CASE STUDIES
Clients tend to find me, my best “networking” efforts notwithstanding. Often, a promising initial idea leads me to an even better situation. Here are examples of recent projects that gave me the chance to draw from years of experiences as a newspaper reporter and also as director of marketing and communications at a university art museum.
IMAGINATION IN PRACTICE
“Third Friday rewards a big, fun idea. And that’s good for everybody.”
— arts consultant and Words That Work owner Wendy Hower, Durham Magazine, August/September 2026
Words That Work™️ organized a 35th birthday party for The Scrap Exchange in CCB Plaza for Durham Third Friday in August 2026. The star: Mongo the puppet, created by Tarish Pipkins (Jeghetto’s Entertainment).
In April 2025, we organized Major the Bull’s 21st birthday party, celebrating the iconic sculpture’s artist-creators Michael Waller and Leah Foushee-Waller.
ABOVE: Hundreds dance in the streets to celebrate Durham’s beloved bronze icon during Major the Bull’s 21st Birthday Bash on April 18, 2025. I conceptualized and led this community event in collaboration with Downtown Durham Inc. and Discover Durham. Media coverage of Major artists Mike Waller and Leah Foushee-Waller included “Due South” with Leoneda Inge on WUNC-FM and The News & Observer. Still from video by Brandon Marsh, NS Media.
ABOVE: Tarish Pipkins introduces Mongo the puppet, made entirely of scrap materials, at Third Friday Durham, August 21, 2026. Still from video by Craig Carter.
CLIENT
INDUSTRY
Retail / Creative Reuse / Nonprofit
Press Relations / Donor Database Development / Website & E-newsletter Communications / Grant Writing / Community Engagement & Raising Public Profile / Donor Relations & Fundraising / Membership Program Management / Annual Report
SERVICES
CLIENT
INDUSTRY
Retail / Fine Jewelry / Entrepreneur
SERVICES
Press Relations / Content Creation for Instagram & YouTube / Community Engagement & Raising Public Awareness
“Durham goldsmith has no plans to retire at 79 years old,” aired on WRAL News, Oct. 10, 2025.
Story pitched by Words That Work™️ on behalf of Hamilton Hill Jewelry.
Jack the handsome Harley rider gets a jewelry edit by Sarah Hill. Instagram reel and photo by Words That Work™️.