Obamahead

Sunbathing on the the front lawn of artist Mike Roig's home is perhaps one of Carrboro's most recognized modern landmarks. The 9-foot high gleaming metal sculpture with an oversized head guards the corner of Poplar and Main streets. The sculpture, which Roig calls "Looking Up" (2009), was originally intended to be a contemporary interpretation of the monolithic statues of Easter Island (Polynesia) dating back to the 1500s and characterized by large heads. However locals began to dub it "Obamahead," for its resemblance to the current president. This appealed to Roig who opted not to discourage interpretation.

(photograph taken on the corner of Poplar & Main streets in Carrboro)

"Deserves Good Artists" Alphonse

Originally from Greensboro, he's been living in Chapel Hill for about three years. Alphonse is an artist who studied theater and has appeared in plenty of of community and regional stages: "Google me. Alphonse Nicholson. Spelled Nicholson like the actor [Jack]." In May, he closed the show in the role of Segismundo in Deep Dish Theatre's "Life is a Dream."  Earlier this year, he transformed into Joseph Asagio in the Playmakers Repertory Company's rendition of "A Raisin in the Sun."  He says he is "most excited" to head to New York City later this month for another performance in which he was commissioned to compose a show. "I live and die for this stuff...to be an artist. I believe in doing what I like to do."

When he is not acting, Alphonse is often out on Franklin Street playing an array of overturned buckets. But sometimes, he says, he's mistaken for the homeless. "I think they have a hard time figuring it out. Eventually people realize I'm not. They realize I'm out here to entertain and bring some life to the city. North Carolina is home...This area deserves good artists."

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 (photographed on the corner of Franklin/Columbia Streets)