“Give me a field and it’s pure inspiration,” sculptor Thomas Sayre says. He likes stainless steel, sure, but at the moment, Sayre is into earthcasting, in which he “digs holes in Mother Earth, pours or sprays concrete into their shapes, and then stands them up against Father Sky.” Sayre wants to marry human intention and the grain of nature, which means that a 16-foot-tall, 30,000-pound piece is “small and intricate” for this artist who uses complex detailing and structural engineering to build his creations. Oh, and a very large crane.
Feature image: The massive sculptures that Sayre casts in dirt worldwide, including Flue in Kinston (above, right), begin as designs in an old plumbing supply warehouse in downtown Raleigh.
From beaches and beer gardens to amphitheaters and parks, North Carolina’s outdoor music scene has something for everyone this summer.
Load up your basket at these farmers stands and markets.
Our best recipes for your end-of-summer haul, from corn and jalapeño fritters to classic corn on the cob — plus, of course, our favorite cornbread recipes.
Use your bounty of fresh blueberries in delicious pie, pound cake, pastries, and more.
