CALL FOR ARTISTS: 🥳LET'S CELEBRATE!

--> Deadline Jan. 7th, 2024! <-- See Submission Instructions below--

BLACK HISTORY AND WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH EXHIBITS IN 2024

ClearWater Arts Center & Studios is excited to announce a Call for Artists and a new collaboration with local arts consultancy, St Lawrence-Martin . Jemma L. St. Lawrence-Martin will serve as Guest Curator for production of the 2024 Black History Month and Women’s History Month exhibits under the theme, ‘Let’s Celebrate!’.

Both exhibits will be featured from February 1st through March 18, 2024, in the ClearWater Arts Main Gallery, at 223 Crowell Drive NW in Concord, NC.

Black and Afro-Latino artists, and Women artists living in North Carolina and regionally are called & are invited to submit artworks for consideration; Submission instructions and Criteria are spelled out within the Call for Submissions, found at the St Lawrence-Martin website. Information is available on both websites: www.clearwaterartists.com, under Events, and www.stlawrencemartin.org under Announcements. Submission Deadline: Jan. 7, 2024.

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Call for Submissions information & Instructions are available at www.stlawrencemartin.org under Announcements.

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We are looking forward to an outstanding exhibition in the ClearWater Gallery!

...Stay Tuned for related Event announcements about Receptions and Artist Talk events, open to the public. This project is meant to engage the community and is in continuum with the work that we do to support artists.

For more information, email admin@stlawrencemartin.org

Now Extended to March 30th , 2024! Announcing the ClearWater 2024 TENANT ARTIST EXHIBITION!

ClearWater Arts Center & Studios invites you to come view & enjoy the latest beautiful artworks by ClearWater Studio Artists! This Exhibition features paintings & Glass works by several of ClearWater’s Individual tenants; and will be on view from Saturday, December 2, 2023 NOW THROUGH through Saturday, March 30, 2024. Artist Reception is Thursday, March 7, 2024 6-9pm! Reception on Facebook Events: https://www.facebook.com/events/666193762228276

See more pics and reels in posts on our Social Media (Facebook/ Instagram) Featuring works by: Walter Stanford; Julia Lawing; Jackie Ramdin; Louise Farley; Bill Grady; Micah Cash; Janet Borchardt; Mary Jane Capron; and Paul Keysar.

Annual Fall Judged Art Show, 2023

The Cabarrus Art Guild celebrated local artists at our

Annual Fall Judged Art Show, 2023 Reception

 A fabulous afternoon was had by our record-breaking crowd of pattendees, taking in all the art created by our local artists. Entries were from Members and non-Members alike from Cabarrus and surrounding counties. What a terrific celebration!

The Cabarrus Art Guild is privileged to continue to extend awards in two categories, 2D and 3D. These awards are partially supported by a grant from the Grassroots Art Program of the North Carolina Arts Council, a state agency, and the Cabarrus Arts Council.

 The show is now on view at ClearWater Arts Center and Studios in their Main Gallery Thursday November 30, 2023 (223 Crowell Dr NW, Concord, NC; enter via the Crowell Dr. main doors).

 Stop in to see these amazing pieces during their drop-in hours, Wednesday-Friday, 12 noon to 5:00 pm, Saturday’s 10am-2pm, or you can schedule an appointment to visit at another time by calling 704.920.6600.

 Free admission and open to the public.

 Many thanks to Nancy Brown, Exhibition Chair, and to the volunteers who made this terrific show happen. The Guild wholly depends on our volunteers and their generosity and we sincerely appreciate their time and hard work.

 We sincerely thank Julia Lawing, our Judge for this event. Julia’s artwork can be viewed at https://julialawing.com.

Thank you for supporting the Guild and our mission to support local art.

Coming to ClearWater for the First Time…

The artists of Charlotte Art Collective!

ClearWater is excited to partner with Charlotte Art Collective for the first extended exhibition of CAC members’ works… in our Main Gallery for the month of August!

Please Note:

• The Exhibit will be viewable during our regular open hours, or by appointment;

• All works are for sale;

• …and we invite you to join us for related events, including:

• Artist Talks by member artists (August 5, and August 12, 2023),

• the Closing Reception (August 25) and

• the all-day Trunk Show and Sale, 10am - 4pm on Saturday August 26th, 2023 where artists will bring more works and set up in the Main Gallery for a clearing-house-style sale!

See the separate Event posts for those; including the Friday Closing Reception and the Saturday Trunk Show featuring even more art for sale by Charlotte Art Collective Artists!

Also: follow our Social Media on Instagram and Facebook, as we post photos and interviews, previews etc.!

Members Participating:

Gena VanDyke
Hilde Deprez
Kelly Carlson-Reddig
Nancy Williams
Michael Marx
Celia Flock
Kathy Collins
Richard Siegel
Rosemary Peduzzi
Julie Philip
Rachel Dortch
Valerie Hawkins
Robert Beam
Celena Burnett
Janet Borchardt
Eva Rizzardi
Janie Jones
Rae Stark

 
Date:    May 7 - July 14, 2023

Opening Reception:   2-3:30 pm Sunday, May 7

*Exhibit is open during our public hours: Noon-5pm Weds-Fri and Saturdays 10am-2pm

Where: ClearWater Arts Center & Studios, Main Gallery;
                             223 Crowell Street Concord (main entrance on Crowell Drive NW).
 
Come help us celebrate and admire the work of local artists!

Open to the public, a FREE exhibit. Coordinated by the Cabarrus Art Guild

Join us as we celebrate another year of fabulous artworks by the students of the Fine & Applied Art Department at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College (RCCC)!  

The exhibit will be on view in the ClearWater Main Gallery from Friday, March 31 through Wednesday, May 3, 2023.

Join us for the opening reception March 31st!

See our FaceBook Event Page or our Website Event Page for the Opening to see ongoing photos, comments and updates!

After a 2 year hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic, this marks Year Seven (7) of this collaboration between the City of Concord's ClearWater Arts Center & Studios, and the Fine & Applied Arts Department at RCCC. RCCC has art classes on both its Salisbury and its Concord campuses. 

Opening Reception on Friday, March 31, 2023 will be from 5:00 pm until 7pm. Open to the public with light refreshments provided by students and sponsors.

This event is free and open to the public.

GUEST CURATED Exhibition: Feb. 8, 2023 – March 26, 2023

PRATIBIMB (means Reflection) : A Reflection of Indian Folk Art

Related Opening Reception/Artist Talks will be Sunday, March 5th, 1-4 pm

Local artist and teacher, Gayathiri Selva is our GUEST CURATOR for this Exhibition of 6 forms of Traditional Folk Art from India, crafted by local artists!

Some of these Folk Art forms go back two thousand years!

The magic and Mysticism of India comes alive through these crafts, which have been passed down for Generations.

A 3D model of Peacock made from recycled Materials by Visual Artists from India association of Charlotte is Displayed in the Show.

A 3D model of Thanjavur Temple made from recycled Materials by Visual Artists from India association of Charlotte is Displayed in the Show.

 This Show is a Reflection of the Ancient Folklore, Mythology and Culture.

Opening Reception & Artist Talks : MARCH 5 Sunday 1-4pm.

That's right! It's that time again.... The Annual CAG Fall Judged Art Show 2022 !

Members and non-members (from Cabarrus and surrounding counties) are invited to participate.

So excited to announce we are again welcoming 2D and 3D art to this Judged event!

All pieces submitted will be judged for two sets of awards and must meet the submission guidelines.

Awards for 2D Art

1st Place: $200.00

2nd Place: $150.00

3rd Place: $100.00

(2 Awarded) Honorable Mention: $50.00

Awards for 3D Art

1st Place: $200.00

2nd Place: $150.00

3rd Place: $100.00

(2 Awarded) Honorable Mention: $50.00

CALL FOR ENTRIES

Art Intake (2 days):

Friday Nov 11, 2022, 1:00pm - 3:00pm

Saturday Nov 12, 2022, 10:00am - 12:00 noon

​ClearWater Arts Center & Studios 223 Crowell Street, Concord (enter via MAIN entrance on Crowell Street).

For more details, prospectus, entry forms, and labels, click for more info.

Thoorigai - “The Artist’s Brush,” in Tamil - is a celebration to showcase Art & Stash students’ dedicated and talented artwork. Gayathiri Venkateswaran, founder of Art & Stash (based in Concord NC), with her students (ages 4-15) is presenting a group show of their artwork in various mediums. The show will be on display in ClearWater’s Greenway Gallery, lower level, from April 24 through June 30, 2022 -EXTENDED INTO SEPTEMBER. An Opening Reception for artists’ families is on Sunday, April 24 from 10am-5pm.

An Artist Talk by instructor Gayathiri will be offered free and open to the public, JUST RESCHEDULED FOR MONDAY, SEPT. 12, 6:00 p.m.; - stay tuned for post! -Check back for the post, and join us!

THOORIGAI 2022 - You will witness a display of bold colorful art, Inviting you to immerse in the ocean of Brushes and Colors !! Stop in to see these colorful works!

43rd Annual Tri State Sculptors Conference

Sept. 30-Oct. 3, 2021

The 2021 TSS (Tri State Sculptors) Conference is happening IN PERSON here at ClearWater Arts Center and Studios in Concord, NC! This is our first time hosting this annual event of this 43-year old association of Sculptors from NC, SC and VA. Registration is live, through the Tri State Sculptors Website; Single-day, Scratch Mold Workshop, or All-Weekend registrations /passes are available as well as Student Discounts.

DETAILED SCHEDULE PDF HERE! Also Online at the Tri State Sculptors page. Session Descriptions forthcoming… Some wonderful presentations, demonstrations and hands-on workshops have been proposed by members! UNC-Charlotte’s Sculpture and Ceramics departments are participating with a day of tours, demonstrations (a bronze pour, 3-D Printing, ceramic handwork…), talks and panel discussions on their campus on Friday, while concurrent sessions are ongoing at ClearWater!

The Iron Pour, on Friday evening will be open to the public for free viewing, you can do the Thursday all-day Scratch Mold workshop, with no registration necessary and just a small charge for the scratch mold; and it’s outdoors. To make a scratch mold to have a cast-iron piece of your own, simply buy a scratch mold block ($20 or $40) and use the tools provided to carve your own design at the outdoor work tables. The Iron Pour and Scratch Mold Workshops will be run by artist and blacksmith, Phillip Harrison of Penumbra Design Studio, assisted by Joe Bigley of the Western NC Sculpture Center, Marek Ranis, head of the Sculpture Dept. at UNC-Charlotte, and other foundry experts.. Some of the students he’s working with on his Global Diaspora Project may bring molds of their sculptures to be cast for that project, making the Pour more fun to watch!

NOTE: in order to register for the conference, whether the full 3-days or a single day, one must FIRST sign up for membership with Tri State Sculptors. The registration button (on Tri State’s Conference page) should cue this, automatically when it asks for your email address. Then, be sure to use the same email address to register as you used to become a member. If there’s any confusion, please email the Tri State President, Andi Steele at tssculptors@gmail.com; or just walk on at site, and we can register you there.

We are looking forward to a great in-person experience; reunion with friends, gathering again to share, learn, and celebrate all things sculpture. Due to the ongoing pandemic, we’ll have measures in place to help protect, for the enjoyment of everyone. Meals will be handled with Food Trucks or offsite; Tri State will require masks for all indoor activities. If the weather is nice, ClearWater will have doors propped open.

Not a sculptor? Come anyway!

We invite the Concord/ Kannapolis, Charlotte and surrounding communities to come see what a bunch of Professional, Educating, and Amateur Sculptors can get up to (and have some fun observing/ making/ mingling)! The Public, artists from the area, and especially sculpture students are invited to attend and participate in sessions, presentations, workshops…

…and our Keynote Address by this year’s Keynote Speaker, NC Artist and Duke University Professor, Stephen Hayes!

We wrote about Stephen in our last E-Newsletter which you can see HERE.

Stephen will be presenting an engaging slideshow about his work and experiences, Saturday evening after the Member & Student Show Reception in ClearWater’s Main Gallery. There will be time for Q&A and talking with the artist.

And then, maybe an after-gathering at one of the breweries down the road at nearby Gibson Mill!

Our 2021 Annual Conference T-Shirt Design is done! Order one of these babies when you do conference registration and it will be waiting for you!

Some pics from prior conferences…

Come see the exhibit that has been up in our lower-level Greenway Gallery since last March, 2020! Finally open for IN-PERSON viewing during our Drop-In Hours (Weds-Fri, 12Noon-5pm) or by apt!

We are continuing our partnership with the North Carolina Athletic Trainers Association (NCATA) within which, we also brought you a great virtual Opening & Artist Talk experience for Brain Injury Awareness Month, on March 31, 2021. You can view the Recording of that terrific event at https://www.whatliesbeneathconcussion.com/what-lies-beneath-art-opening-video

We are so excited to share this important work and invite you to join us at your convenience for an up-close view of the photos, and personal portraits that comprise WHAT LIES BENEATH: TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY.

Opening Event Date: Wednesday, March 31 (click for Virtual Event Recording)

watch photographer Martha Hoelzer of A Breath of Fresh Air Photography, and Nina Walker, of the NC Athletic Trainers Association, co-facilitate the virtual art opening of the exhibit, What Lies Beneath: Traumatic Brain Injury, Making the Invisible, Visible during the Zoom Event held March 31, 2021. Over 68 people, many of them healthcare professionals and many others head-trauma patients themselves, participated.

The show is physically on display in the ClearWater Arts Center's lower-level Greenway Gallery and is now open for visits!

This exhibit explores the impact of brain injuries on the visual system. Martha discussed her process, research and work with medical professionals on understanding & communicating the impact of a traumatic brain injury, or TBI (such as concussion) or acquired brain injury, or ABI (such as a tumor) on the visual system.

She photographically examines the brain’s ability to interpret the environment from the patient’s perspective. Martha's unusual approach taken in the photos' special effects, is an effort that has already won her accolades for this exhibit. Martha was the featured speaker, and engaged Dr. Brett Miller, of Triangle Visions Optometry, to join her for a Q & A session to discuss questions that may arise about the visual impacts of a TBI and/or ABI.

Martha also created this short preview of the Art Show, What Lies Beneath: Traumatic Brain Injury.

More about Artist and Photographer, Martha Hoelzer . . .

Through the lens of a camera, award winning photographer, Martha Hoelzer conveys her view of the world using light and angles to capture the essence of a moment in time. A Breath of Fresh Air Photography encompasses how she views life – as a runner taking one breath at a time on the trails, hiking and enjoying amazing views and thankful for each breath she takes as she lovingly explore new places and cultures.

Learn even more about Martha and see her work at her website: https://marthahoelzer.photoshelter.com/index

PLEASE NOTE: Due to the Novel Corona Virus and regional/ national precautions being taken, including taking colleges to online-only instruction, this annual exhibition and reception are CANCELED.

It would have been Our 6th year hosting.

We hope to have the students and faculty of RCCC back at ClearWater next April, 2021.

Come view Rowan Cabarrus Community College Students’ Art & Design work. April 3 - May 3. In the ClearWater Main Gallery (Main floor, Operations Building)

Opening Reception will be April 3, 5-7 p.m. Event is free and open to the public. Students get a chance to experience seeing their artworks in a lighted gallery setting and being the center of attention of the crowd. Help them feel amazing! Light Refreshments..

See our pop-up site plan on our ClearWater website homepage for parking areas and Main Entry locations. Parking is free.

Courtesy of the Art & Design Department at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, Salisbury & Concord campuses.

ClearWater tenants, Cabarrus Art Guild are holding their annual Spring Judged Show at ClearWater for the first time!

Held in the Main Gallery of the ClearWater Arts Center & Studios, this exhibition will be displaying the Cabarrus Art Guild's Spring Judged Show entries including awarded winners. Come and experience the outstanding art submitted by local artists.

Note The Opening Reception on Sunday, Feb. 9 (2-4p.m.) will feature an awards ceremony of the ribbon winners; FREE event, open to the public!

Extended by 2 days! “Adventures in Color” Graces ClearWater’s Main Gallery for 2 months

Note: This show will now be up through Tuesday afternoon, Jan. 7, 2020 - closing at 6:30 p.m. as we begin our first ‘Yoga in the Gallery’ which is to occur every first (1st) Tuesday evening in our Gallery. Stay for a $6 yoga class surrounded by Adventures in Color!

Dr. Wanda Jenkins, an Obstetrician  and Gynecologist in Concord for 20+ years, presents a solo art exhibit featuring over 40 of her paintings. Dr. Jenkins took care of many women in her practice, and delivered thousands of babies.  She is a native of Concord. Having painted occasionally during her professional years as an OB/Gyn., in retirement she has actively explored color and texture in landscapes, florals, and abstracts, predominantly using oil paints. She has studied with various expert artists through the years, and is inspired partly by her Grandmother’s career in painting.

The show will also feature her Dichroic glass freehand jewelry sets.

All works are for sale unless otherwise noted.

‘Adventures in Color,’ will be on view in ClearWater’s Main Gallery, Nov. 2, 2019- Jan. 5, 2020. 

Address: 223 Crowell Drive NW, Concord, NC 28025.

Free parking is available in ClearWater’s three parking lots.  See the campus site plan on our website, www.clearwaterartists.com, on the ‘Our Space’ page (click the large black button, upper right of page, that says, ‘View Campus Area Plan’)

A note from the artist:

Dr. Jenkins believes strongly in the emphasis on art that ClearWater represents; and is excited that the 20% commission on any painting sold in the ClearWater Gallery during the Adventures in Color show, will go toward realizing the vision that ClearWater signifies for this community.

Gibson Village PhotoVoice Exhibit

— on view in ClearWater’s Main gallery upstairs

The2019 PhotoVoice project has collected Gibson Village community members’ stories about the barriers and opportunities around accessing healthy food and recreational activities in this neighborhood, enlisting residents in taking pictures that show how their neighborhood affects their health. These will be on view, with community questionnaires in the room to engage responses to the photos and the topic. Responses will be collected via giant post-it ‘boards’ where participants can see others’ responses.

Note- the 2nd Annual Gibson Village Fall Festival will be a special time to come view, discuss with others, and ask questions of the Community Volunteers on hand in the Gallery! If this project interests you, come then or anytime in October. Our Gallery is open most weekdays although the Manager is sometimes out / offsite for meetings, conferences etc. Call ahead to be sure.

LOCATION: MAIN GALLERY at ClearWater Arts Center & Studios at 223 Crowell Drive NW.

Parking is free and plentiful, in two lots along Crowell Drive NW and with overflow parking capacity in the field accessible from Cedar Street, across the stream and Greenway path from ClearWater.

See our homepage’s pop-up Site Map for reference.

Cabarrus Art Guild Honors Exhibit

The Cabarrus Art Guild is having a special exhibit to honor its members who have won awards for their artwork recently. This Honors Exhibit is currently on display at ClearWater Artist Studios and Galleries, in the new lower level meeting room gallery. The exhibit is free and open to the public through November 26, 2019. It can be viewed during normal open hours at ClearWater.

However, if you would like to meet with some of the artists, visit the Cabarrus Art Guild Open Studio group in the meeting room on any Tuesday during the exhibit from 11 AM to 3:00 PM.

This exhibit is free and open to the public. A special thank you goes out the ClearWater management for helping to make this exhibit possible.

Join us as we celebrate another year of fabulous artworks by the students of the Fine & Applied Art Department at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College (RCCC)!  

The exhibit will be on view in the ClearWater Main Gallery from Friday, April 5 through Thursday, May 2, 2019.

See our FaceBook Event Page or our Website Event Page for the Opening to see ongoing photos, comments and updates!

This marks Year Six (6) of this collaboration between the City of Concord's ClearWater Artist Studios, and the Fine & Applied Arts Department at RCCC, which has art classes on both its Salisbury and its Concord campuses. 

Opening Reception on Friday, April 5, 2019 will be from 5:00 pm until 7pm. Open to the public with light refreshments provided by students and sponsors.