07.03.2024

Today’s Forecast

89º | 0% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:08 a.m. | Sunset 8:41 p.m.

Strike a pose

Winston-Salem’s Mannequin Shenanigans explained

Brick building with painted mannequin with gold wings.

“Kat Skywalker” by artist Cheryl Ann Lipstreu has been at 723 N. Trade St. since 2020. | Photo by WStoday

Does it always feel like somebody’s watching you when you’re wandering along Trade Street? If you look up, there are a handful of mannequins perched atop buildings. We learned their placement is intentional to promote the Arts District.

How it started

Stewart Knight is an artist who is behind several of the mannequins. He’s also the operational director for Art for Art’s Sake (AFAS), the nonprofit that manages the collaborative exhibit. Knight tells City Editor Cambridge an AFAS board member came up with the idea for Mannequin Shenanigans ~15 years ago. Knight worked with artist Kim Pegram on Lola, one of the first mannequins that was installed in 2013. Over a dozen have been created since.

How it’s going

Business owners and homeowners in the Downtown Arts District can connect with AFAS to sponsor a mannequin, which means having a figure installed on their building. The sponsor can decide whether to pay for the art + installation, or AFAS will fund the artist’s work. Any artist can participate in Mannequin Shenanigans.

Cloudy skies with red figurine sitting on the corner of a building with a black awning. — “Sax Man” by artist Blake Kovner Willis was installed atop the WTOB radio station at 615 N. Trade St. in 2013.
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Photo by WStoday

The mannequins vary in size, shape, and material. Once an artist commits to the job, it can take them anywhere from five months to a year to complete the mannequin. Crews with Signs by Tomorrow in Greensboro install the pieces.

Knight says the process of making the figures weather resistant has been refined over time. He handles a lot of the repairs when they need to come down for a touch up. Broken mannequins sometimes end up in AFAS children’s program to allow young artists to experiment with decorations.

Get involved

Knight hopes as many as 50 mannequins will eventually line Trade and Liberty streets to welcome visitors to the Arts District. He says strengthening the grant process would allow more artists to participate. You can make a donation to AFAS to support Mannequin Shenanigans and other initiatives.

Events

Wednesday, July 3

Open Gym | Wednesday, July 3 | 7-10 p.m. | The D.O.S.E. Collective, 606 N. Trade St., Winston-Salem | Free | Bring your instrument for an open jam session or your own crafts.

Thursday, July 4

Home Moravian Church’s Fourth of July Service | Thursday, July 4 | 8-9 a.m. | Salem Square, 649 S. Main St., Winston-Salem | Free | Celebrate July 4 with traditional Moravian music, an invocation, and a reading of the Declaration of Independence.

Friday, July 5

First Friday at Wise Man Brewing | Friday, July 5 | 6-9 p.m. | Wise Man Brewing, 826 Angelo Bros. Ave., Winston-Salem | Cost of purchase | Support local vendors, artists, musicians at this monthly showcase market.

Saturday, July 6

Twin City Paint and Sip | Saturday, July 6 | 8 p.m. | S&G Event Center, LLC, 8017 N. Point Blvd., Winston-Salem | $30-$60 | Relax, sip, and paint with friends for a fun-filled artistic experience.

Sunday, July 7

Summer Market | Sunday, July 7 | 2-6 p.m. | Liberty Plaza, 102 W. 3rd St., Winston-Salem | Cost of purchase | Shop from local vendors, artists, and food trucks while listening to live music.

Events calendar here

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News Notes

Real Estate

Two storefronts in West End are under new ownership. Lord Associates of Richmond, VA sold 465 W. End Blvd. + 473 W. End Blvd. (where The Tap is located) for a combined $995,000 to 473 West End LLC. (Winston-Salem Journal)

Number

$6.3 million. That’s how much an LLC connected to Dash owner Diamond Baseball Holdings paid to purchase two parking lots at Truist Stadium. The properties on West 1st Street and Ballpark Way total 8.26 acres. (Triad Business Journal)

Closed

1703 Restaurant is closed this week for summer break. The restaurant at 1703 Robinhood Rd. plans to reopen at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, July 9.

Festival

The inaugural Burlesk Con of the Carolinas is happening along Trade Street from Thursday, July 4 through Sunday, July 7. Tickets to shows that celebrate the art form and its history start at $15 — all performances are open to ages 18+, some shows are 21+. (Triad City Beat)

Ranked

No. 21. That’s the rank The Top 50 Pizza organization gave to Mission Pizza Napoletana on its list of the top 50 pizzerias in the US. The restaurant at 707 N. Trade St. has been ranked for four consecutive years and is the only NC restaurant on the 2024 list. (Winston-Salem Journal)

Arts

The Reynolda House Museum of American Art will feature works of art from the personal collection of its founder starting Saturday, Aug. 24. “Founder’s Vision: The Private Collection of Barbara Babcock Millhouse” will be on display in the Mary and Charlie Babcock Wing Gallery through Dec. 15. (YES! Weekly)

Seasonal

What do art lessons, a look into history, and gardens full of fresh flowers have in common? You can find them all at Reynolda this summer. Explore the full lineup of summer events + happenings at Reynolda — and start planning your visit.*

Coming Soon

A path forward

Winston-Salem celebrates groundbreaking for the Salem Multi-Use Path

Line of people with shovels digging into dirt and smiling. A bridge with arches and a sign are in the background.

City, state, and federal officials broke ground on the urban trail on Tuesday, July 2. | Photo by WStoday

You’ll soon have a new place to walk, bike, and admire the Winston-Salem skyline. Work is getting underway on Phase One of the Salem Parkway Multi-Use Path.

When it’s complete, the urban trail will stretch 1.3 miles. It will run parallel to Salem Parkway, from Lockland Avenue to Liberty Street + will connect Truist Stadium, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, neighborhoods, and businesses.

Phase One will complete the eastern section of the path along Salem Parkway from Fourth Street, just west of the Peters Creek interchange, to Liberty Street. Construction is expected to take 12 months. Smith-Rowe, LLC from Mount Airy will be in charge of the project.

The project is expected to cost ~$4.8 million. Federal funds from the Carbon Reduction Program (CRP) and Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ) will cover $1.6 million. Voters approved $122 million for capital improvement projects in a 2018 bond referendum, which will also partially fund the path, along with state money.

The Buy

The Buy 7.03.24 (Affiliate)

Lightweight, keeps-you-cool basics from 32 Degrees. Stock up during the Fourth of July sale — cool technology tops start at $3.99 and bottoms start at $4.99.

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Cambridge

From the editor

I’m wrapping up a home refresh and can’t say enough good things about working with local interior design studio Styled With Navy. Liz makes beautiful custom pillow and cushions — you can shop local on her website.

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