Designer Kirk Smith works on the dress that got him in.

I blogged about designers preparing collections leading up to North Carolina State University’s annual Art to Wear (A2W) fashion show. The series appeared online in the Independent Weekly’s arts blog Artery leading up to the spring 2010 show.

Carroll Gardens street. Image taken by Sarah Ewald.

Brooklyn’s Carroll Gardens stands at a crossroads for preservation. The neighborhood houses a historic district that encompasses two complete blocks, but some residents want a bigger one. Others would prefer not to expand that one or designate a new one at all.

The original historic district was designated on Sept. 25, 1973. Protected structures include brownstones and some of the neighborhood’s unique front gardens, set back from the street about 30 feet.

Since then, interest in expanding the district has been a frequent reoccurring community discussion. The development boom of the last decade brought the issue to the forefront.

Some residents feel they must protect the area from impending changes that might mar the area’s unique qualities. Others maintain that they may do whatever they wish with their property.

Simeon Bankoff, executive director of the Historic Districts Council, and John Hatheway of John Hatheway Architects were able to speak on the situation.

I’m a graduate student at the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism studying Arts & Culture.

Like any good poker player, I hedge my bets: I’m taking classes in Broadcast, Print and Interactive, all the mediums offered.

I’ve covered crime, court and economic stories along with general culture. I also freelance for an alternative weekly newspaper based in Durham, North Carolina.

In short: I’m awesome, hire me.