We are excited to announce that Artist RADCLIFFE BAILEY has been selected to design and fabricate the Freedom Cornerstone on the Downtown Greenway.
Radcliffe is a painter, sculptor, and mixed media artist from Atlanta, Georgia who brings an international reputation to the project and a history of telling stories of African American history and culture.
A series of Public Meetings with Radcliffe will be planned this spring to give him the opportunity to learn about Greensboro's culture and history. We anticipate design and fabrication of the Freedom Cornerstone this summer and fall, with an installation in early 2021.
Click here for samples of Radcliffe's work.
Click here to read the entire press release.
The Downtown Greenway will be a catalyst to significant economic development in East Greensboro. We can expect to see additional commercial and residential development surrounding the Greenway. Several developers have already expressed an interest in the area. East Greensboro Now has been a supporter of the initiative since its inception. A game changer for East Greensboro is now in place
Mac Sims is the president of East Greensboro NOW, a Community Development Corporation. EGN leads the economic development initiative in east Greensboro, provides a variety of support to east Greensboro neighborhoods, and conducts programs for new and existing entrepreneurs. Since East Greensboro NOW’s inception, the community has seen significant economic development totaling over $250 million in a variety of ventures, such as: shopping centers, apartments, new businesses, streetscapes, and community centers.
Greensboro Native, Natalie Miller, has recently moved back to Greensboro to take on the family business The Historic Magnolia House located at 442 Gorrell Street. The Magnolia House is a Green Book site in Greensboro, NC that housed African American writers, actors, athletes and musicians as they traveled south to perform during the Jim Crow era.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this former motel was recognized in 6 editions of The Green Book as a highly recommended place to stay for Negro travelers in North Carolina.
Identified as a Distinctive Destination with the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Click here to read more.
Of the 300+ documented Green Book sites, we are 1 of maybe 6 open and operating currently within its historic context in the entire state of NC.
Within these walls embeds the history of our space are memories of James Brown playing in the street with neighborhood children, Joe Tex signing autographs on the front porch and moments captured with Ike & Tina Turner, Ray Charles, James Brown, James Baldwin, Sam Cooke, Jackie Robinson to name a few. As we strive to preserve and restore the Magnolia House both structurally and operationally it is a community effort.
The Magnolia House and the Downtown Greenway partnership is a perfect example of bringing together the Greensboro community. Both projects share a common theme of creating a space that will unite and bring communities together to create memories, experiences, and history. Natalie truly believes the Downtown Greenway is a key part of the very important Greensboro Transformation Movement that is taking place. The Magnolia House will be accessible to the Downtown Greenway from stairs at the Gorrell Street bridge and Murrow Boulevard. The Freedom Cornerstone on the Downtown Greenway will be fabricated and installed in October 2020 which will be located one block south at the corner of Gate City and Murrow Blvds. Click here for map of what is open now on the Downtown Greenway.
Click here for more information and here for the article about the announcement in the News & Record. Read the Opinion piece in the News & Record on 11.12.19 here.
The Downtown Greenway is commissioning the last of the 4 cornerstones called the Freedom Cornerstone to be located at the corner of Murrow Blvd and Gate City Blvd. The theme of “Freedom” was inspired by the City’s role in the Civil Rights Movement, especially the non-violent protests of the pivotal 1960 Greensboro lunch-counter sit-ins that served as a catalyst to the larger movement. Racial justice and equity have played an important role in shaping our city and defining its identity. The selected artist will be asked to explore this history in depth as they conceive of a vision for the artwork. Over 65 artists from around the country submitted artist proposals for the cornerstone. Four artists have been selected to come to Greensboro to share their vision for the cornerstone artwork with the public.
Public meeting will be held for each of the 4 artist(s) to give presentations on their work and their vision for designing the Freedom Cornerstone if selected. The public meetings below are free and open to the public. All public meetings will be held at the Historic Magnolia House, 442 Gorrell Street in Greensboro.
October 22 from 5:30-6:30 pm for artist Radcliffe Bailey from Atlanta, Georgia.
November 6 from 5:30-6:30 pm for artists David Wilson and Stephen Hayes from Durham, North Carolina.
November 12 from 5:30-6:30 pm for artists Norman Lee and Shane Albritton from Houston, Texas.
November 21 from 5:30-6:30 pm for artists Ayokunle Odeley from Stone Mountain, Georgia and Walt Havener from Durham, North Carolina.
Click here to read the press release on the artists visits and here to read recent article in News & Record by Dawn Kane.
Have you been along Murrow Blvd lately? Don't blink because you will be surprised at how construction on the Downtown Greenway is moving along on Murrow Boulevard. Weather dependent, the eastern section of the Downtown Greenway from Gate City Blvd. to Fisher Ave. along Murrow Blvd. will be complete in October 2020. Click here to read the article in the News & Record on 9.16.19 about construction.
DEADLINE FOR REDUCED RATE IS AUGUST 31-- SIGN UP TODAY!
Mark your calendar for a new date and location and BIG block party to celebrate the 10th Annual Block Party & Run 4 the Greenway on Saturday, September 14th from 4-8pm in LoFi (lower Fisher) Park on the Downtown Greenway. The event consists of a 4 mile run, 1 mile walk/run, and a big party in LoFi Park, 500 North Eugene Street. The 10th Annual Block Party & Run 4 the Greenway is in a new location this year with a new race route on the northern section of the Downtown Greenway & in the Westerwood neighborhood. The block party will expand from LoFi Park, along Eugene into Deep Roots Parking lot with good food available for purchase from Crafted Art of Street Food, Kono Pizza, Kona Ice & Deep Roots Market and beer from Preyer Brewing. Kids’ activities and lots of new vendors/organizations will participate in the block party. Local band Gipsy Danger will provide live music. Click here for the schedule and more details. Click here to register for the 1 mile or 4 mile run.
Not a runner and would like to volunteer? Click here to sign-up!
Schedule and Activities:
3:00-4:15 pm – On-site Race Registration & Packet Pick Up at Downtown Greenway/LoFi Park
4:00-8:00pm- Live music, food & entertainment at LoFi Park/N. Eugene St/Deep Roots Parking Lot; Food available for purchase from Crafted Art of Street Food, Deep Roots Market, Kono Pizza, and Kona Ice. Block Party with vendor tents: First Bank, NCA&T, NCA&T Student Health Center, GDOT, Parks & Recreation, Fleet Feet, Deep Roots, Preyer Brewing, The Shoe Bus, Greenway at Fisher Park/Stadium Park, Title Boxing, Bikesboro/TAP, Carolina Kettle Chips, Mati Energy Drinks, Toshi Sushi, Paleo Love Granola, Home State Apparel, The Natural Dog, Ruff Love Rescue, ASPCA, and Red Dog Farm. Children’s activities: NCA&T Innovation Station RV, canvas painting with old tennis shoes, bubbles, & temporary tattoos.
4:00-4:15 pm- Warm-up with The Shoe Bus, Mobile Fitness Boutique in LoFi Park
4:30 pm – 1 Mile Run/Walk and Doggie Jog begins
5:00 pm – 4 Mile Run begins
5:30-7:30 pm—Sergeant Swarm from the Greensboro Swarm will greet participants
6:00-8:00 pm –Gypsy Danger Band
6:15 pm – Projected awards ceremony announced by NCA&T & Councilman Justin Outling (adjusted based on last finisher’s time)
Questions? Contact Laura Lorenz, Race Director, at llorenz@actiongreensboro.org 336.387.8355.
Special thanks to our title sponsor First Bank and to all our sponsors! Glad to have WGHP Fox 8 on board as our exclusive TV sponsor this year and Aleksandra Bush, weekend news anchor will be our emcee for the event!
Did you miss the June golf cart tours of the Downtown Greenway? Now is your chance to sign up for the August tours. If these dates do not work for you, we are tentatively planning tours September 26-28, dependent on construction along Murrow Blvd. Email Laura Lorenz at llorenz@actiongreensboro.org for more information.
We are seeking artists from across the country to submit a proposal for the Freedom Cornerstone, which is the last of the 4 cornerstones to be built on the Downtown Greenway.
The theme of "Freedom" was inspired by the City's role in the Civil Rights Movement, especially the non-violent protests of the pivotal 1960 Greensboro lunch-counter sit-ins that served as a catalyst to the larger movement. Racial justice and equity have played an important role in shaping our city and defining its identity. The selected artist will be asked to explore this history in depth as they conceive of a vision for the artwork.
The deadline for submissions is August 21, 2019 at 5:00 pm. Click here for submission guidelines and more information. Questions? Contact Public Art Consultant, Barbara Peck at jbpeck@mac.com
