Thursday, April 4, 2013

SNOW in April....????


 
See those crazy white streaks? They're SNOWFLAKES. No flimsy flurries, either. It was SERIOUS snow. HUGE flakes, for I-don't-know-how-long-this-afternoon. At least an hour. Tried to get some work done, but it was just too weird.
A few days ago, we were welcoming the Easter Bunny.  Today we got the Snowshoe Rabbit.
Okay, enough already.  Could we puh-leeeeeaze get the Energizer Bunny to jump-start SPRING again?

 Posted by Picasa

Monday, April 1, 2013

Happy Easter Monday!

There are 2 places in the world that celebrate Easter Monday: North Carolina and the U.S.Virgin Islands.
Why?? They say that a baseball game between two rival teams is the reason North Carolina made Easter Monday a holiday.  I don't know why it's a holiday in the USVI, other than the fact that, if a holiday is celebrated SOMEWHERE in the world, they celebrate it in the USVI too. Both places are home to me.
I was "bahn heah" in North Carolina; was an ex-pat in St.John for 15 years; and  returned a few years ago to my native NC--a happy accident, really. But that's another story.

As an artist with a retail shop and studio, I generally ignore such things as holidays. There is a trade-off to working for yourself as an artist as opposed to having a "real job."  If there are people who are potential customers in the neighborhood, you work. Doesn't matter what the calendar says. You don't get paid for a holiday.   But I don't have anybody breathing down my neck either when I clock in 5 minutes late. Little do they know that their obsessive-compulsive, time-clock-watching habit only had the opposite effect on me:
It only increased my stress level to the point that it only took me longer to get over the morning hee-bee-gee-bees (thanks for that one, Dan Trivelpiece!); and invariably, arrive even later than I would have otherwise.

But hey, guess what?  When we work for ourselves, WE don't have a hissy-fit if I stop to smell the roses along the way, thereby giving me and myself the gift of beauty and peace. Arriving at the shop with a smile inside is an infinitely better way of starting my workday. And it shows. And I even inhaled.


So Who's on First ????

So maybe there aren't so many sports fanatics in the Arts District, but I'll use the baseball analogy anyway since it's the opening day of Baseball Season. I've never been a huge fan of baseball--but my team lost in the earlier rounds of NCAA Basketball Tourney, and I can only chalk it up to March Madness.  Or Spring Fever. Take your choice.

But, like any other Monday in the Arts District, a lot of the shops and galleries are closed.  BUT NOT ALL OF THEM.  A few of us artsy types depend on their own hands and shops for our livelihood. So it matters not that it's a Monday, or even a Monday holiday in a couple places in the world:  WE'RE OPEN.
And it's one beautiful day of sunshine and blue sky and flowers--perfect for a stroll down Trade Street for a little shopping. And it's a good day to treat yourself to a great meal at Finnigan's on a day when they'll be perhaps a little less crowded....AND will have the outdoor cafe tables out.

Then shop and drop some $$ at Earthbound Arts; Retro Art Ware; Willy Nilly, all located in the 600 block within steps of each other; or at Lucky Strike Vintage Boutique a little further down, on the corner of 7th and Trade Streets. And maybe check out Studios at 625 where you may well find Mary Bailey Thomas in her "Art Dreams Grow" studio.

And since I got out and walked down the block to take pictures, I also noticed that Paz Boutique and Yoga Gallery are also open! 




Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Spring Decor at Willy Nilly

Spring Decor by DebDubya
Spring Decor, a photo by DebDubya on Flickr.



  • Sprig of real live rosemary in bloom, courtesy of Earthbound Arts, 610 N Trade St. Heineken beer bottle vase, courtesy of Jimmy. 
  • Interesting columnar-shaped vase from thrift shop (probably the Rescue Mission Thrift Shop).
  • Pinwheel and the cool stem of paper flowers, thanks to absent-minded visitors to my shop Willy Nilly, 604A N Trade St.

Sunday, March 10, 2013

New Public Art

New mural on Trade St in the Arts District!! The colorful mural was painted by Nico Amortegui on a recent Sunday. More of Nico's work can be found at Red Dog Gallery at 606 N.Trade Street.
More about the story behind the mural or the artist is on the website www.theafasgroup.com.


The historic building known as the Tobacco Soho Building, is no longer a place where one can buy tobacco products. Instead, the building is the home of 2 art gallery collectives and a hair salon.






Hot off the Paintbrush

Saturday, March 2, 2013

Check out Downtown Arts District (600 Trade Street, 6th Street, Winston-Salem) on @foursquare: http://4sq.com/hNoCwV

Friday, March 1, 2013

Fwd: March At Delurk

Delurk
Hieronymus
Hieronymus - iamhieronymus.com





Brian Kubecki
Brian Kubecki (aka QUB)
Travis Phillips
Travis Phillips













Delurk Gallery
will have
an Opening Reception Friday,
March 1, from 7pm-10pm.
This March Delurk will be featuring new work by three visiting artists. See a one of a kind installation, by Hieronymus, of paintings on canvas and on the wall, inspired by cabinet cards. Brian Kubecki's, I Need You, is a show completely dependent on something for its success – you. Experience a jaw-shattering reexamination of visual art and be a part of something you won't soon forget. Isolation; Something To Die For, new work by Travis Phillips, deals with human intentionality and interplay by combining historical references with contemporary issues.
Also featured this month will be selected works by Delurk collective members Chad Beroth, Patrick Harris, Jennifer O'Kelly, Will Safrit, Molly Simpson, Zac Trainor and Dane Walters. As well as Junior Delurkers 10 year old Emily Beroth, and 17 year old Zoe Swindell, and works from NEW Delurk collective members: Chris Powers and Shane-Brumley Ward. Welcome Chris and Shane!
Event Info:
Opening Reception: Friday, March 1, from 7-10PM.
Facebook: March At Delurk







Sunday, February 24, 2013

It's a Beautiful Day on Trade Street

It's a beautiful day on Trade Street in the Arts District. Come on down for Sunday brunch at Finnigan's Wake or Mary's Gourmet. Diner and then shop for wonderful wearable. Art at Retro Art Ware and at Willy Nilly, both in the 600 block of Trade St










































Retro Art Ware (R A W) at 608 N Trade St., is easy to find....just look for the tall, colorful tie-dyed flag out front!!




Willy Nilly has its door open and the hat rack out front on pleasant, sunny days.

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Unleashed Art

Deborah Willard
Stop by Unleashed Art Center on 6th Street this Friday evening (7-10) to see our newest addition to the AFAS Public Art Initiative, Sharon Allen's latest works and Community heART Project.
Deborah Willard

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Finnigan's Does it Again....

Their annual St Patrick's Day bash is scheduled for Saturday, March 16th....

Facebook.....Here's what Finnigan's has to say about it.....
Black is back. You'll want to know that for "The Wake" on March 16th at the pub. It's going to be our biggest party yet, and we would be so sad for you to miss out. We've even got you covered if you need a place to stay. Now, we've really got you thinking about it, don't we?!
To purchase your tickets or to get more info, click here:
 http://finnigansthewake.eventbrite.com/

Exciting Stuff at February 1st Gallery Hop!


Facebook
This Friday At Ember Gallery. Come out and spread the word!

Monday, January 28, 2013

You Gotta LOVE February!

The annual CashBash.....at The Garage 

110 West 7th St., Winston-Salem NC 27101
Friday and Saturday February 22 at 7:00pm until February 24 at 2:00am

hosted by Richard Boyd of the Bo-Stevens.

14 bands all coming together for two nights to pay tribute and honor Johnny Cash the man in black...Rockabilly honky-tonk at its finest.





First Friday Gallery Hop

When the first Friday falls on the first of the month, it means the First Friday Gallery Hop takes place on the 1st of the month.  So it goes in February 2013.

So January is over, and you've paid all those xmas bills, right?! Time to get something special for someone special for Valentine's Day.  And what is more special than a one-of-a-kind gift or handmade card? You'll find such treasures all over the place around 6th and Trade Streets. Go ahead, treat yourself to a day in the Arts District, plan a Valentine's Day dinner at one of the terrific restaurants in the area, and get that special gift that will keep you out of the doghouse for awhile.......
 Black and White Lace Hearts from Earthbound Arts, 610 N. Trade St.


Ron Philbeck Pottery;
available at The Other Half,
560 N. Trade Street.




 Quilted Card by Sandy Mooney,
available at the Fiber Company,
600 N. Trade Street



 

  Bedroom with Porch Dollhouse, 
an assemblage by Linda Willard, 
The Dollhouse Lady. One-of-a-kind, available at Willy Nilly, 
604-A N. Trade Street.

 

 

 

 

 

Unleash Some Love!

The first of a series of free community events being offered at the Unleashed Art Center for first Friday Gallery Hops.
Unleash your creative spirit! Make a special Valentine for yourself or someone you love...All the materials will be provided, including ready-to-paint wooden hearts, paints and lots of dazzling embellishments, everything you'll need to create a spectacular, one of a kind heart, to be worn as a pin/pendant or made into a magnet for a special decoration!
Facebook event

Unleashed Arts Center, located at 204 West 6th Street,  is a special initiative by The Afas Group whose purpose is to foster an appreciation of art and to encourage the development of emerging artists. The center provides a venue for art shows, seminars, artist demonstrations and includes working artists studios.




Tuesday, January 22, 2013

"Not Far From The Tree" at Delurk Gallery





The current show at Delurk Gallery features artwork by Don Beroth, Jill Bush, Patsy Harris, Tim Walters, Ed Simpson, Anne Safrit, and Sarah Whittington.  Delurk artists' moms and dads have contributed nearly 80 works as diverse as their offspring, from fine furniture to intuitive landscapes, from abstraction to realism.  The show runs through January 26th.
Delurk Gallery is located at 207 West 6th Street, in the building that stands at the corner of 6th and Trade Streets. 
Delurk Gallery has recently published its 2013 Exhibit Calendar on its website.
Don Beroth, parent of Delurk artist Chad Beroth
Chad Beroth, Delurk Artist






Tim Walters, parent of Delurk artist Dane Walter
Dane Walters, Delurk Artist



Patsy Harris, parent of The Patrick Harris of Delurk Gallery


The Patrick Harris, Delurk Artist

Thursday, January 10, 2013

Arts District Connection to Habitat ReStore

Habitat Forsyth held a news conference on Wednesday January 9th to announce its plans to relocate its Habitat ReStore next to the Arts Council Theater on Coliseum Drive and to launch its "Reuse ReStore Renew" capital campaign.

The Camel City Dispatch, a locally-owned news service, has an excellent report of the event, in which it credits Arts District businesses Steele Group Architects and Stimmel Associates for building and site design.
restore rendering by the steele group architects
Steele Group Architects created this rendering of the Habitat ReStore at its new location on Coliseum Drive next to the Arts Council Theater. The building was designed by Matthew Rodda of The Steele Group Architects; Stimmel Associates, PA is providing the civil engineering and landscape architectural design.
The Steele Group is located at 217 West 6th Street next door to 6th and Vine Restaurant; Stimmel Associates are at 601 North Trade Street, above Piedmont Craftsmen.

Habitat for Humanity held its annual BirdFest on Trade Street last year. The event had taken place for years at its somewhat obscure location on Witt Street, off Stratford Road.  The new location proved to be very successful, and the Arts District is pleased that BirdFest will return to Trade Street this year during the first weekend in May.








Thursday, January 3, 2013

Sale On!

Got Xmas Cash?  January is a great time to go shopping in the Arts District.  Many shops and galleries hold their best sales of the year in January.

The view so far:


Woven Soul

631 N. Trade St.
336-748-1114 Sale starts January 3rd.
50% off clothing and
25% off Kantha Blankets.
They will be closing January 10 for the winter.
Open Thursday-Saturday from 11-4pm. For more info call 448-0258.

Woodland Moth Visual & Performing Artists

 619 N. Trade St.
January Sale-a-Bration sale. Select merchandise is priced up to 50% off.  And it's not too late to see the Wachovia Watercolors by Rick Jones exhibit in the main gallery. Beautiful watercolors of Old Salem sites are framed and ready to be hung on your walls.
woodlandmothstudio@gmail.com
facebook.com/woodlandmothstudio

Paz Boutique 

633 N. Trade St.
Blow-out Clearance Sale on select merchandise throughout the shop during the month of January! 
Take an additional 25% off already marked down items.
facebook

WILLY NILLY/Deborah Willard Design,

 604-A N. Trade St.
"Sale" into 2013
10-50% off everything--hand painted clothing, dollhouses, wooden toys!
336-306-4050
Open 8 days a week, 12noon till 6pm
facebook/willynillyonline





Other News of Note

Kindred Spirits

537 N Trade Street, (336) 794-6919
has a new owner. The store underwent some renovation Jan. 1-2 and reopens Jan 3.
http://www.kindredspirits.ws/index.html

Studios @ 625

625 N. Trade St. 336-724-3000
Center City Frame Gallery has moved from the AOL building at 521 N. Liberty, into the front two spaces at Studios @ 625. (704) 617-1243  or (336) 829-6903. Owner Ed Koos has more than 25 years of experience in the framing industry, and takes great pride in the custom frames and framed art work he sells.
http://www.centercityframegallery.com/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Studios625-Trade-Street/122167638688

Piedmont Craftsmen 


celebrates its 50th birthday this year!
Special events planned throughout 2013.
Piedmont Craftsmen Gallery 601 N.Trade Street Winston-Salem, NC 27101 Tuesday- Friday : 10:30-5:00 Saturdays : 11-4
336.725.1516

http://piedmontcraftsmen.org/