2024 PAAB Creative Placemaking Winner

Bainbridge Companies: Artist Robert Tully

The Board and Chamber staff looked back over the last 2 years (2023 and 2024) at completed public art projects in private development in Cary. One project rose above all the rest. The 2024 Creative Placemaking Award goes to Bainbridge Companies who commissioned artist Robert Tully to create a unique “weathering steel” sculpture and benches for their project at Bainbridge Cary. Bainbridge Cary are luxury apartments located at 9205 Chapel Hill Road.   

The sculpture’s design is inspired by the wooded area and champion tree along the road and intends to reinforce its forest character with its natural fern like shape.  The corten steel also is inspired by the railroad to the south of the site, which was important to Cary’s history. 

People can walk through and around the sculpture, so there is a degree of interactivity. The bench seats make it a resting spot rather than a stand-alone object. The theme of the artist’s work is that people are ultimately part of nature. 

Celebrating 28 years, Bainbridge Companies is proud to introduce Bainbridge Cary. This new development soars to new heights with unique luxury apartment community that offers one, two, and three-bedroom apartments all with single-car garages. Bainbridge Cary has elevated finishes and premiere amenities at their Chapel Hill Road community.  

Bainbridge Companies was founded in 1997 by Richard Schechter. Bainbridge is involved in the supervision, acquisition, development, and management of $8 billion in multifamily rental housing, including over 40,000 multifamily units.   

Scott Cramton is Area Vice President with Bainbridge Companies. He will join me now to receive the Creative Placemaking Award for commissioning this iconic artwork for Cary. 

In the words of former Cary Chamber Board Chair Ralph Ashworth, “the Arts means business to the local economy and contribute to a great quality of life in Cary! And we want to recognize those businesses that make the extra effort to include public art within their projects and developments.” 

Almost 30 years ago Cary embarked on a path to make the look and feel of Cary distinctive, welcoming, and Artful. It began with the Chamber forming a committee to promote Public Art in Cary. This effort grew enthusiasm for public art in Cary and soon after followed the formation of a non-profit Cary Visual Art. The Chamber committee and Cary Visual Art encouraged the city to start a public art program. The Town began first by developing the first Public Art Master Plan which was unanimously adopted by the Town of Cary twenty-four years ago.   

This year we wanted to reflect on this history together and recognize early Champions for public art in Cary.  Because of their leadership and enthusiasm for making Cary a special place to live we want to give Creative Placemaking Awards to three individuals: 

Ralph Ashworth for his unwavering support and enthusiasm for public art.  As long time Chamber President and member he along with his wife Daphne helped form this first Chamber committee to promote public art in Cary.  One of the most outstanding public art projects he and Daphane championed as supporters of the North Carolina Veterans Freedom Park on N. Harrison Ave.  

Susan Alexander and her parents Dick and Jean Ladd joined Ralph and Daphne along with Ann Goodnight to help kick off Cary Visual Arts.   

Susan Alexander leads the Board of Cary Visual Arts. Receiving the award on behalf of Susan Alexander is Cary Visual Arts Board member Walt Parker. 

Ann Goodnight has been a consistent patron for the arts across Wake County and Cary. Her early involvement with Cary Visual Arts was invaluable.  She continues her efforts to keep the arts at the for front by her sponsorship of the Art Park at the North Carolina Museum of Art and early support of the Dix Park. 

Through these early Champions efforts, a strong following and support grew to make Cary not only a successful municipality but also clearly a place that valued Art and its ability to transform places.  These Champions understood that Creative placemaking animates public and private spaces, rejuvenates structures and streetscapes, improves local business viability and public safety, and brings diverse people together to celebrate, inspire, and be inspired. 

2022 PAAB Creative Placemaking Winner

Singh Development commission of Thomas Sayre project

Sculpture by Thomas Sayre, Griffin Weston at NW Cary Parkway & Evans Rd, commissioned by Singh Development, LLC

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Award Background

Congratulations to the PAAB Creative Placemaking Award Winners! The Town of Cary’s Public Art Advisory Board partners with the Cary Chamber of Commerce to recognize businesses, developers and organizations that include public art in their projects.  Former Chamber Board Chairman and business owner Ralph Ashworth states “the Arts means business to the local economy and contribute to a great quality of life in Cary! And we want to recognize those businesses that make the extra effort to include public art within their projects and developments.”  On May 13, 2021 Mayor Harold Weinbrecht announced the first Awardees at the Chamber Small Business Excellence Awards virtual luncheon event.  Winners are selected based on artistic merit, representation of Cary, accessibility, and craftmanship. Below is a slideshow of the winners.

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Watch the video below for the announcement of the winners

(starting at 36:40 min)

2000-2020 Winners

The Town of Cary’s Public Art Advisory Board kicked off the PAAB Creative Placemaking Award with an inaugural group of 8 Awardees spanning the last 20 years.