Mixed Concrete to give UNC employee a home of her own

Valinda Pherribo works at UNC School of Medicine’s The Beach Cafe, and she has been renting houses for 33 years.

In about three months, things will change — for the first time, she will own a house in Efland about 5 miles from her workplace, and it will be funded by an art auction held by UNC Habitat for Humanity at TRU Deli & Wine this weekend.

“The mortgage is cheaper, it’s smaller and a five minute further drive,” Pherribo said. “But I don’t care about the size — it’s mine.”

The art auction Mixed Concrete will feature art works from 29 current UNC students and 14 alumni. For one night, visitors will be able to place bids on over 100 pieces of pottery, jewelry, sculpture, photography and paintings.

This is the fourth time UNC HFH has organized the auction.

“I think it brings together community members,” said senior Julia Buchanan, one of the organizing committee members. “It allows each person to acknowledge the issue of affordable housing and engages a wider community than a lot of things we have done in the past.”

All proceeds from the auction will go toward building Pherribo’s house — a project chosen by the organization’s affiliated partner, Orange County Habitat for Humanity.

According to the event’s press release, 58 percent of families in the county are burdened by rent, and families living on modest incomes have limited housing options. Tinnin Woods, where Pherribo’s new house will be located, is the nonprofit’s new neighborhood.

Applicants must demonstrate needs to qualify for Habitat’s program.

Pherribo heard about the program from her friends two years ago. On Christmas Day, she received news of her successful application. The Habitat team has begun construction of her house with the help of volunteers, one of them including her youngest son.

“This is the first time I have a new living room and I’m excited,” she said. “My sons even bought me a new living room suite!”

Buchanan said in 2014, Mixed Concrete raised about $6,000, and hopes to raise $8,000 this year. Last year, the auction was held for three days with around 300 participants.

Junior Caroline Orr, an organizing committee member and an artist, will be contributing three abstract pieces and a drawing of Dean Smith.

“I figured it would be a nice tribute to his legacy especially in the recent weeks of his passing,” Orr said.

Many of the artists who choose to participate are donating their artwork, even though they have the option of applying for compensation.

“Mixed Concrete is the first of its kind,” Orr said. “It’s the first opportunity for art majors to do something charitable with their work as far as I know since I’ve been here.”

arts@dailytarheel.com