Tag Archives: art

Upcoming Arts Events in October, November 🖼️🎨

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Dove Art Gallery

Get Your Art On!

  • Tuesday, Oct. 22 and Wednesday, Nov. 13, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
  • Cato Campus, Annable, Gorelick Gallery

The Central Piedmont Gorelick Galleries at Cato are thrilled to invite students to transform our display cases into vibrant works of art that reflect their degree or certificate programs.

Basket Weaving Demonstration

  • Friday, Oct. 25, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
  • Central Campus, Parr Center, Dove Gallery

Join us for a basket weaving demonstration hosted by Catawba artist Aaron Baumgardner.

Catawba Cultural Center Art Exhibition | Opening Reception

  • Friday, Oct. 25, 6-8 p.m.
  • Central Campus, Parr Center, Dove Gallery

Join us for an opening reception featuring artists from the Catawba nation.

🎃 Pumpkin Painting at Levine Campus! 🎨

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Student paints a pumpkinGet ready to unleash your creativity at our Pumpkin Painting event in the Cyber Café Atrium at Levine Campus! Whether you’re a seasoned artist or just want to have some fun, this event is for everyone.

🗓️ When: Mon., Oct. 7 from 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
📍 Where: Levine Campus, Cyber Café Atrium

What to expect:

  • All supplies provided – just bring your imagination! 🎨
  • A fun and festive atmosphere to hang out with friends or meet new people.
  • Paint and decorate your very own pumpkin to take home or display on campus.

🍂 Get into the fall spirit and create something awesome! We can’t wait to see what you come up with!

Discover Central Piedmont’s Past with “Timeless Tiles” 📸🖼️

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A painted tile sits against a dark blue back dropArt Gallery Ambassador Alex Sedano has brought history back to life with his digital humanities project, Timeless Tiles. This project showcases the “Walking Tour” photography by John Hilarides, whose ceramic tile installation was once displayed outside the LRC building. Removed in 2018, these photographs now return in digital form.

  • About the Project: Explore decades of Central Piedmont’s history through restored tiles and archival materials.
  • Photographic Journey: Hilarides transferred 60 photos to ceramic tiles, capturing key moments of the college’s past.
  • Timeless Memories: Dive into a nostalgic look at the growth and transformation of Central Piedmont.

👉 Check out Timeless Tiles and relive a piece of Central Piedmont’s history!

Calling All Artists: Showcase Your Creativity at Central Piedmont! 🎨

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Two pieces of abstract art, side by sideAre you ready to let your artistic talent shine? ✨ The Gorelick Galleries at our Levine, Cato, and Harper campuses want YOU to transform their display cases into stunning works of art! 🖼️ Whether you’re working toward a degree or certificate, now’s your chance to collaborate, innovate, and showcase the exciting elements of your program through art.

🌟 Why participate?

  • Spotlight your creative side 🎨
  • Collaborate with fellow students 🤝
  • Bring your program’s vision to life 🌱

Don’t miss this amazing opportunity to get your creative juices flowing!

👉 How to get involved:
Contact Amelia Zytka at Amelia.Zytka@cpcc.edu or Jessica Fletcher at Jessica.Fletcher@cpcc.edu.

🎉 New Art Exhibits at Central Piedmont’s Gorelick Galleries!

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Two pieces of abstract artwork, side by sideThis semester, Central Piedmont’s Gorelick Galleries are brimming with fresh, inspiring art across multiple campuses! 🌟 Check out these incredible exhibitions and immerse yourself in creativity. 🎨

🖼️ Exhibit Highlights:

  • Levine Campus, Levine II, Ground Floor:
    • 🌟 Fragments by Tina Alberni
      Discover captivating pieces that explore the beauty in fragments and pieces.
  • Cato Campus, Annable Building, 1st Floor:
    • 🌍 Intangible Worlds by Marge Moody
      Step into surreal landscapes and abstract visions.
      (Select pieces also on display in the North Classroom Gorelick Gallery)
  • Central Campus, North Classroom, 1st Floor:
    • 📸 Archival Photos Reimagined
      Witness a creative reimagining of archival photos by Central Piedmont students, alumni, and staff.

Get inspired and enjoy these remarkable works this fall! 🍂✨

🎨✨ Discover Catawba Art at Central Piedmont’s Pauline Dove Art Gallery!

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Catawba Nation artwork on displayCentral Piedmont’s Pauline Dove Art Gallery is thrilled to present an exhibition that blends time-honored traditions with contemporary artistic techniques by Catawba artists. 🌟 This special showcase highlights the cultural treasures preserved by the Catawba Cultural Center in Rock Hill, S.C. 🏞️

🗓️ Exhibition Highlights:

  • 🎨 Featured Artists: Talented creators from the Catawba Cultural Center
  • 🖌️ Artistic Mediums:
    • 🏺 Pottery
    • 🖼️ Painting
    • ✏️ Drawing
    • 📸 Photography
    • 💍 Jewelry
    • 🎨 Other creative techniques

📍 Location: Central Campus, Parr Center, Pauline Dove Art Gallery

This is your chance to immerse yourself in the artistry of the Catawba Nation! 🌍 Don’t miss out on this vibrant cultural experience! 🎉

CATS Launches Transit Pass Design Contest 🎨

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The Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) is thrilled to announce the kickoff of its annual Transit Pass Design Contest, inviting talented residents from North and South Carolina to unleash their creativity! This year’s theme: Safe Travels! 🚌

📅 Important Dates and Deadlines:

  • Entries are due to CATS by Wed., May 22, at 5 p.m.
  • Winners will be notified by June 15.

🏆 Prizes Await:

  • Three lucky winners will see their artwork featured on the Local, Express, and Express Plus passes for the entire 2025 calendar year.
  • Winners will also snag a monthly transit pass of their choice!
  • Prizes include:
    • First Place: $500
    • Second Place: $250
    • Third Place: $100Artwork on a CATS bus stop

🔍 Judging Criteria: Entries will be scrutinized by a panel composed of transit staff members, city officials, and esteemed local art professionals. They’ll be evaluating submissions based on the following:

  • Does the design effectively convey the theme and promote multi-modal transportation in Charlotte?
  • Is the design visually appealing and well-composed?
  • Does the design refrain from incorporating text?

🔗 How to Enter:

  • Intrigued? Eager participants can learn more about the contest, download an application, and peruse technical guidelines and rules at CATS official website.

📧 Need Assistance? The City of Charlotte ensures equal opportunity and accessibility for all. If you require reasonable accommodation or translation services (free of charge), feel free to reach out via email at telltransit@charlottenc.gov or call 704-336-7433.

Get those creative juices flowing, and let’s make transit in Charlotte even more vibrant and inviting! 🎉

🎨 The 2024 Annual Juried Student Art Show 🖌️

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The Visual Arts Department proudly unveiled the much-anticipated 2024 Annual Juried Student Art Show. This event celebrates our students’ creativity and hard work, highlighting achievements in a broad spectrum of artistic disciplines. Here’s everything you need to know:

art exhibit

  • Exhibition Dates: April 1 – May 10
  • Awards Ceremony and Reception: Fri., Apr. 12, 5 – 7 p.m.
  • Location: Central Campus, Parr Center Theater, Ground Floor 0110, 1201 Elizabeth Ave, Charlotte, NC 28204

🌟 Highlights of the Event:

  • Diverse Artistic Disciplines: Featuring student works in ceramics, 2D and 3D design, drawing, jewelry, painting, photography, printmaking, and sculpture.
  • Awards and Recognition: Students will receive various awards, including the prestigious Presidential Purchase Award, Foundation Purchase Award, and first, second, and third-place awards, among others.
  • Special Juror: This year’s show is juried by Marge Loudon Moody, Professor Emerita of Winthrop University, a celebrated artist with works in private and public collections globally.

Why You Should Attend:

  • Celebrate Student Achievement: Witness the incredible talent of Central Piedmont’s Visual Arts students and celebrate their dedication and hard work.
  • Be Inspired: The show is a testament to the creativity and innovation thriving within the college’s Visual Arts Department.
  • Connect with the Arts Community: Engage with artists, students, and art lovers from Central Piedmont and beyond.

The Annual Juried Student Art Show is not just an exhibition; it’s a celebration of artistic pursuit, creativity, and the vibrant community at Central Piedmont.

🎨 Flash Art Exhibition: A Melodic Inspiration

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Art HubGet ready, Central Piedmont creative minds! The Art Hub in the Overcash Building is hosting a Flash Art Exhibition, where music meets the canvas. This unique event invites both artists and art enthusiasts to explore the intersection of visual art and music. 

Event Essentials:

  • Date: Fri., March 1, 2024
  • Time: 12 – 2 p.m.
  • Location: Central Campus, Overcash Building, Art Hub

Why Participate?

  • Creative Showcase: Display your artwork inspired by song lyrics, albums, or music in general.
  • All Mediums Welcome: Whether it’s painting, sculpture, digital art, or photography, your medium of choice is celebrated here.
  • Safe and Respectful Environment: Enjoy a space where artistic expression is valued and respected.

Participant Guidelines:

  • Theme: “Inspired by song lyrics/albums/music” – let the music guide your artistic expression.
  • Submission: Artists must submit their artist statements and drop off their physical work at the Art Hub before 10 a.m. on the event day.
  • Feedback Opportunity: Artists agree to have their work displayed in the Ross Gallery and be open to constructive feedback from peers.
  • Register now

Make Your Mark: This Flash Art Exhibition is not just an event; it’s a celebration of diversity, creativity, and the powerful connection between music and art. Whether you’re an artist looking to showcase your work or an observer keen to explore new artistic perspectives, this exhibition is for you.

Join us at Central Piedmont for an afternoon of artistic exploration and inspiration. Don’t miss this chance to connect with fellow artists and share your passion for art and music.

🎨 Call for Artists: Transform a CATS Bus into a Masterpiece

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CATS busCentral Piedmont Community College students, your artistic talent has the spotlight! The Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) is rolling out an exciting opportunity for local artists and designers to champion diversity and cultural inclusion. Here’s your chance to transform a CATS bus into a moving canvas that celebrates Charlotte’s vibrant community.

Why You Should Apply:

  • Showcase Diversity: Illustrate the rich cultural tapestry of Charlotte.
  • Be Seen: Your design will travel the city, reaching a wide audience.
  • Earn and Learn: A $4,000 stipend is up for grabs for your hard work and creativity.
  • Build Your Portfolio: A unique addition that will stand out in any artist’s collection.

Eligibility:

  • Open to artists and designers from the CATS service area and those with ties to Charlotte’s indigenous cultures.
  • We’re casting a wide net: whether you’re an emerging talent or have been historically underrepresented in the arts, this call is for you.

Project Highlights:

  • Art Budget: $4,000, covering all aspects of the project.
  • Canvas: The two long sides and back of a CATS bus.
  • Visibility: The wrapped bus will be a part of CATS’s fleet for about a year.

Key Dates:

  • Application Period: Feb. 16 – Mar. 17, 2024
  • Artist Selection: Mar. 18 – Apr. 5, 2024
  • Design Phases: From conceptualization in April to final file delivery by May 31, 2024
  • Showcase: The bus hits the streets in June 2024.

Selection Process:

  • A diverse panel will review submissions, focusing on aesthetic ability, cultural reflection in art, and project management skills.

Scope and Schedule:

  • Selected artists will develop a conceptual proposal, receive feedback, and refine their designs into final digital files for the bus wrap.

How to Jump In:

  • Head to the application link by Mar. 17, 2024, 11:59 p.m. EDT. Remember, this is about showcasing qualifications, not submitting design proposals.

Make Your Mark on Charlotte:

This project isn’t just about art; it’s a celebration of our city’s diversity and an invitation for all to contribute to its narrative. Whether you’re driven by the cause, the creativity, or the compensation, we want to see your vision for a more inclusive Charlotte.

Questions? Reach out to Chris Lange, Art in Transit Program Administrator, at clange@charlottenc.gov for more info.

Your Creativity. Our Community. A Canvas in Motion.

 

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

“Embracing Imperfection” exhibit on mental health stigma opens Aug. 15

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2-D fiber artwork of vertical stripes, darker on the edges transitioning to blues and pale yellows in the middle“Embracing Imperfection,” an exhibition by Christine Hager-Braun, seeks to obliterate the stigma long associated with mental health. Hager-Braun’s work reflects her own struggle with depression. The colors and composition in her work, while abstract, foster an emotional connection revolving around personal growth, resilience, and acceptance.

Originally from Germany, Hager-Braun’s gained an interest in quilting after her move to the United States, learning, as she says, to paint with needle and thread. As a fiber artist, Hager Braun creates colorful, quilted compositions in order to express emotions without the use of words. This approach parallels to the indescribable feelings and emotions surrounding mental health.

The topic of mental health is especially relevant for students as the daily struggles with peer pressure and balancing an often demanding class schedule with their personal  lives. “Every new art quilt I create is influenced by my belief in the power of a positive mindset. Each piece reflects a triumph over our trials, a reminder of our daily successes, and the promise to ourselves that we will never give up,” says Hager-Braun. Through the medium of fiber artworks and sharing her own story, Hager-Braun hopes to inspire others to, “persevere, heal and thrive.”

WHEN:  August 15 – October 6, Monday – Thursday, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., or by appointment

WHERE: Central Piedmont Central Campus, Overcash Center first floor, Overcash Art Gallery

ARTIST LECTURE: Artist Lecture and reception is Sept. 14, at noon at Central Campus, North Classroom Building Auditorium, Room 1123

CONTACT: For more information, please contact Amelia Zytka at amelia.zytka@cpcc.edu. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook at Central Piedmont Arts and the art gallery blog.

Interactive art exhibit “Reclaimed Memories” invites you to create stories, art

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Black and white hand drawn artwork of a woman in an old fashioned carA new interactive exhibit will open in the Ross Gallery at Central Campus on Aug. 15.

A stray photograph in a thrift store or flea market depicts an unknown person from the past. Their dress, their hair, and the discoloration of the photograph indicates a person from the past. Questions such as, “Who were they?,” and “What is their story?,” come to mind the longer we take in the image. While for many of us it may be easy to set the photograph down and continue on with our own lives, artist Eva Crawford reclaims these images from the 1940s and 1950s, giving them new life by recreating them as life-size drawings.

Following the passing of her father in January of 2021, Crawford sought to create a body of work focused on the preservation of memory. Crawford reclaims lost memories through the use of portraiture, transforming antique film photographs into large-scale drawings and paintings that invite the viewer to create their own stories and memories about the individuals in the artwork.

“Reclaimed Memories” also includes an interactive station with antique photographs. This station encourages gallery visitors to create their own memories, stories, and artwork about the people in the photographs. The stories will be collected and displayed as part of the exhibition.

WHEN: August 15 – October 6, Monday – Thursday, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. or by appointment

WHERE: Central Piedmont Central Campus, Overcash Center first floor, Ross Art Gallery

ARTIST LECTURE: Artist Lecture and reception is September 29, at noon,  at Central Campus in the North Classroom Building Auditorium, Room 1123.

CONTACT: For more information, please contact Amelia Zytka at amelia.zytka@cpcc.edu. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook at Central Piedmont Arts and our Art Gallery blog.

 

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)

Harris Campus Helps Bring Art to the People

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photo of two canvases with colorful artworkCentral Piedmont is excited to partner with SouthEnd ARTS to bring “OUTER LIMITS,” a 58-piece art exhibition to its Harris I Second Floor Atrium, located on the college’s Harris Campus, now through August 20, 2022.

The six-month art exhibition, curated by Zaire McPhearson and the largest in SouthEnd ARTS’ history, features the work of more than 30 local artists, including Susan Ballard, Pascale Doxy, Molly English, Daysha Lancaster, Stephanie McCall, and more.

McPhearson is a contemporary artist and Brock Family Instructor at Duke University. Her work incorporates photography, graphic design, painting, sound design, sculpture, as well as other mediums, and reflects the complex issues that shape our diverse, global, and ever-changing world. It is through this lens that McPhearson helped select the artists for the “OUTER LIMITS” exhibition and which works from their portfolios to display.

“This exhibition allows us to educate residents outside of a traditional classroom setting, in new and exciting ways,” explains Moses Fox III, director of campus affairs for Central Piedmont’s Harris Campus. “Artwork engages individuals on a variety of levels – both artistically, emotionally, and spiritually – and we’re proud to bring art to the people, serving the local community as both an educational and arts resource.”

Central Piedmont plans to host a handful of events throughout the six-month exhibition to celebrate the artists’ work. It will hold a private, Jurored Awards Ceremony on March 18 to celebrate the artists’ many accomplishments, and plans to highlight the exhibit more publicly on April 14, from 4 – 7 p.m., during its week-long Sensoria celebration, which is open – and free – to all.

Individuals unable to attend the April 14 event, are invited to visit Harris I, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m., to view the exhibition in person. For directions, visit cpcc.edu/locations/harris-campus.

Central Piedmont Ross Art Gallery presents ‘Floating Blue’ by Thomas Pickarski, an exhibition beginning Jan. 11, 2022

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‘Floating Blue’ by Thomas Pickarski Multi-media visual and performance artist Thomas Pickarski will bring his exhibition to the Central Piedmont Community College Overcash Art Gallery, located on the college’s Central Campus, to take visitors on his journey through the fragile arctic landscape with a series of photographs depicting the eternal beauty of icebergs. Intrigued by the happenstance of abstracted forms in nature, Thomas Pickarski found himself drawn to the sculptural magnificence of icebergs and the otherworldliness of the landscape in which they exist.

Pickarski waited till late in August before making his journey through the arctic ice to better capture the quality of soft light that occurs in the last hours of twilight, known as The Blue Hour. In The Blue Hour, he is able to photograph deep shades of blue that portray the ethereal beauty of icebergs. Students and visitors to the gallery can experience the splendor of these natural sculptures through Pickarski’s expert photography.

  • WHEN:  Jan. 11 – March 10, 2022, Monday – Thursday, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., or by appointment 
  • WHERE: Central Piedmont Central Campus, Overcash Center, Ross Art Gallery, first floor, 1206 Elizabeth Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204
  • ARTIST LECTURE: Virtual lecture on Feb. 2, 2022, at 2 p.m.
  • For more information, please contact Amelia Zytka at amelia.zytka@cpcc.edu. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook at Central Piedmont Arts and our blog at http://blogs.cpcc.edu/cpccartgalleries/

Check out The Bill and Patty Gorelick Gallery Programs

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Have you had a chance to visit any of the art galleries at Central Piedmont? Well, you should. The Gorelick Family has generously contributed to the exhibition of visual arts at Central Piedmont for the benefit of students and there is a gallery located on each of the college’s six campuses. There is a wide variety of art being showcased, and here are some of our favorites:

picture of an oil fire by artist Malu Tan

Malu Tan, We Didn’t Start the Fire, Oil on Canvas

Artist Malu Tan uses rich colors and careful technique to convey strong messages with simple scenes. Her inspiring work is on display at the Levine Campus.

picture of an orange glass structure

Elijah Kell, Ice Fields, Kiln-Formed Glass

Another interesting artist is Elijah Kell, a high school junior who specializes in glasswork. Elijah has his own public gallery and studio at only 17 years old?! Imagery plays a key role in his work, and the pieces he creates are truly breathtaking.

Check out the other artists on display; follow us on instagram @cpccarts, and share your experiences with us!

The Art Galleries at Central Piedmont Presents “From the Vault! Adopt a Ceramic Show”

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Art Exhibition

The Art Galleries at Central Piedmont are proud to bring to you a unique exhibition of 3D works of art titled, “From the Vault! Adopt a Ceramic Show.” This is a collection of works not seen by the public eye for years.

The Art Galleries boasts a diverse selection of ceramic artworks in need of a new home. Many of these pieces on exhibition were removed from the college’s old library prior to its demolition on Central Campus. No longer will these ceramics stay in boxes collecting dust in storage. Instead, they will soon be unboxed for the viewing pleasure of all our gallery visitors during this special exhibition.

“From the Vault! Adopt a Ceramic Show” is no ordinary art exhibition. It comes with a special twist that the Central Piedmont Art Galleries hopes everyone will find enticing. The goal is to find a new home for each ceramic in the show in a Central Piedmont staff member’s office, rather than return the piece to storage Central Piedmont staff will be invited to “adopt” one of the ceramics for their current office area throughout the exhibition. Since the college already owns all of the ceramics in the show there is no paperwork or payment required for the ceramics, making the adoption process undeniably smooth.

Central Piedmont’s permanent art collection contains more than 700 unique works of art with the vast majority created by the college’s visual arts students. Pieces in the collection range from the college’s infancy in the 1960s, to the present day. The ceramics in “From the Vault! Adopt a Ceramic Show” represent a small portion of the collection.

When: June 7 – August 5 Monday – Wednesday 10a.m. – 2 p.m., or by appointment.

Where: Central Piedmont Central Campus, Overcash Art Gallery, Overcash Center

Central Piedmont Presents “Violins of Hope” in Partnership with UNCC

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In partnership with the UNCC College of Arts + Architecture, we present this musical commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the end of the Holocaust, featuring Leonard Bernstein’s “Chichester Psalms” and the east coast premiere of “Intonations: Songs from the Violins of Hope.” Composed by internationally regarded composer Jake Heggie and librettist Gene Scheer “Intonations: Songs from the Violins of Hope” was commissioned to mark the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, receiving its world premiere in the San Francisco Bay Area on January of 2020.

“Intonations” is a song cycle scored for mezzo-soprano, violin soloist, and string quartet, with a concluding solo by a child violinist. The poetic text is inspired by the stories from the book “Violins of Hope: Instruments of Hope and Liberation in Mankind’s Darkest Hour,” written by UNC Charlotte musicologist James Grymes. Published by Harper Collins in 2014, “Violins of Hope” won a National Jewish Book Award. It tells the histories of violins recovered from the Holocaust by Iraeli violinmaker Amnon Weinstein. UNC Charlotte presented the North American premiere of those violins in exhibition and performance in April 2012. Since then more than a dozen U.S. cities have hosted the “Violins of Hope.”

“Intonations: Songs from the Violins of Hope” will feature mezzo-soprano Audrey Babcock, assistant professor of voice at UNC Charlotte, and solo violinist Mikylah Myers from West Virginia University, performing with the Beo String Quartet of Pittsburgh. Charlotte Symphony Youth Orchestra violinist David Karpov joins the ensemble for the conclusion.

Following the performance of Intonations, the University Chorale and the Central Piedmont Chorus will perform Bernstein’s beautiful “Chichester Psalms,” a setting in three movements of six Psalms, sung in Hebrew. Conducted by Alan Yamamoto, division director of visual and performing arts at Central Piedmont, Chichester Psalms will feature harpist Christine Leimer, a professor at Central Piedmont.

Performances are April 4 at 7:30 p.m., and April 5 at 2:30 p.m. in Halton Theater. For tickets, visit tix.cpcc.edu or call the SunTrust box office at ext. 6534. Central Piedmont students with a valid Central Piedmont ID will get FREE admission.