BRINGING THE CAPITAL AND ITS COMMUNITIES TO LIFE
wakeliving Raleigh Rooted
AMERICAN AQUARIUM KEEPS COMING HOME
LIVING CANVAS
MASTER ARTISTS AT THE MAYTON
FUQUAY-VARINA ARTS CENTER
Swingtime Canteen May 9 - 11
It’s 1944 London and film star Marian Ames has brought her best girl friends from the Hollywood Canteen to put on the rip-roaringest canteen show of them all. Marian, Jo, Katie, Topeka and Lilly are ready to give the troops a memorable night with over 30 vintage classics from the war years. Laughs, tears, emotional fireworks, air raids and a celebration of women during the war punctuate this hilarious and heartwarming story. May 9 and 10, 7:30PM, May 11, 2:00PM. Tickets at FVArts.org.
Free Art LAB Saturdays!
Join artist Charlene Bowling at the Arts Center lobby one Saturday a month to create art. Each month will be a different project theme. Explore drawing, bookmaking, printmaking, collage, painting, sculpture and more. Art LAB projects are designed to be accessible to artists of all ages and skill levels. Registration is FREE so let us know you are coming at FVArts.org.
Supported by the United Arts Council Wake County.
Kids’ Summer Camps
Explore and create in these fun-filled Camps. Draw, paint, print, sculpt, dance, learn magic and more with our experienced instructors in the Arts Center Studios! All materials provided. Scholarships available through artscenterfriendsfv.org. Starting in June! Ages 6 to 14.
ENJOY SPARKLING WINE & DELICIOUS BBQ
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SATURDAY, MAY 31
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BBQ pictured: Longleaf Swine
MAY/JUNE 2025
GROUP PUBLISHER Bill Zadeits
PUBLISHER Kris Schultz
PRODUCTION MANAGER Lauren Morris
EDITOR Erin McKnight
COPY & DIGITAL EDITOR Tara Shiver
SOCIAL MEDIA Arlem Mora
CONTRIBUTORS
Erica DeLong L.A. Jackson Joe Overby Andrea Richards
PHOTOGRAPHY
Jonathan Fredin, Chief Photographer
PRODUCTION
Atiya Batts, Graphic Designer
Jennifer Casey, Graphic Designer
Dylan Gilroy, Web Designer
Beth Harris, Graphic Designer
Matt Rice, Webmaster/SEO
Rachel Sheffield, Web Designer
Lane Singletary, Graphic Designer
PUBLIC RELATIONS
S&A Communications, Chuck Norman, APR
ADMINISTRATIVE
Kristin Black, Accounting
Cherise Klug, Traffic Manager
Lisa White, Senior Event Coordinator & Distribution Manager
Valerie Renard, Human Resources
PUBLISHER EMERITUS
Stuart Weiss
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editor’s letter
A long way from where the Strelitzia (bird of paradise flower) is native, and where she was raised, a striking mural allows Erin to pause and reflect.
As we delve into our May/ June arts issue, we find ourselves influenced by the concepts of creativity and community and the connection they form. Public art transcends traditional boundaries and transforms everyday spaces into dynamic canvases that reflect our collective identity and cultural heritage. Public art invites us to engage, ponder, and connect with one another in ways that private art often cannot.
Much as public art encourages expression and innovation, for both artists and those appreciating it, our aim in this issue is to share with you some of the stories told through these works made public.
•
•
Take Roadtrip to Raleigh, the music festival that Raleigh-based band American Aquarium has staged for the past 10 years. From three showcase nights in Lincoln Theatre come the sounds of a decade’s curated creativity, culture, and connection.
In “Indelible Ink,” we reimagine the canvas in human form as depicted by the talented tattoo artists of Apocalypse Girl.
“Art for All” welcomes you to The Mayton inn as you haven’t seen it: The Master Artists at the Mayton exhibit showcasing area artists who have achieved national acclaim and were invited to display their work through June 23.
In downtown Raleigh, a beloved space is reshaped thanks to David Ellis, the chef/ owner of Figulina, 2025 James Beard Award Semifinalist for Best New Restaurant. Here, craftmanship is found in the form of hand-shaped pasta and an amalgam of ingredients — and customs.
Lest we overlook the next generation of creatives, we find young imaginations at work at the Young Writers’ Institute in Cary, where expression and the search for voice take shape.
So, as we explore the forms and functions of public art in this issue, let us remember its ability to unite us, challenge us, and inspire us.
Thanks for reading,
Erin McKnight
Stronger Together.
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What’s on the
PODCAST?
EPISODE 5: BEHIND THE MUSIC WITH DOUBLE PLATINUM ARTIST JASON ADAMO
Double platinum songwriter and local musician Jason Adamo shares his beginnings in Blacksburg, Virginia, his musical influences, and the path to becoming a renowned artist living and performing in Raleigh. We discuss unexpected music genres, his songwriting process, and his experience of finding a living kidney donor. Don’t miss his heartfelt performance of “Beautiful Believer” and his insights on navigating the music industry.
EPISODE 6: BREWING UP LOCAL LOVE WITH SHOP LOCAL RALEIGH
Jennifer Martin, executive director of Shop Local Raleigh, is on a mission to support local businesses. She and her team partner with various local enterprises — from restaurants and boutiques to media companies and health spas — to help them thrive, along with producing events like Brewgaloo and Falling for Local. Plus, Jennifer offers valuable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs looking to start a business in the area.
EPISODE 7: PETAL TO THE METAL: THE GARDEN SUPPLY CO. STORY
Keith Ramsey, owner of Cary’s premier Garden Supply Company, discusses the center’s history, his passion for gardening, and the unique appeal of garden centers. Keith shares insights into his journey from the landscape business to owning a garden center, his experiences with beekeeping, and the importance of native plants. Learn about the best plants for pollinators and pick up some vegetable gardening tips.
EPISODE 8: THE SASSOOL SISTERS’ STORY: FROM FAMILY ROOTS TO FRESH FLAVORS
Simone and Noelle, the dynamic sisters behind the beloved Mediterranean restaurant Sassool, share insights into their journey from growing up in the family restaurant business to managing two successful locations today. Discover the secrets behind their awardwinning menu, the essence of Lebanese hospitality, and their unique event space, FigMINT Farms.
Don Schwenneker, the chief meteorologist for ABC11 Eyewitness News also known as “Big Weather,” shares his journey from a sports photographer in Iowa to a trusted weather forecaster in Raleigh. He delves into the importance of connecting with the audience, staying calm during severe weather events, and technological advancements in meteorology.
EPISODE 10: SIP WITH A SOMMELIER: MATT WEISS FROM THE WINE CENTRIC SHOW
Explore the fascinating world of wine with Matt Weiss, a distinguished sommelier and creator of The Wine Centric Show. Matt discusses the benefits of boxed wine, offers tips for finding great options at local shops, and debunks myths about North Carolina wines. We also touch on wine pairings, the best regions for wine, and upcoming events like BBQ & Bubbly on May 31 at Fenton.
EPISODE 11: TAMASHA MODERN INDIAN: A CULINARY VISION
Mike Kathrani and Tina Vora, the husband-and-wife team behind Tamasha Modern Indian, share their journey from hair salons to hospitality. Learn how they created an award-winning dining experience, complete with a menu curated by James Beard Award semifinalist Executive Chef Bhavin Chhatwani.
1
For more than 40 years, Wake Forest’s Meet in the Street festival has celebrated local culture, food, and entertainment with a variety of artisan vendors, food trucks, and live music. In a welcoming atmosphere for families and friends, attendees can experience activities, crafts, and performances while exploring charming streets and enjoying community time. With something for everyone, Meet in the Street strengthens neighborly spirit and showcases the best of North Raleigh. Saturday, May 3, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free admission. Downtown Wake Forest. wakeforestnc.gov/meetings-events/ meet-street-0
2
The Got to Be NC Festival is a vibrant celebration of our state’s rich agricultural heritage over a familyfriendly weekend event that highlights food vendors, craft artisans, and live music. Attractions include carnival rides and games, interactive entertainment and educational exhibits, and farmthemed activities — all of which showcase the best of North Carolina’s farms, food, and culture. Friday, May 16, noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, May 17, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday, May 18, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Free admission. North Carolina State Fairgrounds, Raleigh. ncagr.gov/ divisions/ncstatefair/got-be-nc-festival
3
Artsplosure — the Raleigh Arts Festival — is the city’s premier event celebrating creativity and community. With a diverse lineup of local and regional artists presenting their work through visual arts, performances, and interactive installations, attendees can enjoy live music performances, food vendors, an art market, and engaging activities for all ages (with Kidsplosure offering a dedicated space for the youngest artists). Saturday, May 17, and Sunday, May 18. Free admission. Downtown Raleigh. artsplosure.org/ artsplosuretheraleighartsfestival
4
Animazement is an animated celebration of anime, manga, and Japanese culture. The popular convention brings together fans for an immersive experience featuring panels, workshops, and screenings, and allows attendees to engage with industry professionals, participate in cosplay contests, and explore a bustling vendor hall filled with unique merchandise and event swag. Including special guests, live performances, and interactive activities, this year’s Animazement promises to be an enthusiastic celebration of creativity and fandom. Friday, May 23, 9–2 a.m. Saturday, May 24, 9–2 a.m. Sunday, May 25, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. $65–$110. Raleigh Convention Center. animazement.com
Jonathan Fredin
Jonathan Fredin
5
It’s simply the sweetest day of the year! NC Sugar Rush returns to Raleigh and brings with it a whole lot of calories. The dessert-only event will satisfy the sweetest tooth with every treat conceivable — and pets are not excluded! Vendors, a dessert truck rodeo, and live music will see to it that every taste bud is satiated when this foodie fest takes over two city blocks and spreads the sweetness. Sunday, May
8
Out! Raleigh Pride promotes inclusivity and acceptance while celebrating the LGBTQ+ community. The annual event is back for its 13th year and once again offers a colorful parade, live performances, local vendors, food trucks, information booths, and engaging activities for all ages. With a focus on honoring diversity and equality and raising awareness, Out! Raleigh Pride promises to be a day of joy, love, and unity for all. Friday, June 20, 6–10 p.m. Saturday, June 21, noon to 7 p.m. Free admission. Downtown Raleigh. lgbtcenterofraleigh.com/out-raleigh-pride
7
6
Come out and celebrate a decade of Raleigh’s International Food Festival. This popular showcase of global cuisine highlights diverse flavors from cultures around the world, with over 50 countries represented. Attendees can savor everything from traditional street foods to gourmet delicacies — plus wine and dessert — while enjoying nonstop cultural performances and music. With activities for all ages, this is a must-visit event for foodies. Saturday, June 7, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Free admission. Downtown Raleigh. theinternationalfestival.org
The Capital City Juneteenth Celebration honors equality and fosters empowerment by commemorating the abolition of slavery in the US. Live music, cultural performances, and educational workshops highlight history and heritage, and the event features delicious foods from local vendors, family-friendly activities, and engaging community discussions. Unity and empowerment meet a joyous expression of pride, reflection, and community at this Juneteenth gathering. Saturday, June 14, 2–6:30 p.m. Free admission. Dorothea Dix Park, Raleigh. dorotheadixpark.org/event/ capital-city-juneteenth-celebration-2025
WORTH THE DRIVE:
The North Carolina Plein Air Art Festival returns for a fifth year to honor the form of outdoor painting. Artists from across the state gather to create stunning artworks en plein air — meaning “in open air” — and capture the state’s natural beauty and vibrant scenery. The festival features live demonstrations, workshops, and an exhibition of the finished paintings — all intended to encourage creative expression and foster an appreciation of art, while highlighting the talent of North Carolina artists. May 11–18. Free admission for all activities except workshops. New Bern. ncpleinair.org
International Food Festival
Jonathan Fredin
MAY 15TH-18TH
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LIVE MUSIC BY THE CHAMBER ORCHESTRA OF THE TRIANGLE
Roadtrip to Raleigh
AMERICAN AQUARIUM BRINGS FANS HOME
WRITTEN BY JOE OVERBY | PHOTOGRAPHED BY JOEY WHARTON
The line starts just outside the doors of downtown Raleigh’s Lincoln Theatre and snakes down Cabarrus Street, extending onto Blount Street.
It’s just before 7 p.m. on an unseasonably mild Thursday in February.
The beer flows. So does throwback country music from portable speakers.
At the front of that line, amid impromptu karaoke to “You Never Even Called Me by My Name” and “Strawberry Wine,” are fans who
have been tailgating since early afternoon.
They’re here to see Raleigh-based rock band American Aquarium kick off their Roadtrip to Raleigh music festival.
Fans from 47 states and six countries have traveled here for the 10th anniversary of this event — a showcase for the band, city, and the intersecting grassroots genres of alt-country and indie rock, held over two days at the Lincoln.
And it all started with a CD release party.
“Raleigh feels like a small town with a skyline. And those are my favorite kinds of towns. When you drive into it, you see this kind of expanse explode out of nowhere: the big buildings and the centralized connectivity, walkability of the downtown. But then you start talking to people and you realize that it’s just a small town that has some pretty big buildings.”
American Aquarium front man BJ Barham takes a quiet moment on the tour bus.
Rhett Huffman and Shane Boeker
Ryan Van Fleet
BJ Barham
“Come See What Raleigh’s All About”
The ringleader of this Americana circus is BJ Barham, the fierce front man of American Aquarium who wears his heart on his sleeve like so many tattoos.
BJ started American Aquarium as an NC State student in 2006. By the mid-2010s, the band had scrapped and clawed its way to selling out venues with 500- to 1,000-person capacity throughout the country.
The band was also gaining momentum nationally with critics, getting attention from outlets like Rolling Stone , SPIN , and No Depression
But in the Triangle, American Aquarium was still playing smaller venues, struggling to get more than 500 people at shows. The group needed a way to bring that national momentum to Raleigh for the hometown release show of its 2015 album, Wolves
“So what we came up with was, ‘What if we invited all of our friends from around the country to come to Raleigh for the weekend? Just so we can finally sell out some of these rooms in our hometown,’” BJ recollected a few days before this year’s Roadtrip.
So the band pulled in The Black Lillies, Cory Branan, John Moreland, and Turnpike Troubadours as openers for its album release shows at Lincoln in late January of 2015.
They also used the hashtag #roadtriptoraleigh to promote the shows. As it turns out, it was a call to action.
And fans answered.
“We were promoting this album release, but we were telling people, ‘#roadtriptoraleigh — come hang out with us in our hometown. Come see what Raleigh’s all about,’” BJ says.
In the second year the hashtag turned into an official title, kicking off a decade and counting of American Aquarium bringing its friends to Raleigh — fans and fellow musicians alike — for a music festival weekend every February. And now, the shows tend to sell out.
“Nobody’s coming to make a ton of money. … We’re not Live Nation. We’re not AEG. We’re not this massive festival that’s gonna be able to pay you headliner money,” BJ says. “Yet every year we get headliner talent.”
That headliner talent has included the likes of Turnpike and Zach Bryan, who now sell out football stadiums and basketball arenas, along with massive acts like Charley Crockett, Futurebirds, Morgan Wade, Lucero, 49 Winchester, Muscadine Bloodline, and Charles Wesley Godwin.
This year’s Night 3 headlining opener, Maggie Rose, had played the Grand Ole Opry the night before. Days earlier, she was at the Grammys, nominated for her latest album, No One Gets Out Alive
BJ attributes the ability to field such talented lineups to the festival’s grassroots approach.
“I think it’s because we keep it in house; we keep it (to) our friends. You’re not dealing with a promoter; you’re not dealing with these monolithic entities,” he says. “You’re dealing with the guy from American Aquarium, a singer, texting you or calling you or sending you a message and saying, ‘We handpick this every year, and I would love for you to come to our hometown and let us show you a fun weekend.’”
American Aquarium members (from left) bassist Alden Hedges, singer-songwriter BJ Barham, drummer Ryan Van Fleet, guitarist Shane Boeker, and keyboardist Rhett Huffman perform during the band’s Roadtrip to Raleigh festival in February at Lincoln Theatre.
In curating the lineup, BJ also searches for artists who are at the grassroots stage of their careers.
American Aquarium closes each night of Roadtrip with a twohour set. The middle act tends to be a “power-punching” national headliner. In addition to Maggie Rose, this year’s included The Lone Bellow and Shovels & Rope.
But Roadtrip is also about music discovery.
“If something moves me, I want you to know about it. I want to tell people, ‘Holy (expletive), I found this band and they made me feel something. Hopefully they make you feel something, too,’” BJ says.
He adds: “I want you to come and fall in love with bands that maybe you’ve heard of but haven’t given a chance yet. But I also want you to come and hear a band that you’ve never even heard of. Like, just come in blind.”
That’s where the early openers come in.
He compares one early opener, The Wilder Blue, to the countryrock harmonizing of the Eagles. Another, The Droptines, have the raw sound and sharp edges of early American Aquarium.
Of Night 2’s opener, Taylor Hunnicutt, BJ says, “In two years, she’s going to be a household name. She’s going to be one of the biggest stars in this genre.”
BJ digs deep to find such up-and-coming talent. He also digs deep to create his own band’s setlist each night.
A Broad Repertoire
American Aquarium played 74 songs over the three nights of this year’s Roadtrip — not counting BJ’s solo acoustic set early Saturday afternoon at Ruby Deluxe in downtown Raleigh — and less than a handful were repeated.
“It’s becoming a celebration of our catalogue,” he says. The hits. The (relatively) unknowns. The deeply personal. All of which can be found on Wolves
In celebration of its 10th anniversary, American Aquarium played the entire album from beginning to end, for the first time ever, on Night 1.
Proud to Call Raleigh Home
One morning during last year’s Roadtrip, BJ visited the office of then-Raleigh Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin. Along with the Raleigh City Council, she proclaimed the first weekend of February Road Trip to Raleigh Weekend.
“If you’d have told me 10 years ago it’d be here, I’d have said, ‘Let’s just focus on year number two and see if we can pull it
off a second year,’” BJ says. “But here we are 10 years later, and now the city of Raleigh fully gets behind it.”
And not just elected officials.
Trophy Brewing makes a Tough Folks beer for each Roadtrip, sourced entirely from Wake Country ingredients and named after the band’s 2018 song. Black & White Coffee Roasters makes a Cheerwine-inspired cherry soda coffee in honor of the festival.
The band also posts a guide to downtown Raleigh on social media, sharing recommendations within walking distance of the Lincoln Theatre. In recent years, Eye Heart Tattoo has inked fans with Roadtripthemed tattoos.
“And it’s really neat to watch your hometown embrace the weekend and know that there’s 2,000 kids that don’t live in Raleigh, (but) they’re in town. They want to eat a good meal; they want to go get a good drink; they want to go get a good cup of coffee. And we’re telling them exactly where to go,” BJ says.
“And it’s fun to watch people fall in love with Ashley Christensen’s food or Scott Crawford’s food or Sam Jones’ barbecue. It’s really fun to watch somebody from Washington State be like, ‘I cannot wait to get Bojangles. As soon as my plane hits the ground, I’m going to get a Cajun Filet Biscuit.’”
BJ grew up in Reidsville, just north of Greensboro. But he has called the Raleigh area home since 2002, when he moved here to attend NC State.
He never packed up for music meccas like New York, Austin, or Nashville.
“And I think that speaks to (the fact that) I have found success in my career; I’ve been lucky enough to have been afforded the means to live anywhere I want to live in this country. And I choose here,” BJ says.
“I choose to still be here. I have to
remind people (of) that sometimes: Me still being here and raising my family here is a choice,” he says. “But it’s a choice that was very easy for me to make just because of my affinity for Raleigh.”
For better or worse, the city has changed dramatically in the last quarter century.
American Aquarium front man
BJ Barham (top left) is joined by members of The Wilder Blue and The Lone Bellow, who opened Night 1 of Roadtrip to Raleigh this year.
“But I think Raleigh still has its charm. Raleigh feels like a small town with a skyline. And those are my favorite kinds of towns,” he says. “When you drive into it, you see this kind of expanse explode out of nowhere: the big buildings and the centralized connectivity, walkability of the downtown.
“But then you start talking to people and you realize that it’s just a small town that has some pretty big buildings.”
The band has curated Roadtrip — the venue, the food and drink recs, the hotels where fans stay — so that everything is walkable.
“Everything’s within three or four blocks. The walkability of downtown is what I hope people fall in love with,” BJ says. “You can throw a rock and hit three or four different (James) Beard–nominated chefs’ (restaurants). You can go get some of the most high-end cocktails on the East
Coast. Or you can go to one of the s-----est dive bars in America and have an ice-cold $2 beer.”
“We try to remind people that, yes, we have a lot of really nice things in Raleigh. But we also have the holes-in-the-wall. We have the things that haven’t changed in 20 years,” he says. “And I try to give people the best of both worlds. Just as much as I’m telling somebody to go to Death & Taxes, I’m telling them they can’t miss Mecca.”
BJ estimates that just over 20 folks have been to all 10 years of Roadtrip. Most don’t live here. They’re traveling from dozens of states, even overseas.
“And we know that not just because they tell us, but because they spend the money on the plane tickets. They spend the money on the hotels,” BJ continues. “They go out and eat every night and support a lot of the people that I love in this community. It’s a special thing.”
BJ and the various iterations of his band have played more than 4,000 shows in nearly every US state and in venues across the pond.
“I’m proud to have played just about every major city and tiny town in America,” he says, “and still come back to Raleigh and call it home.” t
“To see a band that most people have never even heard of,” BJ points out. “Raleigh is different: There’s a lot of folks in Raleigh that have heard of our band. But we’re not superstars. We’re not this world-famous phenomenon. We’re just a grassroots rock-and-roll band from Raleigh that a lot of people have a special place in their heart for,” he says.
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Indelible Ink
WRITTEN BY ERIN MCKNIGHT | PHOTOGRAPHED BY JONATHAN FREDIN
In the police procedural TV series Naked City, which ran from 1958 through 1963, the narrator articulated an iconic closing statement in every episode: “There are 8 million stories in the naked city. This has been one of them.”
Robert Meyers grew up watching those reruns and now, as the owner of Apocalypse Girl Tattoo in Cary, thinks the same Naked City intonation “every day and with every client I have.” Since he started tattooing in 1994 and after opening his own professional tattoo studio — and with a successful career as a sculptor behind him — Robert has realized that “There’s a story behind every tattoo.”
As an artform, tattoos carry a unique significance. Robert appreciates being trusted with artwork so deeply personal to its wearer.
“No one gets a tattoo to tie a room together. No one gets a tattoo because it might be an investment and a place to park money,” he says. A tattoo, as a work of art, Robert knows, means so much because “It can’t be sold. It can’t be lost or stolen, either.”
A tattoo artist, then, serves as what he describes as a “conduit” for someone else’s thoughts and feelings. Someone might walk into Apocalypse Girl wanting a panther, for example, but Robert — along with every talented artist in his stable — understands that what they are in fact trying to convey is strength or power. “What I’m doing,” he explains, is “taking what’s on the inside and putting it on the outside in a visual format.”
The emotional exchange between artist and client is sacred at Apocalypse Girl. It’s why service is paramount and sets the studio apart from others in the area. Walking into a tattoo studio can be intimidating, and the memory of getting tattooed will endure, so along with a higher standard of artists at Apocalypse Girl than is typical in the industry, so is the experience clients can expect to have there.
“What we’re doing is translating,” Robert says of himself and his artists. And every story deserves to be heard … and seen. t
apocalypsegirltattoos.com
Piercer Daniel Coffin, center, serves clients at Apocalypse Girl Tattoo, where art and culture meet.
Apocalypse Girl Tattoo artist and owner Robert Meyers
Tattoo artist Cohen Hughes’ art stretches the length of Tobie Inscore’s legs.
Ciera Long at work tattooing. Many of the artists at Apocalypse Girl are formally trained artists who have a passion for telling clients’ stories on their bodies.
Tattoo artist Alex Pilkington positions a stencil of a sloth on a customer’s arm.
Tattoo books in the sitting room serve as inspiration and a reminder of the rich history of the art form.
The professional studio is bright, comfortable, and welcoming to all clients.
Ashton Perozoni is a regular customer of Apocalypse Girl’s owner Robert Meyers, who created the big cat tattoos on his arm. Ashton says family members have been coming to Robert for years.
ABOVE: Tattoo artist Ciera Long
RIGHT: Apocalypse piercer Daniel Coffin sports head and body tattoos created by fellow artists.
Alex Pilkington fills in a rabbit tattoo.
Vibrant ink colors a client’s arm.
Apocalypse Girl Tattoo artist Cohen Hughes shows off tattoos done by fellow artist Jinx Ryder.
ABOVE: Benson resident and breast cancer survivor Tara Sparks’ tattoos tell the story of love, loss, healing, and selfexpression.
LEFT: Batman fan Shane Beebe shows the art created on his arm by Apocalypse Girl Tattoo artist Jinx Ryder.
Tobie Inscore reflects a garden theme rendered by artist Cohen Hughes.
Kalei Ward’s dinosaur tattoos are an ongoing project of artist Alex Pilkington.
As a tattoo is completed, plastic is applied to offer protection.
“What I’m doing is taking what’s on the inside and putting it on the outside in a visual format.”
Robert Meyers, owner/artist, Apocalypse Girl Tattoo
Originally a client, Heather Poisson, left, has become good friends with her tattoo artist, Cohen Hughes.
Being in intimate contact with clients means that safety is a top concern at Apocalypse Girl Tattoo.
Art for All
The Master Artists at the Mayton Exhibit
It was Brazilian artist and painter Romero Britto who said, “Art is too important not to share.” After all, the sharing of art in public spaces fosters connection and an appreciation for diversity by promoting dialogue, inspiring creativity, and inviting the expression of personal perspectives. Shared art democratizes access to culture, enriches public spaces, and encourages collaboration — all of which enhances the collective human experience.
Now, owing to the collaboration of two area nonprofits, the work of nationally recognized artists who live right here in Western Wake is accessible to the public.
From February 28 through June 23, downtown Cary’s chic and comfortable The Mayton inn is transformed into a vibrant gallery space. In the inaugural Master Artists at the Mayton exhibit, 36 Triangle-area artists — including 14 who have been recognized nationally — have their work showcased.
Making the act of bringing community art into the community even more inspiring is that the cause of art for all has long been championed by the very two nonprofit organizations that have partnered together to establish this significant event.
The Fine Arts League of Cary (FALC) has been connecting and supporting emerging and accomplished artists in the community for close to 30 years — cultivating artistic growth and community connection through exhibitions, workshops, and other events.
With an aligned aim to bring art to the community and support area artists, fellow Cary nonprofit Cary Visual Art (CVA) has been placing art in public for over 25 years. From the cows on Kildaire Farm Road to the sculpture in Bond Park, CVA has long sought to, as President Susan Alexander describes the endeavor, “place art in the public … to benefit the Town.”
Yet despite pursuing a similar mission for so long, the Masters at the Mayton ex-
hibit marks the first time these two arts organizations have come together with the express purpose of promoting creativity and community through an exhibition showcase. Thanks to The Mayton, the invited artists — creatives who are, according to Chairman of the Fine Arts League of Cary Sarah Redpath, “treasures right under our noses” — have the space to do so.
Take David B. Foster, a contemporary realist who started painting later in life with a focus on oil and charcoal mediums. A civil engineer by trade, David never experienced any interest in making art; he “didn’t have the patience,” he says.
It wasn’t until he bought his daughter some art lessons and joined her so she wouldn’t be alone in the classes that he realized how much he enjoyed the artistic process. Although he has long been involved with music, David describes himself as someone who was always much more inclined to be outdoors and participate in activities like surfing than lifting a charcoal pencil or paintbrush.
It was only after a challenging period in his personal life that David returned to the idea of pursuing art. And even then, it took some time for him to get to a place where he felt ready to begin. Once he did, David found “tremendous joy” in art, something he says was also an “important part of my healing process.”
As an active member of the prestigious Oil Painters of America, David’s work was, in 2015, juried into the organization’s 24th National Exhibition. As he explains: “2,000 to 4,000 artists submit to these kinds of exhibitions, but only 200 to 400 are selected.”
When a fellow FALC member — fitting, as FALC works hard as an organization to connect its members — notified David of his achievement, he was shocked.
The painting he exhibited in St. Augustine — which he ultimately purchased himself when he realized it was going to sell, and he wasn’t quite ready to lose such a “milestone piece” in his artistic journey — is
At the exhibit’s opening Meet the Artists night on February 28, guests had the opportunity to mingle and muse.
the same one on display in the Master Artists exhibit. Odd Man Out is a downward view of three apples on a red-and-white checkered cloth. The 9-by-12-inch oil painting took David several sessions to paint. But, of course, the life journey of the piece started long before it was on display in St. Augustine and, once again, in The Mayton.
A similar oil painting was accepted in the 2024 National Juried Salon. David, who sees his life as a journey that shapes and reveals him, says, “My art is an expression of that journey.” He has continued his studies in fine art with internationally acclaimed master art instructors and has had his work published in numerous national publications including Fine Arts Connoisseur and Southwest Art Magazine. David is also a cofounder of Cary’s original Waverly Artists Group and a lifetime member of the FALC.
Yet, despite his many successes, David considers it “an honor, an affirmation” to show in the Master Artists at the Mayton exhibit. Making art is, he explains, often a “solo endeavor. This kind of recognition is the affirmation all artists need to keep going, keep learning. … We all need that affirmation.”
Public art — and the feedback it provides the sometimes solitary artist — elevates ordinary environments and encourages engagement and dialogue, but The Mayton is no blank canvas. While the introduction of additional art to a thoughtfully designed space could easily prove jarring, the curation of the Masters Artists’ work and the considerate placement among the inn’s established décor enhances what already exists. The mediums are varied, and the themes and messages conveyed are disparate, but the visual language invites dialogue.
On the exhibition’s opening Meet the Artists night on February 28, conversation was centered on the artwork dotting the communal gathering spaces and punctuating the walls between rooms on the second and third floors. Set off by sublime herringbone wooden floors and white walls with black accents were vibrant paired works. These pieces were united on walls in what felt like intentional drivers for discussion between the inn’s 44 rooms and suites.
Indeed, for those present to support the exhibiting artists or simply to admire their work — and, in several cases, to purchase it — conversation centered on that work on the walls. Whether chatting with the artist or simply taking a moment of reflection to consider the piece itself, guests were encouraged to engage with the art and each other.
In this way, like all art made public, the Master Artists at the Mayton exhibit fosters identity and belonging by reflecting the area’s culture and history. Through June 23, individuals are invited to experience and appreciate the artistic expression of others — which contributes to a more vibrant and inclusive Western Wake.
Supporters of both the Fine Arts League of Cary and Cary Visual Art were on hand to celebrate the showcase’s opening.
Of the artists invited to exhibit their work, 14 are nationally recognized.
“This kind of recognition is the affirmation all artists need to keep going, keep learning. … We all need that affirmation.”
— David B. Foster
Public art, such as the Master Artists at the Mayton exhibit, engages youth creatively and fosters self-expression, community engagement, and cultural awareness.
David B. Foster’s Odd Man Out was accepted into the Oil Painters of America’s 24th National Exhibition in 2015 in St. Augustine.
David B. Foster and his wife have noticed an emotional difference since starting to display art in their home.
The artwork on exhibit features several styles and mediums and is available for purchase.
As what Sarah describes as a “regional art leader,” the FALC has several additional initiatives planned for 2025. In addition to the Masters at the Mayton exhibit, Meet the Artist events, the Wake Teen exhibition, and the 30th annual Juried Exhibition, Art Swarm will be buzzing September 3–7. The inaugural event invites studio artists, plein air artists, art instructors, and members of the public to downtown Cary to “join together in making, sharing, and enjoying the visual arts.” There are multiple opportunities to paint, exhibit, or join a workshop in the regional event that celebrates art and art makers.
FALC also looks to “encourage the next level of creative thinkers” with scholarships that Sarah describes as “life-changing,” as the affirmation and financial support provided by a scholarship convinced one recipient’s parents that art was a viable career path. CVA, too, invests in future art makers by offering annual scholarships to collegebound high school seniors who are residents
of Cary. These scholarships are “awarded to students who demonstrate exceptional talent and dedication to their art form, as well as a deep commitment to their community” and are yet another way of bringing community art into the community.
There’s a quote that resonates with David about how when we cease to surround ourselves with beauty, we cease to hope. Art, especially art in public, “connects us as humans and gives us hope.”
He shares that he and his wife started buying art after Odd Man Out showed in St. Augustine. Spending his days painting, in the company of the art hanging on his walls, has made what he describes as an “emotional difference” in his life.
Fortunately, thanks to the FALC, CVA, and The Mayton, we are all able to experience that difference for ourselves.
After all, art is too important not to be shared. t
fineartsleagueofcary.org/event-details/falcmaster-artists-at-the-mayton-exhibit
The artwork featured on The Mayton’s walls will rotate during the exhibit.
John Soderberg
Serrano, PA-C
Sarah Wood, Licensed Aesthetician
CONTRIBUTED BY COASTAL CREDIT UNION
UNDERSTANDING THE CROSSROADS
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All loans subject to approval. Equal Housing Lender. Federally insured by NCUA.
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small business spotlight
Young Writers’ Institute
WRITTEN BY TERI SAYLOR | PHOTOGRAPHED BY JONATHAN FREDIN
Thanks to the Young Writers’ Institute, Cary may very well be the home of a future bestselling author or award-winning essayist.
The Institute has been nurturing poets, playwrights, novelists, and artists for more than a decade, giving them a safe space to express themselves and tap into their creativity.
Like many small businesses, the Young Writers’ Institute started as a kitchen-table venture.
Casey Midkiff, a longtime teacher in Alamance and Wake counties, began homeschooling her own children while tutoring and holding writing workshops in her kitchen
on Sunday afternoons. In 2013, she decided to move her groups into a classroom and give her little society of fledgling authors a name, calling it the Young Writers’ Institute.
“The Young Writers’ Institute is a community for young writers and authors,” says Casey. “Our mission is to enrich the creative lives of children through the written word.”
A variety of writing programs from poetry to prose, graphic novels, blogging, and more open a world of self-expression for children and teens in grades 3 through 12.
“We believe that the voices of young people are so important, and we seek to give
them the skills and confidence to express themselves,” Casey continues.
Read on as Casey details how students find their voices and refine their craft.
You offer so much! Describe your different classes, camps, workshops, etc.
We do indeed have a very full schedule. Coming up, we have our summer camp program. Summer break is a great time to try new things, and we have a variety of camps to suit a wide range of interests. This summer we have 16 camps, including food blogging, contest writing boot camp, comics and
Pencils at the ready, students at the Young Writers’ Institute are encouraged to let their creativity flourish.
graphic novels, genre fiction (fantasy, mystery, and dystopian), and so much more.
Our creative writing program continues through the school year with weekly themed workshops, teacher workday and holiday camps, and our Wild Writers nature writing program. Additionally, we offer Teen Writers’ Circle, a social group for teens who want to be a part of a strong and growing writers’ community. There is truly something for every young writer.
During the school year, we also offer our academic writing program for students in grades 5–12. Using the curriculum from the Institute for Excellence in Writing, students learn notetaking, outlining, summarizing, and essay writing. It’s a terrific program for students who need a lot of structure, particularly those who struggle with writing essays or who don’t have a lot of experience with writing.
Our school-year program offers classes after school and on Saturdays, as well as during the daytime for homeschoolers.
What is the program content and how do you develop it?
Our content has been in development for nearly 15 years, and we are constantly adding to
Young Writers’ Institute founder Casey Midkiff
A variety of good reads are available for students.
Ten-year-old Olivia Duckworth expresses her thoughts during a writing assignment.
and improving it. We have a program for nearly every genre of fiction writing, plus themed classes and project-based classes — around 50 programs in total. Programs are designed to inspire creative thought, help plan and organize ideas, and practice techniques to develop the writers’ craft.
Do kids already need to be writers?
Or can anyone benefit from it?
The rule of thumb is that if students can write a complete sentence and have the desire to learn and create, then they are ready to join us here at YWI.
What are the learning objectives?
Our learning objectives are centered around the writing process: gathering ideas,
planning and organizing ideas, drafting, revising and editing, sharing, and publishing. At YWI, this process benefits from support and collaboration with teachers and peers.
Do the young writers come out of the workshops and camps with a full story, poem, or even a book?
The product is dependent on the class and the goals of the author. In some classes, students leave with a finished and polished story. Sometimes students are working on longer projects, so they may leave with just a few chapters but an intention to continue. In some classes, students work on shorter pieces like poems, vignettes, or collections of micro fiction, and we gather selected pieces to publish a collaborative class
book. We encourage students to publish and celebrate when they have finished a piece.
Do they have an opportunity to get published?
Yes. We help students enter contests, submit pieces to various publications, and self-publish.
What are kids’ favorite topics or genres?
Our youngest authors really enjoy the history-based themes, like Vikings and ancient Egypt. Older students love the intense fiction genres, like dystopian and paranormal, as well as projects that give them a big audience, like podcasting. Interestingly, everyone loves poetry. Young people intrinsically understand the
Eleven-year-old Max Kirschbaum arrives for class.
power and beauty of a poem, and they are drawn to it.
Describe the teaching staff. Are they local writers, local teachers?
YWI has the best instructors. We are experienced teachers and enthusiastic readers and writers. I lead the creative writing program, and my colleague, Dawn Bertrand, leads the Institute for Excellence in Writing program. We’ve been working together for 11 years, and we have a combined total of over 50 years’ teaching experience. Other teachers facilitate camps and classes based on their specialties and certifications, like art or college prep.
How many kids are served in the various programs?
We have around 200 students join us for summer camps. Throughout the school
year, we have many students who sign up for multiple classes, so we fill about 450 seats.
What can young writers and their parents expect?
They can expect to become part of a supportive classroom that welcomes all writers. They’ll work on projects that interest them and that showcase their imagination and knowledge. Teachers meet all students at their current levels and focus on growth, helping them express themselves clearly, effectively, and artfully. There is no stress in our classroom! We make writing fun and give kids the freedom they need to develop their passion for writing.
What makes this program special for kids?
Kids typically have no trouble thinking of themselves as soccer players or coders or dancers, but there aren’t many who think of themselves as
writers. Here they are given the opportunity to find the brilliance within them and write to share it. Here is where they can say, “This is who I am, this is what I think and feel, and these are my ideas that nobody else has ever dreamed of before. I am a writer.”
Any success stories?
Every YWI student is a success story, but several alumni have been accepted to prestigious conferences or internships, won competitive awards, and self-published books. I am constantly amazed by the passion and dedication of these kids.
Where can parents learn more?
We would love parents to visit our website. There, they can learn about the various adventures — to include our summer camp program, for which enrollment is now open — awaiting young writers. t trianglekidswrite.net
Only 12 years old, Rose Rivera has already published her first book. At left, Casey Midkiff teaches a class on storytelling.
Fashion: It’s More Than Skin Deep!
BY ERICA DELONG
Fashion might seem like it’s all about staying warm and covered up, but I promise you — it’s a vibrant work of art expressing your true self. Just ask my understanding husband, who has been hearing this speech for years. Fashion is like sprinkling a bit of magic dust on your day, giving you a boost of confidence that connects who you are on the inside with how you show up to the world on the outside.
Now, whenever my hubby side-eyes my bulging closet, I can’t help but question, do I need every single piece? Maybe not. But do they bring joy? Absolutely, yes!
Picture this: You wake up on a “bleh” kind of day — one of those days when the sky’s gray and so is your mood. But then you pull out an outfit that just clicks with you. Suddenly, your ordinary walk becomes a strut! It’s magic, fashion psychology at work. When your clothes vibe with your spirit, it’s like a rocket boost for your confidence.
And as Karly Wilson, the brains behind @raleighisgrowing and @raleighfashionfest, would agree, fashion is an unspoken language. It’s how you say who you are without uttering a single word, much like Miuccia Prada’s philosophy. If your outfit doesn’t make you feel great, it shows. But when you look fab and feel fab, confidence becomes your invisible cloak.
Let’s also banish the myth that being stylish requires draining your bank account at luxury stores. Real style is about finding pieces that flatter you, fit comfortably, and make you feel amazing, and there’s no reason you can’t do that on a budget. It’s sort of like picking a signature scent — it’s about
what speaks to your soul, not what a price tag dictates.
Take the classic white shirt, for example — a true wardrobe must! Not the fanciest piece you’ll own, but it’s versatile. Whether you’re heading to a corporate meeting or a dinner date, this piece is up to the task. It’s the style staple that fits effortlessly into any occasion.
And here’s a nugget of style advice: Invest in a great tailor! My tailor, Lia Sa in Apex (@fleurdeliaalterations), is a genius when it comes to helping me and other ladies feel incredible. Sometimes an outfit needs a simple tweak to make it perfect for you! I have literally found clearance items that have been reworked and become a favorite piece just from a quick alteration.
Fashion is all about embracing who you are and letting your style radiate your confidence to the world. It’s the kind of journey where you toss the old rule book out the window and write your own.
If the idea of finding your own personal style feels overwhelming, start by investigating your closet. Dig out those pieces that make your heart smile; they’re the secrets of what truly resonates with you. Let’s be real: Fashion is an ever-changing adventure, so why not have a little fun with it? Explore vintage shops, flirt with bold and quirky designs, and never underestimate the honored classics. Sites like Pinterest and Instagram can provide so much inspiration and creativity.
We’ve all tried some looks that fell flat. But they’re not failures; they’re valuable lessons in crafting a style that’s uniquely ours. Trust your gut, do what makes you happy, and sprinkle in touches that tell the world who you are. Remember, the most beautiful style is the one that feels like a warm embrace, showing off the authentic, confident, and wonderful you!
And if you’re looking to discover the perfect colors that complement your natural beauty, meet Gretchen, often referred to as The Color Lady! As an expert in color analysis, she offers in-person consultations in Raleigh to help you find the color palette that best suits your skin, eyes, and hair. Visit colormebeautifulraleigh.com to learn more!
Once you’ve nailed down your style, you’ll start to discover the shops that feel most like you. For instance, I have a soft spot for Azalea Wang shoes — they’re conversation pieces and super affordable. I’m all about being extra, and I absolutely embrace it!
Karly Wilson adds some seasonal advice: “Spring and summer in North Carolina are ideal for transitional dressing since it’s our longest warm stretch. Begin with layered looks — think blazers, jean jackets, and cardigans over your favorite lightweight dresses and pieces. As the temperature climbs, these outfits can effortlessly shift into full-on summer mode. With hot and humid weather, dressing in breathable fabrics and layers becomes crucial. I adore being able to strip down when it’s steamy and have something snug for those chilly restaurant visits.”
Listen, when you are feeling cute, it makes all the difference. So, here’s to fashion that boosts your life, shows your essence, and puts that all-important sparkle in your step ... even if it means explaining to your significant other why 100 pairs of shoes are, in fact, necessities. (Just saying ... they fit even with a few extra seasonal pounds.)t
Reach out with your favorite shopping spots @EricaDeLong
The brains behind Raleigh Fashion Fest: Sisters Karly Wilson and Jen Barnard work hard to help the fashion scene in the Triangle thrive.
Gretchen The Color Lady helps Allison Reynolds discover her color palette at Color Me Beautiful Raleigh.
pay it forward diaper train
WRITTEN BY ERIN MCKNIGHT | PHOTOGRAPHED BY JONATHAN FREDIN
“Diapers shouldn’t be a privilege,” says Diaper Train Executive Director Katie Lowek. Instead, she asserts, “Diapers are a basic need.” Yet, there is no assistance in place for diapers. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Women, Infants, and Children program (WIC) do not provide diapers, and there are no federal or state programs for diapers. So, Katie asks: “If we don’t provide diapers, who will?”
This year, Diaper Train answered with plans to distribute a million diapers.
As the only diaper bank in Raleigh — and the only diaper bank that exclusively serves Wake County families — Diaper Train
provides families with diapers, wipes, and children’s books monthly.
With families spending up to $100 per month per child on diapers, and many families having multiple children in diapers at the same time, Diaper Train serves families in Wake County that need diapers, regardless of the number and age of the children. Most of the families in need of assistance are working families, Katie shares.
“I think that’s what surprises people the most: that we’re serving families from oneand two-parent households where one or both parents are working!” she says.
Regardless of a parent or caregiver’s employment status, being unable to provide enough diapers for a child is a major source of stress, anxiety, and worry. Feelings of inadequacy and guilt are reported, and diaper need can also contribute to postpartum stress and other mental health issues.
When parents don’t have enough diapers, Katie discloses, they report leaving children in soiled diapers for up to a whole day before changing them or dumping and reusing diapers. They also admit to using other household items like towels, plastic bags, or T-shirts as alternatives.
Executive Director Katie Lowek retrieves an order in the storeroom, where diapers are packaged according to size.
Not surprisingly, medical conditions can result when a child is left in a soiled diaper for too long — diaper rash, infections, and more serious medical conditions are all possible outcomes. Notwithstanding the obvious discomfort the child may experience as a result, if a child develops an infection, they typically need to go to the doctor … which often means that parents are forced to take time off work. “We also know that babies with infections cry more,” Katie says, “which means that parents’ stress levels increase.”
When it comes to the relationship between diaper insecurity and poverty, the connection is undeniable. Katie explains: “Children must have diapers to go to day care. If families aren’t able to provide them, they can’t go. If a child can’t go to day care, a parent or caregiver can’t go to work. If they can’t go to work, they are losing wages.”
Volunteer Rachael Van Devender opens boxes of diapers, which are then sorted and packaged for clients. For more than 10 years, Diaper Train has provided Wake County families with direct access to diapers.
Volunteer Maria Fields fills an order, which includes diapers, wipes, and a children’s book. Diaper Train distributes diapers every four weeks, with each client receiving 30–100 diapers per child, depending on size.
Families experiencing diaper need report missing an average of five working days every month … which in turn results in a reduced ability to afford diapers.
Diaper need affects the whole family and the greater community, which is why Diaper Train strives to get diapers into families’ hands in two ways: directly and through distribution partners such as medical facilities, public safety facilities, religious sites, and nonprofit organizations.
The way it works is that families in need are referred to Diaper Train by partners, like Wake County Health & Human Services, so that they can pick up diapers when Diaper Train is open for distribution. They also have distribution partners (like Western Wake Crisis Ministry or InterAct) who order diapers monthly and pick them up for their clients.
Diaper Train is open for distribution Tuesday through Thursday and one Saturday a month. Staff members and volunteers also get out into the community and meet clients at partners’ events.
Katie, who has worked in the nonprofit world for over 17 years — her entire career — has always found herself in positions working with women and children. Before joining Diaper Train, she worked at the Ronald McDonald House of the Triangle. “I absolutely loved my time there, and the families I had the privilege of connecting with,” Katie shares, “but I missed working directly with families in my community.”
Now working side by side with other nonprofits in the Triangle that are all advancing toward a similar mission, Katie tries to be present for distributions and mobile events. “I also spend my time speaking to anyone who will listen,” she acknowledges, “meeting with our community partners and seeking out funding opportunities.”
Despite no two days looking alike for Katie, as executive director it is important that she stays connected to the families Diaper Train serves, supports her team,
A child waves to volunteers while her mother takes advantage of curbside pickup at Diaper Train.
Katie Lowek, right, chats with regular client Angela Edwards, who is raising three 2-year-olds while also working as a full-time accountant. Diaper Train is committed to making sure no family ever has to worry about how they’ll get their next diaper
and thanks the volunteers who help make this important work possible. “We love our volunteers,” she says, “and we rely on volunteers!” Volunteers pack diaper orders for partners, distribute diapers directly to families from the Diaper Train parking lot, and attend mobile events. She sums it up by expressing: “We couldn’t do it without them!”
Working with families will always be what Katie describes as “gratifying work,” but she also derives great satisfaction from teaching others about why Diaper Train’s mission matters and “seeing that click for them.” While it remains an ongoing challenge to ensure sufficient resources to meet the needs of the community, and Katie admits to feeling frustrated by “the system we live in,” she also describes herself as “here for it.”
Wake County residents can support Diaper Train’s cause by donating at diapertrain. org, hosting a diaper drive, and collecting new and gently used board books. Of course, following Diaper Train on social media and talking about diaper need provide invaluable support as well!
In April, Diaper Train moved into a larger space located at 1812 Tillery Place in Raleigh that allows for more diapers, wipes, and books to be stored. Additional parking isavailable for the families served, volunteers, and donors. Katie explains: “More space means we can welcome more volunteers and larger volunteer groups. We also plan to share our meeting spaces with our partners to expand our programs.”
According to Katie: “The children in this state, in this country, deserve better!” Fortunately, Diaper Train has got that covered.
Social media is the best way for people to stay informed about upcoming activities, such as the annual fundraiser event, Bottoms Up, on Friday, September 19. t diapertrain.org
Individuals or families with diaper need can go to diapertrain.org to learn how to get help, or call Diaper Train directly at (919) 833-6400.
Diapers are available to children and adults of all sizes and ages! Adult diaper stock is dependent on community donations, so specific styles and sizes may be limited.
Families will receive a package of diapers and a package of wipes for each child in their family in need. Diaper Train even serves some families with triplets and quadruplets!
Diaper Train volunteer Christy Mitchell delivers a bag of diapers.
Imagination comes with 7 doors and its own section of town.
by Molly Darcy Age 36
Washington DC
I am an artist and university professor. Thomas Sayre is someone that intrigues me. I’ve seen his monumental sculptures tower over landscapes around the world. When I heard he raised a piece in Kinston, I knew this would be a stop on my artist bucket list.
There are artists who work on a canvas as tiny as a pinhead. There are artists who hide their creations, making the act of finding them part of the statement. But Thomas Sayre does neither of those. His artwork is monumental, towering. It’s meant to be seen and marveled at for generations. Thomas Sayre is a man intent on making history. That made him the perfect artist to commission for a new sculpture in downtown Kinston.
In 2015, Sayre was enlisted to create a sculpture to anchor the Kinston Art Trail. The work would honor the town’s tobacco heritage and demonstrate the city’s shift into a cultural arts center. It would be a piece symbolic of the town’s resilience, an icon to help funnel their movement upward. So, the idea for Flue was born.
constructed of earthcast concrete with cracks, holes, and empty bottles pierced throughout for local insects to come and go at will. Sayre had my attention. Since that moment, I have made a point to experience as many of his works as I can. Neil calls it my Sayre bucket list.
YOU CAN WALK UP TO IT, TOUCH IT, EXAMINE THE TEXTURES
Located in the coastal plains of North Carolina, Kinston is a city at the center of many historical moments. Be that moment a Civil War battle or surviving hurricanes or building back an entire economy after the collapse of tobacco. The people in Kinston are resilient and creative – taking what they have and figuring out how to move forward.
I first encountered Sayre’s work on a visit to Phuket, Thailand. My husband, Neil and I were there on our honeymoon when we saw an ominous structure beckoning to us from the shoreline. Phuket Cheddi stands over five stories tall and is more than 16 feet around – a giant cone
Lucky for me, I don’t have to go far to experience Flue. Kinston is just a few hours south of our home in Washington, D.C. So, we decided to make our visit a long weekend.
As we pull into town, we pass a mural of a giant stork that encompasses an entire block. There are galleries popping up here and there featuring work of local artists. Standing amongst all this creativity and growth is Flue. Like Sayre’s other earthcasting work, Flue is stunning. It’s a sculpture in seven parts, with each piece crafted
to look like the facade of a tobacco barn. Standing over three stories tall and weighing in at 280 tons, Flue is designed to make a statement.
To form Flue, Sayre cast reinforced concrete directly into molds cut into the earth here in Lenoir County – earth that once grew cotton, then tobacco. In fact, Flue was erected on the block where the Brooks Tobacco Warehouse once stood. When the town was in its golden leaf heyday, the building was a giant barn where rods upon rods of tobacco leaves hung, dried, and awaited processing. Flue is both the embodiment of this town’s history and its burgeoning path forward.
straight line. There are seven doors before me and each offers a different view of the town. As I take a step forward, the vision of that town becomes a little bigger, a little clearer. Until I exit the last doorway and the point of Flue becomes obvious.
Since the sculpture was raised, the town has gone through a bit of a renaissance. There’s a motor lodge that has been renovated to look like it’s straight out of the 1960s. There’s a tap room and beer garden that are 100% solar powered. There’s even a community of artists that have come to live and create in Kinston through the smART Kinston program.
Like many of Sayre’s other sculptures, Flue invites visitors to interact with it. You can walk up to it, touch it, examine the textures. So I do just that. I enter the first doorway and start to walk in a
All of this is proof that public art, like Flue, brings people together. It gives a town like Kinston a sense of place and attracts visitors like us. Perhaps it’s that, and not mere size, that’s the most monumental thing about Sayre’s work.
Night-lilies
Daylilies’ blithe blossoms unfurl in morning’s glory, shine resplendent under the celestial arc of the summer sun, but then, alas, bow and fade into twilight’s quiet embrace. That sentence is not only poor poetic prose, but it’s also inaccurate because of night-blooming daylilies.
Night-blooming daylilies — really? Yep. Oxymorons? You bet.
The American Daylily Society (ADS) classifies any daylily that opens in the afternoon — rather than the norm of early in the day — and stays in flower through the night as “nocturnal,” which is often abbreviated in cultivar descriptions as “NOC.” The blooms of many nocturnal selections begin to wilt early in the morning, but there are some that remain in full flower well into the next day.
But wait, there’s more. The ADS also notes certain daylilies have flowers that open in the morning but stubbornly — in a good way — show off for 16 hours or more, long past their typical bedtime at sunset. These persistent pleasures are labeled as “extended” (“EXT”) daylilies.
Just because they are weird, don’t think “night-lilies” are commercially scarce. The delightfully fragrant ‘Citrina’ with butteryellow blooms is the easy-to-find poster child for nocturnal daylilies. Last year, I bought two NOC pretties locally: ‘Pardon Me’ (red with greenish yellow throat) and ‘Chevron Spider’ (light peach with burgundy stripes and bright green throat).
Intrigued by extended daylilies? Look no further than the common ‘Stella d’Oro,’ with its perky yellow blossoms. ‘Black Eyed Stella’ (yellow with a reddish throat), a direct flower child descendant of ‘Stella d’Oro,’ is another popular, easy-to-find variety. The classic, fragrant ‘Hyperion’ (soft yellow) is worth considering, too.
The beauty of ‘Joan Senior,’ an extended daylily
I have also snapped up four other extended pretties — ‘Lavender Deal’ (light purple with a bright yellow throat),’ ‘Rocket City’ (orange with rust-orange center), ‘Happy Returns’ (solid yellow), and ‘Joan Senior’ (creamy white with a light yellow throat) — from area nurseries I often haunt.
There are many more night-blooming cultivars available. To start your hunt, just ask the friendly folks at area garden centers what they might have in their inventories. Since many of these daylilies can be, in varying degrees, also fragrant, check for any with this desirable trait, too.
But you might be thinking, “So, just what are night-blooming daylilies good for?”
The easy answer is night gardens, those playful, after-dark, lighted plant lairs that never fail to enchant; and moon gardens, where daylily flowers with pale hues can elegantly glimmer in a lunar-lit landscape. Sounds nice, doesn’t it? t
L.A. Jackson is the former editor of Carolina Gardener Magazine. Want to ask L.A. a question about your garden? Contact him by email at lajackson1@gmail.com.
To Do in the Garden
MAY
Written and
photographed
by L.A. Jackson
Timely Tip
Have you ever wondered what the difference is between a frog and a toad? Most frogs normally have moist-looking, smooth skin, and they need to live close to water, while toads sport dry, bumpy hides and are more inclined to be land dwellers. Also, frogs jump with their long back legs, but toads have stubbier hind limbs, so they take short hops. However, since the two are efficient hunters of such plant pests as beetles, grubs, cutworms, grasshoppers, snails, and slugs, as well as itch-inducing mosquitoes, both should be considered garden buddies and left alone to patrol garden rows and beds during the growing season.
Frog or toad?
• Wait until at least the middle of this month to mulch your annual ornamental and veggie beds. The soil takes its time to warm up in the spring, so keeping it exposed to strengthening sun rays will please the heat-loving roots of your summer plants sooner rather than later.
• If your lawnmower has become a stubborn starter, first check to make sure the air filter is not super dirty. Then, if your spark plug hasn’t been changed in a couple of years, it’s probably time for a new one.
JUNE
• Father’s Day is June 15, so, if Pop is an avid gardener, why not surprise him by planting a special, hard-to-find or specimen perennial, shrub, or tree in his honor?
• To spot spray weeds without risking a deadly drift to favored plants, cut the bottom out of an empty 2- or 3-liter plastic soda bottle, place the slit end over offending weeds, spritz liquid herbicide into the narrow top opening, and let the spray settle before moving on to other unwanted plants.
Shaped By Place
Figulina Makes Pasta a Vessel for More than Sauce
WRITTEN BY ANDREA RICHARDS | PHOTOGRAPHED BY JONATHAN FREDIN
Just before David Ellis, the chef/owner of Figulina, sits down to chat with me over the phone, he’s had a visitor: Derek Hennigar from Ordinary Furniture, who was in town to deliver some bar stools. If you’ve sat at Figulina’s bar — or at Humble Pie’s, the restaurant that preceded it and served as a Raleigh institution for 33 years — you’ve likely noticed the triangle-shaped stools Derek created three decades ago. In fact, Derek started his woodworking business at Humble Pie, in the corner of the restaurant that now serves as a pasta room.
“It’s a lot to live up to,” says David of Humble Pie’s legacy. “There’s a lot of pressure because it was such a well-loved restaurant,
but, at the same time, it’s really nice inheriting something like that that is so well loved.”
Respecting tradition while creating something new might just be David’s modus operandi — one that is reflected in almost every aspect of how he runs his restaurant, a 2025 James Beard Award Semifinalist for Best New Restaurant. Located in downtown’s Warehouse District, Figulina reflects an appreciation for the space’s rich past as well as a commitment to the handmade and local, both in the décor and on the menu.
The focus here is hand-shaped pasta, and the notion of craftsmanship — be it barstools or in the creative alchemy of flour, egg, salt, and water — pervades the place.
Though he served as the chef de cuisine at Poole’s Diner for several years, David is originally from Stoke-on-Trent, an area known as The Potteries in England. The name Figulina translates roughly to “potter’s workshop,” which clarifies that craft is the focus here, exhibited on the plate and elsewhere.
The charming line art and illustrations on the menu are courtesy of artist Sam Taylor, who also created the mural over the bar depicting a heron with fishes on a line. It is also Sam, David’s partner, who oversees the provisions market located in one corner of the restaurant, which offers a wonderfully curated selection of olive oils, chocolates,
The rosé-beetroot terrine starter includes golden beet agrodolce, tahini yogurt, and rye crispbread.
tinned fish, and home goods, as well as a fridge stocked with freshly extruded pastas to take home.
A fun introduction to dining at Figulina is to sit yourself on one of those stools at the bar for Aperitivo Hour (Tuesday through Thursday, 5–6:30 p.m.), featuring amari-focused cocktails and small snacks like spiced almonds, marinated olives, or a delicious brick of house-made focaccia. These light bites pair perfectly with the drinks and feel like the start of spring: hopeful.
The snacks — which include a plate of Lady Edison’s “Fancy” Shaved Ham, also encourage sharing, which, to me,
creates an essential part of any cocktail hour: community.
Getting down to business, the dinner menu is divided into small-plate starters and pastas, and sharing among them with a dining partner isn’t a bad idea so as to order more. Any misconception that because Figulina’s focus is pasta, the restaurant is Italian is corrected by the starters, which venture into other territories.
There are so many options, like salads whose complex flavors add up to more than the sum of their parts. The whipped ricotta changes seasonally. For spring, it’s served with charred endive, shaved spring vegetables, and
a celery salsa verde (the Italian kind — no tomatillos here). Such unexpected elements show the range of influences David has at play in any one dish: Italian, European, Southern, and more.
“We try and keep ourselves rooted in Italian tradition, but our own little spin on that,” says David. “So trying as many local, seasonal ingredients as we can — some of these ingredients are just very tied to the South, and maybe you wouldn’t necessarily use them, but we do. …We use a lot of French techniques, but doing Italian kind of style food. We play around but, ultimately, we’re just trying to make delicious food.”
“We use a lot of French techniques, but doing Italian kind of style food. We play around but, ultimately, we’re just trying to make delicious food.”
David Ellis, chef/owner, Figulina
Chef David Ellis dishes handmade spizzulus pasta tossed with poached octopus, sofrito, and Castelvetrano olives
The same spirit of play, inclusivity, and craft is evident in the pasta selections. Here, David brings together his various influences with pasta serving as the foundation. In pasta, every shape serves a purpose: the lengths, surfaces, and contours all act in concert with what goes atop. There are hundreds of pasta shapes, each with its own origin and geographic specificity.
David began exploring the world of pasta during the pandemic. With restaurants closed, he had plenty of time to play. Learning to make various shapes by hand, he began to think of pasta as a vessel, which is where the idea of Figulina started. Inspired by chefs like Marc Vetri and San Francisco’s Flour + Water, David began to conceive of a restaurant that focused on handmade pasta but with a wider swath of influences than only Italian.
Sure, there are versions of the classics on the menu, like a Bolognese served on tagliatelle (the sales of which benefit community meals in partnership with the local nonprofit Now Serving) but David isn’t working toward verisimilitude.
Instead, he’s recreating the classics using local ingredients and incorporating a range of others. The dishes his kitchen is building are uniquely his own, which is what makes Figulina more than just another Italian place — it’s a place forged by the past and a very particular personal history.
Luca Albrecht makes stuffed farfalle with ricotta, melted leek, and preserved lemon filling. In the final step, pasta is pinched into a bowtie.
Fresh tagliatelle with Bolognese and Parmigiano Reggiano
Whipped ricotta with charred Belgian endive, shaved spring vegetables, celery salsa verde, mandarin, and crispy shallot
The orecchiette, which was added to the menu for spring, is topped with a rich, ciderbraised pork cheek, charred cabbage, fennel pollen, and pine nut gremolata. The tender meat and other bits suspend themselves into the dents and crevices of the pasta perfectly. And though it had a wholly different, tender texture, the combination of succulent meat and sweet cabbage called up a perfectly rendered BBQ sandwich with slaw. It’s Italian, but it’s also Southern and something else.
Figulina’s Sunday brunch makes David’s British heritage most apparent. Not only does the menu feature scones with clotted cream and jam, it includes Bubble and Squeak, a dish traditionally made with leftovers from a Sunday roast. But like the dinner menu, there’s variety: Eggs Benedict and breakfast hash coexist with yogurt panna cotta and a porchetta sandwich. Mafaldine makes an inspired appearance as well, because why shouldn’t carbonara be breakfast? Especially when it’s made with country ham. Similarly, the tidy dessert menu sums up the skillful interplay of disparate influences in only three offerings: a Bakewell tart (a classic British dessert that some of us have
only seen on The Great British Bake Off); an olive oil cake; and a tahini mousse that features Viemoose. I can’t think of another restaurant where these items would appear together, and that is exactly the point.
Just as human touch is embedded in handmade ceramics — so, too, with handmade pasta. At Figulina, there’s no doubt a human is behind each plate. t figulinaraleigh.com
Made with melted leeks and preserved lemon, stuffed farfalle is served with spring peas, ricotta salata, and seed crunch.
Cary | 1388 Kildaire Farm Rd.
Raleigh | 4516 Falls of Neuse Rd.
* Coming soon!
Chapel Hill | 4416 Durham Chapel Hill Blvd.
Cary | 2025 Renaissance Park Place
Raleigh | Transfer Co. Food Hall 500 E. Davie St., Suite 108
Shark’s Tooth
from RUCKUS PIZZA, PASTA & SPIRITS
With all the flavors of a tropical getaway, this cocktail is your one-way sip to a seaside state of mind.
1 ¼ ounces Captain Morgan Coconut Rum
2 ounces pineapple juice
2 ounces orange juice
1 ounce ruby red grapefruit juice
Sprite
Combine all ingredients except Sprite in a shaker with ice. Shake until frothy and strain into a rocks glass with fresh ice. Top with Sprite and garnish with an orange wedge and a cherry.
Ruckus was founded in 1999 as an affordable source for great food, great music, and great times near NC State. Today, additional locations in Morrisville, Cary, and Apex deliver on that goal in a lively and family-friendly atmosphere. Stop in for a 24-inch pizza, or even sushi or brunch. And check out the brand-new Ruckus Scratch Kitchen location in Leesville Towne Center. ruckuspizza.com
PHOTOGRAPHED BY JONATHAN FREDIN
Yellow Umbrella
from Sneaky Penguin Brewing Company
A tropical juice bomb with layers of citrus and stone fruit, Yellow Umbrella bursts with bold hop character. Citra and Mosaic shine with bright notes of mango, tangerine, and ripe peach, while Simcoe adds a subtle piney bite and hints of berry. Strata brings a final flourish of passion fruit and a touch of dank complexity.
A smooth, pillowy mouthfeel and restrained bitterness make for an irresistibly juicy, hazy pour with a refreshingly crisp finish.
About Sneaky Penguin Chris Nadeau grew up helping his father homebrew beer in the mid-’90s. Years later, he embraced the hobby again as an adult. After taking first place in a homebrew competition, he and his wife decided to open a brewery of their own, and in 2022, Sneaky Penguin Brewing Company opened its doors in North Raleigh. The family-friendly and community-focused taproom hosts weekly trivia and a run club, among other events. Sneaky Penguin is known for its wide range of brew styles, so expect its 12 draft offerings to rotate often.
sneakypenguinbrewing.com
Understanding TMJ Disorder
RECOGNIZE THE SYMPTOMS AND BUILD A TREATMENT PLAN
Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ disorder) is a condition affecting the jaw joint and the surrounding muscles, leading to pain and discomfort in the jaw, as well as difficulties with movement. This joint, located on either side of the head, connects the mandible (lower jaw) to the skull. The joint plays a crucial role in everyday activities, such as chewing, speaking, and yawning. TMJ disorder can often result in significant discomfort, affecting daily life and overall well-being.
Symptoms of TMJ Disorder
Individuals suffering from TMJ disorder may experience a variety of symptoms, including:
Jaw pain: This can manifest as a dull ache or sharp pain around the jaw joint and can radiate to the ears, neck, and shoulders.
Clicking or popping sounds: Many people report hearing clicking or popping noises when opening or closing the mouth, which can be indicative of underlying joint issues.
Limited jaw movement: Some individuals may find it painful or difficult to open their mouths fully, interfering with basic activities like eating or speaking.
Facial pain and headaches: TMJ disorder can lead to muscle tension in the face and neck, which can result in frequent headaches or migraines.
Ear pain or ringing: Because of the proximity of the temporomandibular joint to the ear, some patients might experience ear-related symptoms, such as pain, fullness, or tinnitus (ringing in the ears).
Causes of TMJ Disorder
The exact causes of TMJ disorder can be complex and multifactorial. Some common factors include:
Jaw injury: Trauma to the jaw, whether from an accident or other physical injury, can disrupt the normal function of the joint.
Teeth grinding (bruxism): Many individuals unconsciously grind their teeth, often during sleep, which can put excessive pressure on the jaw joint.
Arthritis: Conditions like osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis can lead to inflammation and degeneration of the joint, contributing to TMJ disorder.
Stress and anxiety: High levels of stress can cause muscle tension and teeth clenching, exacerbating TMJ symptoms.
Diagnosis
Because the symptoms of TMJ disorder could be caused by numerous underlying issues, you may have already visited a neurologist or pain specialist, perhaps even undergoing a CT scan or MRI in the process. At Supremia Dentistry in Wake Forest, their team uses BioPak, a state-of-the-art computerized measurement device built by leaders in neuromuscular and physiology technology. It provides a wealth of precision data, including muscle readings, joint sonography, and computerized jaw tracking. Data is analyzed to ensure an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment plan.
CONTRIBUTED BY
DR. EDMOND SUH, D.D.S.
Treatment Options
There are several individualized, noninvasive, and non-surgical treatments for TMJ disorder. Splint therapy uses a customized dental orthotic to protect the joint from undue strain. Depending on the nature of the condition, traditional dentistry, orthodontics, or a combination thereof may also be used.
Without treatment, TMJ disorder pain can worsen, leading to excruciating levels that may require more serious medical intervention. At Supremia Dentistry, their team has specialized in TMJ disorders for more than 20 years, alleviating pain and restoring the ability to perform daily activities comfortably for their patients!
Edmond W. Suh, D.D.S., is the owner of Supremia Dentistry in Wake Forest. He is an international lecturer on advanced esthetic dental procedures, and leads an awardwinning team that has completed extensive training and continuing education to implement the latest technologies and techniques. For more information on TMJ disorders or other dental issues, call (919) 556-6200 or visit supremiadentistry.com.
Built to Last The Enduring Legacy of John McAdams
Not every engineering firm bears the mark of its founder quite like McAdams. But then again, not every founder is John McAdams.
Over the course of 46 years, John built more than a business — he built a legacy. One defined by service, culture, growth, and a relentless belief in people. From a single office in 1979 to a thriving multidisciplinary firm with offices across four states, the company he founded has become a respected name in planning, design, surveying, and
engineering. And through it all, John’s steady leadership has remained the foundation.
In 2025, John announced his retirement, transitioning from day-to-day leadership and his role on the McAdams Board of Directors. While it marks the end of an era, it also celebrates the beginning of a new chapter — not just for John, but for the company he spent nearly five decades building.
“When I opened The John R. McAdams Company at 8 a.m. on April 2, 1979,”
he recalls, “I envisioned creating something extraordinary — an organization that not only delivers exceptional service to our clients but also fosters a workplace where individuals are inspired to build long-lasting, fulfilling careers.”
That vision has held strong. Today, McAdams operates across four states, with more than 500 professionals delivering services in civil engineering, land planning, landscape architecture, water resources, energy, geomatics,
John McAdams and other teammates at the annual McAdams Thanksgiving lunch celebration
John McAdams’
and transportation. But John didn’t set out to build an empire — he set out to do things the right way. And that intent shaped everything that followed.
A Deliberate Beginning
John McAdams was born and raised in Raleigh and always had a knack for structure and systems. From a young age, he was drawn to problem-solving, eventually earning his undergraduate degree in engineering from Duke University in 1970.
“I grew up with a single-minded feeling about what I should be,” he shared. “As a kid at the beach, I would build highway interchanges in the sand. People kept telling me I should be an engineer — and it stuck.”
After stints with construction and engineering firms in Colorado and North Carolina, John began quietly taking mental notes. By the time he left his position at a Chapel Hill firm in early 1979, he had already spent months outlining his approach to starting his own company — down to a three-ring binder with business policies, a vision for growth, and a logo inspired by his original planning manual.
That same deliberate mindset defined the launch of McAdams. “I didn’t want a practice,” he says. “I wanted a firm — a sustainable business that could grow and last beyond me.”
And so, on a spring morning in 1979, he opened the doors and looked at the empty office walls and said, “So now it begins.”
Building Through Challenge and Change
McAdams grew quickly in its early years, even as it weathered economic turbulence. Just two years in, the 1981 recession forced John to make his first difficult layoffs. But rather than back down, he leaned into what would become one of his core leadership traits: resilience.
“This is my life’s work — it isn’t just an experiment,” he says. “I learned a lot about conserving money and allocating resources,
but most importantly, I learned that to build something lasting, you have to believe in people.”
That belief shaped the culture that continues at McAdams today — an environment where mentorship, growth, and collaboration aren’t just values, but guiding principles. “Seeing people grow within the firm and become leaders themselves has been the most rewarding part of this journey,” John says.
Milestones That Shaped a Firm McAdams’ Landmark projects marked some of the most pivotal moments in the
firm’s growth. In 1983, the firm took on the Landfall development in Wilmington, at the time the largest development in the state by acreage. McAdams worked on the project through 1992, and it became a major catalyst for growth.
In the late 1990s, another defining project came in the form of the Streets at Southpoint regional mall in Durham. “That was one of the most fun projects we ever did,” John recalls. “The City of Durham got behind it because they understood what a regional mall could mean in terms of tax base and community investment.”
John McAdams in the 1990s
Projects like these, along with an expanding reputation, helped McAdams develop a strong network of relationships with municipal planners, attorneys, developers, and community stakeholders — partnerships that continue to fuel the firm’s success.
Culture by Design
While McAdams’ project portfolio grew, so did its internal structure. By the late 1990s, John had begun offering ownership opportunities to long-term employees, a significant decision that reinforced his belief in building a sustainable firm.
“That was a hurdle for me to overcome,” he admits. “But I saw the impact right away: People stayed, felt invested, and helped shape the future of the company.”
He also championed internal mentorship and leadership development, bring-
ing in outside consultants and encouraging employees to attend industry conferences.
“Guiding people in advancing their careers is one of the strongest retention routes you can have,” he says. “If people feel they’re growing, they stay. And they thrive.”
It wasn’t just about professional growth, though — it was about building a place people loved to work. “This isn’t a cold work environment,” John says. “People come here and find real friendships. Some have even gotten married after meeting here. That kind of culture doesn’t happen by accident.”
A Legacy That Lives On
As John reflects on the legacy he leaves behind, it’s clear he sees the firm not as a finished product, but as an evolving story.
“From day one, the focus was on build-
ing something sustainable that would perpetuate beyond any individual,” he says in his official retirement announcement. “What I am most proud of is the culture we have built — one that values mentorship, collaboration, and investing in people.”
Mike Munn, president and CEO of McAdams, echoed that sentiment. “What truly sets McAdams apart is the culture of belonging and shared success that John instilled. Employees don’t just work here: They build meaningful careers, grow, and contribute to something bigger than themselves.”
Even as John steps away from the daily operation of the business, he continues to champion the firm’s core values.
And when asked to summarize his career?
“Fulfilled,” he says. “I’ve had a career filled with faith, family, and purpose. I’m one fulfilled dude.”
John McAdams with Bill and Colleen Derks at the annual Founder’s Day celebration
happenings
A Place at the Table, Raleigh’s first pay-what-you-can café, unveiled a new café menu on April 16, designed to bring fresh flavors and comfort to its downtown community. The updated offerings are the result of a collaboration with Dean Ogan, founder of Rocky Top Catering, who volunteered his time and culinary expertise to help craft the new lineup.
“We’re thrilled to have Dean’s guidance in curating a menu that balances comfort and creativity,” says Executive Director Maggie Kane. “His passion for hospitality, high standards for quality, and love for our local community shine through in every item.”
Menu highlights include hearty favorites like the Breakfast Burrito, Beefy Grilled Cheese, and Meatloaf Sammy, alongside fresh picks such as Avocado Toast, Chef Salad, and White Bean Chicken Chili. The café’s flexible payment model allows guests to pay the suggested price, pay what they can, volunteer in exchange for a meal, or pay it forward — ensuring everyone has access to good food and community. A Place at the Table is open Tuesday through Sunday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The organization also plans to revamp its food truck, The Travelin’ Table, to increase presence at festivals, parties, and corporate events. tableraleigh.org
regener8 Luxury Hair
Growth Oil hosted a launch party at ELLA collective boutique in February. The new product was designed by regener8 founder Chastity Sullivan after covid and menopause left her with thinning hair. After trying other products and treatments to no success, she developed her own essential oil-based blend.
“Our goal is simple: to help everyone struggling with hair loss understand that there are ways to combat it without compromising on natural ingredients,” Chastity says. The company’s website says reduced signs of shedding and inflammation are expected after two months of use, with noticeable improvement in density after three months. regener8.co
The North Carolina Museum of Art (NCMA) has received a $2.5 million implementation grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. through its Religion and Cultural Institutions Initiative. The grant will establish a $2 million endowment for staffing to support the Museum’s Judaic art collection and provide a bridge fund of $500,000 to advance expanded programming over the next five years as part of the NCMA’s Initiative for Jewish Art and Culture. With foundations in the strengths of the Judaic Art Gallery, the Initiative is devoted to arts programming, education, and scholarship that celebrate Jewish culture and history, exploring the global and diasporic history of the Jewish people, and fostering crosscultural understanding and interfaith dialogue.
“We are honored to be recognized for our dedication to facilitating active dialogue between culture and faith through our collection and programs,” says Museum Director Valerie Hillings. “The planned developments made possible by this grant are built upon the same goals of highlighting multiple histories and perspectives that inspired the 2022 reinstallation of the People’s Collection. Looking forward, we are excited to continue our now 50-year commitment to being an invaluable resource for Jewish culture and history with future initiatives.” ncartmuseum.org
In March, the City of Raleigh’s Transportation Department completed upgrades to 13 scooter parking corrals along the Glenwood South Corridor, located between Peace Street and Hillsborough Street. These improvements build on a pilot project that originally launched in October 2021. During the pilot period, which ran through June 2022, the corrals showed promising results in terms of improved parking behavior from riders.
In addition to the physical upgrades, the city has implemented a set of tools to help ensure that scooters are parked properly. These include reactive geofencing and inapp guidance to help riders park within the designated corral zones. Since the upgrades, more than 72% of scooter trips ending in the corridor have been parked within the designated corrals. The recent upgrades reflect the city’s continued efforts to improve sidewalk accessibility and promote responsible scooter use.
Raleigh City Council unanimously accepted a generous donation of $50,000 for the Raleigh Police Department’s K9 Unit at the April 1 meeting. The donation was presented by Teresa Langley, the executor of the Virginia Lea Parker Estate, in honor of Virginia Parker’s father, Benjamin Parker, who served as an RPD officer for 20 years. The Department plans to use the funds to purchase two additional K9s, along with all necessary equipment and supplies. One of the new K9s will replace an existing K9 that is retiring.
“The Raleigh Police Department is grateful for this generous donation,” says Deputy Chief Zachary Lechette. “Any funds allocated to assist in serving and protecting the great people of Raleigh are a valuable investment into public safety.”
Lenovo Center welcomed members of the public to skate on the Carolina Hurricanes home ice for the first time ever. The 25 Years Celebration Skate included four sessions, each limited to 150 people. In addition to skating, attendees enjoyed photo opportunities, music from 25 years of concerts, and appearances from Stormy. Proceeds benefit the Hurricanes Foundation.
happenings
Printing and graphics company SpeedPro celebrated the opening of SpeedPro Raleigh-Clayton with a ribbon cutting event in March. A graduate of UNCChapel Hill and the Darla Moore School of Business, owner and Raleigh native William Pittman brings extensive experience to his role, including consulting with prominent companies like Lowe’s, Bank of America, and Bell South.
The studio specializes in large-format printing solutions, including wall graphics, vehicle wraps, and event displays, helping businesses across Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill elevate their branding.
“I’m excited to return to my hometown and help local businesses grow awareness of their brands out into the community,” says William. “Our goal is to help companies attract customers through impactful visual marketing solutions while also giving back to the community whenever we can.” speedpro.com/raleigh-clayton
As the summer solstice approaches on June 20, Triangle residents will join others across North Carolina and the globe in The Longest Day, a signature Alzheimer’s Association event that raises funds and awareness through participant-led activities. Aligned with Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month, individuals and groups choose their own ways to contribute — whether through sports, baking, hiking, or unique community events — to support Alzheimer’s care, support, and research.
More than 200 fundraisers are planned statewide, including a rocking chair rock-a-thon, a family jam-making project, a chicken race in Hillsborough, and a Wilmington road trip in a vintage car. The goal is to raise $500,000 in North Carolina by August 31. Register by June 5 to receive a campaign shirt. alz.org/thelongestday
NCFC Youth held its 20th annual golf tournament presented by TowneBank on April 14, raising more than $45,000 for the club’s Financial Aid Fund. 281 golfers teed off on all three courses at Prestonwood Country Club for a day full of fundraising.
Golfers were treated to a complimentary lunch, beverages and a post-event reception. Fundraising was maximized thanks to the support of corporate sponsors, in-kind donations, and a raffle, on-course games, and mulligans during the tournament.
Assistance through the NCFC Youth Financial Aid Fund is available for anyone to apply for, across any level and age of play, making the game of soccer accessible to all. Last year, NCFC Youth distributed a record $500,000+ in financial aid to qualifying players. ncfcyouth.com
The City of Raleigh’s Community Engagement Board is partnering with Cortico, a groundbreaking conversation platform designed to foster meaningful community dialogue. This collaboration marks a significant step forward in the Board’s mission to listen, understand, and share the diverse perspectives of Raleigh residents.
The partnership with Cortico aligns with the Board’s ongoing commitment to enhance public participation and transparency. The Community Conversations initiative, supported by Cortico’s technology, will allow residents to engage in structured discussions, ensuring their voices are heard and their insights are used to shape policy decisions.
The South Raleigh operations team of Raleigh Water spent a day volunteering with Habitat for Humanity in late March. The team installed windows, placed molding, and cleaned up several houses in Knightdale to prepare them for family move-in. Volunteers included Sandro Olivo, Ethan Whittington, Catherine McGinn, Craig Thatcher, Jeff Clark, David Haseman, Cameron Hester, Carter Poole, Anthony Johnson, and Corey Gunter.
“I want the communities that we serve to know we do more than just maintain their infrastructure. We truly do care about the communities that we service, and we want to give back and help our neighbors as much as possible” says Raleigh Water employee Michael Carpenter, who coordinated the event.
The Village District has introduced Sip n’ Shop, effective daily from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Visitors 21 and older can now move around designated areas of the center with alcoholic beverages purchased onsite. Businesses within the boundary are divided into three categories: alcoholic beverages sold here, alcoholic beverages welcome here, and alcoholic beverages not permitted here. Each beverage is labeled with a Sip n’ Shop sticker that allows patrons to consume it in public areas and “welcome here” businesses for 2 hours after purchase.
The Lake Lynn Community Center will hold its first Little Sprouts Spring Celebration on May 12 from 10 a.m. to noon. The event is designed for curious pre-K children to celebrate the wonders of spring, and activities are open to ages 3–5. Families will enjoy hands-on activities, seasonal crafts, and a nature scavenger hunt while supplies last. Leesville Library will also host two story times at 10:30 and 11:30.
write light
BY JONATHAN FREDIN
Nature’s Palette
They say when the color returns to the South, you know it’s azalea season. The spring-blooming bushes are ablaze with color right now at WRAL Azalea Gardens in Raleigh, where visitors can walk among 40 different varieties of azaleas.
Borrow up to 100%
Get more money to update your home by borrowing up to 100% of your home’s combined loan-to-value!1
Flexible Access to Money
Draw money as needed, offering flexibility for ongoing projects or expenses.
We Pay the Closing Costs
Coastal pays all standard closing costs on new home equity lines of credit.
Refinance and Save
Lower your monthly payments or get cash out for upgrades.
Low Commission Rates
Sellers enjoy a low listing commission of just 2.1%, with no hidden fees.2
Experienced Agents
Our team boasts seven times the experience of the average agent in the Triangle.
Professional Marketing
Each listing receives professional photography and a professional staging evaluation at no extra cost.
Affordable Mortgages
Coastal CU can help you get a home loan that fits your budget.
