Project Details

The Method Community Park will have improvements funded by the 2022 Parks Bond. The Berry O’Kelly/Harveleigh White Community Center and Pioneers Building will both have extensive interior renovations and upgrades to meet programming needs. The plumbing, electrical, and mechanical systems will be upgraded and the meeting room in the Pioneers Building will be upgraded to accommodate hybrid meetings. The exteriors of the existing buildings will be repaired and refurbished in accordance with the guidelines for historic buildings as they are designated Raleigh Historic Landmarks and are located within the Berry O’Kelly Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places. 

The Schematic Design was approved by City Council on 10/1/2024 with the request to explore the addition of a water feature. On 11/19/2024 the Splash Pad Feasibility Study was presented to City Council and the direction was provided by Council to add a splash pad to the Park.

The site improvements now include the addition of a splash pad, a new playground, new outdoor restroom facilities and pump house, expanded parking, improved site accessibility and a new stormwater management system. 

Learn more about the Method Community Center Improvements Project

Learn more about Public Art at Method Community Center

Artist - Exterior Public Art

Dare Coulter is an award-winning professional sculptor, artist, muralist, and illustrator. Her most recent notable work includes a 200ft mural (with Kotis Street Art) in Greensboro honoring oft-unmentioned black cowboys and a commission of a painting of Nina Simone from the National Trust for Historic Preservation that was used to raise funds to restore Nina Simone's childhood home. She has illustrated nine children's books, including Kwame Alexander’s An American Story and You Are My Sunshine. While Dare is pursuing her dream of creating monumental sculptures of Black joy all over the world, she is having a great time visiting schools and painting murals, and sharing her passion for art with the world. She graduated from NC State University with a Bachelor’s in Art and Design, but she also considers herself a graduate of Meredith College’s art program.

Dare Coulter will create exterior public art throughout the site.

Artist - Exhibition Room

Kulsum Tasnif is a contemporary artist who bridges the cultural divide between East and West in her artwork. Born in England to Pakistani parents, Kulsum’s art reflects her personal journey of transcending geographic boundaries in search of beauty and truth. Her pieces explore internal and external narratives, connecting her diverse heritage with universal themes of identity and belonging.

After completing her graduate studies in Art and Design at NC State in 2021, Kulsum founded Artist Ummah—a non-profit organization that celebrates creativity, identity, and community. "Ummah," meaning "community" in Arabic, embodies her mission to empower artists and bring vibrant, diverse expressions of creativity to the forefront.

Kulsum Tasnif is documenting the stories of former Berry O'Kelly students and IAR community members through oral histories and videos. 

Project Timeline

2024 - 2028

About Raleigh Public Art

Mission: To create and integrate diverse artworks into Raleigh's landscape in order to establish a vibrant visual environment that provides public places with civic distinction, as well as fostering meaningful connections between people and place.

History: In 2009, the City of Raleigh adopted ordinances creating the Percent Art Program. The program allocates 1% of funds from capital construction projects for public art. Public art associated with City of Raleigh construction projects is managed by the Raleigh Arts Office. More information about Raleigh Arts can be found at https://raleighnc.gov/raleigh-arts.