MOD Society Magazine - Triad May/June 2023

EDITOR from the

Welcome to our first Garden Issue, #marvelouslyMOD readers! I don’t know about you, but I am so happy that spring is finally here, bringing warm weather and plenty of sunshine — and everything’s in bloom. We take you into three gorgeous Triad gardens that capitalize on the beauty of nature to create sophisticated and serene settings for entertaining and relaxing. Landscape architect Jeff Allen, designer Lisa Johnson and homeowner Lori White take us on a garden tour.

Another spot ideal for stylish relaxation is the show-stopping pink marble bathroom designed by Cara Woodhouse in collaboration with ABC Stone. We point out some of our favorite pieces from their Classic Rock collection.

In High Point, we catch up with Jeff Horney, executive director of The Art Gallery at Congdon Yards, formerly known as Theatre Art Galleries. Jeff shares how the organization has grown over the years, how it’s expanding its reach with a new location and what’s next for the nonprofit.

We also take you into the studio of Greensboro native and painter Mary Rountree Moore to find out what fuels her inspiration to create colorful abstract landscape paintings.

In our Book Club feature, we chat with North Carolina author Kianna Alexander about her most recent book, Carolina Built. The novel tells the fictionalized story of a real woman, Josephine Leary, who was born into slavery in North Carolina and rose to become a real estate magnate and entrepreneur.

As a Grammy-nominated music educator, Brian McMath knows plenty about inspiring others with song. The band director at Northwest Guilford High School in Greensboro, Brian has received his third-straight Grammy Music Educator Award nomination. He tells us how the moments in his classroom outweigh the glory of being nominated for a prestigious award.

Clothes Whisperer Maribeth Geraci has your guide to choosing the right fabrics to stay cool and stylish this summer. Points of View columnist Lisa Johnson explains how being one of a kind can change not only your design perspective, but your life, as well. Whitney Brockman of Neighborhood barre shares how her studio makes exercise more fun, and Triad’s Finest Realtor Kristen Haynes offers tips for downsizing.

Finally, our Society Sightings column takes you to the wedding of a couple who met while living in Lake Tahoe, California, during their post-college gap year.

This issue was such a pleasure for the team to put together, and it really got me in the spring mood and excited for the coming summer. I hope it does the same for you!

Jennifer Bringle, editor-in-chief

CONTENTS

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OUTDOOR MILIEUX

In our first Garden Issue, we take you on a tour of three lush landscapes and share the inspiration behind their sophisticated designs.

CLOTHES WHISPERER

39 32

POINTS OF VIEW

ROCK STARS

Designer Cara Woodhouse’s Classic Rock collection for ABC Stone sets the scene for a show-stopping bathroom with luxurious solid stone and marble finishings.

THE ART OF GROWTH

Nearly 50 years after its founding, High Point’s Theatre Art Galleries has moved and rebranded as The Art Gallery at Congdon Yards. We talk to executive director Jeff Horney on how the organization has grown and what’s next.

4� 4 5 12

Designer Lisa Johnson explains how being one of a kind can improve your home design and your life.

ENDORPHINS MAKE YOU HAPPY

Neighborhood barre owner Whitney Brockman shares how barre can improve your health and why she opened a studio in Greensboro.

CONTENTS

PAINTING AN EXPERIENCE

Greensboro native and painter Mary Rountree Moore has always been creative, but it wasn’t until later in her career that she found her artistic calling. Discover what led Mary to abstract landscape paintings and how she approaches her work today.

MAKING MUSIC

Northwest Guilford High School music director Brian McMath has earned his third-straight Grammy Music Educator Award nomination. He shares what drives his dedication to cultivating the musical talents of young people.

TRIAD’S FINEST

A LASTING LEGACY

4 6 6 4

Former slave Josephine Leary rose from bondage to become a real estate magnate and entrepreneur in North Carolina. Author Kianna Alexander tells a fictionalized account of that remarkable story in her novel, Carolina Built.

Realtor Kristen Haynes offers tips for reducing clutter and downsizing your home.

SOCIETY SIGHTINGS

Join Haleigh Breece and Dillon Sexton as they celebrate their nuptials in an intimate ceremony and reception in High Point.

THROUGH THE

GARDEN GATE

written by jeff allen, photography by aura marzouk lake

Part renovation, part reinvention, Jeff Allen Landscape Architecture (JALA) transformed a shade garden into an ornamental garden at this circa 1940s home in WinstonSalem that was designed by architect William Roy Wallace.

Situated at the edge of a lush woodland setting, the reimagined garden sits in the area where an ancient oak tree once stood. When that tree fell, JALA joined the owners to envision a garden in its place.

The composed simplicity of this garden references the design of the home while merging the sensibilities of storied landscape architect Ellen Biddle Shipman and traditional North Carolina garden culture. Level changes, terraces, a new brick wall, paths and classically inspired gates were designed with abundant plantings. Each level of the outdoor space is arranged to connect the land with the house.

Layered gravel paths are arranged on a distinct axis that creates a narrative line of form, mass and memorable sight lines. The gravel paths are balanced with textured evergreen plantings intermingled with colorful perennial flower displays. In the center rests an architectural urn with seasonal plantings. At the back, a teak bench provides the ideal spot for taking in the beautiful view.

MIX AN ELEGANT

written by jennifer bringle, photography by aura marzouk lake

Creating synergy between indoor and outdoor spaces guided the design choices for this backyard.

When Lisa Johnson and her husband Buster found their current home in Greensboro’s Irving Park neighborhood, one defining feature won them over.

“One of the reasons we bought this house was the outside and the way that we could live indoors and outdoors so easily,” Lisa says. “We feel like sometimes we’re on vacation even when we’re home.”

But turning the raw canvas of their backyard and pool area into an at-home oasis was a team effort. Lisa — who works as a designer and owns the home décor boutique Shop on Blair — enlisted the assistance of landscape architect Jeff Allen of JALA, who designed the gardens, and New Garden Nursery, who installed the plantings.

“I love a very formal garden,” Lisa says. “So, Jeff created a series of parterre gardens. And we used the pea gravel much like they use it in Europe. The idea is that you can walk in between the parterres.”

And Lisa’s husband offered an assist on the greenery, as well, cultivating the lush Boston ivy that stretches across a rounded wall in the yard.

“That beautiful Boston ivy was planted from a single plant. It was nursed and loved by my husband, who coaxed it to go all the way across that wall,” Lisa says. “What started out as a little sprig three years ago has now filled the wall.”

The pool house was originally designed by legendary Greensboro designer Otto Zenke, and Lisa refreshed the edifice while staying true to Otto’s design and continuing some of the details he incorporated, such as lattice insets adjacent to a seating area.

For the furnishings and accessories, Lisa approached the design of her backyard the same way she did the inside of her home and mixed antiques with new pieces. Several seating areas are located throughout the space — by the pool house, amid the parterre gardens, by the pool and on the patio directly next to the home.

Vintage Kenneth Lynch & Sons filigree Florentine Dolphin chairs got a refresh with a new white powder-coat finish, and vintage John B. Salterini clam shell chairs add mid-century modern flair and stay true to the home’s 1950s era. Lisa then mixed in new stools and planters, as well as new Miles Redd loungers that sit on the white travertine pool deck.

Art figures prominently in Lisa’s designs, and that goes for her backyard, as well. She commissioned a showstopper yellow abstract sculpture by a Massachusetts artist. And while putting art outdoors might sound like a bad idea, this piece is built to last.

“The coating on that sculpture is the same high gloss that goes on airplanes, so it withstands the weather,” Lisa says. “I was able to pick the exact color for it. Yellow is a favorite, and it’s something that’s also inside our home. It just felt like the right thing for us.”

Creating a sense of continuity between the indoors of her home and the outdoor space was a major focus for Lisa as she outfitted the backyard.

“Every time we placed something outside, I would stand inside and look out to make sure that I was relating our love of what we did on the inside, outdoors,” she says. “And then, vice versa — I would stand outdoors and look inside to see, does this all make sense? I believe that while you can be creative, the continuity of the thought process that you put into how you want to live, how you want it to look, what style of furniture, etc., should complement indoors and out. And I feel like we were able to achieve that.”

And Lisa says that with the indoor and outdoor spaces in her home working in such harmony, she can enjoy her backyard no matter the weather.

“I’m able to enjoy it from all perspectives,” she says. “Even on a rainy day, because of the windows and the continuity of color, I can be sitting in the garden room and feel like I’m almost outdoors.”

GATHERING THE PLACE

written by jennifer bringle, photography by aura marzouk lake

When Lori White and her husband built their home nearly 23 years ago, they loved the vast expanse of yard stretching behind the house and abutting a wooded area. But as the years wore on, they began to realize the space had greater potential.

“About five years ago, we decided that we would dig up our backyard because it was too much grass with too much required maintenance,” Lori says. “We had (landscape architect) Kevin Greeson from Greensboro draw plans for a stone patio with a big fireplace.”

But Lori’s backyard boasts more than just a patio and fireplace. The multi-tier space accommodates several seating and dining areas, outfitted with gently curved

white rattan seating. One group surrounds the massive stone fire pit, while the rattan dining chairs surround an extensive table topped with a scalloped-edge umbrella. Lisa Johnson, who designed the interior of Lori’s home, also guided the exterior look with her signature oldmeets-new mix of vintage and fresh items.

And arguably the most important fresh items? The lush assortment of plantings and florals — from shaped boxwoods to leafy hostas — that surround the space with greenery.

“Lori loves plants more than anyone I know,” Lisa says. “So, it was really important for us to show the different varieties of plants she has and the easy way

With a professional golfer in the family, the five-hole putting green was a must for this backyard revamp.

Lisa Johnson & Jeff Allen

PUBLISHER

MSM Media, LLC

Kathryn Field

VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS

Crystal Staley

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Jennifer Bringle

Editor@yourMODsociety.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Jeff Allen

Whitney Brockman

Maribeth Geraci

Lisa Johnson

Meredith Martindale

COPY EDITOR

Jennifer Weaver-Spencer

DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY

Aura Marzuok Lake

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Aesthetic Images

Abbey Drucker

Stephen Thrift

LAYOUT AND DESIGN

Stallard Studio

DIGITAL AGENCY

The Buzz Effect ADVERTISING

Advertising@yourMODsociety.com

she could entertain. Her spaces are large and really immersive from one area to the other. You’ll see her love of rattan. You’ll see her love of color. But mainly, when you look at Lori’s outdoor space, you’re going to see lush greenery everywhere you look.”

Adjacent to the stone patio, a small koi pond adds ambiance with its softly gurgling water. The pond is home to around a dozen fish who’ve become like pets for the family.

“When we walk by them, they’re vying for our attention,” Lori says. “They constantly want to be fed.”

One of the most uncommon features of Lori’s yard sits just beyond the patio — a five-hole putting green.

“My son is a professional golfer, and my husband is a big golfer, too,” Lori says. “We put the green in when my son was 16 or 17, and it provides a lot of fun and entertainment for our family and friends.”

And Lori says that fun and entertainment persists throughout most of the year. After creating their ideal outdoor oasis, the family sees the backyard as simply another room for gathering and enjoying the company of family and friends.

“From early spring all the way until frost, that’s where we grill out, where we have any type of party with friends and family,” Lori says. “We light a fire, and we have a big-screen TV that’s on a rolling cart, and we roll that out. We all sit around with throws and watch football. It’s almost like an extension of our house — a multipurpose room outside.”

Regarding the Gardens...

Through the Garden Gate

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT: Jeff Allen of JALA

An Elegant Mix

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT: Jeff Allen of JALA

LANDSCAPE INSTALLATION: New Garden Nursery

DESIGNER: Lisa Johnson

PLANTS: Brenda McLamb, Masterworks Environmental Planting, Inc.

The Gathering Place

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT: Kevin Greeson and Associates

DESIGNER: Lisa Johnson

FLORALS: Tyson Howlett

ROCK

STARS

Designer Cara Woodhouse’s Classic Rock collection for ABC Stone sets the scene for a show-stopping bathroom with luxurious solid stone and marble furnishings.

written by jennifer bringle, photography by ABC Stone

photography

New York-based interior designer Cara Woodhouse has transformed spaces from London to Nantucket to Miami to West Hollywood with her signature blend of sophisticated style with earthy elements. Cara brings that ethos to her new collection in collaboration with ABC Stone. With the Classic Rock line, Cara crafts sleek, luxurious bathroom furnishings and fixtures using solid marble and stone. “My obsession with stone really brought me to creating this collection,”

Cara says. “It’s the perfect bold statement in a space.”

BATHING BEAUTY

Composed of storied marbles and hand-finished, artisan-crafted metals, the luxurious Rock & Roll freestanding bath (shown in Grand Antique) balances on solid brass legs.

ON A ROLL

Boasting an undulating surface that mimics nature’s unpredictable terrain, this solid stone Rolling Stone vanity and sink (shown in Pink Onyx) combines both style and substance.

ROCK SOLID

Everything has a place to live in the impressively imposing Solid Sound sink vanity (shown in Grand Antique).

OPPOSITES ATTRACT

The unexpected cohesion of materials connecting with each other is the heartbeat of the Soft Rock material-mixing chair (shown in Arabescato Corchia).

ON THE BEAT

The Beat side table boasts shapely curves and comes in five color choices: Calacatta Viola (shown), Grand Antique, Silver Travertine, Arabescato Corchia and Pink Onyx.

by abbey drucker

of

For executive director Jeff Horney, the move has been a long time coming. He says that though the High Point Theatre building has been a wonderful home for many years, the lack of nearby amenities for visitors made the idea of a move appealing.

“There were no restaurants, no retail, not even a coffee shop,” he says. “So about four years ago when things started percolating over at Congdon Yards, I just tried to stay close to the players.”

The Congdon Family Foundation, which was instrumental in the development of Congdon Yards, offered the gallery assistance and made relocation possible. The new space is evenly split between galleries and classrooms that offer courses for all ages. The gallery hosts around six exhibitions each year, featuring work by regional and national artists, with many of those artists visiting the space for talks or meet-and-greet receptions. The classroom slate includes everything from basic courses in drawing, painting and printmaking to screen printing and journal-making workshops.

“We have three dedicated classrooms and our hands-on studio where we have a lot of things set up that kids can do independently,” he says. “One of the classrooms will be a clay studio, and we just need to move our fundraising a little bit further down the road before we commit to the kilns and the wheels.”

As a nonprofit, The Art Gallery is dependent on support from groups like the Congdon Family Foundation, as well as a wide network of donors throughout the local community. Each year, the organization hosts its annual gala (May 5, 2023), which raises significant funding for its operation. But Jeff says that with its new space, the team is exploring other potential revenue sources through hosting events.

“Financially, it’s a very generous community, and the community is very responsive in that regard to what we’re doing,” he says. “But in our new location with our facility and classrooms, we have the ability to provide creative experiences for everybody. And I think that’s what people want.”

Jeff says the new location also allows The Art Gallery to work more closely with other downtown High Point stakeholders to further advance the city’s revitalization. He and his team have met with multiple groups and businesses in the area to brainstorm ideas to improve traffic between different downtown entities.

“We have an important role to play in that, especially in our new location,” he says. “I’m talking to lots of people and groups, trying to collaborate and have meetings and events here in our space to tie into other things going on in High Point. There’s potential for a lot of collaborations, and that’s very exciting.”

Also exciting? Being right at the heart of one of the city’s most vibrant sectors. Jeff says Congdon Yards’ location adjacent to so many of downtown’s new amenities means visitors to the gallery have plenty of options for an evening out.

“We’re right next to the stadium. The food hall has opened up, and that’s drawn a lot of people. Things are happening up and down Church Street,” he says. “High Point’s catalyst project started with the stadium, and things are really taking root.”

For Jeff, who has been at the helm of The Art Gallery and its predecessor Theatre Art Galleries for more than a decade, being a part of the revitalization of downtown High Point and positioning the city as a destination where people not only visit, but also live, has been incredibly rewarding.

“I’m a High Point native — I’ve been here my whole life,” he says. “And so I’ve seen all the changes. I’ve seen the good times and the bad, ups and the downs and the plans for revitalization that have had false starts. But this time, High Point really is making strides, things have taken root, and there’s a lot of activity taking place. And it’s only going to get better.”

– Jennifer Bringle, editor-in-chief

This has been a year of amazing growth and change for The Art Gallery at Congdon Yards, formerly Theatre Art Galleries. The organization, which first launched in 1975, made its official move from the High Point Theatre building to an 11,000-square-foot space in Congdon Yards in February, and rebranded to reflect its new home.

CLOTHES WHISPERER

SOMETHING ABOUT SUMMER

Summer: It’s happy clothes time with bright colors and bold prints, but then there’s the heat! During the summer months, we want to stay cool but still look stylish. One of the best ways to achieve that is by determining which fabrics will keep us coolest in hot weather.

Linen tops the list, and while some still think linen needs to be perfectly pressed, most of us know that it’s simply the best hot weather fabric, and you just get over the wrinkles. It adds to the charm.

Linen has been around a long time. In fact, it’s one of the oldest fabrics in existence. Its rich history originated in Egypt some 10,000 years ago where it was woven from the flax plant and worn because it gave relief from the oppressive desert heat.

Linen comes in a variety of weights. So, while a jacket would be made from a heavier linen and a blouse from a much lighter one, both are light enough to keep you cool.

Another great fabric choice for hot temperatures is cotton. Like linen, cotton comes in several weights, and it’s also breathable, allowing airflow that will keep you cooler. While cotton can also wrinkle, it tends to wrinkle less than linen, so some prefer it.

Hot weather is on the way, but that is no reason to compromise your style. Pick your fabric wisely, and look great while you beat the heat.

– Maribeth Geraci, DressCode Style www.dresscodestyle.us

POINTS OF VIEW

ONE OF A KIND

Would you be happy to be described as one of a kind?

Do you strive for this in your life?

I’m a sucker for it in almost everything! So much of life is about restraint. Why not flex your creative side occasionally?

My most impactful style choices happen when I embrace free rein in design, both in interiors and fashion. I love a crisp white paint color as much as I love a crisp white shirt. However, I love pairing both with a palette of color and pattern. I encourage my clients to be brave and deviate from minimalist leanings — take a simple step outside their comfort zone. The results can provide an unexpected jolt in your life!

Vintage and antique conversation pieces add serious character to your home. I think every room should have something old and one of a kind. I also think this concept can be carried out in life — a one-of-a-kind dress, a one-of-a-kind idea, a one-of-a-kind trip — you get the idea.

Giving one-of-a-kind gifts also can be impactful, and the item doesn’t have to be expensive — it’s an investment of thought.

Think about the recipient’s interests. Do they love to travel? Where was their last trip? There’s the inspiration for a special gift — frame a photo of them in this setting, find an interesting book delving into the history of the places they’ve traveled or purchase a distinctive item produced in the region.

When selecting accessories for my clients, I ask them to allow me to broaden their approach. I choose oneof-a-kind objects and art that relate to their interests and can be also used in an unexpected manner. I consider my clients to be interesting people, and I work hard to show that in their homes.

We all can live in a beautiful, relaxed and distinctive way by understanding that your personal collections are one of a kind, and they deserve a place in your home.

Lisa Johnson, Lisa Johnson & Company LisaJohnsonCo | Shop on Blair

ENDORPHINS MAKE YOU HAPPY!

Whitney Brockman, owner of Neighborhood barre studio in Greensboro, shares how barre can benefit your well-being and what makes her studio so different.

MOD Society: Why did you open a barre studio?

Whitney: Women often put themselves last. Stress is a killer, and women need an outlet to reduce anxiety in order to offer the best version of ourselves. I’ve noticed women struggling to find ways to reduce stress efficiently, and I personally experienced positive benefits from barre fitness. I dreamed of building a studio for Greensboro that offers a welcoming space for women to receive the benefits of barre.

MOD Society: Why barre fitness?

Whitney: I hear women say they’re fearful of trying barre because they’re afraid they won’t feel accepted, or they won’t be able to do it. We don’t need more stress, so I wanted to break down those barriers to encourage more women to give it a try. The Neighborhood barre method, specifically, is efficient in building strength, improving muscle tone and posture, and increasing flexibility using low-impact exercises. An even better outcome? Reduced stress! In Elle Woods’ words from “Legally Blonde,” “Exercise gives you endorphins; endorphins make you happy!”

MOD Society: What makes Neighborhood barre Greensboro different?

Whitney: Neighborhood barre’s community is friendly, fun and offers everyone a sense of belonging. The workout is geared for all fitness levels, and we tailor each class to your capabilities. You don’t need a dance background. You’ll feel part of the group as soon as you walk in. You deserve a few hours a week for self-care. And we want you to call Neighborhood barre Greensboro your happy place! www.neighborhoodbarre.com

PaintingExperience an

After you have seen a Mary Rountree Moore painting, you can spot one anywhere. Her signature style of abstract landscapes using a natural palette makes an impression.

“My mother was a portrait artist, but first and foremost, she was a corporate wife and a mother,” Mary says. “Her painting was very much a hobby. But she was highly sought after for her portraits; they were done in pastels and had a very personal touch to them. She made space in our dining room to paint when she could. Growing up, I thought that’s what every mother did.”

Mary grew up in Greensboro, and after graduating from UNC-Chapel Hill with an arts education degree, she moved to New York City and became an assistant to two fashion designers. It didn’t take long before she replaced them as a full designer herself. Eventually, Mary and her family moved back down south to the historic Chapel Hill home where she still lives more than 40 years later.

Back in North Carolina, Mary worked for Peaches and Cream, designing children’s wear. She later designed menswear and surfwear with a North Carolina manufacturer. Looking back, she always had an interest in fashion, but she never thought it would embody so much of her career.

“I really believe those creative genes get passed down through your DNA,” she says. “For as long as I can remember, I’ve been painting or coloring or drawing. I spent my very young years making paper dolls and the clothing for them. I learned how to sew at a very young age. I never thought, ‘I want to be a fashion designer when I grow up.’ I just loved doing it.”

Out of the blue in 1990, Mary received a call from a friend who happened to be an owner of Vietri, a local company making hand-crafted Italian dinnerware, servingware and linens. They needed last-minute help styling a photo shoot.

“They were overwhelmed, so I volunteered to help at the shoot,” Mary says. “Shortly thereafter, I was offered a position as the design coordinator and began designing pieces for Vietri.”

By the time Mary retired from Vietri eight years later, her boys were grown and on their own, and she was in the right place at the right time to pour into what she really loved: painting. She’s been painting full-time now for over 24 years. For Mary, this means a few hours a day, four days a week.

“I really like to push the edge of abstraction,” she says. “In addition to large work, I like to do small work that is totally non-representational, just about the materials. Or, it’s just me having fun, expressing an experience in the studio.”

Nature drives her aesthetic and color palette. She’s drawn to greens and golds, the colors of the sky and the seasonality of it all.

“The smallest thing can inspire me to paint — a tiny leaf, the light on that leaf, the way the water in the ocean hits the sand. I keep lots of art books around as well as many photos from my travels and find great inspiration in them. Often, I’m inspired by just the tiniest portion of something.”

When it’s time to enter her light-filled studio and prepare to paint, Mary has several rituals that form an experience all their own. Allowing creativity to happen is a skill she’s been developing for decades. Mindfulness matters.

“I REALLY LIKE TO PUSH THE EDGE OF ABSTRACTION.”

“I have to be in the right state of mind. I have to be relaxed, and I can’t have anything else weighing on me,” she says. “It took me a very long time to figure out that no one else cares whether my dishwasher was empty or not. I’ve learned to prioritize. If it matters to me, and it does, I make it happen. There is always something in the way unless you make creativity a priority.”

Music helps Mary reach this place. She often plays Mozart in the morning and Van Morrison and Coldplay in the afternoon.

“There’s one piece I love to listen to first – it’s called ‘God Be in my Head’ by John Rutter,” she says. “I have a recording of it from years ago by the Duke Chapel Choir. It’s a soul-reaching sort of prayer, and I love playing it when I’m getting started.”

After she’s ready to paint, Mary establishes the composition and the palette. Next, she creates several thumbnail sketches. These sketches are strewn across notebooks and journals. Then, it’s time to paint.

Mary has exhibited work in numerous galleries across the country. Currently, she is represented at Hidell Brooks Gallery in Charlotte and Blueprint Gallery in Dallas. She also works with independent art consultants and with individuals who find her online.

“Social media put me on the map. I also find a lot of inspiration from Instagram. It is very visual — a perfect medium for artists.”

One of her most unique commissions to date was for the Mayo Clinic Jacksonville. She was hired to create two medium-sized paintings that were then digitally photographed, enlarged and transferred onto paper to cover a huge wall.

“It was such a fun process and totally new for me,” she says. “I can’t wait to see them in person someday.”

Mary recently delivered a series of small abstract landscapes to her grandson’s school as part of their ongoing local artist exhibits.

Though this was not Mary’s first career, it seems to be the one she was always meant to do.

“I feel so lucky to be able to do what I do,” she says. “I wish everyone could feel this way. Painting is what grounds me as a person.”

– Meredith Martindale, editor

NATIONAL BESTSELLING AUTHOR, KIANNA ALEXANDER

A LASTING LEGACY

It started with a tweet. North Carolina author Kianna Alexander was scrolling her Twitter feed one afternoon when she noticed a literary agent’s tweet about a woman named Josephine Leary.

Josephine, who was born into slavery in eastern North Carolina, eventually made her way to Edenton, North Carolina, after emancipation. She settled with her family there and began building an impressive empire of property and business, no small feat considering she was a Black woman living in the South just a few years removed from slavery.

“The agent saw a historical marker and said, ‘This person should be more known. Why has no one written about her? Who would write a book about her for me?’” Kianna says. “I replied to her tweet, and that was how the whole thing got started.”

Kianna felt like she was the perfect person to tell Josephine’s story. A native North Carolinian, Kianna published her first book in 2009. Since then, she has published dozens of books, ranging from romance to women’s fiction to historical novels. Her book about Josephine, Carolina Built, debuted last year. This year, the book was selected by the North Carolina Humanities Council for its statewide book club, North Carolina Reads.

“Her story felt like something too important to go unnoticed, to go un-lauded,” Kianna says. “I felt like people should know about her and what she did. And it seemed like I was being almost guided to be the one to tell the story.”

After Kianna got the green light for the project, she began extensive research about Josephine, her family and the residents of Edenton during that era.

“I’m kind of a history nerd to begin with. I knew that the project would be research intensive, and that didn’t frighten me,” she says. “I looked forward to that, because a lot of times I do research for my romance novels, but so much of it doesn’t go into the story because it’s not pertinent to the narrative.”

Kianna spent hours combing Josephine’s personal papers at the Rubenstein Rare Book and Manuscript Library at Duke University. Josephine’s grandson donated the collection during the 1990s, and it includes personal letters, property deeds and other ephemera that gave Kianna greater insight into her main character.

Kianna also spent a great deal of time in Edenton, retracing Josephine’s footsteps and visiting the impressive downtown building that still bears her name. The Edenton Historical Commission became a valuable resource in Kianna’s research, offering maps, newspapers and other documents that helped her more accurately paint the picture of Josephine’s world. One of those documents was an African American newspaper from the time, called The Fisherman and The Farmer, which published society and gossip snippets, as well as advertisements for local businesses.

“It would say something like, ‘Mrs. Leary visits Washington to see brother and new niece,’” she says. “And it’d only be a paragraph, so I used a lot of those passages and spun them into scenes. I also used that newspaper to populate the town — Mr. Ziegler, who makes cabinets and caskets, was a real person whose ad I found.”

And while all that research might typically become a nonfiction biography, Kianna chose to tell Josephine’s story in a novel format to offer a richer portrayal of her life.

“Though we had a good amount of information about her life, there were gaps that we couldn’t fill in with primary source materials,” Kianna says. “So on what I knew, I filled in those narrative gaps with my imagination.”

The book begins shortly after the end of slavery, when Josephine is a young teen living with her mother, grandmother and brother in rural Williamston. Josephine meets her husband, Archer “Sweety” Leary, and the entire family moves to Edenton. On her honeymoon, Josephine makes a decision that will define her adult life when she purchases a prime piece of land in downtown Elizabeth City, North Carolina.

The purchase gives Josephine a sense of agency and power that she hasn’t felt before, and it spurs her to eventually acquire several more properties, including the family home, a barbershop run by her husband and a large commercial space and also built a large commercial building in downtown Edenton. The building still stands today and bears her name, J.N. Leary, on its decorative pediment.

Josephine’s dreams of land ownership are driven by her desire to create a legacy for her two daughters, Clara and Florence. But as she attempts to grow her business, she faces the challenges that still plague working women today — juggling work and family and struggling at times to meet those responsibilities.

“Not a lot has changed about how we as women are expected to take care of hearth and home, and sort of be Superwoman and have all of these roles that we’re meant to fill, and how much pressure that puts on you,” Kianna says. “In many ways, that particular aspect of women’s lives has remained the same after 200-, 300-plus years.”

Kianna says she began to feel a strong connection with Josephine as she learned more of her story, particularly after she spent time walking in Josephine’s footsteps in Edenton.

“The more that I learned about her life, the more kinship I felt with her,” she says. “I’m a person who also is in a long-

term relationship, I’m raising children, running a household, running a business. It was emotional for me, because I had developed this kinship with her, and it allowed me to see things from her perspective, to be able to tell the story in a way that I thought would be more accurate and also more relatable to the modern-day reader.”

Kianna says modern readers also can relate to Josephine’s overarching goal: To give her daughters the kind of life she or her enslaved ancestors never dreamt possible. That desire to create a better tomorrow for her children and grandchildren pushed Josephine to achieve, and that sense of determination continues to be just as relevant today.

“Everything she did was guided by this immense love for the people coming behind her and making life for them easier than what she experienced herself,” she says. “And I think that’s also something that we can relate to today as parents. You always want to leave the world a better place for your children and your grandchildren, and for us to leave behind something beautiful and worthy of the generations coming behind us, we have to have that determination.”

– Jennifer Bringle, editor-in-chief

MAKING MUSIC

THREE-TIME GRAMMY AWARD NOMINEE, BRIAN MCMATH

Music has always been a big part of Brian McMath’s life. Between musicians in his family and the musical program at his church, the sounds of song served as the backdrop of Brian’s upbringing.

In both middle and high school, Brian played in the school band. As a sophomore, he also became involved in the Future Teachers of America club and began teaching younger kids. Suddenly, everything clicked.

“I was like, ‘I enjoy teaching and music is my life, so I guess I’m a band director,’” he says. “And that’s just the way it was.”

Brian has served as a high school band director for more than 26 years now, the last 19 of which at Northwest Guilford High School in Greensboro. For the last three years, he has been nominated for a Grammy Award in the music educator category.

The Grammy Music Educator Award recognizes current educators who have made a significant and lasting contribution to music education and who demonstrate a commitment to the broader cause of maintaining music education in schools.

“For me, it’s a program recognition,” Brian says. “It’s not about me. My kids make me look good. It’s not that I am something special, it’s that they are something truly special with all the hard work they put in.”

But it’s hard not to credit Brian with the level of excellence his students regularly achieve. Under his direction, the school’s concert band, symphonic band and wind ensemble have earned superior rankings at state and regional festivals. And the marching band has competed in the Outback Bowl Music Festival— earning grand champion in 2004 — and the Fiesta Bowl. The band also has performed at the Orange Bowl, the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, the London New Year’s Day Parade and the National Parade in Washington, D.C., among other events.

“My proudest moments are with my kids — watching them perform in Hollywood or Hawaii or New York and going overseas with them — that’s why I do it,” Brian says. “I always said I wanted to give my kids more than I ever had. I don’t have any children of my own, but it feels like I have thousands.”

Brian has seen those kids do everything from pursue music careers to own Fortune 500 companies. And he takes great pride in seeing some former students become music educators themselves.

“I have a lot of kids who have gone into education, be it music or science or math, and they’ve told me that I was the one who inspired them to be a teacher,” Brian says.

“That is the ultimate best feeling in the world to know that my passion for teaching music has encouraged them to find their own passion and carry it on to the next generations.”

And while seeing his students win awards at competitions or have careers is fulfilling to Brian, he says the connections made with kids in the classroom can be far more rewarding.

“We are able to tap into the part of people that deals with emotions and feelings and how to demonstrate or get those feelings out,” he says. “It’s teaching the whole child in a way that they may not get in another class.”

Brian says that an important lesson his students get in his classroom is one of acceptance. Creating a safe space for all students to feel welcomed and respected, while also driving home the lesson of accepting and respecting others, is a key component of the way he teaches.

“In music and the arts in general, we teach those who feel like they probably don’t belong somewhere else,” he says. “And that’s super important because we accept anyone and everyone at any ability, any walk of life, socioeconomic, whatever it is. Whatever stigma the world puts on you, we accept you and hopefully foster that to make you a better person.”

Brian sees music as a bridge to cross divides between people and unite those who may not believe they have anything in common.

“Music is a universal language — every culture has music,” he says. “It is the one language that everybody speaks. We all listen to music, and it touches our souls in different ways.”

With his third Grammy nomination, Brian joins a small but elite group of music educators who have been honored by the Recording Academy of the United States, which oversees the awards. But whether or not he wins, he says he still feels like a winner every time he steps into his classroom.

“The kids, they’re just wonderful,” Brian says. “These kids work extremely hard. And seeing the light bulb come on, or when they achieve something that’s new to them, it’s the coolest experience.”

– Jennifer Bringle, editor-in-chief

TRIAD’S FINEST TIPS

Happy memories are built by time spent in our homes, which have been curated by our choices, gifts, style trends and personal interests. But the items that coincide with those memories have a way of multiplying!

After years of growing old in our homes, we may notice that they have simply filled with things. Remember that thing you thought you needed but only used a couple of times? What about the clothes that you keep but no longer wear? Perhaps you inherited furniture and accessories that don’t fit your lifestyle? No matter the item, the unpacked box, the crowded corner of the garage, the overflowing kitchen cabinet or the box of children’s baby clothes, our sentimental or nostalgic keepsakes are hard to remove.

Acknowledging that it might be time to clear out space for what’s important or because you’ve decided to downsize your home is a great first step. Whatever your case may be, we’re here to help. If you’re in the process of downsizing your home or just getting started, we have tips to make the process easier.

When I assist clients with downsizing their homes, I become their point-person in coordinating everything in the process. I typically begin with managing the dispersal of their personal items for family, items being sold and items being donated. The next step is to clean the house and prepare a list of repairs in preparation for listing.

Being a licensed contractor and a Realtor for more than 10 years, I’ve built a trustworthy network of reliable tradespeople that will drop what they’re doing to help me if needed. I love to provide this as part of my full-service offering to clients and encourage all my past clients to continue using me for these connections.

Whatever your case may be, don’t let the process overwhelm you. I’m here to help you downsize your home!

– Kristen Haynes, Triad’s Finest triadsfinest.com or 336-209-3382

SOCIETY SIGHTINGS

photography by aesthetic images

Breece-Sexton Wedding

In 2017, Dillon Sexton and Haleigh Breece met in Lake Tahoe, California, as part of their post-college gap year. Five years later on New Year’s Eve, Haleigh and Dillon exchanged vows at First Presbyterian Church of High Point. The bride walked down the aisle in a family heirloom gown originally worn by her maternal grandmother, Joan Denson Bryan, at her 1958 wedding in Alabama, and later by the bride’s mother, Beth Bryan Breece, at her 1989 wedding at First Presbyterian Church of Greensboro. The bridesmaids wore emerald green gowns by Teri Jon.

Guests arrived to the sounds of a bagpipe, and the bride and groom recessed from the ceremony in candlelight. The reception took place at High Point Country Club, where calla lily, white hydrangea and white rose floral arrangements by John Paulin of The Grassy Knoll set the scene.

After Haleigh changed into a custom gown by Simply Stunning of Greensboro, the newlyweds were introduced to their first dance to L-O-V-E by Nat King Cole.

Charlotte-based Infinite Soul kept the crowd dancing late into the evening. A trumpet procession led everyone into an after-party dance room following the midnight countdown.

The bride

Haleigh with family

The newlyweds

Dillon with family

The send-off

Mr. & Mrs. Sexton

The bridal party