Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading.
We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription.
Your current subscription does not provide access to this content. Please use the button below to manage your account.
Destination Downtown Mebane is launching a series of interactive public displays this fall in an effort to bring more foot traffic to local businesses.
Natalie Zamorski of Mebane colors a pumpkin design on display at Impulsive Creativity. [SUBMITTED PHOTO]
Times-News
Sugaree Thornton, Times-News
The first event, running through the month of September, is a series of interactive art displays set up on the windows and exterior walls of eight downtown businesses. Each of the locations has used blue painter’s tape to create makeshift stained glass designs on their business’ exterior and provided window markers or chalk for pedestrians in the downtown area to color them in.
Among the participating businesses are Junction on 70, Solgarden, Impulsive Creativity, Edward Jones, Clay Street Printing & Signs, Dick & Jane's Martini Bar, Clay Street Tavern & Provisions and Coldwell Banker HPW. The businesses are all members of Downtown Destination Mebane Inc.
Sugaree Thornton with Destination Downtown Mebane said the interactive art displays are designed to “let people know that the stores are still open, even if they’re open limited hours.”
Junction on 70 set up a pizza design on the restaurant's windows as part of the art series. [SUBMITTED PHOTO]
Times-News
Sugaree Thornton, Times-News
“We’re here and we do need the community’s help to keep these doors open,” Thornton said.
Thornton said the ability to participate in a fun activity while maintaining social distancing was a draw for this type of event.
“It’s a way to get people downtown but maybe not all at one time,” she explained. “During COVID, art has been a thing that people have turned to. … It’s comforting.”
The event was inspired by Dick & Jane’s Martini Bar who created a martini bar design earlier this year. The project bloomed from that inspiration and more businesses got involved, Thornton said.
“It was really nice to see people come out … and visit downtown,” she said. “Even though they couldn’t shop, they could still interact with the business.”
A martini glass design at Dick & Jane's Martini Bar in downtown Mebane inspired the art series now run by Destination Downtown Mebane Inc.
Times-News
Courtesy of Sugaree Thornton
Designs started going up over the Labor Day weekend, and the event is planned to last all month.
“Depending on how fast things get colored or how popular it is, maybe the designs might change,” Thornton said.
All ages are welcome to participate.
Coming soon
The second event is another month-long exhibit planned for October in which historical posters will be set up throughout the downtown area to create a walking tour.
“We’ll put up posters in each of the buildings – it’s a whole lot more buildings and business that participate – so we put up these posters and people can check out the history of the building,” Thornton said. “I think we’re going to do some more historical figures from Mebane.”
