Poole Road Public Art

Public Art at Poole Road

Artist Sharon Dowell was selected to create public art as part of the Poole Road improvements project. 

Sharon designed unique bus shelters and a sculptural bench for the Neuse River trailhead. Her art will provide a welcoming space for transit riders and trailhead visitors while showcasing the creativity of local writers. Inspired by the work of the Carolina African American Writers Collective, the artwork features haiku by North Carolina poets and collective members Lenard Moore, Patricia A. Johnson, and Valeria Bullock. Each piece reflects the character of the community and transforms everyday infrastructure into inspiring public art experiences.

About the Poets

Valeria Bullock

Valeria Bullock, a native of Philadelphia, Pa., is an Occupational Therapist and holds a degree in Psychology. She uses her gift of writing to make a difference in individuals and communities. “If I can write an inspiring poem that evokes a personal healing journey to improve their quality of life, mission accomplished!” Ms. Bullock’s Poetry has been featured in the Michael Harris radio show, Poetry anthologies, Christian Drama Ministry, and Diversity Performances in North America.

Patricia A. Johnson

Patricia A. Johnson is the daughter of George C. and Alice P. Johnson. She was born and raised and now lives in Elk Creek, Va. Called to missions, she is a member of Greater Emmanuel Apostolic Church. Her collection of poems, Stain My Days Blue, won the BMA Sonia Sanchez Poetry Award. Patricia is also a former National Poetry Slam Champion.

Lenard D. Moore

Lenard D. Moore is an internationally acclaimed poet and anthologist. His literary works have been published in more than sixteen countries and translated into more than twelve languages. His poems, essays, short stories and book reviews have appeared in more than 400 publications, and his poems have appeared in more than 100 anthologies. He has taught Creative Writing and African American Literature. He is a U.S. Army Veteran.

Moore is the author of Long Rain; The Geography Of Jazz; A Temple Looming; Forever Home; The Open Eye, among other books. He is the editor of All The Songs We Sing; One Window’s Light: A Collection of Haiku, and other books. He is the founder and executive director of the Carolina African American Writers’ Collective and co-founder of the Washington Street Writers Group. He also is the longtime Executive Chairman of the North Carolina Haiku Society.

Moore is the First African American President of the Haiku Society of America, serving two terms. Among his numerous awards are the North Carolina Award for Literature; Furious Flower Laureate Ring; Haiku Museum of Tokyo Award; Margaret Walker Creative Writing Award; Raleigh Medal of the Arts; Indies Arts Award; Tar Heel of the Week Award; Cave Canem Fellowships, and a Soul Mountain Retreat Fellowship.

Moore earned his Master of Arts in English and African American Literature from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. He also earned his Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies with a minor in English magna cum laude from Shaw University.

About the Project

The Poole Road Public Art Project is funded by the 2017 Transportation Bond. Capital Improvement Projects that meet the Percent for Art Ordinance standards, such as this one, are eligible to use one percent of construction funding for Public Art. Inclusion of aesthetics and artwork is an investment in our communities, with a focus on community identity and equity in quality of life. Communities gain cultural, social, and economic value through public art.

The Poole roadway widening stretches from Maybrook Drive to Barwell Road. The design calls for widening Poole to a four-lane complete street with a median, sidewalks, and bicycle facilities. The project also seeks to improve bicycle connectivity from more rural areas of town to the Raleigh citywide bicycle system. Current plans include a 10ft multi-use path, dry detention basins, a transit stop, and a greenway connector to the Neuse River bridge.

This project includes public art integrated into bus shelters along Poole Road, incorporating poetry by local poets in the Carolina African American Writers Collective.

Learn more about the Poole Road improvement project