Valerie Hillings On Fundraising, the Role of Regional Museums, and What Piece of Art She’d Most Like to Live Inside
A conversation with Valerie Hillings, whose eight-year tenure as director of the North Carolina Museum of Art drew to a close on August 31.
Character Studies: Shamekia McNeil Gales, Raleigh’s Line Dancing Queen
Gales’ #GetFitWithMeeks class remains a staple at Spring Forest Road Park, drawing crowds of strangers and pedestrians for lively line dancing to soul and hip hop.
The 2026 INDY Fall Arts Issue
Features on Boardinghouse Arts, the Hayti Heritage Center, and Hyperlocal zines—plus, local exhibits, performances, and festivals to bookmark this fall.
The Durham Record Label Where Dolly Parton Found a ‘Little Spot of Heaven’
From Dolly to Doc Watson, Sugar Hill Records shaped American roots music. The legacy its founder built lives on.
“We Have Always Been a Convener”: How the Hayti Heritage Center’s Programming Bridges the Past, Present, and Future
With new leadership and a golden anniversary newly under its belt, the cultural center looks to support the next generation of artists.
A New Multidisciplinary Space in Durham Channels the Supportive Spirit of The Carrack
Boardinghouse Arts, Shirlette Ammons and Laura Ritchie’s new Trinity Avenue venture, picks up where Ritchie’s former gallery the Carrack Modern Art left off. It will open in September.
Hyperlocal Zines Help Make Durham Come Alive
The DIY booklets encourage readers to engage more deeply with the city around them—offering illustrated guides for how to safely bike, explore local history and ecology, or even find a good spot to cry.
More Culture Coverage
Surging Book Demand Leaves NC Libraries Struggling With Long Waitlists, Pricey Content
If you’re someone who frequents a North Carolina public library — especially in an urban area like Raleigh or Charlotte — you might be all too familiar with searching the catalog for a buzzy book, only to find the waitlist is hundreds, if not thousands, of people long.
After Thirty Years of Showcasing Art on the Edge, Bill Thelen Bids Goodbye to Lump Gallery
Since 1996, the small cinder block gallery has been Raleigh’s mainstay for experimental art. On August 31, owner Bill Thelen is closing its doors for good.
The Best Sandwich in Durham That I Can’t Tell You About
Pop-ups have become a dominant trend in the restaurant industry, in recent years, bringing buzz and whimsy to the dining fore. A month-long Durham sandwich series is no exception.
Character Studies: Tiki McIntyre, the Cary Artist Who Channels Spirit Guides To Paint
The owner of Ikigai Studios & Gallery draws on her own intuition and experiences to create, and helps others do the same.
How Local Music Fans and Venues Stand to Win From New Legislation
Passed in early July as part of the state budget, The Real Tickets, Real Fans Act aims to regulate predatory ticketing practices across North Carolina.
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