenwood, especially if we see someone in the yard, we're going to stop by and learn about Joseph and his relationship to the people in the house. We will also ask if the driver of the Ebenezer bus is the person yarn bombing. Well, we hope you have a happy Sunday and that you have people in your life who love you as much as this resident loved Joseph. The whole scene reminded us of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat"-  Glenwood style.

Angela L. Gunter, Fine Artist

We met up with Angie at the 205 Collaborative on Lyndon Street when they had their recent open house. Her spacious studio is up on the second floor, a perfect spot for her realistic oil paintings. On the day we were there, she was painting a miniature skull, very Georgia O'Keefe-esque and perfect for the tiny black frame she found for it (see it above in the center). The open house was so nice because it gave us a chance to get to know the artists and to see their work. Angie, has a very international perspective on life, having been raised in a Navy family and spending considerable time in Europe. She has also worked in film and television,  speaks German fluently, and loves to talk about language and culture. She likes calling Greensboro home and has lived here since 2008. Let's hope she is settled here permanently and that she keeps sharing her artwork with the world. Here is her website, if you are interested in seeing more.

Happy Tuesday and stay warm out there, dear readers.

Winter Shows at the Cultural Arts Center

The Greensboro Cultural Arts Center on Davie Street is filled with great artwork. Above are 3 wood portraitures by Percy King and on display and for sale at Green Hill Center for North Carolina Art. Originally from Columbus, OH, Percy King was formerly a football player at The Ohio State University. These portraitures are about 30" tall, 15" wide, and 5 inches thick. From a front view, they look like a heavily filtered photo; from this side view, you can see how individual layers stack to create a coherent whole. All three pieces are untitled and identified by color. Percy King is now living in Waxhaw (Union County). It would be so nice to see at least one of his pieces get purchased to remain on public display, locally.

If you head to the Cultural Arts Center (200 N. Davie St.), in addition to the Green Hill Gallery, the Center for Visual Artists has a lovely show and sale of work by local artists. The African American Atelier (in the same building ) will have a Holiday Market on 14, 16, and 17. Guilford Native American Art's gallery is open during the day, but we're not sure what they have available for purchase. It is worth a trip to the Greensboro Cultural Arts Center to support the arts and artists- even if you are just having a look! From Percy King's wood portraitures, to pottery, paintings, photography, and jewelry, there is something for everybody on your holiday gift giving list at all price points!

Happy Tuesday!

Cornerstones, A Painting by Isaac Payne, Hanging at Tanger Center

This lovely painting, entitled Cornerstones, hangs on the 3rd floor of Tanger Center. It is a work by Isaac Payne, commissioned by Lauren and David Worth. It is a mixed media piece consisting of oil paint, ink, pastel, conte, charcoal, cotton rag paper, glue, acrylic polymer, rock and brick fragments, broken thumb tack, and varnish on birch plywood. This is only a part of the piece which is at least 5' x 10' (best guess). The colors are so vibrant and the more you look at it, the more you notice. It is a  panoramic view from the 500 block of South Elm Street, looking north. In the foreground, you see Hamburger Square, in the background, the Lincoln Financial building.

While Isaac Payne grew up in Tacoma, Washington, he lives and works in Charlotte, NC. He has such a talent for capturing the feeling of the places he paints. We are lucky to have this one. Thank you to the Worths for commissioning the piece and for having it on display at the Tanger Center. It would be so fabulous to sit and watch Mr. Payne work his magic with all of those different art supplies and colors.

Day of the Dead

For those who celebrate Day of the Dead, you know that it is today and yesterday. The above photo was taken last night at the Center for Visual Artists in the Cultural Arts Center on Davie Street. Casa Azul has put up altars, remembrances for deceased relatives. There are 12 altars in all; at least that's what we think. There was a high school student there counting them for an assignment for Spanish class. Many of the altars, also known as ofrendas, were created by middle and high school students. Casa Azul is a group that supports Latino arts and culture. Every November, they install altars to help celebrate latino cultures and also to educate people about the purpose of the holiday. The movies "Coco" and "The Book of Life" are a great place to start if you want to understand the cultures. Of course, you could also ask someone who celebrates the holiday or your favorite Spanish teacher.

If you are interested in seeing the ofrendas and learning more about them, the display will be up, free, and open to the public now through November 12th. Remember, this Friday is First Friday, a perfect opportunity to see the display. On Friday and Saturday, there will be music in the Van Dyke Performance Space in the Cultural Arts Center. Hope to see you there!

Happy Wednesday!

 

The Good Witch

This past Saturday, Leanne Pizio hosted the "Keep It Local" art show. When Leanne hosts, you know you will have a good time. If you look HERE, you will see her attire as the host of the visual arts and crafts show on her Oak Ridge property. The show was very well attended and the selection of art was amazing. If you missed Leanne's show, there will be several other options to shop locally. A few of the shows we'll be attending include the Mimosa Holiday Home Show at 2103 Mimosa Drive on November 12th; the Made 4 the Holidays show at the Greensboro Curb Market on Yanceyville, November 13th; and Whimsical Women at Bailey Park in Winston-Salem on November 19th. If you know of other shows, please let us know and we'll try to advertise it for your and even attend. Also, remember that this Friday is First Friday in downtown Greensboro. 

Happy Tuesday!

Brad Caviness

Last night during First Friday in downtown Greensboro Brad Caviness was working diligently on one of the jars he and his brother, Bryan, create together. The two have been working on this specific sculpture for three month. Brad made the jar, Bryan carved the temple and pillars, Brad is working on the details of filing down the columns. Just look at his focus and the placement of his hands. The piece is backlit, making the inside of the jar glow and the temple stand out. The Caviness brothers are inspired by archaeology, especially historic structures from great civilizations. Part of the jar is chipped away because this structure has suffered destruction. It was a temple in Palmyra, Syria, destroyed by the Islamic State in 2015. How wonderful these structures live on in the work of Brad and Bryan.

This dynamic sibling duo is represented in Greensboro by Ambleside Gallery.  Gallery owner, Jackson Mayshark, saw the talent of these two sculptors and knew their sculptures would be a good fit for the art and artists he represents at the gallery. Ambleside is located at 528 South Elm Street. This is the first time we noticed Brad working on a piece in the window of Ambleside. How wonderful to have had the opportunity to watch him work. This is an example of the serendipity of what you will see when walking the length of Elm Street- especially on First Friday. If you want to get lost in the ancient ruins of Brad & Bryan online, head to bcclayart.com and have a look; in person, to Ambleside. We're betting you'll be wowed!

Happy Monday, dear readers.

Moses Cone Mural at the Denim Hotel

We had a chance to tour the Hotel Denim last week; above, is a mural painted on the 3rd floor. It is a painting of Moses H. Cone, the American textile entrepreneur who, with his brother Caesar,  built the largest denim mill in the world and the largest cotton mill in the US southeast. The Cones were major employers in Greensboro. Moses and his wife never had children and became great philanthropists in Greensboro and North Carolina. He accomplished so much to have died at age 51, in 1908 from pulmonary edema. Every floor of the Hotel Denim has art related to Greensboro's denim and blue jean history. The hotel's website has extensive photos of the art. We're betting the Hotel Denim, conveniently located at 1517 Westover Terrace, will be very busy during homecoming season, especially during NCA&Ts homecoming.

It seems fitting for us to feature one of Greensboro's most prominent Jewish citizens as Yom Kippur starts this evening at sundown. For those of you celebrating Yom Kippur, may you have an easy fast. 

Happy Tuesday!

Jeansboro Sculpture at LeBauer Park

It is hard to believe this photo was taken less than a month ago, back before this cold snap brought in by Hurricane Ian dropped the temperature to the 50s. The photo shows you the vibrancy of downtown, especially on Davie Street between the two city parks. The artwork is a fiberglass pair of jeans, celebrating Greensboro's rich heritage of making denim and jeans. There was a time when Greensboro made more blue jeans than anywhere else in the world. While that empire has moved overseas, the memories remain. In 2015, the name "Jeansboro" was coined as a nod to that history. We even have a Jeansboro Day.*  

The artist of the above piece is Sage Hanna Betts. There are several of these blue jean sculptures around town, one at PTI airport and another at the Greensboro Science Center.  The 4' tall sculptures were painted by local students and artists. Here is a GPS City map. We haven't tried it, because we have a pretty good idea of what is where in Greensboro; however, if you want to map out a tour, try here. We hope you have a great weekend and your are safe and your home is dry! If we took this photo today, people would be in long sleeves, rain jackets, and jeans. It is time to put the shorts away.

Happy Saturday!

* read more here.

Weatherspoon Art Museum: In Person Events Resume!

Friday, September 9th, the Weatherspoon Art Museum held a gathering open to the public, the first since the pandemic. It was a kick-off event for the exhibit, entitled, "Gilded: Contemporary Artists Explore Value and Worth." The works in this exhibit guild things that don't tend to get gold leaf put on them, case in point the above door. Guilding evokes wealth and we tend to guild things we value most. This exhibit plays with that notion.* The door is just plain white on the back. The title is "Third Ward" (2013) by Radcliffe Bailey (USA, 1968) and was reclaimed from a neighborhood of row houses in Houston's Third Ward predominately occupied by freed slaves.

The weather was lovely the night of the Weatherspoon event. It was wonderful to see people in the courtyard and all throughout the museum. Attendees were giddy, absolutely exuberant about being together in public, something we will never take for granted again. People dressed up with many college students in black dresses. The exhibit attracted a lot of attention, but the opportunity to people watch and to chat with other art lovers was the most special aspect of the evening. The Weatherspoon now has a coffee cart in the courtyard, something we have been encouraging for years. How nice to be able to sit and discuss art, and life, over a cup of coffee and not have to leave the courtyard to do so. 

If you get a chance, head to the "Gilded" exhibit. It will be up until April 8th. Happy Wednesday!

 

*read more here.

LOVE Gso

We love Downtown Greensboro and all of the great events that have been happening lately. We love to urban walk downtown and often off the beaten path. The above photo was taken on Eugene Street, as evidenced by the sign, as we were walking Washington Street east to South Elm. The artwork of the intertwined hands is by Frances P. from the Greensboro Day School. Many of the signal boxes for the traffic lights have these wrap with featuring artwork. They add so much visual interest. This public display of art gives the artist recognition. It also gives the pedestrians and people in cars a chance to notice and wonder what exactly the boxes contain. An internet search reveals that each box costs between $500-$1,000 for printing and installation. In some cities, the artist receives money. We aren't sure about Greensboro. 

Next time you are downtown, check out the art on these boxes. They are happy bursts of color waiting patiently at the street colors. That in addition to the fiberglass jeans, and the murals, add quite a bit of public art to the community. If you know Frances P., or her art teacher, tell her we love it and that it is featured on Greensboro Daily Photo. We'd love to feature the two of them next to the box. If you notice the "JP" building, now Lincoln Financial Group building is peeking out, just below the Eugene St. sign. When you see that building, you know you are Downtown Greensboro.

Happy Monday, Happy last week of September and first full week of fall.

Joanne Rich, Mixed Media Artist

Today, we're featuring Joanne Rich, holding one of her brilliant mixed-media collages. Joanne hails from New York State, and arrived in Greensboro after living in Barcelona, Tennessee, and South Carolina. Her collages are influenced by her travels, especially the years  in Barcelona. Some of her city scapes really evoke a scene in Barcelona, where the sea, mountains, and downtown are all easily visible.

By formal training, Joanne is a teacher to students who grew up speaking languages other than English at home. She has an M.Ed. from Hunter College and currently teaches English language learners at GTCC. Joanne has over two decades of teaching experience, and, in her free time,  has focused a considerable amount of time honing her skills as a mixed-media artist. Her artistic roots run deep as her mother had artistic talent and encouraged Joanne in the arts as far back as she can remember. Joanne currently has some of her collages on display at Irving Park Gallery. In 2020, Joann won gold in the Greensboro and North Carolina mixed media competition of the Senior Games. In 2021, she placed silver at the city and state level, and currently has art in the running to receive a medal at the state level in 2022. You can find Joanne's work at the following website, or at her Etsy site under cat bird moon collage. Joanne is so talented. The above photo shows her sitting in her yard, getting ideas about how she will set up at Art Stock on October 8-9!

Joanne will be a participating artist in the 2022 Artstock Studio Artists 24th Annual Tour on October 8th from 10 am= 5pm. See HERE for details, and let's all plan to stop by for a visit and to admire (and purchase) her art. Those collages are constructed from snips of paper as small as 1/2 inch and are so fabulous.

Happy Saturday!

East Cone Boulevard & Damien Mitchell's Mural

This past weekend, we were out driving on East Cone Boulevard and, of course, the murals caught out eye. The above photo was taken at the plaza with a Roses Discount Store, hence the roses on the facade to the left. It is located at 1421 East Cone, near Twain Road and the O. Henry Oaks neighborhood. Also, out this way is Joe Davis Park at 1410 19th Street very near East Cone and Ceasar Street. The mural has lots of hashtag messages and, if the upper left name is correct, the mural is by Damien Mitchell. He has been painting murals for ten years and is based out of New York City. If you notice at the bottom, it is also tagged as a Kotis Street Art mural. If you want to know more about Greensboro's murals, you can find a lot on that link.

Also of interest in the above photo are the newspaper boxes, which makes wonder if they generate any revenue. We also like the way the white sedan is parked there, waiting, all white and unembellished, sharing the center focal point with the bright yellow smiley balloon.

Well, Thursday is the new Friday. May you find something fabulous to do this weekend in Greensboro!

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!

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.

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!

Weatherspoon Art Museum: Big Gal Faith

Today's 8 ft. x 26 ft. dress is a piece of sculpture from the exhibit entitled "Ostensibly So"at the Weatherspoon Art Museum at the corner of Tate and Spring Garden Street on the UNCG campus.  The artist, Leslie Dill, fashioned it out of a mannequin, oil paint, oil pastel, fabric, paper, wood, silver and gold leaf. The words and images relate to Dill's concerns: Cruelty and violence, lust, forgiveness, reflection, and transcendence.

Today from 12 noon to 1pm. there will be a free talk at the Weatherspoon about the three dimensional objects in the gallery. The presenters at these events do such a good job at helping even the novice art critic, and sometimes skeptic, understand the artists' goals and intended message. One time, we went into a session asking "Is this art" and by the end, with the explanation, actually fell in love with the piece. If you are looking for something fun, FREE, and a way to stay cool, head over to the Weatherspoon, see the exhibit and hang around for the talk. This is another example of one of Greensboro's great opportunities in the arts. Thursday hours are from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm. So, even if you can't make the talk, you can stop by and see the exhibit on your own. The security guards at the Weatherspoon are so great, they can probably answer some of your questions. When we were there yesterday, Angela actually remembered us from a previous visit and she even took a (Facebook moment, not intended for GDP) picture for us with the above piece of art.

Greensboro Performing Arts

Greensboro Performing Arts is located at 7200 Summerfield Road. The building was formerly a church (Cathedral of Faith Christian Center) and still had the shape and the stained glass window to prove it. However, now, it is the new home of the Greensboro Performing Arts Center and great things are happening there this summer. Currently, the musical "Mary Poppins" is currently in production. There will be a showing tonight and tomorrow night at 7:00 pm. If you are looking for something to do in the North Greensboro/Summerfield part of town, this is a great option. 

Every time we drive by, something new has been added to the property or to what they offer. In addition to the Jumping Bean Coffee Shop being on property, for a year now, there is also a farmers market on Saturday mornings. Plus, Greensboro Performing Arts continues to add classes, and performances. The most recent addition we've noticed is the signage and the metal tree. Consider brushing up on your spelling of supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, grabbing your parrot handle umbrella, carpet bag, favorite kids and experience some wholesome fun and great local performing.

For those who choose to stay closer to town, remember that it is First Friday and there are lots of businesses hoping you will start celebrating downtown even earlier than the Fun Fourth! Let us know what you decide to do.

Kelly L Taylor, Artist of Dramatic Still Life Paintings

This past weekend, Kelly L. Taylor had her art on display at Parisian Promenade at the Tanger Family Bicentennial Garden. The sock monkey paintings, above, give you an idea of her aesthetic. Kelly loves painting dramatic still life paintings of vintage toys and "things inherited, found, and compulsively collected. You can buy work that she has already painted, or you can contact her for commissions. Originally from upstate New York, Kelly moved to Greensboro with her kids when her dad relocated here. Kelly has a BFA from Guilford College. If you missed her last Sunday at Bicentennial Garden, sometimes she sets up at the Saturday morning Corner Market in the St. Andrews parking lot on West Market Street. You may find here there.

Also, Kelly's website is paintingpoppy.com. You can also contact here there. Kelly especially loves to paint toys that she has personally collected. Another favorite of hers are the plastic trolls with the long, wild hair and beady eyes. If you have a teddy bear from childhood or something nostalgic, Kelly can render it in paint! Additionally, she is just such a great person to talk to. That is one of the beautiful things about Greensboro; even when people are busy, they seem to find time to talk. As you know, we love Greensboro and one of the reasons it is so special is because of people like Kelly.

One of our favorite paintings by Kelly is "Lucky Doll". Check it out!

Barnhill's Art at the H20 Exhibit at Green Hill

Yesterday, we featured Jim Barnhill, artist, on Greensboro Daily Photo. Today's we're featuring a glimpse of his three pieces currently on display at Green Hill in the Cultural Arts Center at 200 North Davie Street. Barnhill's two paintings are gigantic and when you stand in front of them, it is as if you are in the ocean yourself viewing the scene. The placement of the three pieces is masterful.  The paintings are both close to 8' by 12' (yes feet!). The Exxon Valdez painting is from 2012 and the BP Deep Water Horizon painting from 2013. The Cachalot Whale, carved from crabapple wood, was painted in 1993, early in Barnhill's career. The three pieces, spanning 20 years, hint at Barnhill's great love of water, the ocean, and the environmental impact of man's harvesting of fossil fuels. How appropriate that Barnhill is featured in Green Hill's  H20 exhibit! The cachalot whale is the largest toothed predator. As we were walking past the paintings, we began to wonder... who is the real predator, the whale or the oil companies? What you can't see in our photo is that the whale is swimming above a pool of tar.

If you attend First Friday tonight from 6:00 - 8:30 pm, you can see these pieces, and many others, for yourself. Barnhill's paintings, and Holsenbeck's "Where is Our Water Falling" (made from 10,000 water bottles and lots of plastic rope) are so large, you must see them in context. Regardless of what you have planned , have a great weekend!

James Barnhill: Artist Extraordinaire

Greensboro artist James Barnhill is known for his larger-than-life sculptures: The February One monument at NC A&T, the Nathanael Greene monument downtown at Holliday Circle, and the Minerva statue behind the student union at UNCG. Jim Barnhill taught art at NC A&T University for 25 years and has garnered an international following over the forty plus years he has been a professional artist. He came to Greensboro in the early 1980s to pursue a Master of Fine Arts degree at UNCG. He tells the story of being in a drawing and painting class and seeing others sculpting and telling his professor that he wanted to sculpt. That was the start of his career in sculpting. Part of what makes Jim's pieces so special is his talent for sculpting in a way that tells a visual narrative. If you stand in front of Jim's sculptures, it is as if you are experiencing the lives of the subjects themselves.

However, as evidenced by the above painting from 2017, Jim is also a fine painter. This painting features Jim's longtime partner, Edie Carpenter. When we were interviewing Jim at his house and asked what piece of art he wanted to be photographed with, he thought about it for a minute, and then pointed to this painting. This large canvas was painted from a photo of Edie when she was in Queens, New York. We had just finished talking about the balance between selling artwork and having pieces you want to keep in your personal collection. It is a pretty sure bet this realistic likeness of Edie will stay put on Jim's wall for a very long time.

Jim, who is recovering from a stroke he suffered exactly a year ago, will be at First Friday tomorrow night at Green Hill in the Cultural Arts Center. While Jim struggles with speaking, his mind is as sharp as ever. First Friday is from 6:00- 8:30 and is free and open to the public. Put a trip to Green Hill on your calendar for tomorrow night, and head to 200 N. Davie Street to see not only Jim and Edie, but also three of his works which are part of a  multi-artist exhibit entitled H20.

H20 Exhibit at Cultural Arts Center

An H2O exhibit is currently being shown at Green Hill in the Cultural Arts Center on Davie Street and will continue until June 25th. It is well worth a visit. The above photo features a tiny part of an art assemblage by North Carolina environmental artist Bryant Holsenbeck. This ambitious exhibit features environmental stewardship that extends almost the width of the building. Holsenbeck's piece is entitled "Where is Our Water Falling".  The cascading waterfall is made of 10,000 plastic water bottles, plastic rope and fishing line. We were really struck by Holsenbek's piece, it leaves quite an impact seeing all of those water bottles extending from the ceiling, down the wall, to the floor. But, the piece hits home about how wasteful we are and the impact plastic has on bodies of water. Holsenbeck lives in Durham and her contributions to the world of environmental art is far-reaching. As an example, she was one of the founders of the Scrap Exchange, a creative reuse store in Durham. Greensboro's Paige Cox completed an internship at the Scrap Exchange in preparation for opening Reconsidered Goods in Greensboro. 

The Green Hill show features a total of seven artists and the exhibit featuring photography, pieces made of coal ash, and three works by James Barnhill- professor of visual arts at NC A&T State University. Other artists include Caroline Rutledge Armco, Carolyn Henne, Kevin Palme, Barbara Tyroler, and Will Warasila.

Stop by and have a look! Happy Saturday!

LeBauer at Night

LeBauer Park is so lovely any time of day, but night can be especially beautiful with the lighting and the "When We Met" net sculpture by Janet Echeleman. The piece, by the way, was replaced this spring. It has more blue in it than the first one, which is a nod to the denim industry that was once so big in Greensboro.* We were at LeBauer Park on Tuesday, after seeing Rita Moreno at Tanger Center. She was fabulous and the audience was full. It isn't every day you get to see an EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony), proof positive that Rita Moreno is a performer who can do it all.

If you walk out of the Tanger Center on the east or south side, this is the view of the park that you see. On Tuesday night, the park was very busy. The water sprinkler/fountain for children to play in is back open and many adults sit around the perimeter while their children play joyfully. Even after the performance, at 9:00 pm, several people were in the park. LeBauer is such a wonderful community resource. It is hard to imagine what we did until it opened in 2016. This Saturday, the 36th annual Carolina Blues Festival will be held downtown in LeBauer Park. We hope to see you there!

The park turns six on August 8th. Let's hope they serve cake! 

 

*see the original net sculpture, here.

BC Clay Art, Available at Ambleside Gallery!

This sculpture was created by Brad and Bryan Caviness of BC Clay Art. It is currently for sale through Ambleside Gallery on South Elm Street. The piece is called, Babri Mosque Demolition. The Caviness brothers are known for their pieces inspired by the architecture and artifacts of great places in civilization throughout the centuries. The Babri Mosque piece is no exception. Babri Mosque was located in Ayodhya, India, built in the 1500s and destroyed in 1992 by a group of activists. Ambleside Gallery carries many pieces by the Caviness brothers.  It is our understanding the idea came about for these vignette pieces came about as a result of what Bob Ross would call "a happy accident". A piece of pottery broke and they started experimenting with what they could do to salvage the piece and the architectural sculptures began to take on a life of their own. The designs take you from room to room, with each room unique and detailed. The right lighting really enhances the pieces. These pieces are especially relevant today when it seems like the world can be so complacent about destruction of places that really belong to the world.

The talent the goes into these intricate pieces is better understood when you know that Bryan graduated from NC State with a BFA in architecture and environmental design. Brad has a BFA from UNC Greensboro where he studied painting, printmaking, ceramic and bronze casting. These artists are well worth following and Ambleside Gallery is a place you will love if you like fine art. The art world in Greensboro just keeps getting finer and finer.

Happy Sunday!

The Sundial at the Bicentennial Garden

This photo was taken about a month ago, in the Tanger Family Bicentennial Garden, back when the trees were just starting to wake up from their winter slumber. We visited on a quiet day with hardly and visitors in the park and for some reason, the sundial really stood out. It was given by the Greensboro Council of Garden Clubs in 1981. Sundials have been around since 290 bce. We're wondering how many people ever stop to read them today. The sculptor of the sundial was Ogden Deal (1932- 1985). We're also wondering what inspired him to sculpt a sundial. Mr. Deal founded Ogden Deal Designs in 1956 in McLeansville. Today, his son carries on in his father's business, making signage for corporations and sporting events.

Greensboro sculptor, Jim Gallucci credits Ogden Deal as being "the guy was most responsible for [his] getting established as a metal sculptor in Greensboro" (reference and great information HERE). Jim restored the bison sculptor that Mr. Deal created and  installed at the Greensboro Science Center. It is so fun to learn more about Greensboro's public art and to know we're seeing art by someone whose legacy lives on in, not only in his art, but in his professional relationships. We're off to see if we can track down more of Mr. Deal's sculptures.

Happy Monday!

 

 

(See another piece of Deal's work, HERE.

Butterfly Effect 2022

 

The Butterfly Effect is a beautiful arts and crafts venue at 3319 Sandy Ridge Road near the Farmer's Market.  We had the chance to visit in 2020, just before the pandemic shut everything down. This past Saturday, we stopped by to say hello to owner, Helene Avraham-Katz, and of course to shop a little. The shop is as cute as ever and well stocked with items by over 50 vendors. This past Saturday, she held a special event with even more vendors who set up for the day. Featured in the above photo are (from left to right), Yahav, Lisa (with Daisy, a dog she is fostering), Helene, Leah, and Heather. You can tell by the smiles, the shop is a joyous place to be.

Helene has beat pancreatic cancer twice and approaches every day with happiness and optimism. On the right of the counter, you can see the memoir she wrote about her life and journey back to health. The title is "The Butterfly Effect."  Helene is a very open person and after spending a few minutes in her store, you will start to feel like family. You will sense the ripple of energy characteristic of the butterfly effect. Today, we learned that twenty one years ago, Helene and her family immigrated to the USA from South Africa, as opposed to going to Australia because it was easier to bring  dogs into the United States. For Australia, themdogs would have had to quarantine for six months. Australia's loss has been a big gain for Greensboro!

Currently, the store is making T-shirts in support of Ukraine. They are $15 for  regular t-shirts and $18 for wicking shirts. To the right of Heather, you can see the front of the shirts, with the sunflower. On the back, they say "Peace for Ukraine". All profits will be given to the UNICEF Organization to help children in Ukraine. Please support this organization that is centered on building community, locally and internationally.

 

See the 2020 GDP post HERE.

Remembering John Coltrane

Today, we are sharing one more post from our visit down in High Point. We finally got to see the John Coltrane monument/statue. Jazz musician John Coltrane was born in Hamlet (Richmond County), North Carolina. However, he grew up in High Point, attending Penn Griffin High School- now Penn Griffin School for the Arts. The above statue is only about a mile from his school. Mr. Coltrane, who learned to play saxophone in High Point,  is said to be one of the most influential saxophonists of all time.

The Coltrane monument in High Point is an 8' bronze sculpture at the intersection of Commerce Avenue and Hamilton Street. It is as if he is watching over Furniture Market. The sculptor is Thomas Jay Warren and the statue was dedicated in 2006. Near the statue is a commemorative sign, historic marker, and a couple of benches, perfect for sitting and reflecting on the influence this great musician had on so many people. His memory continues to live on. The people who were involved in fundraising for the statue were instrumental in starting the John Coltrane International Jazz and Blues Festival. If you like John Coltrane's music, mark your calendar for the John Coltrane International Jazz and Blues Festival, Labor Day Weekend 2022. And, if you want to hear some great blues music before September, the weekend of May 21st and 22nd, Downtown Greensboro will host the 36th annual Carolina Blues Festival.

Percy Street Free Little Art Gallery

 

Every time we head to the Greensboro Curb Market on Yanceyville, we swing by the Percy Street Free Little Art Gallery (FLAG). During COVID, these little galleries were popping up as a way for people to engage with art and to have their art seen when larger, brick and mortar galleries were closed. These "galleries" are the size of the Free Little Library boxes. As you can see from the above photo, it is a miniature diorama, stocked with small paintings, collage pieces, sculpture, and even a tiny figure. In the corner is a box with tiny art for the having. We usually only look, but a 1"xv2" mixed-media painting of an artichoke stole our heart, and yes, it was free for the taking.*  

These little boxes make art accessible to more people even people who don't tend to frequent galleries; people from all walks of life. Especially during the pandemic, they gave people something to talk about and gave artists a chance to show their work. There is something special about working in miniature. Anne Lamont gives her writing students an exercise to take a tiny 1" frame, look through it, and write about what one sees. That hyper focus on an encapsulated space is a fun experience that you should try. Even better, if you are an artist, consider curating a box! Perhaps best of all, they aren't closed on Mondays!

 

The Free Little Art Galleries (FLAG) have a Facebook page with posts from 2013, meaning the galleries have been around for almost a decade. To our knowledge, the Percy Street FLAG is the only one in Greensboro. If you know of others, please let us know. It would be fun to do an art tour.

*read this article in the Smithsonian Institution Magazine if you want more details about this innovative idea. Also, see here, for a Washington Post article.

Tammy Pegram Can Create, Design and Redesign!

Finally, finally, this past Sunday, we had the chance to meet the ever talented Tammy Pegram. We have been admiring her window displays at Oscar Oglethorpe for a very long time. Tammy designs innovative window displays for Oscar Oglethorpe on South Elm Street. Here is a small slice of one of her window displays we featured on Greensboro Daily Photo a year ago. Additionally, Tammy made all of the above assemblages and had them for sale at the event held at Curiosities at the Curb, held at the Yanceyville Curb Market this past Sunday. Tammy is one of those people who can look at an item and imagine what it could look like with a little paint, glue and doll parts. She is also known for her painted skulls and has several people who collect them. Also, we want to point out the lamp in the upper left-hand corner. The shade is made from about 80 slides from the collection of an art museum. Tammy painstakingly put them together to form the frame. Look at how the light shines through!

 Tammy also redesigns rooms, taking existing items you have in a room and moving them around in a way that helps the room look refreshed and more cohesive. You can tell by her smile in the above photo that she is a cheerful breath of fresh air. Tammy graduated from high school in Fayetteville, NC, and we sure are glad that she made the decision to relocate to Greensboro! You can find Tammy on Facebook at "Tammy Can Redesign".

Events, like the one at the curb market, are so good for the soul. After a couple of years of isolation, we are all ready for some social interaction and Tammy is such a breath of fresh air.

Happy Tuesday!

Free To Soar

Hallelujah, spring has sprung. This work of art, Free To Soar,"  is installed at the Tanger Family Bicentennial Garden at Hobbs Road. The bronze was made in 2000 by Greensboro artist Michiel Van Der Sommen. Yesterday, we took a stroll through the garden and the grounds are definitely showing signs of spring. This is the time of year where the landscape changes almost daily. Yesterday, dogwoods were just starting to bloom and redbud trees had fully budded. Who knows about today. The garden was created in 1976 in honor of the bicentennial of the United States. 

If you want to visit, during the week, the gardens are not nearly as busy as on weekends. While the garden is only 7.5 acres, between the plantings, artwork, bridge, mill, gazebo, and creek, it seems so much bigger. In March and April, the hours are 8am-7pm. Mark your calendar for April 17th for the Parisian Promenade. It will be brimming with people, poodles, and other dogs that like to stroll with their owners.

Happy Friday! It's the weekend; feel free to soar!

Spring on South Elm Street

Spring is so beautiful in Greensboro. The above photo was taken downtown on the 300 block of South Elm Street. Many trees are in blossom this week! If you want to see them, the time is now! In the background of the photo is a mural painted in 2016 by performing and visual artist Kim Kennedy. The center panel features her musician friend Joey Barnes. This mural is withstanding the test of time and still looks as fresh as it did when painted six years ago. It was painted on the south end of a parking lot on Elm, on the building where Design Archives is located. 

When writer Anne Lamott spoke at Tanger Center on Tuesday, she mentioned a writing strategy she shares with her students. She encourages them to take a 1" frame, look through it, and write about what they see in that postage stamp sized view. At GDP, we don't use a 1' frame, but, when framing a photo, we do find great joy in  blocking out everything but what we see through the lens. No matter what is going on in the world, or what around you may not be pleasant, for the brief moment a photo is being taken, it becomes a world unto itself. Photos also capture a moment in time. This little view was of South Elm on 3/16/22 at about 5pm.

Lamott also suggested supporting the indie bookstores. If you are in the 300 block of South Elm, you are at downtown's fabulous indie bookstore, Scuppernong Books. Please shop local for your reading needs. Happy Thursday!

Jeans at Friendly; Lamott at Tanger

From the textile mill days, Greensboro was known as the denim capital of the world. The above pair of fiberglass jeans is one of many in the series "Celebrating Jeansboro, NC, 'Arts in the City', and you can find these works of art throughout the city and at the PTI Airport. The jeans above were painted by Public Artist Darlene J. McClinton, M.F.A. The project was first launched in 2015 as a contest for Guilford County School students to submit proposed ideas for designs. This pair at Friendly Center, with the look of splattered work pants, is located in the new side of Friendly in the common area  behind Ben and Jerry's. The idea of celebrating Greensboro's textile history with the blue jeans statues is so fitting. 

On a completely non-related topic, but relevant to Greensboro, Anne Lamott spoke at Tanger Center last night as part of the Guilford College Bryan Series. Lamott spoke to a full house and graciously held a book signing afterward. The line for the book signing was long and Scuppernong Books were on hand for people to purchase books on site. During Lammot's presentation, she revealed her grandson's other grandmother lives in Greensboro. Let's hope that gives her good reason to return to Jeansboro, ummm, Greensboro! We'd love to have her back. Even better would be to get a photo of Jax and his two grandmothers for Greensboro Daily Photo.

Art Behind Ben and Jerry's

Yesterday was beautiful in Greensboro and Friendly Center had a fair amount of foot traffic. The above scene was taken behind Ben and Jerry's in the patio/courtyard. People were enjoying the weather and spending time together. Long time Greensboro Daily Photo reader, and dear friend, Alice Hill suggested we have a look at the mural boards in this location. There are several. You can see two as a backdrop  to the photo. The one on the right says "Life takes you to unexpected places. Love brings you home. Of course the one on the left says Greensboro. The area was done by local artist, and Grimsley High School graduate, Gina Elizabeth Franco. Gina came to a career in art, almost by accident when she volunteered to paint a library mural. Gina already has several local murals under her belt, including Westerwood Tavern, and the Interactive Resource Center.*

While today's weather is not as inviting as the weather yesterday, it is still a good day to get out and explore the city. One thing you won't want to miss is the reenactment of the Battle of Guilford Courthouse. It will be today and tomorrow; 10am- 5pm today and 10 am- 3pm on Sunday. They are a little short on volunteers, but we're sure the event will be memorable, especially for people who have never seen it before. Have a great day, regardless of what you decide to do.

 

*read more about Gina's art journey HERE, and HERE.

Paige Cox, Tufter Extraordinaire

Today's post features local Greensboro artist Paige Cox! We just had to follow up on what Paige has been doing since she left Reconsidered Goods. Paige started Reconsidered Goods, a creative reuse store in 2016; working there full time until this January (she had already stepped down as Executive Director this past August). Paige has struck out on her own to work full time as an artist. Paige earned an BFA from Savannah College of Art and Design. Pre-RG and pre-corporate, she focused on felting. The circular wall hanging in her in-home studio (above)  is one of her pieces. Today, you see a picture of Paige armed with her latest fiber passion, a tufting gun. Paige has mastered the art of tufting and makes adorable wall hangings and rugs. The ghostlike creature above is one of her most recent creations.

Tufting is an art form that really took off during the pandemic when the tools of the trade were redesigned and made more affordable to individual artists. Previously, the old technology was more industrial and cost prohibitive. Paige says TikTok is full of videos that have gone viral of tufters tufting. If you follow Paige on Instagram, you can see an example of the process (@paigecox_art). Paige describes her style as bright, fun, silly and whimsical. As you can see here, she loves bright colors. She has started selling her pieces in some galleries, but mostly sells through Instagram (and is open to commissions). However, for about the next month, Paige is helping with staging at the High Point Furniture Market and will be wearing a different creative hat, more like the one she wore when designing at Anthropologie. To be sure, anything Paige touches will be fabulous. 

We all miss seeing our dear artist friend at Reconsidered Goods. However, we have to be happy for her.  She is making great art in her in-home studio, where has the opportunity to spend more time with her husband and pets, including Wilson- the cat who roamed the floor at the Patterson Street location. Don't be a stranger, Paige, you have a fan club out here that really wants to stay in touch with you!

Happy Friday, everyone!

 

 

Artistic Motion Dance School of Arts and Preparatory Academy

Today, we conclude the photo shoot at Prescott Street with the rear view of the building where Artistic Motion Dance School of Arts and Preparatory Academy is housed. While the address is 800 West Smith Street, the building is right across the street from the house we featured yesterday and next door to the office building featured on Monday. The decoration of the back of the building is brilliant advertising. Smith Street is one way and if you take the street into town, you cannot possibly miss this building. If you notice, the sheet between the slivers of windows is made from giant vinyl banners. The part at the end of the building and between buildings is paint that matches the colors of the banner perfectly. The lines for the parking spaces accentuate the geometry of the building. 

Artistic Motion was founded in 2000. According to their website, they have an internationally acclaimed faculty with dancers from Russia, Georgia (the country), The Dominican Republic, England, and from many prestigious dance programs throughout the United States. They offer classes from ages 3-adulthood. The studio is conveniently located and there is plenty of parking. Perhaps the greatest news about Artistic Motion is that it is currently in partnership with Triad International Ballet, a new professional ballet company set to begin their first season in 2022! If you have ever seen a performance from dancers at Artistic Motion, you know the talent and precision of the dancers.

 Happy Wednesday! May we all find the beauty in the people and places of Greensboro. May we all have the positive outlook and commitment to perfection of artists in motion!