Durham, N.C. – Downtown Durham, Inc. will host its first Public Space Projects in conjunction with Third Friday on Friday, Aug. 17. The projects, which run concurrently from 6-9 p.m., are “Amethyst, Psalms & Florida Water” by artist Marcella Camara, and “Portraits in Common” by artists Wendy Spitzer and Douglas Vuncannon.
Amethyst, Psalms & Florida Water will take place on Five Points Plaza, and is presented by Camara’s troupe of artists: Young, Gifted, and Broke. Building spaces of afro-futurism, public health and cultural alchemy, Young, Gifted, and Broke will host a pop-up art show and wellness center that extends throughout the weekend, featuring local artists, counselors, art therapists and body workers who will host open office hours for community members.
In the Five Points alley adjacent to Vert & Vogue, “Portraits in Common” will pair visitors who do not know each other and ask them to find the most unusual thing they have in common. The subjects will then write their commonality on a board and pose together for a photograph. The artists will create a video of the photographs with an accompanying musical composition.
DDI sponsors the Public Space Project to activate and energize public spaces downtown. The Projects create experiences that enhance economic development by celebrating the creativity and communities that make downtown Durham unique.
Future Projects include “The Instrumental Wax Project” on September 21 by artists Ashley Swindoll and Tarish “Jeghetto” Pipkins. The artists will create floating fantastical creatures with wire, beeswax and discarded instruments; and “Soapbox” on October 19 by artist Kamara Thomas, which will feature performers on soapboxes delivering orations, monologues and debates accompanied by a music ensemble and women’s chorus.
For more information about Downtown Durham Public Space Project, visit ddipublicspaceproject.com or downtowndurham.com. DDI will also post up-to-the-minute updates on social media (#ddipublicspaceproject).
For 25 years, Downtown Durham, Inc. has been the economic development engine for downtown Durham, NC. With more than $1.7 billion in investment since 2000, downtown Durham is home to more than 60 retail stores, 100 restaurants and bars, and 1,700 residential units – all in an area just under one square mile. As the entity responsible for the business improvement district, DDI provides resources to keep downtown Durham clean and safe, and to attract visitors and residents to downtown businesses, venues and events. For more information, visit downtowndurham.com.
