Case Studies

“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). Live band Emma Jane and DJ MARRS set the vibe. The celebration featured a pop-up cardboard art installation by Jason Lord, a giant birthday card for visitors to sign and blue cookie treats inspired by Mongo. For Third Friday in April 2025, Words That Work™️ organized Major the Bull’s 21st birthday party, celebrating the iconic sculpture’s artist-creators Michael Waller and Leah Foushee-Waller.

A collage of images showing people performing and engaging in various activities outdoors: a man with a beard wearing a dark shirt and sitting on the street with art supplies; two musicians playing guitars; a woman operating a sound mixer at an outdoor event; a group of people at a crowded outdoor market or fair; and a man with glasses and a cap working on a digital device with bright green lights or projections.

Crowd of people dancing and socializing outdoors in a city plaza with trees, American flags, and a purple tent in the background.

FAR LEFT (ABOVE on mobile devices): Hundreds dance in the streets to celebrate Durham’s beloved bronze icon during Major the Bull’s 21st Birthday Bash on April 18, 2025. Words That Work™️ organized this community event in collaboration with Downtown Durham Inc. and Discover Durham. Media coverage of Major artists Mike Waller and Leah Foushee-Waller included an interview on “Due South” by host Leoneda Inge on WUNC-FM and a front page story in The News & Observer.
Still from video by Brandon Marsh, NS Media.

LEFT (BELOW on mobile devices): Tarish Pipkins introduces Mongo the puppet, made entirely of scrap materials, at Third Friday Durham, August 21, 2026. Still from video by Craig Carter.

A man smiling and holding a pole with a large blue fish puppet with googly eyes on a city street.

Silhouette of a person holding a long object against the sky with clouds at sunset

Words That Work™️ has produced dozens of “Amazing you” Instagram reels for Hamilton Hill Jewelry, which opened in Brightleaf Square in 1991. The videos feature models of all ages and backgrounds wearing jewelry curated by Sarah Hill, owner and gemologist.

An elderly man wearing glasses and a red shirt stands at a workbench in a workshop, surrounded by scientific equipment and tools, working with electronic devices.

“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.

A man with a gray beard and tattoos on his arms, wearing a black shirt and a cowboy hat, crossing his arms and smiling inside a modern brick-walled space with wooden beams and tables.

Jack the handsome Harley rider enjoys a jewelry edit by Sarah Hill. Still photo from Instagram reel produced by Words That Work™️ and posted @hamiltonhilljewelry on July 22, 2026.