CLT Photographer Deborah Triplett Fills the Cracks of Cancer with Gold
HUG LIFE: Deborah Triplett Fights Cancer with Wabi-sabi
Charlotte photographer, Deborah Triplett, heard the words no one wants to hear: “You have stage 3 lung cancer.”
Revelations like that affect people differently. The diagnosis informs them. But, it doesn’t have to come to define them. Deborah addressed the situation in two ways:
- She told her doctor, “What do I need to get this out of me? Let’s start now!”
- She thought to herself, “I know all these artists. Maybe I can ask the artists I know to paint my head.”
She did both. In April 2019, she applied and received a $250 HUG Micro-Grant to buy film for her project and reached out to artists. She also embraced the ancient art of Wabi-sabi — accepting the transience and imperfection of life. As Deborah says, she chose to “fill the cracks with gold.”
Charlotte Star Room followed her on the first steps of her journey — she’s building to a public exhibition of her photographs of the project — in a HUGumentary. And, you can watch her incredibly emotional story below.
John Searby Cares About Water
A Guest Editorial from Josh Jacobson
Josh Jacobson has made a reputation in Charlotte for gathering leaders — particularly nonprofit leaders — who think a little differently, bringing a wide array of experience and problem-solving to bear with their passion for social good. Last year, he helped launch The Biscuit with his “Breaking Good” editorial series. In 2020, he returns for a new series of editorials dedicated to lifting up local nonprofit leaders who are innovating new solutions to long-standing community challenges.
Today, Josh introduces us to John Searby, the new executive director of the Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation, who combines his passion for protecting water with his desire to pull organizations doing similar work together to best address the challenges ahead. While he may be moving from the for-profit sector into nonprofit, John believes “What you’re good at is more important than what you do.”
Adrienne & Emmanuel Threatt Carry HOPE in their Hearts … and in a Truck.
From their very first date, Adrienne and Emmanuel Threatt were connected by their compassion for others and complete inability to sit on the sidelines. There’s no greater example than their work together to found Hope Vibes, a local nonprofit they founded to serve, empower and connect Charlotte’s homeless population, and the Hope Tank, a mobile shower and laundry truck they are building to bring help and hope directly to those experiencing homelessness in Charlotte.
Their passion and heart are boundless and their love for one another and laughter are infectious. They spoke about their work to a room of 400 people at the January 3 gathering of CreativeMornings/Charlotte. And, they sat down with Matt Olin and Tim Miner for a “CM Rewind” batch of The Biscuit right after they left the stage. Listen to the conversation here.
Charlottean and self-proclaimed “anatomy nerd” Jamie Decker knows what you look like under the hood. And, she thinks you should, too. Jamie has the distinction of being the only American who has extensively trained under Dr. Gunther von Hagens, the mind behind “Body Worlds,” the most visited exhibition in the world. Jamie believes that for you to take control of your health, you need to know how you work and what you look like inside. And, she returned to the Queen City from Germany to do just that. Plus, she runs the only company in town — Experience Anatomy — that allows you to rent a stomach, heart or extra brain. True story.
With someone as smart as Jamie, it’s a shame we used this opportunity to ask her five ridiculous questions:
Go back in time to High School Jamie, growing up in CLT … now, give us a quick description of how you feel about the Queen City?
I thought Charlotte was big, but empty. I remember occasionally going Uptown and laying on the sidewalks to look up at the buildings from with a worm’s eye view. It’s a cool perspective, but the sidewalks are busier now than they were then.
We love your glasses so much. But, if you had to get a new pair to change up your look, what would you get?
Funny story. I recently DID get a new pair of glasses, because my infamous green frames are taking a beating. The woman fitting me for glasses immediately said: “the only thing I have to top your current Prada’s are this pair of Tiffany’s.” It’s the only pair I tried on, and subsequently bought, but I can’t bring myself to retire my mean greens.
As reported by Joe Marusak of The Charlotte Observer, 2019 was the second hottest year in Charlotte since 1897 when the National Weather Service began collecting weather records for the QC. The average temperature for the past year was 63.5 degrees — just barely below 1990’s record-setting average temp of 64. Thus far, 2020 seems to be following suit ‘cause we’re feeling HOT. We asked a few fake, sweaty stock image Charlotteans what they think about Mister Heat Miser paying a visit to the Queen City. Here what they definitely didn’t say.
There’s hope for us old fogies, yet.
Charlotte Ledger invites you to submit Charlotteans born on or before Feb. 15, 1980 who are “making mighty contributions” to Charlotte during the inaugural “40 Over 40 Awards.” Nominations are due by Jan. 31. Logo designed by Clayton Sealy.
A few more nibbles:
- Our sponsor partner, OrthoCarolina, is looking for two new marketing teammates — an Internal Communications Specialist and a Content Marketing Specialist. If you or someone you know fits the bill … what are you waiting for?
- Nice news for the Charlotte film scene. Short film, MIKE, won three awards at the Independent Shorts Awards, including Best Director for Kent Smith and Best Actor for Patrick Keenan.
Building A Charlotte For All: The Summit
Jan. 11 from 9am – 4pm
UNC Charlotte Center City
As the Queen City continues to grow, so does the need to work together and advocate for equitable development policies. This Saturday, January 11, Building Community CLT has organized “Building A Charlotte For All: The Summit.” The summit will feature workshops from local organizations and presentations from Charlotte’s Assistant City Manager and Chief City Planner Taiwo Jaiyeoba and the award-winning placemaker and author Jay Pitter. For more information on this free event and registration, click here.
Cine Casual Film Series
Jan.11 at 6pm
Camp North End
HUG Mirco-grant recipient Giovanna Torres is launching the Cine Casual Film Series this Saturday, January 11 at Camp North End. Giovanna used her HUG to create promotional materials to spread the word about the series which runs through April and will screen six award-winning Latin American films. Each screening will be followed by a panel discussion with Charlotte-based artists and community leaders. The first film in the series, Matar a Jesús, plays this Saturday at 6pm. Read our article on the project, then purchase your all-access ticket.
Wow! It’s an embarrassment of riches in Charlotte right now. We’ve picked a list of TEN MORE events we love in the next few weeks — a blooming art show, a bit of mindful meditation, birthday celebrations, a boozy book club, a night of scientific magic and a few more gleeful gathers thrown in for good measure. Click here to learn about more CLT events.
You haven’t truly experienced colors working in perfect harmony until you’ve seen an Emily Eldridge mural in person. Her works are bright, boxy, brilliant, beautiful and, above all else, BOLD. The globetrotting artist is currently based out of Berlin, Germany, and while you can follow her talents on Instagram, pictures don’t do these colors justice. (Yes, we understand the irony of telling you this while showing you a picture of her mural.) Luckily, Charlotte is the home to this ginormous mural by Emily so you can go see it while your own eyeballs instead of through the lens of someone else’s camera. This mural was painted as a part of Talking Wall’s 2019 Mural Festival, which featured 16 different muralists (local & international) painting 15 murals in 4 days.
P.S. After you enjoy Emily’s mural, be sure to turn your head 90 degrees to the left and appreciate a stellar view of the skyline.
Directions: 108 S. Torrence St. Charlotte, NC 28204
This Queen City exploration is powered by OrthoCarolina.
Don’t go around hungry. If you missed the last batch of The Biscuit, don’t worry. We’ve kept it warm for you … and full of satisfying Southern sassiness. Click here to dig in, y’all.
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