Back straight, head high, heart and mouth open, she sang. Lift ev’ry voice and sing. (from Sing a Song, by Kelly Starling Lyons) —article by Emilie Menzel Kelly Starling Lyons—nationally recognized author of seventeen children’s books and respected advocate for Black children’s book creators through The Brown Bookshelf—is stepping into the leadership role of the Piedmont… Read More →
This Human Way: Reinvigorating Theater with Playwright Gage Tarlton
—Article by Emilie Menzel Gage Tarlton wants you to know that the world of contemporary theater is bustling with innovation, and you should join. He’s a playwright from Chapel Hill rethinking theater accessibility, writing about intersecting Southern and queer identities, and working from a palpable love of the theater community. The Backstory What do you do… Read More →
Reclaiming Narratives: Soteria Shepperson, Emily Baxter, and the Our Lens, Our Voice Project
—Article by Emilie Menzel Soteria Shepperson and Emily Baxter understand the transformative power of putting language and visibility into action. They’ve both spent their lives helping others speak up and be seen, showing up in particular for justice-impacted communities. Emily is a criminal defense lawyer turned public policy advocate turned activist photographer. She’s also the founder… Read More →
Doing It for Themselves: New Artist-Run Spaces in Chapel Hill and Carrboro
—Article by Emilie Menzel With the recent closures of The Carrack and The Mothership, Manbites Dog Theater and SPECTRE Arts, the Triangle is running noticeably low on independent, artist-centered arts spaces. Such spaces are vital to our arts community’s well-being. They cultivate open conversation about the arts world and offer flexibility in a way institutional-run… Read More →
August Featured Artist: Collage and Community Art with Meredith Haggerty
—Emilie Menzel When I call Chapel Hill artist Meredith Haggerty on the phone for her interview, she greets me like an old friend, her warmth and energy abundantly clear from the moment she answers the phone. It’s an interview to highlight her work and her accomplishments, but throughout she continually expresses curiosity and excitement about… Read More →