Brood Awakening

October 27-November 3, 2024

Join us at Walnut Creek Wetland Park from October 27 to November 3 for "Brood Awakening," a unique collaboration between Raleigh-based artists Katie Stewart and Jay Ross.

This immersive art walk-style installation on the park trails blends art, environmental education, and food to highlight the rich history and importance of Walnut Creek Wetland Park.

The exhibition celebrates the efforts of the Black communities of Southeast Raleigh to clean up and protect Raleigh’s watershed and restore a vital environment. By celebrating unique ecosystems through interactive art featuring native species and their habitats, we also honor the legacy of environmental stewardship in Southeast Raleigh.

For more information, check out @brood_awakening on Instagram and broodawakening.com.

Viewing Hours and Self-Guided Art Walks

Tuesday, October 29 - November 3 | 11 am-7 pm

The Brood Awakening installation at Walnut Creek Wetland Park will be open daily from October 27 to November 3, offering a self-guided art walk for visitors to explore at their own pace. Wander through the park’s trails and discover interactive sculptures highlighting native species, transforming the artwork from vibrant daytime displays to glowing nighttime installations. There is also a self-guided activity called Great Good Space to Go for visitors.

Note: The outdoor trail art walk will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., but the Wetland Center is closed on Mondays. No facilities will be open, and no restrooms will be available on site.

Events and Programs

Opening Night Celebration

Sunday October 27, 3-6:30 pm

Join us for the opening celebration of Brood Awakening at Walnut Creek Wetland Park on Sunday, October 27! Be the first to experience an immersive art walk featuring interactive installations, local food, and educational activities that celebrate the ecology and community of Southeast Raleigh. As the sun sets, watch the installation's sculptures light up, creating a magical nighttime atmosphere that’s just as captivating as during the day. There will be small bites, sparkling beverages, Great Good Space craft activities and a special visitor from the Paperhand Puppet Project

RSVP for the Opening Night Celebration on Eventbrite.

Walnut Creek Wetland Park Open House: Community + Teaching Garden

Tuesday, October 29, 4:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Family Naturalists: Nocturnal Animals

Wednesday, October 30, 6-7 pm

Get excited with us as we talk about all the things that go bump in the night! Who are our parks night workers, what do they do that is so important and what patterns can be revealed by looking closely? This course will include several introductory topics of discussion and include activities that get your body moving and test your investigation skills. Produced by Wetland Park staff. $4 Register on RecLink.

Shrek Trek

Thursday, October 31, 3:30-5:00 pm

Come trek through our swamp on Halloween this year – costumes encouraged (but not required)! Be sure to bring your best donkey attitude for this off trail exclusionary experience. In this program, kids will get to explore the world around them, try dip netting and rock flipping in our seasonal pools, and feel empowered to engage the world around them responsibly. Boots and waders provided. Adults are required to accompany participants. Come dressed to spend the program outdoors – we will be off trail. Produced by Wetland Park staff. $4 Register on RecLink.

Family Naturalist: Wetland Mammals

Wednesday, October 30, 2-3:30 pm

Get excited with us as we talk about all our park's wetland mammals! Who lives in our park, what do they do that is so important and what patterns can be revealed by looking closely? This course will include several introductory topics of discussion and include activities that get your body moving and test your investigation skills. Produced by Wetland Center Staff. $4 Register on RecLink.

Midsummer Night Scream - Costume Party

Saturday, November 2, 4-8 pm

Join us on Saturday, November 2, for Midsummer Night Scream, the closing party of Brood Awakening! This wetland-themed costume party will feature food, drinks, music, and interactive art, celebrating the final night of the installation in a fun and unforgettable way. Come dressed as your favorite wetland critter or surreal creature and dance the night away among glowing sculptures and vibrant, dreamlike displays. Bring your friends & family to have fun with a DJ, dance party, and heavy appetizers.

RSVP for Midsummer Night Scream on Eventbrite.

*Please remember that these events are in the wetlands! Be sure to wear comfortable, trail-friendly shoes (it might get muddy!) and wear bug spray if you're sensitive to mosquitoes.

Check back or subscribe to the Raleigh Arts Newsletter for information about more events. More information is also available on the project website broodawakening.com.

About the Artists

Katie Stewart and Jay Ross, a Raleigh-based creative team, collaborate to bring a unique medley of art, environmental education, and culinary experiences to the community. Their latest project, "Brood Awakening," focuses on environmental education, celebrating the rich and diverse ecology of Raleigh’s wetlands. The installation at Walnut Creek Wetland Park features interactive art highlighting native species and their habitats. Through this project, Katie and Jay aim to inspire a deeper understanding, appreciation and celebration of the natural world, fostering connections between art, ecology, and community.

Young white woman with blond curly hair, sitting in a playful and colorful place with bright sunglasses and green shoes.

Katie Stewart

Katie is an artist celebrated for her immersive, installations that transform public spaces into vibrant, interactive environments. Her handcrafted pieces—from towering illuminated inflatables created for Nike & Dreamville festival, to enchanting giant sculptures made from reclaimed materials—fill spaces with imagination and delight.

katiestew.art | Instagram: @katiestew_art

Young Black man dressed professionally in a grey suit and black tie, sitting and smiling broadly.

Jay Ross

Jay Ross, an expert in hospitality and community programming, and local chef, enhances the artistic experience by integrating food, educational & recreational events. A chef Ross is the owner of Saltie Pepper Hospitality and can be found, is serving brunch through a new venture called Eggcellent or producing Saltie Pepper Burger Pop Ups.

Instagram: @sonofwm

About SEEK Raleigh

SEEK Raleigh is an experimental public art program by Raleigh Arts that engages the community through public art in City of Raleigh Parks, greenways, and/or community spaces. The program provides an opportunity for artists to introduce the public to new, unusual, and thought-provoking experiences through temporary public art.

Learn more and apply to the SEEK Raleigh artist call

About Raleigh Arts

Raleigh Arts, a part of the City of Raleigh’s Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources Department, fosters and promotes the arts in Raleigh by administering the programs of the Raleigh Arts Commission and the Public Art and Design Board and supporting the Pullen and Sertoma Arts Centers.

Contact

Kelly McChesney
Public Art Director
kelly.mcchesney@raleighnc.gov

Department:: Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources

Service Categories:: Raleigh Arts

Related Services:: Public Art Arts Programs Arts Grants

Brood Awakening | A SEEK Raleigh Project

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