up front
This month’s photo is an opportunity to redeem myself.
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MANY years ago, we went to master potter Hiroshi Sueyoshi’s
studio at Cameron Art Museum’s Pancoe Center for my once-a-
month Up Front shoot. Under Hiroshi’s gentle instruction,
I threw a pot and Allison Potter threw a pot; mine was pretty
sad and hers was beautiful. So, this month at Orange Street Pottery, founded
by Hiroshi, I had my chance at redemption. It was a blast, so much fun. Brian
Evans is a very capable teacher. Coming back for classes is on my bucket list.
When we have more than one story on topics that are connected, we call
them stories that speak to each other. In this issue, my pottery photo speaks
to our story on the Hannah Block historic USO building. It is now the
Community Arts Center, this speaks to our art story with its instructor’s
bios and look at the pottery of each of these Orange Street potters, housed
— in the very same historic building.
We have departed from our monthly Home of Distinction feature to give
you not one but two Businesses of Distinction. This feature was born from a
conversation overheard at my hair salon on the stylish makeover of the 1988
original country club at Landfall. The Dye Club, damaged by Hurricane
Florence, closed and languished. Next up, an insider look at North Carolina
tech marvel nCino headquarters at Mayfair. Both are excellent examples of
interior architecture and design within an existing space.
We also tell the delightful story of a 28- acre man-made garden on the
southside of Raleigh. It’s only open to the public eight weekends a year and
the window is about to open. For area gardeners, it’s time to organize a little field trip.
Every March we have the privilege of showcasing incredible photographs received from both amateurs and profes-sionals.
We are annually blown away by the landscapes, flora and fauna, and the people photos. Thankfully we have
the trained eye of Allison Potter for the judging, but it never stops surprising me how varied are our individual tastes.
Beauty really is in the eye of the beholder. (How many toads is it you must kiss to find your prince…?)
We hope you will get together with friends and family and look over our choices for first place and honorable
mentions and critique how we’ve done. And then if you disagree, let us know by email or Facebook which you prefer
and why. We’d love to know the why.
Happy March — my birthday month — y’all.
Senior Editor/Publisher
PHOTOS BY ALLISON POTTER
Above: Pat Bradford
takes a turn at one of the
student potter’s wheels
during a Friday afternoon
session at Orange Street
Pottery. The pot was
started by Brian Evans for
our use. Left: After the
photo above was taken,
Brian Evans gave step-by-
step instructions on
camera, as pat transforms
a lump of clay into a pot
on the potter’s wheel.
Pat’s Hair by Frank Potter, styled by Mason Chandler, makeup by Regan Daughtry. All from Bangz Hair Salon.