Community Outreach & Public Art Projects
The GSNC believes in active community based art projects. Over the years we have brought the neighborhood together to create opportunities for residents and friends to showcase their creative talents.
Mandala Sky
Mandala Sky was installed September 15, 2025 in Smoky Hollow.
Community engagement creates beautiful and colorful art displays in Glenwood South.
¨ 582 mandalas
¨ 30 crocheters
¨ 24 gatherings
¨ Displayed overhead in Smoky Hollow and throughout
Glenwood South.
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Sponsors:
Glenwood South Neighborhood Collaborative, Downtown Raleigh Alliance, City of Raleigh Neighborhood Art Funds, Kane Realty Corp., Clancy & Theys, Morrison Engineers, Scalene Design, Hampton Inn - Downtown Raleigh, Hibernian Pub, Debbie & Rudy Waldner
Crocheters, Hoopsters, Installers, Organizers & Yarn Donors:
Bela Aguilar, Annie Blazejack, Gabby Diaz, Lisa Doherty, Carol Dwyer, Carolyn Felton, Teddy Fink, Brandee Garren, Pam Geiger, Rose Marie Halsing, Bev Hill, Erin Karl, Traci Kelly, Crystal Kelly, Mary Kircher, Jenny Love, Carla Mackenzie, Lisa Malmberg, Laurie McDowell, Patsy Nolan, Beatrice Paneto, Dorothy Policastro, Pat Rodd, Pam Stewart, Karen Turinsky, Debbie Waldner, Sarah & Claire Leon, Lisa Lotz, Tom Blazejack, Donna Belt, Suzanne Levinson, Larry Miller, Randall Miller, Tim Prentice, Susan Smith, Teresa Stephens,Tali Denton, Maureen Grier, Mary Jo Gellenbeck, Theresa Van Ollefen, Dale Van Ollefen
Link to video of all mandalas.
Mandala Sky Project: How it Happened Video
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We'll meet:
Tuesdays, 2-4 p.m., starting May 13 at the Hibernian, 311 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh, NC 27603 and
Thursdays, 6-8 p.m., starting May 15 at the Hampton Inn, 600 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh, NC 27603
If you can't make either gathering, and know how to crochet, here are some patterns to get you started.
You can drop off finished crocheted mandalas at the Hampton Inn any time.
And if you need some help remembering how to crochet, here is an easy video tutorial (or search Google or YouTube for the stitch you are trying) https://youtu.be/aAxGTnVNJiE?feature=shared
For advanced crocheters: https://sarahmaker.com/crochet-mandala-patterns/ ​
Questions: Contact Suzanne Levinson, stlevinson@gmail.com
May 2025
Imagine a sky full of mandalas, floating in the breeze, providing color and shade to Glenwood South. Whether you are a beginner or master with a crochet hook, please join Glenwood Gatherings (a community of crafters, artists, residents and business folk in Glenwood South) to crochet 100s of mandalas. We'll connect them in overhead canopies in our neighborhood later this summer. And when the seasons change, we'll stitch them together to make lap robes for our neighbors in Glenwood Towers.Bring your scraps of acrylic yarn and crochet hooks (or use what is provided). Be ready to meet some new friends and neighbors who share your love for our community. Have a drink or a bite to eat. Or just come to learn about our project and how to crochet mandalas, and work on them from home.
We'll meet:
Tuesdays, 2-4 p.m., starting May 13 at the Hibernian, 311 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh, NC 27603 and
Thursdays, 6-8 p.m., starting May 15 at the Hampton Inn, 600 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh, NC 27603
If you can't make either gathering, and know how to crochet, here are some patterns to get you started. You can drop off finished crocheted mandalas at the Hampton Inn any time.
And if you need some help remembering how to crochet, here is an easy video tutorial (or search Google or YouTube for the stitch you are trying) https://youtu.be/aAxGTnVNJiE?feature=shared
For advanced crocheters: https://sarahmaker.com/crochet-mandala-patterns/ ​
Questions: Contact Suzanne Levinson, stlevinson@gmail.com
July - December 2019
Residents and friends of Glenwood South are meeting at the Glenwood Gatherings to knit scarves to add to the snowflake scarves. All of the scarves will wrap a tree on the Capitol grounds on December12, 2019 at 6pm.
Follow Glenwood Gatherings on Facebook to know of the dates to knit. In January, the scarves will be taken down, washed and distributed to those in need.
January 2019
Residents and friends of Glenwood South met to knit hats, scarves, tote bags and mittens to donate to the Women's Center.
December 2018
In conjunction with the 1,000 Snowflake Project, GSNC was able to project a video of snowflakes falling onto the Gensler Building.
December 2018
Residents and friends of Glenwood South met to crotchet snowflakes and then hung them in over 100 trees on Glenwood Avenue.
September 2018
GSNC with the assistance from the City of Raleigh’s Downtown Coordinator, has placed a piano on Glenwood Avenue in front of the Glenwood Pharmacy and Market, 401 Glenwood Ave. This brightly painted piano is available for anyone to play and enjoy. This project has added to the unique and lively nature of our neighborhood.
Thanks to Tony Basford for making this old piano sound so good!
Winter 2017
Over the winter of 2017, more than 100 GSNC volunteers worked together in weekly gatherings to create mats from the neighborhood’s recycled plastic bags. About 55 mats were created and donated to the US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants. Approximately 700-900 household plastic bags were used in making each mat, which took about about 40 hours of labor to sort, cut and crochet.
Fall 2015
During the fall of 2015, over 200 neighborhood volunteers learned to fold origami cranes to decorate a 12 foot “Peace Tree” donated by the Carolina Ale House. Over 2,500 cranes were created.
October 2015
On October 18th, 2015, three intersections in Glenwood South (Glenwood Avenue at Tucker, North and Jones Streets) were revitalized with new and interesting crosswalks. Inspired by Donna Belt, citizen artist and board member of the GSNC, the COOL WALKINGS project brought together the leadership of the Downtown Raleigh Alliance, the Raleigh Arts Commission, Raleigh’s Public Works Department and the Glenwood South Neighborhood Collaborative, to create the city’s first ever permanent public art installation on public streets.
June 2014
In June 2014, a chalkboard poetry wall highlighting favorite neighborhood quotes and poetry was constructed on the former Clark Art building. Today that building will be the new home of Tin Roof. Donna Belt and friends were dedicated to changing the poetry wall on a regular basis. Donna has this to say about the poetry wall. “I’m grateful to Charles Long for allowing the GSNC to use the former Clark Art building for the past five years as a Poetry Board highlighting community. Whether it was reviewing the US Constitution, pulling out favorite song lyrics, sharing memories of summer, or providing ground for a group zentangle, these chalkboard shutters served as an ever changing picture of neighborhood connections.”