Art (and flowers) from downtown Raleigh walk June 17, 2020

[mnhtnbb]

Last night I went for my first walk alone since Snowy left this life on Monday. I decided to walk up to the Capitol Building, which is where we used to walk every morning when I first moved downtown. Last summer, she started letting me know she couldn't walk that far anymore, so I haven't really been there in a long time.

We have had protests since the death of George Floyd. The first two nights, the protests turned ugly and many, many windows were smashed. Two stores--a pharmacy and a convenience store--had fires set in them. Plywood went up all over downtown Raleigh to replace broken windows or protect what hadn't been broken. It didn't take long before artists appeared to make use of the blank canvas. The grounds of the Capitol are now surrounded by barricades and guarded by half a dozen State Police. The large statue on the grounds honoring the Confederate dead has been a target and is covered in graffiti.

Here is what I saw on my route last evening.







West side of the Capitol Building







Fallen magnolia blossoms



Black eyed Susans in front of one of the Baptist Churches across from the Capitol grounds





Lilies on the grounds of the Capitol. When I walked through an opening in the barricades, one of the State Police approached to tell me the grounds were closed to the public, but if I was only going to take some photos, it was ok.







Across the street from the Capitol







East side of the Capitol Building





















Unity













On my apartment building








Art is so powerful. I had a conversation with a man who came out of his office building door--across the street from my apartment building--just as I was getting ready to shoot his door. Apparently, most of the plywood--and the art covering it-- will be coming down in the next week. We both hoped that it will be saved and eventually displayed as an important part of the history of Raleigh.

[flamin lib]

1. I have something in my eye . .

[mnhtnbb]

11. I did while I was

walking, too.

[Ohiogal]

2. Thank you for this wonderful photo essay, mnhtmbb

Beautiful. Powerful. I am speechless, really. Speechless, and at the same time, hopeful.

And please accept my heartfelt sympathy on your loss. You have spoken of Snowy often and I know what it’s like to lose your furry best friend. Wishing you both peace.

[mnhtnbb]

12. I have approached photography

in the last few years as a way of telling a story. I'm glad it came across the way I was intending it to.

Thanks.

[TreasonousBastard]

21. And you have told a beautiful story. Keep up the good work.

[hermetic]

3. Great photos!

I, too, sincerely hope some way can be found to save that art. Beyond just photos.

May I? I am heartbroken and so very sorry for your loss. I always loved seeing Snowy in your pictures; he was so pretty.

[mnhtnbb]

13. Thanks!

Snowy came to me in a dream this morning. She was running free. I woke up smiling.

[steventh]

4. Thanks so much for posting all these photos.

I agree, it would be wonderful if the plywood art would be displayed somewhere as part of Raleigh history. Might there be room at the downtown History Museum? (if it's still there -- I haven't lived in Raleigh for some time).

[mnhtnbb]

14. I emailed the Mayor

asking for the art to be preserved. I hope it happens.

[littlemissmartypants]

5. Beautiful. Thank you, mnhtnbb. ❤

[mnhtnbb]

15. Thank you!

[littlemissmartypants]

6. Beautiful. Thank you, mnhtnbb. ❤

[CaliforniaPeggy]

7. This is a very powerful photo essay, my dear mnhtnbb...

Beautiful shots, all of them.

Thank you!

I too hope the plywood art can and will be saved, to commemorate what has happened here.

[mnhtnbb]

16. I emailed the Mayor

to ask for the art to be preserved. We'll see!

[Talitha]

8. Thanks for posting, they're beautiful!

[mnhtnbb]

17. Yes, it is!

[mnhtnbb]

9. I just e-mailed the Mayor of Raleigh

requesting that the art on plywood in downtown Raleigh be preserved--and eventually displayed--so that people other than the residents and visitors to downtown Raleigh during these few short weeks will be able to see it. It's the right thing to do to preserve this bit of history.

[mnhtnbb]

20. I heard back from the Mayor's office--twice!

Efforts are being made to conserve the art, which makes me glad, because this morning the plywood--and art on it-- on the windows of my apartment building was being removed.

[Mira]

10. Thank you - it all makes my heart cramp

I envision walking it with you. A wonderful tribute to so much diversity, emotion, stamina, talent, and ultimately to the power of protest. Once, if I may tell this story, I was a rare white person at the funeral of a black friend, who was a performing artist with many friends. There were numerous numbers of people performing listed on the program, and I asked the person who put the program together how she had found so many talented people willing and able to perform on short notice. She looked at me, slowly with a small smile and said: "All I had to do is point".

That has opened my eyes and ears and taught me recognition of the untold capacities in so many areas of the arts that lie dormant, or unrecognized, or uncelebrated, and mainly not supported in the black communities.

WE HAVE SO MUCH TO LEARN about each other.

[mnhtnbb]

18. Yes, there are talented people everywhere

and stories of great success that should be known, but haven't been told.

There was a movie recently about Madam CJ Walker and I watched it. Quite a story. It's on Netflix, titled Self Made. Octavia Spencer plays Madam CJ Walker.

[2naSalit]

19. The one I like best is the one that says...

"It starts with the one in the mirror"

Thanks for sharing this photo essay! I love your contributions that show the art of your neighborhood.