Story by Lindsey Chester
Cary, NC – If you grew up in the early 70’s you probably remember educational cartoons like “Conjunction Junction”and “A Noun is Person Place or Thing” on ABC’s Saturday morning lineup. These shorts were produced as “School House Rock”. Next month Applause! Cary’s Youth Theatre group is bringing the stage version to the Cary Arts Center Oct 14-16. Read more
Story by Matt Young
Cary, NC – Cary resident Carole L. Hamilton teaches English at Cary Academy. She recently published Anthem Guide to Essay Writing. We can all use help here. And yes, I’m intimidated to write this.
The CaryCitizen Calendar of Events is edited by Lindsey Chester.
Cary, NC – Something’s always happening in Cary. This week, we highlight four diverse and fantastic musical events from the CaryCitizen Calendar. Read more
By Matt Young. All photos courtesy of Carolyn Sakowksi.
All Over, NC – Carolyn Sakowski has published an updated version of the Touring the Western North Carolina Backroads (John F. Blair, publisher) guidebook. Read more
Story and photos by Hal Goodtree.
Cary, NC – On Friday morning, the manager of the Fidelity bank in downtown Cary called Clare Sifford, Director of Cary Visual Art. Someone had tipped over the sculpture on loan at the corner of Chatham and Academy. This is the second piece of sculpture vandalized in the last month.
Getawaycar, the sculpture by Adam Wall was awarded Best in Show this year in Cary. “Last night,” Clare told CaryCitizen, “someone (probably more than one person, as this piece is VERY heavy) pushed it over.”
Damage was evident along the top of the sculpture. A paint smear on the sidewalk showed where the artwork had crashed to the ground.
“I could see that the paint was chipped and the steel was bent,” Clare said. “Fortunately, Adam is semi-local, as he lives in Laurinburg, NC, and will be able to come repair the piece at some point in the near future. This sculpture is valued at $5,000.”
This is the second piece of public art vandalized in downtown Cary in less than a month. “The first one was Collective Conductivity by artist Julia Rogers,” Sifford told this publication.
“It happened on Wednesday evening, 8/24/11. The glass heads of the sculptures were pried loose and dangling by the LED light wires, the glass lotus in the seated figure’s hand was broken, and her large glass hand was pried loose and stolen.”
“The glass hand is not cast,” Sifford said, “it is hand-formed. Each piece is individually made to properly fit the other components in the piece. This sculpture is valued at $15,000.”
Collective Conductivity photograph by Clare Sifford.
In most cases, the artists themselves must pay for the damage in repair or restoration.
Cary Visual Art carries liability coverage for the exhibition, but artists are advised to self-insure their work. Few do.
So, in the case of vandalism, the artists are the victim.
Vandalism has a chilling effect in the arts. “I am so disheartened that it seems like vandals have specifically targeted our exhibition. This is heartbreaking to me, and I am afraid that continued vandalism will discourage artists from participating with CVA, therefore hurting our exhibition further.”
So, in the case of public art, the community is the victim as well.
Naturally, community members downtown and across town are outraged. Police Captain Don Hamilton wrote to Clare Sifford, “I hate that this is piece number 2 to be damaged and I agree that continued problems could jeopardize future artists wanting to participate.”
Cary Police run nightly patrols downtown. One expects they will step up their presence in light of this new challenge.
One might also expect video surveillance to be considered as a way to safeguard valuable artwork on loan to the community.
As our downtown redevelops, now is the time to make sure we have a safety regime commensurate with our community investment and needs.
Julya Mirro and Allan Maule when their characters first meet in Fat Pig
Story and photos by Lindsey Chester
Cary, NC- CaryCitizen has been following the theater group Free Association Theater Ensemble (F.A.T.E.) for the past year. The group is always pushing the envelope, and Fat Pig, their latest production, is no exception. Read more
Cris Cohen is CaryCitizen’s resident Humorist. This is an excerpt from his new book, Staying Crazy To Keep From Going Insane.
The other day I got an offer from a credit card company. Credit card companies regularly offer people cards to use in the hopes that, when it comes to financial issues, you’ll have the brains of a salad bar. After all, if you are good with your money and make all of your credit card payments on time, they only make a small profit. However, if you are bad with your money and miss some payments, they can legally sell your family. Read more
Cary, NC – On Sunday, it will be ten years since the awful events of September 11, 2001. Here are three musical events in the area that may bring a measure of comfort to all those who still suffer. Read more
Story by Matt Young. Photo of Algonquin writers group from Wikimedia. L–>R Art Samuels, Charlie MacArthur, Harpo Marx, Dorothy Parker and Alexander Woollcott.
Cary, NC – I’ve reviewed a lot of books written by local authors for CaryCitizen, and I’ve received many article submissions from Cary residents. It is very clear there is literary talent around these parts. Read more
Story by Lindsey Chester. Photo by Chris Adamczyk.
Cary, NC- Cary Players holds their own version of the Oscars known as the Pietzsch Awards. Nominees for this year were recently announced, causing a media frenzy. Maybe you know someone on the list. Read more