August 28, 2007
July 24, 2007
Reidsville's Renaissance
Reidsville's SW Market Street is seeing somewhat of a renaissance in the last year. Led by artist Brad Spencer, and his wife Tammy, the city's director of economic development, shop owners and artists are building momentum.
Teresa Phillips opened her Everyday Art Gallery last year and sees a steady stream of customers. On Saturdays her shop is abuzz and business appears steady.
The Fine Arts Festival Association recently received a gift from Brad Spencer, when he bought and renovated a small building next to Everyday Art and donated it to FAFA for gallery and office space.
I visited Saturday, about two weeks after their grand opening, which I missed while on vacation. An RCC student, Tara Thullner, is working with FAFA, manning the gallery during its open hours.
In the photo gallery are several pictures of works by the Studio Group, an artist collective in Rockingham County.
I also included a crude graphic that shows the location of the new galleries and a few things that I hear are planned for the street.
July 14, 2007
Reidsville in Time of War
(click image for photo gallery)
Life is Reidsville is rarely dull, what with the racing cars and booming systems creeping by the crib at all hours of day and night. But I was stunned recently when I came past the old tobacco plant and saw the remnants of North Scales Street after what looked like a missile attack.
Calm yourselves. There was no real attack. Reidsville City Council continues its drive to transform downtown, this time by demolishing both sides of an unsightly city block in the heart of the city.
Last year, council began buying up property in the area. When a planned mixed use development failed to secure redevelopment grants to assist with the project, council moved to plan B, which involves demolition. What else it involves is a good question.
A major city park is planned for the area behind city hall and the police department, but that project has no money as of yet. Some of these razed areas would serve as parking and a gathering area behind the library, but what's to become of the other side of the street I don't know.
Enjoy the pictures. I did.