Friday, July 3, 2009
Who makes up Mount Weather?
Evan Williams(also of Shards and Whatever Brains), Justin May, Josh Pope(of The Love Language and The Light Pines), my brother Bryan Costello, and myself (Thomas Costello).
Who are your favorite local bands?
The Love Language and Max Indian: Stu McLamb and Carter Gaj write great songs. Megafaun, The Rosebuds, and Whatever Brains are doing rad things, and Americans in France and Embarrassing Fruits put out good records this year.
Other bands on constant rotation?
The Dirty Projectors, The Beach Boys, the new Magnolia Electric Co., Bill Callahan, Jay Reatard, James Blackshaw, and Neil Young. and I’m on a huge Tom Petty kick. again.
Musical or sound influences?
Although I adore a lot of folk, country, and avant-garde artists, relatively straight-forward pop seems to influence me the most: The Pixies, Jesus and Mary Chain, Billy Idol singles, Phoenix, Morrissey, New Order. Interesting music you can dance to or produces a particular mood I’m after. Lyrically I try to use my favorite folk artists as a reference, but it doesn’t always work.
What is happening locally that excites you?
I feel lucky to live in an area that’s so food-centric. Lots of local eats and drinks to choose from. Also, The Nightlight Club and Bar in Chapel Hill has really come into it’s own lately. It looks and sounds better than it ever has, and now you can get a drink even when there isn’t a show. Things like that mean more creativity, in music and otherwise. That’s always a good thing!
Anything else we should know?
Until Mount Weather puts out a record, I highly recommend Megafaun’s new one, “Gather, Form, & Fly”. To be released July 21st, available at your local record store. It’s wild!
Sound familiar? You might have heard these guys play at the benefit for the Bain Project. One of their songs is included in the Bain Music Project.
Mount Weather plays this Monday, July 6, at the Local 506! Support an amazing local band, one of my favorites! Check out more: myspace.com/mountweather
Thursday, July 2, 2009
For many years, my family was on the road for the 4th of July holiday. I always heard about the Festival for the Eno in Durham, but because it coincided with other obligations, I couldn’t go…until last year.
And I have to say, it was worth the wait. The festival features several platforms for great music as well as grassy expanses on which to dance, sway, or sit. There is the river itself, which offers a bit of natural refreshment if you aren’t interested in the wares of ice cream or lemonade vendors. Of course, there are plenty of other food options, along with an eclectic variety of crafts for sale, including fabrics, pottery, glass, and wood items. I even remember seeing some places in the shade to check out some local farm animals.
The festival is environmentally-conscious, too, offering mass transportation as well as lots of places to recycle used plates or glasses,. If you are going to be in the area on July 3, 4, or 5 and are looking for some fun, I highly recommend heading to Durham. I hope to see you there!
Dates: July 3, 4, and 5
Time: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Rebecca Tegtmeyer is the talented designer behind Sown, a hip line of pillows made from recycled burlap sacks. Originally from Kansas, Rebecca calls North Carolina her home while she completes her Masters in Graphic Design at NC State.
How would you describe your decorating style?
I think others would say that my style is organized and simple. I feel comfortable when everything is situated in a space, especially since I live in rental spaces that are small and functional. I prefer to have a space with minimal color, white and natural is primary. Since I frequently mix things up and change my space I like to keep the touches of color up to the objects that I have more control over, like fabrics. The larger furniture pieces I choose are either items that I make, like my work table and book shelves, or found pieces. I enjoy browsing flea markets and antique booths for a good find.
Do you collect anything, if so, how do you display it?
I have had several collections that have evolved over time, however, since I have been in graduate school for the last two years I have neglected adding to or even displaying some of my treasures. I currently collect white pottery, preferably white planters that have simple clean lines. I may have extended this to include just any pottery as my last two purchases were green planters! I also collect any sort of ephemera from packaging to books and labels. These are stored in various binders but recently I have been scanning them in to share with others. Another obsession is anything framed. I possess a large amount of framed pieces that haven’t been unpacked since moving to Raleigh. I frame anything that is typographically interesting, old sheet music covers, magazine covers, handwritten pages from a book, labels, etc. Basically anything that is not in one of my ephemera binders. I also purchase several pieces from etsy. Some day I will live in a space that have walls large enough to accommodate all of the frames!
What inspires your decorating sensibility?
There are several individuals that inspire my aesthetic. I had a great aunt that loved interesting objects. I have a few of her items here and there. My mother spent summers with her as she grew up and she still tells stories of all the interesting things my aunt kept in her home. I imagine her home often, even though I think hers may have been a bit more chaotic.
I have a close friend that is currently a photo art director at Hallmark Cards in Kansas City. We have known each other for several years through design school at KU then we worked together. He too enjoys decorating his space and the items in it. He has inspired my style the most as he is always finding something new and odd to display in his home or antique booth. It sometimes becomes a competitive treasure hunt between the two of us. A couple of my favorite items are gifts from him…two iron cast birds and my huge orange letter “R”.
I tend to search for inspiration by visiting interesting shops and flea markets. I also keep binders and digital files of photos that I come across of spaces I like. When I am feeling the need to make another change in my space I flip through those…but most of the time I end up back with my own style as I work with what I have at hand.
Favorite Local NC Spots & Things to Do: HARDEST QUESTION FOR ME….
This one is the hardest as I have been living in a graduate school hole since moving to Raleigh. BUT when I came to Raleigh for the very first time for my interview at NCSU I googled places in Raleigh and found Father and Sons on Hargett. I frequent there often “just to look”. I also went to the Purple Armchair (was that the name??) before it closed. Honestly other than Ebay and Etsy, I haven’t had a chance to shop much at all!
As for favorite thing to do in Raleigh…I love hiking at Umstead and anything outdoorsy. Since I am a recent grad and it is summertime, I tend to spend time with my classmates outside of the studio space.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Greensboro will be getting a taste of Raleigh’s dynamic art scene as part of the Green Hill Center for NC Art’s Gallery Nomads exhibition. Through the end of August the Green Hill Center will be highlighting six of Raleigh’s finest art galleries. The stellar line up of galleries includes Flanders Art Gallery, Adam Cave Fine Art, Bonded Llama Artists, The Design Box Gallery, Artspace, and The Visual Art Exchange. The art featured will range from contemporary to traditional with over 50 artists exhibiting work in a variety of media.
There will also be a number of free public programs held in conjunction with the Gallery Nomads exhibition, including a yoga for artists event led by Gretchen McLaren of Bonded Llama and a demonstration of free hand aerosol and stencil techniques by Bart Cusick and Garrett Scales. A complete listing of programs, along with dates and times, can be found on the Green Hill Center’s events calendar.
Images:
Jeffrey Kaller, Large Cone Form, ceramic
Courtesy Flanders Art Gallery, Raleigh
Jon Williams & Rob Ruchte, Sixty-four Feet of Hope, post-it notes on board
Courtesy Designbox Gallery, Raleigh
Monday, June 29, 2009
Yesterday I got to attend a preview party at The Cotton Room! But before I tell you about The Cotton Room, a bit of Durham history might be in order…
In the 1880s Durham, NC became home to many tobacco companies and textile mills. What’s now called Golden Belt was originally The Golden Belt Manufacturing Company, a textile factory that made thread and produced pouches for Bull Durham tobacco. Operations stopped in 1996, but it has been renovated and turned into an “urban arts campus” with beautiful lofts, commercial space, artist studios, and event venues like The Cotton Room.
Triangle Catering is going to be operating The Cotton Room, and starting in October ‘09 (after renovations) you can rent the space for weddings & other events. They plan to keep all the textile mill character, like exposed brick walls, archways, mechanical pulleys, and huge, beautiful windows, but will update it with contemporary decor.
The food at The Cotton Room will be southern-inspired, and if it’s anything like what was served yesterday, it will be fantastic. Check out what we ate:
YUM. You can see more of my photos from The Cotton Room on Mint’s flickr!
Thanks for the invite, Golden Belt!
One of our charter contributors, Ellie has posted some great content on her personal blog about the new Labour Love gallery and Cotton Room at Golden Belt. Below the first of those two posts. Thanks, Ellie!
After The Cotton Room party, we headed downstairs to check out LabourLove, Durham’s newest gallery and retail space. John Pelphrey, one of LabourLove’s owners, gave us the low-down and it sounds pretty exciting. Not only do they show original works by contemporary artists, but they pick a few pieces from each artist to sell as affordable giclee prints. They have a fancy heat-setting machine so that they can put the prints on t-shirts or pillows, too.
John and his partner, Kelly Dew, have been also experimenting with re-upholstery, and plan to add lots more home decor kind of items in the future. In addition, LabourLove will be available to rent for children’s art classes and other events. As John says, “Kelly and I are excited to open LabourLove and begin dispelling the myth that understanding and appreciating art is reserved only for those with formal art training or elite social status.”
Brendan and I especially liked Luke Miller Buchanan’s photo-based work, and the painting of Obama eating ice cream (see the pillow above) by Kevin McGoff.
You can see a few more of my photos on Mint’s flickr page.
Friday, June 26, 2009
The randomly generated winner is commenter #44: . Please email us your address by Monday to claim your prize. Thanks for commenting, everyone. We have some more great giveaways lined up soon.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
I have to admit, I have a not so secret love affair with the N.C. State Fair. Usually I can contain my excitement till about September when it is time to start planning and preparing for the N.C. State Fair baking competitions. But recently I had a reason to get excited early when the N.C. State Fair released the 2009 theme and design “A Whole Lotta Happy”, and it made me a whole lotta happy!
What was your inspiration for the 2009 theme and design?
This year’s N.C. State Fair theme is “A Whole Lotta Happy.” As we discussed various ideas, we kept coming back to all the things you can see and do at the State Fair and the fact that the product we are promoting ends up creating happy memories and family traditions while celebrating the things that make our state unique. So the message, “A Whole Lotta Happy” seemed a good fit. With agriculture being a big part of the State Fair, the canning jar and vintage feel of the letterpress-style poster offers a suggestion of reconnecting to our roots. The Fair has been our yearly gathering place; it’s a chance for us to communicate, share and take pride in our community. The Fair has been a constant in our changing world, and it’s a way to enjoy quality time with family, friends and connect with the community. We hope the artwork suggests something that is hand-crafted, nostalgic and a little whimsical.
- Amanda Meares, Graphic Designer for the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
How do you define good design? And, how important is it to an event like the N.C. State Fair?
I find a design to be successful if it clearly communicates all the “need-to-know” information, emphasizes the message, takes context into account and looks good doing it. For an event such as the N.C. State Fair, the design that is seen, used and experienced truly matters. We encounter so many messages in our daily lives that we have become somewhat numb to the noise, making us more difficult to reach. Our time and attention are valuable and are acquired at a premium. A good design needs to make us want to stop and look. We have become a more sophisticated audience when it comes to design; we want an attractive package for the information. Technology is also a big factor. We are speaking to a large, diverse audience who receives information through more media outlets than ever before. A good design communicates the message just as clearly via Twitter as it does in the Sunday newspaper. We hope this year’s theme and design will encourage people to take advantage of a great value and join us for the 2009 N.C. State Fair.
- Amanda Meares, Graphic Designer for the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Is there anything new and exciting we can expect at the fair this year?
One of the exciting things about the Fair is there are hundreds of people involved who contribute new components each year. Food vendors serve up new deep fried creations, competitors enter amazing crafts, cakes and photographs, and the carnival rides keep getting taller, faster and more thrilling. We’ll announce more of these new and exciting things like the concert line-up, unusual foodie favorite, and the new rides from Powers Great American Midways as we get closer to October 15. Here are some of the things we can announce right now: Visitors can expect an unlimited pay-one-price ride night only on Thursday, October 15; new free-roving entertainment acts like Steve Trash’s “Green” Magic Show; more elbow room as we construct our campground and relocate many trucks and trailers off the main campus; and an expanded focus on recycling materials like cardboard, fryer oil, and food waste. Some of the most frequently asked questions we get are about the concert performers (to be announced in July) and when advance tickets will go on sale (August 1). Both of these topics (and much more!) will be highlighted on our 2009 N.C. State Fair Web site (www.ncstatefair.org), which will be unveiled in June, and our Deep Fried blog (http://info.ncagr.com/DeepFried).
- Natalie Alford, Public Information Officer at the N.C. State Fair
Your top five fair foods?
We took a survey in the Fair’s press office, and here are our top contenders:
- Wisconsin Fried Cheese
- Deep Fried Oreos
- Mini Donuts
- Butcher Boys Steak and Cheese Sandwich
- Roasted Corn
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Photos by Geoff Wood from this past Spring’s Triangle Modernist Home Tour in Raleigh.
Monday, June 22, 2009
We are now offering craft, design & business classes taught by your favorite designers. Sign up before July 1st to receive 10% off the class fee. Hurry, space is limited to 10 students per class. We’ll be adding more classes soon from Holly Aiken, Pear Threads, Sew Bliss Sew & More! Register here.
No Comments »
