Closeup of a sign saying Caraleigh Park. Artwork can be seen in the background.

Caraleigh Park Public Art

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Celebrate Play, Art, and Community at Caraleigh Park Public Art at Caraleigh Park About the Artist About the Process About the Project

Celebrate Play, Art, and Community at Caraleigh Park

Join Raleigh Parks for the re-opening of Caraleigh Park on July 1, from 4-6pm. Enjoy free cold treats, sensory-friendly activities, music, and visit with public artist, Jean Gray Mohs.

Learn more about the event

Public Art at Caraleigh Park

In 2025, artist Jean Gray Mohs was selected to create sensory-friendly public art for Caraleigh Park. As part of a new accessible playground, she created a 40-foot colorful metal screen to serve as both a visual buffer between the park and adjacent properties and a vibrant work of public art.

Rooted in the ecology of the surrounding neighborhood, Moh's design, In Tending, features silhouettes of native plants, creating a lively and playful narrative along the park’s back fenceline. At the park's entrance, visitors are welcomed by additional insect forms inspired by the imaginations and observations of local youth—celebrating their creativity and unique perspectives and welcoming visitors of all ages and abilities. 

About the Artist

Jean Gray Mohs

Jean Gray Mohs is a versatile mixed media artist based in Raleigh. She employs a juxtaposition of materials—wood, thread, and metal—to explore the delicate balance between play, risk, and disruption. This investigation reveals the tension between the internal and external, the visible and the hidden, celebrating imperfection and uncovering the inherent strength within vulnerability.

With a BFA and MAT from Georgia Southern University, Mohs has showcased her work locally and internationally. Her art has been shown at NCMA, the Contemporary Art Museum, and Cameron Art Museum, as well as recognized in publications like the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Southern Living. She’s held residencies at UNCG’s Contemporary Art Space and Level Retreat and been highlighted on the Artist Mother Podcast and Women of Woodworking. Throughout her career, Mohs has received support from the United Arts Council, Raleigh Arts, Inclusive Blacksmiths, and the Georgia Rural Economic Development Center.

Learn more about Jean Gray

About the Process

In the spring of 2025, Jean Gray held public engagement events at Caraleigh Park and Arts Access seeking input from the local community. Guests were invited to create their own insects, which served as inspiration for the final artwork.

Community Engagement: Community members created insect and flower shapes as part of an activity to inform the public art design.

Community Engagement: Artist Jean Gray Mohs invited community members to craft paper insects as inspiration for her concept designs.

Community Engagement: A young person shared their work in progress. The artist plans to use these insect designs to shape her final work.

Community Engagement: Artist Jean Gray Mohs helps a young participant pin up their creation at Caraleigh Park.

Concept Design: The artist is planning a series of colorful, textured aluminum panels that will span 40 feet of the new basketball court fencing.

Concept Design: Taking inspiration from a community craft activity, the artist plans to convert some of the resulting insect designs into metal artwork that will be featured at the playground's entrance.

Concept Design: The artist is looking at several textures and techniques to add tactile elements to her metal screening. 

About the Project

In March 2023, the City of Raleigh received an Accessibility for Parks Grant for universal design-focused renovations to Caraleigh Park, with a special emphasis on sensory play.

Located a mile south of downtown, this neighborhood park is surrounded by residential homes on all sides. The public art piece was created to provide screening between the park and adjacent properties while also serving as a unique, dynamic art piece.

Learn more about the Caraleigh Park Improvements Project

Contact

 

Kelly Marks
Public Art Project Manager
kelly.marks@raleighnc.gov

Julia Whitfield
Public Art Community Engagement Coordinator
julia.whitfield@raleighnc.gov

Department:
Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources
Service Categories:
Raleigh Arts
Related Services:
Public Art

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