Little Lights Everywhere ✨

by newsletter writer Jenna Duxbury

Hello, Carolina Muse community! My name is Jenna Duxbury, and I’m so pleased to be writing to you for the first time as the newsletter writer for Carolina Muse. As an artist with experience in a wide range of mediums, including music, theatre, creative writing, and visual art, I love trying new things and building a sense of community with other creatives. I’m originally from Michigan and moved to North Carolina with my husband in 2020. Though I’m a relatively recent transplant, I have fallen in love with the vibrant local arts scene and the ocean, the mountains, and the forests that bring so much natural beauty to this region. Lately, I primarily find artistic expression through music: I am the lead singer & keyboardist of an alt rock cover band based out of the Raleigh-Durham area called Skeleton Crew. I also sing in a community choir called Voices of Chapel Hill.

Living in this digital age, it’s easier than ever to share information and form connections with people all over the world. But, modern technology can also make us feel isolated. Maybe you find it easier to express yourself in online spaces rather than in physical ones. Or, perhaps you have a strong sense of local community and believe that online conversations feel more hollow and less “real.” Regardless of the medium you use to do so, connecting with others can lead to brilliant new possibilities for both your artistic life and your personal sense of belonging.

The Northern Lights touched down in the Carolinas on May 10th and 11th due to a large solar storm that brought the visibility of the lights further south than usual. Eager to catch a glimpse of those legendary washes of color, I stood near an open field with a group of strangers at one of Chapel Hill’s best stargazing locations (Maple Hill Creamery, for those in the area!).

But, when I looked up at the night sky with my naked eye, all I could see were eerily shifting shadows. That’s when someone next to me shared a piece of wisdom: “If you look at them through your phone camera in low-light mode, you can see the colors better.” I tried it… and it worked! I never would have thought to use my phone, but trying a tip from someone I had just met allowed me to engage in a richer experience. Suddenly, we were attending nature’s rock concert: several people pointed their tiny glowing rectangles upward to gaze in delight in those gorgeous hues of purple, pink, and green that we couldn’t see on our own.

Check out the latest issue!

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Carolina Muse Volume IV, Issue II is available now! Go to our homepage to view this latest edition, which is full of paintings, photography, poetry, short stories, music, dance, and mixed-media submissions. We are proud to highlight these talented creators and their beautiful work in this edition. This issue shines bright with creative expression, and we hope it leads you to experience flashes of inspiration in your own creative work.

Order high-quality print copies of IV.II! These physical copies make for excellent additions to your personal library. Take them to the beach. Read them in a field of wildflowers. Buy a copy to share with patrons of your favorite local coffee shop. It’s a great way to support our work and spread the Carolina Muse love!