Artist Talk: Christopher Phillips

In partnership with Small School, an art-based, alternative education platform featuring prominent national and international visiting artists, we invite you to join us at the Chapel for a series of stimulating and thought-provoking conversations on public art and the environment at Dix Park.

Featured Artist: Christopher Phillips

Talk Title: Artful Questioning — And how it Leads to More Fruitful Answers

For more than 30 years, Christopher Phillips has traveled the world bringing people together in both physical and virtual spaces to spark deeper thinking, creative questioning, and empathetic listening. His work builds connections and bridges between individuals and communities at a time when many in power seem intent on erecting both real and symbolic walls.

In this interactive presentation, Christopher will demonstrate how artfully crafted questions, explored with care, can lead to more meaningful and even “redemptive” answers. Participants will discover new insights about themselves and others, and begin to chart a personal map for what they hope to achieve in life while also uncovering unexpected common ground with people they may least expect. It is a skill set the world urgently needs, now more than ever.

Artist Bio

Christopher Phillips is an internationally recognized advocate for civil discourse and the founder of the global Socrates Café movement, along with related initiatives like Democracy Café, Constitution Café, Philosophers’ Club, and Café for Shakespeare. For more than three decades, he has brought people together in communities around the world—both in person and online—to explore life’s most meaningful questions and discover uncommon common ground.

An acclaimed author and scholar, Phillips has written several bestselling books, most recently Soul of Goodness, which features a foreword by Dr. Cornel West, who calls him “the greatest living embodiment of the Socratic spirit.” His work invites people of all backgrounds to think deeply, listen openly, and connect in ways that bridge divides and strengthen civic life.

While free to attend, space is limited. Registration is required.

This program is free to the public thanks to Dix Park Conservancy donors.

Via Western Boulevard: Enter at Hunt Drive or S. Boylan Avenue

Via Lake Wheeler Road: Enter at Umstead Drive

Follow Signs towards The Chapel

Parking is located in the lots next to and in front of the Chapel.

Contact Dix Park Staff at 919-996-3255 or [email protected]

Dix Park continues to strive to be accessible and welcoming for visitors, including those with disabilities. Currently, portions of Dix Park, including some areas where programs and events occur, have uneven surfaces and are not fully accessible. Accessibility is a primary focus for early park improvements and all future planning and development.

Parking: ADA parking spaces for the Chapel are to the left and out front of the building. ADA parking spaces are available in all lots.

Chapel Entrance: Ramp and ADA push button activated door is located to the left of the front of the building.

Restrooms: Indoor accessible restrooms are available in the Chapel.

Programs and events: Raleigh Parks Inclusion Services works with community members to support participation. To request a program modification based on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), please complete and submit the Accommodation Request Form or contact Inclusion Services staff at 919-996-2147 or [email protected].

City of Raleigh - Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department

Release, Covenant Not To Sue, and Indemnity Agreement

I understand that participating in Dix Park Programs and Events (hereinafter “Program”) involves risk of injury. These risks include, but are not limited to, inclement weather, accidents while traveling, equipment problems or failures, contacts with and actions of other participants, spectators, or volunteers, slips/trips/falls, and musculoskeletal injuries, among others. I choose for myself, for my child, or for another participant who I am enrolling, to participate in the Program despite these and other risks.

By registering for this Program, I acknowledge all risks of injury, illness, and death, and property damage, and affirm that I have assumed all responsibility of injury, illness, death, and property damage relating in any way to the Program. I also agree for myself and for any child or other participant who I am registering herein to follow all rules and procedures that may apply to the Program and to follow the reasonable instructions of City employees and other supervisors of the Program. In return for the opportunity to participate in this Program, I agree for myself and for the child or other participant I am registering, and for our heirs, assigns, executors, and administrators to release, waive, and discharge any legal rights that any one of us may have to seek payment or relief of any kind from the City of Raleigh, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, and the State of North Carolina, their employees or their agents for injury, illness, or death relating in any way to this Program.

If I am registering a minor for the Program, I agree that I am a parent, legal guardian, or am otherwise responsible for the minor whose application I am submitting and that I release, waive, and discharge any legal rights on behalf of that minor. If I am registering an adult, I agree that I am authorized to do so and do hereby release, waive, and discharge any legal rights on behalf of that adult participant. I, along with any participant I register herein, also agree not to sue the City of Raleigh, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, or the State of North Carolina, their employees, or their agents and agree to indemnify the same for any and all claims, damages, losses or expenses, including but not limited to medical expenses and attorney’s fees, if a suit is filed concerning an injury (to person or property), illness, or death to me or to any participant I am enrolling that relates to, or results from, participation in the Program.

I have read this waiver thoroughly and understand that by registering for this program I am waiving legal rights.

Pictures or video may be taken of participants at this Program for use in Dix Park publicity. By registering for the Program, I hereby grant the City of Raleigh, Dix Park Conservancy, and program partners permission to use my likeness in a photograph, video, or other digital media (“photo”) in any and all of their publications, including web-based publications and digital platforms, without payment or other consideration. I hereby irrevocably authorize the City of Raleigh, the Dix Park Conservancy, and program partners to edit, alter, copy, exhibit, publish, or distribute these photos for any lawful purpose.

I have read this release thoroughly and understand that by registering for this program I am waiving legal rights. If I am registering a minor for the Program, I agree that I am a parent, legal guardian, or am otherwise responsible for the minor whose application I am submitting and that I affirm consent on behalf of that minor.

By Registering for this Program, I consent to receive emails from Dix Park and Dix Park Conservancy about park news, community engagement, opportunities to support the park, as well as upcoming programs and events. Participants can unsubscribe at any time.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

The Chapel at Dix Park, 1030 Richardson Drive, Raleigh, United States