RELEASE DATE: March 14, 2007
CONTACT: Audrey Bailey baileya@nccommunitycolleges.edu
( 919) 807- 6963
Tenth Community College Art Exhibit to Open in the Caswell Building
RALEIGH - Martin Lancaster had a wonderful idea when he assumed leadership of the North Carolina Community College System in 1997. He wanted to give artists at the colleges a chance to display their talent and make the Caswell Building a more inviting place to work in and visit. The former chair of the North Carolina Arts Council initiated his “Presidents Art Exhibit” by inviting anyone in the community college family – students, faculty, staff, alumni – to submit work for him to consider for display.
This is the tenth year of the very successful and popular tradition. Based on the comments of Caswell Building employees as the pieces steadily arrived since late January, it is the most popular collection displayed so far.
There are 152 pieces from 50 of the 58 community colleges. The pieces include exquisite quilts, pottery, photography, paintings, drawings, furniture, baskets, and mixed media. The pieces range in size from a small wooden bowl to a stainless steel sculpture more than 11 feet tall. The sculpture, “Learn to Fly,” (right) is the creation of Brian Glaze, an instructor at Blue Ridge Community College. It resides in the foyer of the Caswell Building.
The art and the talented individuals who created it will be celebrated at a reception at the Caswell Building, on Thursday, March 15. The reception begins at 4:00 p.m. and ends at 6:00 p.m. Many of the artists whose work is displayed throughout the building will be on hand to share the stories behind their creativity and meet their fellow artists.
The
beautiful and delicate “Crab Apple Bowl” (left) created by
Scott Regenbogen, an instructor at Catawba Valley Community College
in Hickory was made from wood found near the college campus. He
also has a “Cedar Vase” made from wood gathered in Bethlehem, NC.
Richard Wilson is a talented pastel artist from
Greenville. He already has his own studio and has won numerous
awards for his creations. He is attending Pitt Community College in
Greenville to obtain a degree in Graphic Arts and Advertising.
Wilson has four exquisite pieces on display. Like most of his work,
each one features one or more of his three daughters, including
“Between Us” (below) which also has the son of a friend
portrayed.
Chancy Kapp, Assistant to the President for External Affairs, cataloged far more than a thousand submissions to enable Lancaster to choose the pieces for display. According to Kapp, “After the first thousand, I stopped counting.” Kapp and Peggy Beach, Special Events Coordinator and Writer, had the daunting task of organizing the return of the 2006 exhibit and collecting and cataloging the new pieces. Finally, Lancaster spent a weekend as curator, personally placing the 150-plus pieces.
“There is so much talent across the state and we are proud to provide this showcase,” said Lancaster. “This exhibit strongly supports the premise that our community colleges are a central point for cultural vibrancy in the communities they serve. We are thrilled to display a part of that expertise in our building.”
It’s not just Caswell Building employees and visitors who benefit from the showcase. Many pieces are purchased during the year and claimed at the end of the exhibit year. For several years, the Department of Insurance has selected pieces from the previous collection to display for a year. Last year the North Carolina Museum of Art displayed 19 photographs from previous exhibits.
The exhibition is housed on the six floors of the Caswell Building, headquarters for the System Office, located at 200 West Jones Street in downtown Raleigh. The exhibition runs from early spring through December each year. The Caswell Building is a working office building, so people who wish to see the artwork should call Chancy Kapp at 919-807-6962 or Peggy Beach at 919-807-6964 to arrange a tour. The Caswell Building is open Monday through Friday, eight a.m. to five p.m. and closed on North Carolina state holidays and weekends.
-NCCCS-
Last modified:
Wednesday, March 14, 2007 12:00:23 PM
This page maintained by
Audrey Bailey.