raleighing archive

Rhonda's Top Ten Continued: #2

Ok, I walk into the lobby--it's spacious and shiny, flooded with sunshine from skylights in the ceiling and enormous two story glass walls--past display cases and cubbyholes chocked full of community info and free brochures about everything going on in Raleigh; a lounge area to my left has chairs and tables where people lounge with their laptops, using the free WiFi that's strong throughout the entire building.  I ask a woman behind a counter where is the  . . . and immediately she tells me, before I even finish my question. Following her directions, I walk up the gleaming sunlit staircase that looks like marble and turns and winds like something out of Gone With The Wind.  I reach the second floor, walk past an area filled with about thirty desktop computers, every one of them occupied, all ages and types of people surfing the net, doing research and/or writing the Great American Novel.  I spot private nooks and crannies off the wide aisles lined with bookcases, where people sit in comfy chairs. They are actually . . . reading  . . . books. 

Another counter lady points me toward a wall of doors that lead to several meeting/conference rooms (which any Wake County group can use for free--just sign up in advance like the those industrious computer occupants have done). Through one door I see a woman gesturing, talking, instructing. She stands before a table laden with beautiful sculpted, collage and painted works of art that look like they used to be . . . . books.  This must be the place! 

If you don't know where I am by now, then you need to be reminded of that tall, two story building in Cameron Village.  Now, you don't need to be told about Cameron Village; you know that fun, 50's sort of walkable shopping center-- a shopping center! Right there practically in the middle of the city! Thriving, in spite of surrounding malls and suburban shopping center sprawl!  Don't stop and shop yet.  Keep going, past Fresh Market, to the end of Clark Street.  That tall, two-story building?  The library?  You remember.

Oh, stop rolling your eyes and saying Geesh, a library?  First a movie theater and now a library?  Because this library--Cameron Village Library--did something extraordinary last week, quietly and without fanfare or splash (because it is the kind of thing they do all the time) this library introduced to about 20 people (for free!) an art form that is the latest hottest thing, an underground art movement, in other cities, spreading faster than kudzu roots; a new kind of art that several well known artists have taken up, whose amazing creations are now on display at MOMA in NYC and the like.   

I walk into the room. Immediately I'm aware of a bustling busy-ness at the several long tables, and realize the workshop already started, so I apologize to the instructor for being late and turn toward one of the tables to take a seat.  I stop, horrified.  People are tearing up library books.  They are furiously ripping the pages right out of books! As fast as they can, they rip pages and toss them on the floor.  Am I in the wrong room after all?  Did I misunderstand the tiny notice I spotted while scanning the A & E section as I do every week, searching for the unusual happening, the barely known but awesome band or writer or artist coming to Raleigh? That miniscule listing, entitled "Transform Old Books into New Art" had snagged my attention. Last winter, in Tucson, I saw artists of all sorts--sculptors, painters, print makers, multimedia artists--all of them applying their particular skill to make what is called "Altered Books." 

This is the right place, the teacher says, laughing. She is Tracy Johnson, the manager of Panopolie, a beading store in Raleigh.  She says she instructed the class to rip out pages--to remove around 40 % of the book.  This is how you start an "Altered Book."  Take an old book that has committed no crime other than to become very outdated and very unread, and is now sentenced to the landfill with about a hundred of its buddies (and that's just in this room alone for this class; tons of them go into the landfill all the time) and you rip out a bunch of its pages, to make room for what you do to the remaining pages: you will paint, collage, pierce, fold, cut, twist, tie, punch, lace, sculpt, bind, glue, stitch, any thing at all, whatever your vision and artistic eye leads you to do.  And this former book is not only rescued from certain death; it becomes art, your art.

For two hours last Thursday, at no cost, I made an altered book, thanks to Cameron Village Library and Panopolie (in addition to beading supplies, the store sells material for book arts, and is starting to offer classes in altered books and handmade journals, taught by Dawn who brings this new art form to Raleigh all the way from her former city--New Orleans).

Coming up (for free!) at Cameron Village Library:

MYSTERY AUTHOR PANEL DISCUSSION June 5  at 6 PM, famous writers right here!

LOCAL AUTHOR PANEL DISCUSSION June 10 at 2 PM  More famous writers (of the local literary sort)

PRESS 53 PUBLISHING Sunday June 3 at 2:30 PM: a successful small press in Raleigh and the authors they publish will talk about writing, getting into print, etc.

So, turn off your 500 Cable/Satellite TV/Radio set, get off your $100 month phone/broadband digital gadgets and visit this sunlit spot with free books, free wifi, free computer use, free meeting space, free audiobooks, free workshops, free information on anything you want to know and I mean anything (and from far better sources than Google or Wikipedia).  That counter lady who knew what I wanted before I said it?  She is called a librarian.  Every librarian I have ever known loves to give information.  That is what they are there for.  Imagine.  A real person that is helpful, accurate, and kind; a human being with a talent for sensing what you want before you say it, the way a good auto mechanic just knows what your car needs by looking at it. This is healing stuff for people who are tired of automated menus and computerized programs that pretend to do what libraries really do. Get thee to the library.  Take a book cure.

The Return of Captial City Grocery

There have been dozens of questions about the future of Capital City Grocery since their closing a little while back, and I'd like to thank Crash Gregg of the Raleigh Downtowner for his use of this story. Capital City will in fact be opening back up with quite a few changes and I encourage all those interested to pick up the newest copy of Raleigh Downtowner this weekend to read the full story as well as lots of other great stories about Downtown events!

Many of our readers (and Raleighing.com bloggers) have been curious about what's been happening to Capital City Grocery in the downtown Raleigh Seaboard Station shopping center. One of the downtown area's only independently-owned grocery stores, Capital City Grocery opened last year and then closed this spring when the business went heavily into debt.

Despite a shaky start and temporary closing for renovations and reorganization, the future now looks bright, with a grand reopening scheduled sometime in June.

Originally charged with finding new investors, Ed Weems and son Mason of Venture Management, Inc., ended up becoming part owners along with other investors. They plan on a grand reopening sometime in June.

The original owners and management will no longer be involved with the new store.

To revise the store philosophy, Weems is working with the Newton family—who owned and ran several downtown stores for 70 years—to devise a sort of mission statement for the grocery store, which begins with a promise of superior service to its customers. They also plan to pay homage to the

Newtons by decorating the store walls with photographs of the Newton family, their stores, and customers.  In 1937, Ela Newton began selling snacks in downtown Raleigh in the same neighborhood as Capital City Grocery. While the offerings were limited she provided the residents of then-dirt Halifax Street with what they wanted. As her customer needs changed her selections expanded and her husband John William, a retired farmer, began helping her serve them. Over the years the store expanded into four Halifax street locations. Soon sons, grandsons and granddaughters were all working there while attending high school and college.

For 63 years Newton’s provided basic grocery items, custom-cut meats and fresh vegetables. Grocery deliveries were made first on bicycles then scooters and finally in pick up trucks. Starting with rotisserie chicken, the Newton

family responded to customer wants by serving meals in the store and providing take home food. Customers from all walks of life were each given the same friendly courteous service and became regulars for years. This tradition continued until the last location at Peace and Halifax streets was sold to Peace College in recent years.

At Capital City Grocery, they are returning to that original focus on the customers in the downtown Raleigh market area. Plans include expanding produce offerings with an emphasis on locally grown and especially organic vegetables. Like Newton’s, they will offer custom cut high-end meats and very fresh seafood as well as items already prepared for those in a hurry.

The new Capital City Grocery is reaching out to the community and once again asking the local residents of downtown Raleigh what they want their store to offer, look like, act like, and feel like. They are committed to returning to the Newton family grocery store philosophy of good old-fashioned customer service.

The Capital City grocery section is being redesigned to carry dry goods, bulk foods, the spices and flavorings even the best cooks strive for, and a “It Begins With Caring” healthy foods section for pets. To the wine offerings they’re adding fresh flowers and gift baskets. Once again many products are local and organic just like the customers asked for in the past.

The “Capital City Kitchen”, like Newton’s, is offering sit down fare as well as full course meals to take home and enjoy with little effort. They’re also adding a new important convenience that is fully in tune with the downtown Raleigh
market. Full catering for private parties and business events is being offered under the leadership of a highly experienced trained Chef.

Capital City Grocery is also offering the same 70-year old Newton tradition of call-in ordering. But rather than speaking slowly as a Newton family member wrote each item down, shoppers will be able to place orders over the internet or by faxing them in. Repeat customers will be also able to pull up their record of regular purchases on their website and indicate how many of each they want to reorder.

Seventy years ago the residents of Raleigh were downtown. Today they’re returning again. Just like Newton’s, the new Capital City Grocery promises a commitment to meeting their neighbors’ needs.

article © 2007 Downtown Raleigh Publishing LLC
reprinted with permission

Rhonda's Ten Best Reasons to Live In Raleigh: #1

In no particular order, cause I love them all equally, I'll start with a long-time favorite (Note: these will be my own personal favorites, which may or may not be yours and may or may not be found on some slick top ten list in a magazine somewhere; which means they are highly specific and my opinion, and have nothing to do w/ top coffee towns or top recreation cities or top singles or smart people cities. Feel free to agree or disagree, or if you don't know cause you have never been . . . Go.)

The Colony Theater

Before Madstone, before Galaxy, before the idea of multiplex independent film cinema existed--back when the (still-great) art-deco Rialto was the only art house theater in Raleigh, the owner of the very same Rialto opened the Colony twin screen theater in an older real-type ordinary Raleigh suburban shopping center at Six Forks and Millbrook Rd, just outside the beltline (above North Hills, look for the Food Lion on your right).

The Colony is Raleigh's unsung hero if a place can be a hero. Although from the outside it looks like the sort of theater that would have closed in some other city long ago when the multiplex giants took over, inside the Colony is an oasis. Everything from international and independent, little-known hard to find films, to popular indie sleeper films, shown on two wide screens in large auditoriums, with comfortable theater seating complete with cup holders, and most importantly excellent sound and lighting. In this theater, you will never fume because the film is out of focus, or the lights didn't go off when the film began, making a glare on the screen so you can't see the film, because the projectionist cares enough about film and about you, the viewer, to stay in the booth long enough to make sure everything works properly before running off (which I'm sorry to say is not the case elsewhere).

This kind of reliable care and attention over many years has been and continues to be due to the manager, Denver Hill, a former English major, a long-time fan of good cinema. He has been at the Colony for as long as I can remember, starting out as many do there, with a teenage-type job, then growing into a first-class manager who keeps his place running the way it should: brisk, courteous service, without sacrificing its unique comfy, laid back, "let's just hang out" atmosphere. The Colony has about the most eager to please, friendliest crew I've ever seen in a theater, serving up draft and bottled beer, wine, and other beverages along with the usual movie snacks, and always with smiles and a welcoming attitude. There are plush arm chairs, plants, and an enormous sofa that is so welcoming, people often sink down into its softness and read from the great selection of books (yes, there's a bookcase full of donated books with a sign that invites you to take one if you like, and/or donate one).

The Colony Theater

Other reasons to arrive early and lounge about: you will want to read the long, growing bulletin board that takes up an entire wall with community messages and happenings, and browse through the magazines and flyers on the counter below the bulletin board. Or view the art exhibited on the remaining walls by area artists. Or come early and ask that friendly crew about what is coming next; get questions answered about film, advice on what to see. They actually know lots and love to chat about movies and community events.

Which brings me to the unsung hero part (aside from just being an awesome place to see movies): what sets the Colony apart from other art house theaters is Denver's and his girlfriend Michelle's dedication to Raleigh's nonprofit groups, helping their causes. For example, tomorrow night -- grab your pen --

Tuesday May 22 at 7 PM ---- MARK YOUR CALENDAR NOW

The Colony is showing "Kundun"

-- a rarely seen film by the acclaimed director Martin Scorsese, that tells the story of the Dalai Lama's exile from Tibet. The score is by Philip Glass, the Oscar-nominated avant-garde composer. Don't miss this opportunity to see an excellent Scorsese film you'd be hard pressed to find anywhere else. Feel good knowing your $5 ticket price goes toward helping out the Kadampa Center, a Tibetan Buddhist community in Raleigh that needs funds for a new space.

Denver Hill has been doing this sort of thing for years, quietly, and never for his own glory, just wanting to help, welcoming community nonprofits who need space to view a film, hear speakers, raise funds; bringing together many of Raleigh's groups around a film that ties into their cause, often packing the house, making the Colony not only a great place to gather and and view a film; but also an important force in the community.

It's not all serious issue stuff!!

Denver loves to bring in favorite fun films, new 35 mm prints of classics, and runs movie events. Last week, we all enjoyed "Easy Rider"

Other fun films coming up:

June 20	The Dark Crystal
July 18	2001 A Space Odyssey
August 15	Temple of Doom

Only 5 Bucks for these great films! You can call for other feature film showings, and prices, plus any other info: 856-0111.

One final tiny treat: if you are a lifetime lover of movies, look down at the carpet. It's so cute.

Coming up soon ---- Reason #2

3rd Annual Downtown Home Tour this Saturday

The Department of City Planning/the Urban Design Center will be hosting its 3rd Annual Downtown Raleigh Home Tour this Saturday.  Held during the same weekend as Artsplosure, the tour (which is self-guided) is intended to show off the great variety of options available in downtown housing.  The tour takes you through historic properties, single family homes, rentals, and luxury condos.

Anyone who takes the tour can expect to see not only the grand opening of the Plaza (RBC) Condominium sales model, but also Carlton Place Apartments, Founder's Row, The Dawson, Bloomsbury Estates, a few rehab'd historic homes, the Residences at Quorum, West at North, the plans for the redevelopment of Blount Street, Village at Pilot Mill, 712 Tucker, 630 North, and a handful of other apartments, homes, and condos.  For the full map, check out the website at www.raleighdowntownliving.com.

It is a self guided (and sometimes walking) tour but now that Raleigh has rickshaws you can just grab a ride with one of them! Tickets are $10 and "proceeds from ticket sales benefit the Department’s Designing as 21st Century City lecture series. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Support Circles Program of the Plan to End Homelessness, the joint City of Raleigh, Wake County, Triangle United Way, and Wake Continuum of Care effort aimed at ending homelessness in Raleigh and Wake County."

Artsplosure Brings Free Festival of Art and Jazz to Moore Square

Artsplosure will bring its annual Art and Jazz Festival to Moore Square this weekend.  Featuring a variety of music, tons of artisans, street shows for kids, collaborations and exhibits inside Exploris, life size chess games, sand sculpting and lots more, its sure to be as big a success as usual.  You can check out the www.artsplosure.com website for specific bands and times for shows, but for a totally free event you can expect to spend your entire weekend entertained. 

The Art Market consists of ceramics, jewelry, painting, photography, woodworking, and textile creations from all over the country.  Kidsplosure is geared at entertaining the little one with flower making, bubbles, a painting station, and a variety of children's acts on the stage throughout the weekend. 

Venture over to Exploris for interactive experiences from all over the world, a chance to learn about the India culture, and a host of other fun features from all across the globe.

The event officially runs from 11am-7pm on Saturday and 11am-6pm on Sunday.  Parking is available all around Moore Square, but get there early to park closer.  Come by and celebrate the start of summer with amazing art, great live music, and delicious food.

The Nash Changes Shades

A development formerly known as 'The Nash' has changed its name to simply 'Hue' as a new site sign reflects.  Perhaps the name change is to reflect the appearance of the colorful building, or perhaps to make it sound less like a disease.  Regardless, it is slated at 7 stories which will sit between The Dawson and Park Devereux.  The building will have commercial space and likely be full of mostly one and two bedrooms.  The rumor is that it will potentially cater to a less affluent demographic. 

The new website is www.hueraleigh.com and promises to amplify the color in your otherwise gray life.  The project is being developed by Trammel Crow out of Atlanta (who is also responsible for 222 Glenwood) and is being sold by York Simpson Underwood.

Crema Coffee Shop downtown

Open only since last October, Crema, a great little coffee shop on Fayetteville Street in downtown Raleigh, serves Seattle, Washington coffee brand Gillano, which Tim tells me roasts the finest one to two percent of all available fair trade beans.  Nearby office workers drop in for lunch or coffee or both; some are sitting in a corner where comfy chairs and little tables make a great meeting space.  They seem to be having a conference.  Light jazz is playing in the background; the door is open onto Fayetteville street, which seems to have more foot traffic than vehicles, at least at this time of day--3 PM.  Regulars come in and talk to Tim and the people being the counter, who know many of their names.  Newcomers to Crema (like me) are wandering in, their comments such as "well, that was good," and "let's come here again" revealing they are not only first timers, they are charmed.  There is a small flyer taped to the door that says they are closing early tomorrow, at 3 PM, due to an anticipated birth, and on the counter there is a jar holding folded slips of paper, and another sign:  Guess Tim and Lauren's twins' combined weight, and win free coffee and lunches.  I asked Tim nosy questions such as, When is she due? (tomorrow!)  How much does she weigh, etc, then wrote my guess and dropped it into the jar.  I am sure I will not win as I am lousy at those kinds of things, but I am enjoying the spirit of this place which is light hearted, jokey and friendly.  The latte tastes wonderful, too.  Unfortunately, they stop making sandwiches at 3 PM.  (I don't know why this number 3 keeps coming up).  They do serve home made ice cream along with coffee, and many different kinds of sweets, which I will not try today as I have had too many sweets and no food to speak of.  Along the storefront are counters and stools; tables and chairs are in the center of the shop.  This place is busy, but laid back. Out on the sidewalk are tables being well used.  I parked right out front.  That was sheer luck, though.  Someone pulled out, and being a native Washingtonian (as in District, not Seattle) I am an expert parallel parker.

Try Crema; it is one of the newer businesses that have opened up along Fayetteville street in the revitalization of downtown.  They are open Mon-Fri 7 AM to 7 PM; Sat 7 AM to 10 PM; Sun 11 to 5 PM.  I want to hug them just for staying open after 5 on weekdays, and on Saturdays, as the most serious problem with coffee shops in Raleigh, is that they think no one wants coffee after 5 PM, so they all close at 5 or 6.  Show me a dead downtown and I'll show you not a lack of night clubs, but a lack of diners, coffee shops, convenience stores that are open at night.  For night people, such as myself, who also drink coffee, this is a crime.  I have spent many early evenings walking around or driving around with friends looking for an open coffee shop.  As far as we can tell, there's only Royal Bean (across from Meredith); New World Coffee House (Pleasant Valley and Glenwood); Cup A Joe (various locations), Third Place (Five Points, crowded and wireless is usually not strong enough, although coffee is!) and Helios (Glenwood South) catering to night people who drink coffee.  If you know any others, tell me (but not outside the Raleigh city line.  I'll only go so far for coffee).  I favor Larry's Beans coffee cause it is local and was fair trade organic before that was the cool thing to be; Third Place and New World have Larry's. 

Crema on Fayetteville

Note--this is not meant to be a comprehensive detailed list of coffee shops good and bad.  It started out as a "Try Crema" -- so try it.  If you want to add comments about your favorite coffee shop (in Raleigh) I'd love to hear.  No Starbucks or Caribou please; they are the number one and two highest profit-generating coffee chains in the world.  They can do their own advertising.

Some sunshine for your weekend at the State Farmers' Market

Reasons to go to the state market this weekend:

1. Strawberries!!! Local strawberries that taste like strawberries, not like cardboard. You'll never eat strawberries from the grocery store again.
2. Support local farmers and get to know them. Walk up and down the aisle and at each stall they call out to you, holding out a strawberry for you to sample. You can sample strawberries until they all start to taste the same, then you decide which stall to buy from according to other factors like which one had the cutest farmer boy or girl, or the friendliest grandfather/granny or the best stories.
3. Get out of the rain and under the open shelter and just gaze around at bright red strawberries and tomatoes, red-skinned potatoes, green asparagus, peppers, beans, and loads of blooming flowers of all colors, heavenly smelling herbs, and tall plants/trees/shrubs that will make you feel like you are in someone's garden. You can get close to nature without getting wet.
4. You know how you get a bag of spinach at the grocery vowing to eat better and be healthy, but of course you go right on eating unhealthy, quick and easy food on the run? And a week later that bag of spinach in the produce drawer of your refrigerator has turned to a dark green glob of seaweed smelling like dead fish? And you have to throw it out. Well, last weekend I bought a huge bag of spinach from a farmer at the market, and it is still very nearly in the same shape as when I bought it, an entire week later--not even limp or wilted, still tender-crisp. Yes, I should have eaten it sooner but I am about to cook it now.
5. How did it last so long? No, the farmers don't add special preservatives--this is fresh non-processed food picked just this morning--it lasts longer because the produce you get at the grocery is already about a week old by the time you buy it.
6. Not only is this produce more patient than the grocery's, waiting and holding off decay until you have time to cook it, it tastes better (especially if you eat it right away!)
7. Now, here are two special farmers that are only at the market on weekends and are worth the trip there alone!
• L F C Honey A family from Hillsborough that keeps bees without using chemicals, and sells the best tasting honey, royal jelly, beeswax candles, and skin care items they make themselves. Their two long-haired sons handle the sales at the market and will tell you all about their mom who makes the wonderful lavender scented hand cream and orange scented lip balm from beeswax, oils, and other natural ingredients. No petrol! And their dad who keeps the bees and makes the candles from beeswax. The LFC stand for Little Flying Cows! Get it? Bees are little flying cows that produce the great stuff this family farm makes for us.
• In the Red Farmstead Cheese You have to go into the long shed for this one. Another family farm from Chinquapin, raising goats and pigs organically, chemical-free, allowed to roam. Their stall has a table loaded with samples of the best goat cheese I've ever tasted, arranged from the mild-but-delicious flavored and/or herbed (try the blueberry!) to spiced so hot and fiery people bring their friends and challenge them to try the one at the far end. This is a happy tiny space; everyone nibbling samples and swooning and some screaming and laughing and sweating, begging for water. I took home the rosemary and garlic cheese. Now that did not stay in my refrigerator for a week like the poor spinach. That little gem disappeared quickly, gone in just two days. I'll go back for more. They also sell bread, chemical free sausage, eggs, and other organic items they grow themselves.

Have fun!

Raleigh State Farmer's Market
1201 Agriculture St.
Raleigh, NC  27603

Arcade Fire in Asheville

Ok this has nothing to do with Raleigh, and will no doubt make the people posting to the Bickett thread believe that I am an "elitist" for sure if I'd come all the way to trendy Asheville to hear trendy Arcade Fire. But here I am, because I think Neon Bible is pretty good, and I'd heard from trusted sources with good taste in music (that does not translate as elitist, ok?) that Arcade Fire puts on the most amazing show. Well, I had my doubts when I saw the Arcade Fire table in the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium loaded with commercial souvenirs of the band that went way beyond tee shirts and buttons (of course I had doubts, since I am so negative, shy and insecure according to the Bickett cheerleaders); and when I saw them take the stage--neon everywhere, 6-8 huge circular screens on which was projected live video of pieces of the band as they performed. In other words, they seemed to be using major tricks that mainstream bands use to make up for a lack of talent or skill in music. But was I shocked before the first song barely got underway, stunned and cheering the rest of the night. In 50s bluegrass and hillbilly music, there used to be a term "working close." If someone said a band was working close, it was the ultimate compliment, and meant that the entire band seemed to be making music as one being, they were so tuned into each other. Well. Arcade Fire was working close, all ten of them, running all over the stage, switching instruments, filling in for each other, screaming their songs (musically screaming ) playing the hell out of their instruments, and their lungs. Excellent musicians playing with perfect precision, yet with tremendous wild energy and passion, never a false note or missing a beat; not a second of sloppiness. And those neon flashing bibles and the chopped up live video shots on the circle screens? It worked!! Far from being a distraction from the music, or a substitute show for lazy musicians, it was a creative comment on music itself--Arcade Fire's music and the state of music as a whole. It was art! As ironic as their lyrics and their antics and their music. The whole thing just worked.

One last word on Bickett: Come on, you all are taking the "local color" of the piece far too seriously. Just reread the first paragraph, if you still don't get the point. It's not about me, it's not about you, it's not about Kings, it's not about rock bands performing on schedule (by the way the tickets for Arcade Fire said 8, and by god, the opening band started at 8)---it's about the Independent article and the quotes from Bickett's owner. Raleigh as a whole was blamed for making the Bickett go out of business, and excuse me, I'm a part of Raleigh, and I will not be blamed or stand by and let the Independent- our only alternative newspaper that in my own opinion is so inaccurate and so sensationalized it is worse than the N & O [Editor's Note: As stated, the previous is the writer's own opinion, not a statement of fact. It is not necessarily the opinion of the other authors at Raleighing.]--mislead the public into thinking Bickett failed because we failed. No. Bickett failed because the owner or whoever ran the place failed. Come on, the article quotes the owner--and I'm paraphrasing her words here--it went under because she couldn't get a license for an outdoor rock festival, and because the residents of Raleigh don't buy art. Excuse me? We don't? You mean we didn't buy your art. That might suggest looking at why.

Get out and roam

So, you’re diligent about making the rounds on First Friday. The Morning Times, Lump, Artspace – you know your stuff. How about HL Roaming Gallery. Whaaaat? Real insiders know the term and have been anxiously awaiting the next biannual show, which opens tonight in the Helig-Levine Building at 137 S. Wilmington Street.

Admittedly I’m a new “insider” to the HL Roaming Gallery, which is an exhibit of Raleigh artists. The first show I attended was in November. I left kicking myself for having missed the first three. Don’t be among the few that miss the fifth and final show. And if you are, for your sake, I wouldn’t tell anyone.

What can you expect from this traveling collection of artists? --Expect to be wowed, but not surprised by the talent living and working in Raleigh. Expect to be drawn to their work. Expect to care about their inspirations, mediums and backgrounds. Expect to be moved. Don’t expect their work to be basic, bland, or ordinary. And, expect to hate that this clever type of gallery and art opportunity is coming to an end – at least for now.

Two and half years ago, Tracy Spencer, a Raleigh artist and key supporter of the local art scene, debuted her traveling gallery of artists, which helped enliven a struggling downtown. Every six months, the band of artists set up shop (literally cleaning, hanging their own work, fixing lights) for one month in one of Raleigh’s charming but unused buildings. Tonight the HL Roaming Gallery will come full circle; ending in its original location.

Tonight’s bittersweet (in my book at least) opening reception will be the last. Why? – We all know why, progress has come and the result is both good and band. Spencer sites less uninhabited buildings and a cumbersome process as the reasons behind the group’s hiatus. She and the artists love it though; and I would all but guarantee they’ll be back. And, in an even more interesting, progressive way.

Piqued your interest yet? Didn’t know Raleigh had such emerging and important artists? Well, we do. And we should, no must, support them. A little background on the participating artists is below.

See you there.

HL Roaming Gallery

Opening Reception, May 4th, 2007, 6 p.m. to midnight
Closing Reception, May 25th, 2007, 6 p.m.to midnight
Saturday hours in May: 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
May 19th and 20th (Artsplosure): 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Also view the exhibit by appointment.

The artists

Andrea Donnelly draws from traditional textile processes to make the raw material she uses in her sculptures. Her current work addresses personal and cultural issues in a collection of six female forms. The Lady Series is an intimate exploration of internal and external space, of strength and vulnerability, of cloth and skin (see attached photo). Andrea is a recent graduate of the NC State College of Design. She is a 2007 recipient of the Windgate Fellowship, and her work is currently on exhibit at Fiberart International 2007 in Pittsburgh, PA.

Mollie Earls is a graduate of the NC State College of Design. She continues her exploration of early aviator portraiture and will also have some new lovely jewelry for sale.

Dimitri Gudgenov explores geometric, abstract forms. He uses a variety of construction methods to interpret 3D shapes created with modeling software into physical sculptures.

Jeremy Hauch’s paintings are large, colorful, usually square, and mixed in media. Often figures of humans or animals can be seen. The exact type of animal is usually in question, and what the animal is doing depends on the viewer. Humans are usually just there, not doing much in the way of action. Humans do appear with animals at times, usually in cooperation of some sort. Human to human cooperation is rare, and usually seen in earlier work. Ben Dautel is one year old and has been know to collaborate with Jeremy on recent work.

Andy Heymann, an NC State College of Design Graduate, takes his graphic style of painting to a new level in HL5. He brings iconography in to battle his usual, but still intriguing feminine figures. These new paintings could be described as mathematically graphic dichotomization.

Jackson Hodges, an artist living in Raleigh, graduated with degrees in both architecture and art from the NC State College of Design. Using drawing as his primary medium, Jackson creates pieces with dual focus. His aesthetic combines technicality enriched with emotion and creative non sequitur. He uses his affinity for objects, locations, and personas of interest to carefully compose vignettes reflecting his own interpretation of environments and experiences.

Lindsey Lynch is never without her lens. Her new series, "I see London, I see France," provides an intimate portrait of women in situations that reflect their personality. Lindsey’s love of and talent for capturing the essence of people through natural progressions of the everyday led her to found Lindsey Marla Photography.

Tracy Spencer continues to explore the use of allegory in her paintings. Her new series plays on growth and the many stages of life. Tracy is the founding manager of Bonded Llama Artist Studios and coordinator of Morning Times Gallery.

For more information in the gallery, artists, or appointments to view the show, email hlartgallery@gmail.com.