Raleigh Downtown Living Advocates

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My First Friday Art Tour

December 2, 2009 /
Glenwood South
Usually on First Fridays I start off gallery hopping on the east side of town, beginning with Artspace.  But this December 4th I’m going to kick off the festivities on the west side of town, at SpiritWorks Studio (608 Glenwood Ave. [behind 610] where my friend Donna is exhibiting her new series “Interfaith Children”.  Next, I’ll peek next door, (behind the carpet store) to check out the studio recently opened by my very talented friend, Jason.
 
Next I’ll go up the street and stop by Lee Hansley’s Gallery at 225 Glenwood to see his Christmas Show of over 200 pieces,  each under $1000.  Then I’ll go across Glenwood to Lee Hansley’s new temporary gallery on the corner of Glenwood and Jones Streets to see a new exhibition of some large contemporary pieces of art.
 
Working a little south, there is always lots of art for me to see at the Carter Building.
 
Warehouse District
Then I’d cross Hillsborough St. and walk down to the Warehouse District to see the very new and exciting Flanders Gallery at the corner of West and Martin.  
 
Just down the street from Flanders is Judy Jones’ print exhibition space at 311 West Martin Street Galleries.
 
Fayetteville Street
From there it’s just a short walk east to the beautiful Mahler Gallery and the new glass enclosed Collectors Gallery, both on Fayetteville St.
 
From there I’ll to stop off at the Sosta Cafe, 130 E. Davie St., to see that new painting show.
Then on to Artspace at Blount and E. Davie Streets.
 
After that, I’ll go around the corner to Blake St. across from Vic’s Restaurant to see the instructors’ show (instructors for RICA, the upcoming Raleigh Institute of Contemporary Art).
 
And then I’ll cross over to The Visual Arts Exchange to see what new amazing show Sarah Powers has put together this month.  
 
Then I’ll stop in to the Dechen Gallery of Tibetan art and the craft gallery a few doors down for some Christmas gifts.
 
I’ll top the evening off with a leisure walk back to Glenwood by way of Hargett St. and  stop in at the Adam Cave and the popular cafe galleries.
 
I hope it’s a lovely evening for all that walking.  But with all the inspiration offered by Raleigh artists, the weather won’t make a bit of difference! 
 
Boylan Heights (Dec. 6)
And a reminder, no one should forget the December 6th Sunday afternoon Art Walk, around the Boylan Heights neighborhood to see an exhibition of over 100 artists.  

City’s Rewriting of the Development Codes — A Perfect Fit for the Work of the Downtown Living Advocates

November 27, 2009 /
Just ask anyone sitting in rush hour traffic, making their way stop light by stop light to their home in Wake Forest.  There is a growing realization that Raleigh’s suburban patterns of development cannot be sustained. The cheap gas and land that allowed our city to spiral outward for decades, have quickly become luxuries of the past. 
 
Our city government understands that our traditional development patterns that encourage “sprawl” are not only unsustainable from an environmental perspective, but that this type of growth imposes a real threat to our region’s long enjoyed status as being an attractive place to start a family and develop new businesses
 
Altering growth patterns requires a new development code.
 
Development codes provide an important mechanism for managing future growth.  And the city is now embarked on a challenging 18 – 24 month process of rewriting their long-standing development codes.
 
The new codes  are expected to address the current barriers to in-fill and redevelopment and  are also being designed to support those areas that promote Downtown living; including character, use, public space, mass transit, parking, and pedestrian oriented streets.
 
The 2030 Comprehensive Plan was an important first step, and serves as an important framework to guide the process.  But turning the plan’s vision into a executable and enforceable “codified” set of rules will be very challenging.  
 
As an advocacy group promoting communication between residents, businesses and city government, Downtown Living Advocates will be deeply involved.  
 
This process is clearly in alignment with DLA’s key mission of developing the city’s urban core as an attractive place to live.  We have met with the City’s Planning Department and are taking steps to support the department’s efforts by positioning our group as a bridge for integrating the residential and neighborhood needs of our Downtown. 
 
This will continue to be an important initiative for the DLA, so look for ongoing updates to be posted on our blog.

Have Something To Share? Your Story Here . . .

November 20, 2009 /

If you live or work Downtown, you probably have some interesting stories that our readers would love to know about.

Have a favorite place to dine or shop?  Tell our readers about it.  What makes this place special?  Friends with the business owner?  They will appreciate your gift of sharing.

What do you like best about your Downtown building or neighborhood?  Others are curious about what its like to live Downtown and would love to know.

As you walk around Downtown, what do you notice that others would find interesting?  There is so much happening and changing Downtown, it can be fun to keep others informed.

Know some interesting people that make their home or own a business Downtown?  It’s these people that bring character and energy to the Downtown, and people love hearing other people’s stories.

Our blog is a place for conversations.  So just write the way you talk and don’t get hung up about writing style.  We appreciate you taking the time to send us your stories.

Use this link to Submit a Blog Post.  And, it’s also easy to add a photo or two to go with your story.  Be sure to also add your own website and we will be happy to include the link.

So go ahead and write something, and tell your friends to look for  . . . Your Story Here.

 

 

Hidden Gems in Mordecai

November 7, 2009 /
Last night my husband and I discovered two hidden gems in our neighborhood, and I wanted to share them with everyone.
 
First, we happened upon the Lodi Project, a new art gallery next to Hope Elementary.  What an unexpected surprise to find this very cool, modern space, full of interesting work and people, complete with a jazz band!  
 
Second, riding our bikes home (already commenting to each other that we didn’t have to live in NYC to feel cool), we heard music coming out of the doors of Marsh Woodwinds, and stuck our heads in. What another amazing hidden gem!
  
We climbed the lighted stairs to a cozy, intimate space with a fabulous jazz band playing and an audience of enthused fans of all ages. The music was superb (sax, drums and stand-up bass), with others joining the band later on.  This is a wonderful venue, like being in someone’s living room, with red velvet curtains, low light, and an alcove filled with food and drink for all who attend.  We are so lucky to have this place in our neighborhood. The caliber and range of musicians who play here (every weekend is different ), the intimate setting, the very reasonable cover charge ($5 or so, depending on the band), the cool vibe, and the fact that we can all walk there, makes this spot my new favorite.
  
We don’t need NYC.  Mordecai rocks!
 
Blog post submitted by Tina Govan.

Are you a Raleigh First Friday Newbie?

November 3, 2009 /

You may have noticed the First Friday flags that go up in front of galleries and shops on the first friday of each month.  These signal that you’re welcome from 6-9PM for good conversation, a wide variety of art, and an opportunity to toast to the growing evening attractions of Downtown.

First Friday started at Artspace many years ago, and until recently most of the action stayed focused there and in the Moore Square Area.  But now First Friday celebrations have spread all over Downtown.  The Raleigh Contemporary Gallery changed its name to The Mahler Gallery and moved to Fayetteville Street, joined recently by the Collectors Gallery, located on City Plaza. From there, the action moves west to the Warehouse District (the “IN” place to be) and on to Glenwood South (the Mecca of dining and late night festivities.) 

A friend of mine suggests, “If you have never been before, my suggestion would be to go to Artspace first.  That place is always jumping and always very friendly on First Fridays.  (And there will be extra celebrations the first Fridays in November and December.)   There might be a problem finding parking near Artspace, though.   But if you don’t mind walking a bit, then it will be easy.”  Another alternative would be to start elsewhere in the city where parking is more plentiful and catch the R Line to the City Market area.

No studios in the Boylan Heights area are open on First Fridays.   However, on Sunday afternoon, December 6th. there will be the annual Boylan Heights Art Walk.  Then, all the studios in the area will be open to the public. 

So go Downtown.  Bring the children.  Have a pizza at Vic’s (go early for that).  Or grab a bite at Glenwood South or the Warehouse District and catch the R Line.  Either way, let me know how you like the excitement.


 

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