Cricket Forge

Africa to Carolina is North Carolina’s first public artwork commemorating the history of African disembarkation along the state’s coast.

Installed at Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson State Historic Site in Winnabow, the work acknowledges one of the state’s most obscured histories while honoring the resilience, lives, and lasting legacy of those who were forcibly brought from Africa to North Carolina through the transatlantic slave trade. The project grew from years of research, community engagement, and descendant-informed collaboration.

It was an honor for Cricket Forge to help bring this important work into the landscape.

Created by artists Stephen Hayes and David Wilson, with bronze casting by Carolina Bronze, Cricket Forge provided the modeling, steel fabrication, and installation. The project was made possible through the support of the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation in partnership with the North Carolina African American Heritage Commission and Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson State Historic Site.

Summer ‘26 ☀️👌

The Koi Collection captures the quiet power of the fish that inspired it—flowing, asymmetrical forms that bring movement, balance, and presence to the spaces they inhabit.

Whether as a sculptural bench, a handcrafted table, or wall hangings that seem to swim across a surface, each piece is shaped, welded, and finished by hand in Durham, North Carolina. Inspired by the koi’s symbolism of resilience, love, and peace, the collection is designed to become part of the places where people gather, pause, and return.

Made for those who swim against the current. 🌊

This is Enoe, a blue heron built as a fun collaboration with WallerFoushee Studios Michael and Leah Waller.

Standing 12’ tall and made entirely from stainless steel, she’s certainly going to turn heads! Starting as a paper model, then a quarter-scale model, she will soon be installed at Latta Park, near the corner of Latta and Guess Rd. in Durham, NC.

The first day of summer feels like the perfect excuse to appreciate what an incredible spring it’s been.

Over the past few months, the garden outside the shop has come to life with color, texture, pollinators, and plenty of surprises along the way. It changes a little every week, and we’ve enjoyed watching it settle in around the work just as much as we’ve enjoyed creating the work itself.

Here’s to longer days, more time outside, and a garden that’s giving us every reason to linger a little longer.

Some projects begin with a business. Others start with an artist, a public space, or an individual with an idea they can’t quite find anywhere else.

Over the years, we’ve many opportunities to create and collaborate, such as:

• New signage for Howard Hanna Allen Tate
• A public art piece with Martha Clippinger for Loop Charlotte
• Front desk signage for the Durham office of Method Savvy
• The NorthStar Bench at Beechwood Cemetery, created with artists Jackie MacLeod and Whitney Hunt
• A custom sign for LouElla Wine Beer & Beverage
• A custom butterfly sculpture

Every project is different. Every challenge requires its own solution. What stays the same is our commitment to thoughtful design, skilled craftsmanship, and work built to endure.

Whether you’re an artist, business owner, designer, municipality, or homeowner, we’re always interested in hearing what’s next.