Raleigh Iron Works, is launching a public arts initiative that presents the campus as a canvas for creative expression. The Collision Project connects creatives to site-specific public art opportunities in Jamestown’s real estate portfolio, including Raleigh Iron Works, which is a joint venture of Jamestown and Raleigh-based developer Grubb Ventures.
The initial art installations at Raleigh Iron Works include three murals from local artists and a spoken word performance. Multidisciplinary artist Gabriel Eng-Goetz, a Durham native, created a mural that reflects the industrial history of the property. Featuring a female iron welder, the mural spans seven stories facing Atlantic Avenue and is meant to be a beacon to the property.
Graffiti artist Morgan “MCK” Cook, a Raleigh native, created a graffiti mural inspired by the association of graffiti with railway systems. The mural pays homage to the medium by deconstructing Cook’s signature lettering style, placing a strong emphasis on shape, color, and movement, and aiming to capture the energy of style writing. Located in the pedestrian entrance to the parking garage, the mural welcomes visitors to the property.
Painter and muralist Taylor White, also a Raleigh native, will create a mural at the property this fall. The mural will celebrate the site’s history of iron and steel manufacturing and pay homage to the blue-collar employees of Peden Steel. These men and women helped build barges for the U.S. War Department during World War II and manufactured steel beams for many of Raleigh’s iconic buildings. The mural will be painted on the exterior of Forge at Raleigh Iron Works, a new residential building offering inspired apartment living, and welcome visitors entering the property from Wicker Drive.
In addition to the murals, spoken word artist Johnny Lee Chapman, III of Fuquay-Varina will perform a creed for Raleigh Iron Works, ‘Iron Code,’ to a live audience in 2024. ‘Iron Code’ is a series of 26 poetic statements embedded around the property, each designed to inspire and motivate visitors.
