Tag Archives: Parr Center

Mural of History event Sept. 21

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Colorful wall mural of faces and icons of Central Piedmont

A portion of the Parr Center mural

Central Piedmont is marking it’s 60th anniversary on Sept. 18. As part of that celebration, you’re invited to a panel discussion of the Central Piedmont Mural of History.

Using the mural in the Parr Center as a focus, this discussion will spotlight:
  • the art and artists behind the work
  • the collaboration between the artists and the Central Piedmont archives
  • the use of art to convey historical content
  • the history of Central Piedmont within the larger world
The panel will include archivist Erin Allsop, gallery coordinator Amelia Zytka, art instructor Mary Kilburn, and three members of our history department (instructors Nerlynn Etienne and Noah Goode, and professor Hugh Dussek).

Meet the Parr Center muralists

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Colorful wall mural of faces and icons of Central Piedmont

A portion of the Parr Center mural

Central Piedmont recently unveiled “Conquer Possibility,” a large-scale mural in the Parr Center. The mural honors the past history of the college, documents the present, and reflects the aspirations of Central Piedmont students for the future. Meet the artists who created this piece and stop by the Parr Center for the full interactive mural experience.

Woman leaning against a wall

Rosalia Weiner

Meet Rosalia Weiner:

When did you realize that you wanted to tap into your passion and talent of being an artist?
I have wanted to be an artist since I was a small child, my earlies memory is when I was 5. Unfortunately, my parents discouraged me from a career in the arts and guided me towards other studies. A large factor in me immigrating to the US was the pursuit of my dreams including becoming an artist. Thank you America!!!

Who/what has been your biggest artistic influence?
“Los Tres Grandes” The leaders of the muralist movement in Mexico! David Alfaro Siqueiros, Jose Clemente Orozco and Diego Rivera, and of course – Frida Kahlo and my native town “Xochimilco” where we grow flowers!

What inspired you to participate in this project?
The rich history of Central Piedmont Community College and the amazing work they do to prepare the next workforce and help others achieve their dreams (like me a former CPCC student).

What is your favorite part of the mural?
The students portraits we selected from the FB Student Stories and the inspiring stories behind them.

Meet Felicia Sutton:

Woman smiling, standing with her arms crossed

Felicia Sutton

What are your personal favorite colors to work with?
My color palette changes, but recently I have been using a lot of gold and pastels in my work.

What inspired you to participate in this project?
As a first generation college student who attended Central Piedmont who went on to teach art classes myself, I really felt I could relate to the students, faculty, and staff. I wanted to create something beautiful to represent them.

What is your favorite part of the mural?
Choosing a favorite part is so hard, but I am really excited about the element of augmented reality we have incorporated into our design. I love the fusion of technology and art.

Fun fact about yourself/ other passions/hobbies?
I love to travel, and have been to many different countries all over the world. This is another big inspiration for my work.

 

Dove Art Gallery presents ‘Collective Agency’ exhibit

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Abstract black and white drawing covering an entire wall and yellow abstract 3-D sculpture on the floorThe Central Piedmont Dove Gallery is pleased to present “Collective Agency,” an exhibition by artists Kristy Hughes and Alexandra Giannell that explores the concept of phenomenology, a truly immersive experience into the body, mind, and self. The work of art features abstract shapes and forms that allow the viewer to curate their own personalized experience via the artwork. Artists Hughes and Giannell combine artistic geniuses to utilize both large-scale 2D drawings, as well as 3D sculptures.

The differing use of medium between Hughes and Giannell highlights the phenomenological goal intertwining the two artists and their works in complementary ways. Giannell’s drawings mean to invoke a sense of both bodily presence and absence, hinting at the notion of infinity and life beyond the present moment. In contrast, Hughes’ 3D sculptures empower the self with color and form to interpret their own meaning of the artwork. The minimalist designs on Hughes’ sculptures easily draw the eye in and around the sculpture, further allowing for the 360-degree viewing.

Hughes and Giannell consider collective, imagined futures through works that investigate the bodily presence and the empowered voice. Giannell’s immersive drawings and paintings utilize the index of the body, interrogating the institutionalized systems by which they are contained, referencing the historical and the immediate. In contrast, Hughes’ sculptures embody the freed voice, boldly celebrating agency and empowerment, representing an optimistic present and imagined future. “Collective Agency” is an invitation to imagine inclusive spaces where all voices and bodies are valued and not suppressed. Environmental, architectural, and societal constrictions can prevent community-building and connection.

WHEN:  September 12 – October 28, Monday – Thursday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. or by appointment

WHERE: Central Piedmont Central Campus, Parr Center, Dove Art Gallery, First Floor

ARTIST LECTURE: Virtual, October 4, at 12 p.m.
Link to Virtual Artist Lecture

Parr Center dedicated at Central Campus

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Image of the new Parr Center on dedication day.

Dedication ceremony for the new Parr Center.

Dedication ceremony for your new Student Union and Library

Although the doors to the Parr Center — home of your first-ever Student Union, Hagemeyer Library, dining services, and much more — opened in July, the college threw a big party in its honor this week. View the recording of the event livestream.

Photo of Dr. Deitemeyer and Wilton Parr.

Central Piedmont President Dr. Kandi Deitemeyer and Wilton Parr.

 

The building is named for two incredibly generous college donors, Wilton L. and Mary W. Parr. The college celebrated the Parr family and also thanked the many Central Piedmont employees and students who partnered with architects and builders to create this one-of-a-kind facility that’s designed just for you, our students.     

Local elected leaders such as Mecklenburg County Commission Chairman George Dunlap and Mayor Vi Lyles spoke at the dedication event to show their excitement and support for what the new Parr Center means for our students, and for this entire community.

Parr Center website from Central Piedmont with large photo of the glass building at Central Campus

Introducing the New Parr Center Web Page!

Want to know more about the Parr Center? Take a moment to visit its new home online to get the scoop.

You can find an overview of the facility as well as details about what’s on every floor. You can also review our online Parr Center guide.  We hope you will come visit, hang out for awhile, find your study spot in the library and grab a bite to eat!

Pauline Dove’s art on display in gallery named after her

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Painting of two people holding onto rafts with waves crashing over them

Central Piedmont Community College’s new Pauline Dove Art Gallery, located inside the college’s new Parr Center, is now open to the public. The Dove Gallery is hosting an exhibit from its namesake that includes an eclectic array of artwork featuring energetic swirling colors, and highly creative compositions.

The selection of works presents the full spectrum of Dove’s skills, ranging from painting, silver point, prints, ceramics, and books. Dove’s new exhibition honors her late sister, Selma, and celebrates life, love, sisterhood, and the joys of making art.

As a former chair of the Visual Arts Program and studio art instructor at Central  Piedmont, Dove’s career at the college spanned three decades. During her tenure she taught a variety of visual arts classes.  As a result, her legacy thrives in the college’s halls to this day. After her retirement from the College in 2001, Dove worked as a freelance artist, while also participating in Continuing Education courses in visual arts at Central Piedmont.

Dove’s multi-medium approach to art making includes both 2D and 3D objects, as well as handcrafted books. As an artist she has traveled worldwide, exhibiting her artwork extensively in Europe, Asia, Africa and North America. Dove’s work is widely collected and exists in special collections nationally and internationally including a US Embassy in Morocco as well as the US Consulate in Madrid. Central Piedmont Community College is honored to welcome Pauline Dove as a beloved returning artist and Central Piedmont legacy to inaugurate the new Pauline Dove Art Gallery.

Exhibition dates: July 5 – September 8, 2022
Summer Hours: Monday- Thursday from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Location: Central Campus, Parr Center, ground floor room 0110, Pauline Dove Art Gallery (across from the theater)

New Student Affairs Office Locations in Parr Center

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Parr Center Exterior

Effective July 5, 2022, several Student Affairs offices will transition from their current location on Central Campus to the new Parr Center, destined to become the new front door to Central Campus and its signature building.

Going forward, students requiring enrollment-related or career services assistance can check in at the Welcome Center, located on the building’s Ground Level, to connect with a navigator, advisor, recruiter, or financial aid representative. The college’s other student support resources, including mentoring, student engagement, international programs, and more, will be accessible on Level 1.

See the following chart for new locations:

Department

New Parr Center Department Location

Testing Center

Level 2, Suite 2000

Financial Aid

Ground Floor, Suite 0050

International Programs

Level 1, Suite 1070

Student Engagement

Level 1, Suite 1080

Admissions

Ground Floor, Suite 0050

Mentoring

Level 1, Suite 1060

Advising

Ground Floor, Suite 0050

Student Success Navigators

Ground Floor, Suite 0050

Please note:

  • Suites located on the Ground Floor (off of Pease Lane and Elizabeth Ave.) start with “0.”

  • Suites located on Level 1 (off of the Quad and Central High bridge connector) start with “1.”

  • Suites located on Level 2, start with “2.”

  • Suites located on Level 3, start with “3.”

See the Central Campus map for the Parr Center’s location. Should you have questions or if you are not able to find the department you are looking for, please email navigate@cpcc.edu or call 704.330.2722. Thank you!

Central Campus Library Closing June 24, Re-opening in the Parr Center on July 5

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The Central Campus Library will be closing to the public on Friday, June 24, 2022, at 5 p.m.   The new Hagemeyer Library in the Parr Center will open to the public on Tuesday, July 5, 2022, at 7:30 a.m.

If you need library services during the week of June 27, please chat with the Library Services staff online or visit any of the campus libraries for assistance.

Library hours

Library website

Central Piedmont Selects Local Artists to Design Mural for New Student Union

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Rosalia Torres-Weiner and Felicia Sky SuttonCentral Piedmont Community College has selected two local artists, Rosalia Torres-Weiner and Felicia Sky Sutton, to create a large-scale mural honoring the past history of the college, documenting the present, and reflecting the aspirations of Central Piedmont students for the future.

Torres-Weiner and Sutton, former Central Piedmont students, were chosen from a highly skilled pool of applicants to work collaboratively with students, faculty, and staff to create an interactive mural. The art work will be located in the dining area of the college’s new student union, a part of Central Piedmont’s new Parr Center complex, located on the Central Campus. The Parr Center will serve as the student services hub and include a new campus library, a 430-seat theater, a rooftop terrace, a 1,100- square-foot art gallery, and a maker’s space for students to explore careers and creativity. The Parr Center will open to students and the public later this year.

Read the full article to learn more about these local artists.