Since she was a child, Dorrie Casey was all about theater – writing, performing, designing, and making music. Then, quite by chance, a new art form grabbed hold of her and even kept her up at night. “It was as though something inside me had been sleeping a deep sleep and it suddenly woke up,”… Read More →
Go See This: Premiere of “The Courthouse”
“The courthouse is on fire!” Many local folks know where they were on the afternoon of March 25, 2010. That was the day the iconic, historic 1881 Chatham County Courthouse on the circle in Pittsboro was almost lost to a fire. Fortunately, local documentary filmmaker Mike O’Connell, of Haw River Films was ready with his gear to capture on film footage from that… Read More →
Go See This: “Straws” Documentary Film
Documentary filmmaker Linda Booker follows her subjects where they lead, attributing the impact of her films to the people who tell her their stories. For her latest film “Straws”, she singles out Jackie Nunez, founder of the Last Plastic Straw, who has been at the forefront of this movement since 2011, Dr. Wallace J. Nichols, Dr…. Read More →
Meet This Artist: Ruth Moose is serving up words, ideas, memories
Ruth Moose was only three years-old when she first tried her hand at writing. “My grandfather was a Baptist preacher – tall, very charismatic. He baptized a lot of people, traveled across North Carolina and preached at various churches and revivals,” she said. He left a sermon – in progress – on his writing table…. Read More →
Meet This Artist: Ash and clay become art in the hands of Lara O’Keefe
Oak tree ash from her wood stove, red clay from the earth – there is a bit of Chatham County in nearly every piece of pottery Lara O-Keefe creates.* As someone who grew up here before heading out into the world, this represents a literal return to her native roots and soil. “I spent my… Read More →
Meet This Artist: Pain fueled creativity & spirit for Onicas Gaddis
Onicas Gaddis has only one photograph from his childhood. “This is me and my two brothers, Bart and Phillip, and my sister Josephine – before I was taken away,” he said. The photo is blurry, his siblings’ faces like a misty dream. When he said good-bye to his family, he had only his memory to keep… Read More →
Volunteer! The ClydeFEST Critter Crew Needs You!
Calling all kids and kids-at-heart—ClydeFEST is back in town! On Saturday, September 24th, we’ll bring the 15th Annual ClydeFEST to the Bynum Ballfield. We need volunteers to help pull the rabbit out of this hat! Join us! Back in the days of its more humble beginnings, ClydeFEST drew crowds of around 750, and over the last four… Read More →
Resources for Poetry in North Carolina
When I first moved to North Carolina in 2007 I was preoccupied with a new job, closing on my first house, and learning where all the good restaurants were. Writing was not a priority. A year later I felt settled and curious. I went to the first place I could think of that should be… Read More →
Meet This Artist: Allison Tierney is exploring the objectness of paint
Artist Allison Tierney is known for applying paint in a “non-traditional”style. But paint isn’t the only thing she is applying to her canvases. “My pieces often employ found items that are embedded within the frame and these objects bring with them histories and stories of their past,” she said. Even the scraps from her paintings… Read More →
Go See This: The Small Museum of Art
The corner of Small and East Streets in Pittsboro is a handmade hive of activity. Salvaged windows allow natural light to wash newly installed walls made of reclaimed wooden planks that glow a translucent milky white. A rusted tin ceiling above and a large sliding door bring to mind rural barns. Modern wiring and flooring appropriate for high traffic areas… Read More →