A sculpture by Thomas Sayre depicting a bullet's path on Franklin Street in Chapel Hill creates controversy over what public art should be and the nature of artistic expression.
Artist Nava Lubelski, who moved from New York City to her River Arts District studio in Asheville, North Carolina, creates paper sculpture from old tax records. The pieces carry a message of environmental sustainability and reuse.
LEAF Community Arts helps manage the Easel Rider program, which consists of an art truck that services about 41,000 youth with art services and afterschool programs.
While there is extensive intensive interest in the arts in Charlotte, the many fundraising efforts are often in competition for limited funds. Working at cross purposes, different organizations undermine each other. What is really needed is a good, financially stable foundation that the arts can rely on.
Fred Spielman, professor of anesthesiology at UNC Hospitals, has studied the progress of pain control in medicine and its depiction in art. Throughout history, art was used to document medical procedures and to convey how society viewed anesthetics. For Spielman, art has helped him become more emotional and compassionate with his patients.
Durham Artists Movement (DAM) is a collective of people of color and LGBTQ people seeking safe space to create and share art. After the Carrack Modern Art closed, DAM has been using the loft as their gallery. This Friday, DAM will have an art show to gauge public support for the gallery and form community relations.
A new art installation by Jaume Plensa is under construction for the DPAC Plaza. The installation will shoot light into the sky and display lines from William Shakespeare’s play Macbeth. Some area residents question whether this really represents Durham or whether the art installation is about trying to compete with Raleigh who rejected an installation by the same artist. Others point out that the work is not as unique as it could be.
Charlotte Magazine published an arts issue during a challenging in Charlotte’s art history. The arts are more important than ever, as artists work to keep pace with city development and preserve its artistic culture.
In towns across North Carolina, the arts are becoming big business in communities with well-developed cultural programs. The arts have the potential to improve the local economy through urban revitalization projects.
The importance of the arts is a topic of debate in North Carolina. While there are many valuable public utilities, art is also a good investment for a healthy and prosperous state. The North Carolina Arts Council is increasing their efforts to get the arts supported by state government, business and industry.
John Ehle is identified with the start of the North Carolina School of Arts, and recently published his latest novel, Last One Home. Ehle discusses the future of North Carolina’s arts and its role in society.
Controversies over public art are political and involve questions about what is considered art. Debates have been raised over public sculptures in Raleigh and sign ordinances in Asheville.
The Art-in-State Buildings Program, managed by the Visual Arts Section of the North Carolina Arts Council, is a process of utilizing an appropriation from the General Assembly to place art in or around government buildings. The process of selection and placement of art in public spaces is discussed.
North Carolina artists give their perspectives on the challenges presented when working in a public context. Among these challenges are the specific sites of public art, scale, concessions to utility and public taste, and developing public awareness.