Contributors

CHRIS CHARLES /

PHOTOGRAPHER Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY with dreams of becoming an architect, Chris studied Architectural Engineering at SUNY Farmingdale College of Technology prior to a “short” 12-year stint as a U.S. Army paratrooper. He then earned a degree in Graphic Design and has since used his technical training and natural ability to successfully carve a niche in his local market. Charles’ client list includes Red Bull, Spike Lee, Moleskine, The Thurgood Marshall College Fund, Sony Music and many local and nationally recognized artists and organizations. “Maya Freelon is a consummate artist and I’ve had the pleasure over the past several years to witness her growth as she’s continued to build her vision, on her terms.”

LIZA ROBERTS / WRITER

Liza Roberts was honored to have the opportunity this month to profile Maya Freelon, who she has known for a few years and interviewed several times. Roberts has also followed Freelon’s work closely for The Art of the State, a book she is currently writing about the art of North Carolina to be published in 2022. Roberts was the founding editor of WALTER magazine, and loves to tell the stories of creative people. “Maya Freelon’s work is as singular and beautiful as the artist herself, reflecting the times we are in and Maya’s sensibility with nuance and originality.” JENN RICE / WRITER

Jenn Rice is a Raleigh-based food and travel journalist best-known for capturing subjects and places in an interesting way. Pre-pandemic, Rice traveled the world to seek out interesting places and storylines for magazines such as Food & Wine, Vogue, Departures, VinePair.com and Wine Enthusiast. Nowadays, you'll find her sitting on her Mordecai porch reporting locally about the food and beverage industry. “Lily Ballance’s vibrant personality and the oddities found inside William & Company transported me to Mexico during our interview, and it was the greatest escape I’ve had in a while—plus her cocktails are out of this world.”

JUSTIN KASE CONDER /

PHOTOGRAPHER Justin Kase Conder put away his suitcases and moved to Raleigh four years ago. Having spent the previous seven traveling as an international photographer, the people he came to admire most were those who worked the land. Whether photographing a farmer five miles from downtown Raleigh or on the Himalayan plains of Mongolia, Conder appreciates the people who dedicate their lives to the laborious work of growing the foods that fuel our lives. “My time with Jonathan and Kayla was no different. I’m grateful that was able to illustrate such an important story of people who are really making a difference in the region.”