The Renaissance Has begun

That star you see in the upper left corner of this website is called a "Moravian Star." It is the symbol of a devout group of Christ followers who migrated from Eastern Europe to establish a community here on what was called the Wachovia Tract. That was 1753. Two-hundred-fifty plus years later, we are reconnecting to their legacy of hard work, inventiveness, and love for all. 

Winston-Salem is going through an exciting renaissance. Recently dubbed the City of Arts and Innovation, this community has embraced a new sense of possibility and cultural identity. It's more than the vibrant downtown, more than music venues like the Ramkat or hang outs like the Wiseman's Brewery, Fiddlin’ Fish, Joymongers, Radar or Hoots Roller Bar & Beer Co. - it's the eclectic, visionary energy that a wave of millennials are bringing to the city. Just this week, US News & World Report ranked Winston-Salem one of the best mid-sized cities to relocate in America.  

That, combined with a rich history and plurality of talent, make Winston-Salem an incubator for creativity. Want art history? How about the fact that Winston-Salem created the first Art Council in American, or that Winston-Salem is home to the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA), or that two of the most important Art Museums of the South both are located here? 

That spirit of art and intellectualism is also felt in the strong yet diverse academic community we have here. No less than four major colleges and universities - UNCSA, Salem College, Winston-Salem State University and Wake Forest University - call Winston-Salem home. 

For a town the size of Winston-Salem (the city is the fifth largest in North Carolina - roughly the size of Durham), there is a surprising number of businesses. Companies headquartered here have names like Hanesbrands, Krispy Kreme, BB&T Bank, Reynolds American, Inmar, Texas Pete Hot Sauce, B/E Aerospace, and Primo Water; there others like Caterpillar, Wells Fargo, FedEx, Honda Jet, Womble Carlysle Sandridge & Rice, Kilpatrick Stockton that also have a major presence here; there are two major hospital systems: Wake Forest Baptist Hospital, and Novant Medical Group, a new innovation quarter; and other companies you might not have heard of yet - companies like The Variable, that recently won Small Ad Agency of the Year, Southeast, or Flow Automotive, selected as a finalist for the Triad's best Place to Work Award. The future is so bright, Winston-Salem was recently awarded the National Planning Achievement Award for Public Outreach from the American Planning Association for its 30 year plan. Check out it out for yourself: http://www.legacy2030.com/

But what about recreation? There's good news here, too! Winston-Salem has three state parks within a 45-minute drive. In town, beautiful Salem Lake has just about the best seven mile loop one can imagine. Salem Lake, Hobby Park, Tanglewood and Horizons Park have fantastic trails for mountain biking. Reynolda Gardens and Graylen are just two of the amazing free parks where you can toss the Frisbee or spread out the blanket. Every day there's pick-up ultimate, soccer leagues, even a Gaelic football team. Basically, you won't have to look far to find the fun in Winston-Salem.