WEB EXCLUSIVE Two local artists are sharing their tips and tricks to their success in Raleigh’s art scene.
A lot of people took time over the last year-plus to work on their goals and achieve new things. For local visual artists Jackie Sanders and Adriana Ameigh, they spent the last 15 months hitting several milestones, including independently moving into community-facing art studios at Artspace, having solo art exhibitions in Downtown Raleigh, launching their weekly Art Studio Insights Podcast, and partnering with local art organization Triangle ArtWorks to host panel discussions with industry professionals.
Pretty successful past 15 months, huh?
The pair’s Art Studio Insights Podcast (episodes drop every Tuesday!) focuses on demystifying the creative process while exchanging ideas with careen minded artists in the spirit of “community over competition” by sharing tips and tricks, resources, advice, and lessons they’ve learned along their creative journey with other artists, aspiring creatives and art lovers.
“As amazing of a year as it has been for our personal careers as emerging artists ourselves, we have also created a mission to pull up others as we rise,” says Sanders.
That same share-it-forward mentality led Sanders and Ameigh to launch the Level Up Artists Membership this summer. Enrollment for the membership will reopen in December 2021 with the mission of giving career-minded artists the tools that they need to level up their art business. (Essentially, balancing creativity with business practices and more).
So why give back? For Sanders and Ameigh, it’s all about making the creative field more accessible to aspiring artists—because we all start from the ground up, and sometimes all you need is a helping hand to really have your career take off.
So, next time you’re in Downtown Raleigh, stop by Artspace studios to check out Sanders’ and Ameigh’s art—and if you have a question for them in the meantime, don’t hesitate to reach out to them. @JSandersStudio, @AmeighArt
WEB EXCLUSIVE Mexican artist Jorge Marín’s traveling exhibition, Wings of the City, will be the first international art exhibit at Dorothea Dix Park.
Say “bienvenido” to Dorothea Dix Park’s newest addition (and the first international art exhibit to open at the park!): world-renowned Mexican artist Jorge Marín’s traveling exhibition, Wings of the City, opening in October.
The exhibit features a collection of nine larger-than-life bronze figures—some looking like they’re poised to take flight and others casually balanced—along with Marín’s iconic Wings of México.
Portrait of Jorge Marín | Photo courtesy of Estudio Jorge Marín
Marín is one of the most prominent figurative artists in Mexico, with work spanning 30 years and over 300 exhibitions (adding Raleigh’s own Dix Park to that list!). His most recent work focuses on personal interaction and sculptures that tell personal and collective stories. Wings of the City aims to build relationships between cities and its people by “evoking connection to our shared humanity.”
“Raleigh is honored to host Wings of the City,” says Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin. “Not only are the sculptures captivating and thought provoking, but the impact of the exhibit in fostering a collective sense of community embodies our vision as a city and that of Dorothea Dix Park.”
“Through the work of Jorge Marín we seek to generate a social impact and connect with the cultural heritage of the environment that surrounds it,” says Elena Catalán, director of the Jorge Marín Foundation. “With Wings of the City we propose, above all, to join the dialogue between contemporary Mexican art and the rich and heterogeneous population of the City of Raleigh.” We, for one, are thrilled to see how this exhibit inspires Raleighites!
WEB EXCLUSIVE The past and the present of art collide through NCMA’s two new exhibits opening this month.
Is there a better way to spend a cool fall day than roaming through the North Carolina Museum of Art’s eye-opening—and eye-catching—exhibits? We think not (especially if you’re sipping on a PSL while taking in all the art). Ahead of its anticipated ticketed October exhibition Alphonse Mucha: Art Nouveau Visionary (and just in time for the fall season!), the NCMA is debuting two new free exhibits this month.
NC Artist Connections, which opened Sept. 4, features three local artists’ works that expand on concepts already present within the NCMA’s permanent gallery: social justice, communication (and misunderstanding), memory and ritual. By reviving themes throughout the museum, these contemporary artists hope to help visitors gain a deeper understanding of the artists, their works and their relationship with art.
NC Artist Connections: Stephen Hayes, 5 lbs (detail), 2020–2021
Break the Mold: Elizabeth Alexander, The Great Enemy of Truth, 2019
Break the Mold: New Takes on Traditional Art Making (opening Sept. 25) is all about going back to the roots of art-making and taking an innovative, modern approach to traditional styles of art—think unique takes on embroidery, quilting, ceramics and fashion accessories. The exhibition will also tackle topics like gender assumptions and inequality, racial justice, prison reform and cultural history. Modern adaptations from 25 contemporary artists will be placed next to its historical predecessors to provide important context—and contrast.
“NC Artists Connections shows how deep the talent runs in our community, while Break the Mold presents fascinating new takes on traditional art making,” says Valerie Hillings, director of the NCMA. “Presented together, these exhibitions invite reflection and conversations around museums, community and traditions.” Reserve your tickets at ncartmuseum.org/events.
WEB EXCLUSIVEPress play: The esports and game design industry is booming both here in Raleigh and beyond.
Tell your mom and dad that all those years sitting in front of a screen playing video games wasn’t a waste of time, it was career prep (seriously). Esports and game design is one of the world’s fastest growing industries (it’s projected to surpass $1 billion in revenue for the first time this year and grow at a rate of 400% in the next seven years, to $4.28 billion, according to Data Bridge Market Research)—just look at the Olympic Virtual Series (OSV) which debuted esports competitions (think virtual regatta, auto racing, baseball and more) at the 2021 Summer Olympics for the first time ever.
And following in the Olympics steps, Raleigh’s own William Peace University just launched two new bachelor’s degree programs: Interactive Design and ESports, and Gaming Administration in an effort to help students capitalize on this growing industry. WPU has also invested in a brand-new ESports lab, which is currently under construction and expected to open this fall.
“These programs tie in well with our Believe In Peace Strategic Plan,” says WPU President Brian Ralph. “Interactive Design and ESports will add to our distinctive identity.”
According to Forbes, Raleigh is the second hottest area in the U.S. for tech jobs, evidenced by the numerous video game and esports companies that call the City of Oaks home, along with various esports events held here, including the Carolina Games Summit, where there are also college scholarships on the line.
Additionally, Epic Games (with Turnbridge Equities and Denali Properties) recently purchased the 980,000-square-foot and 87-acre Cary Towne Center, with the goal of converting the property into a new campus by 2024. So, obviously, those WPU majors couldn’t have come at a better time.
“ESports and Gaming Administration is a perfect fit for Raleigh and for WPU,” Ralph adds.
If you still think that esports are just for nerds living in their parents’ basements, you’re in for a real culture shock. So get ready for a tech takeover here in Raleigh—and beyond.
WEB EXCLUSIVEBecome a Founding Dog Member ahead of Doggos Raleigh opening in spring 2022.
Who says dogs get to have all the fun at the dog park? Woman-led, Greensboro-based Doggos Dog Park and Pub is bringing its dogtopia to Raleigh in spring 2022, promising pup-tastic fun for both doggos (who are friendly, fixed and vaccinated!) and humans alike.
We know that spring 2022 ain’t exactly tomorrow, but you’re going to want to get your furry friends enrolled in this pup paradise ASAP. Doggos is offering a limited number of Founding Dog Memberships between now and October 31—think a lifetime membership, limited edition shirt, and the chance to incorporate your dog’s name into the design of the location. How paws-itively exciting!
To get you even more excited, Doggos’ Raleigh location—the ulti-mutt hangout for you and your four-legged friends—will feature over 10,000 square feet of off-leash play space supervised by Rufferees; a fully turfed outdoor area with water misters, splash pads, doggie pools and patio heaters; separate small dog and ball play areas; and, of course, the on-leash bar perfect for grabbing a cold one and a doggie beer.
“We are visited by Raleigh area folks all the time and they always ask us, ‘When are you going to open one in Raleigh? We really need one here,’” says Doggos co-founder Paula McGarrell Dozier. “We know how much Doggos has made a difference for our members and we’re excited to do the same in Raleigh and help connect new friends, both four and two-legged.”
To make those connections, Doggos will host a variety of events throughout the year for members, including doga (dog yoga), adult arts and crafts, and additional collabs with local small businesses. And get excited for holiday parties like Pupgsiving, Puppy Prom, a Howloween costume party and more. The “pawtio” is also available to host your own doggie birthday parties, puppy showers or litter-mate reunions. Paws up! Purchase your founding memberships online at doggosparkandpub.com/raleigh
