Filtering by: Opening Reception
Exhibit: 'Impulse,' RCCC Annual Student Art Show: Exhibit On View
Apr
6
to May 2
Community, Exhibition, Opening Reception, Public Event, Events

Exhibit: 'Impulse,' RCCC Annual Student Art Show: Exhibit On View

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 Saturday, April 6 through Thursday, May 2, 2024.

Join us for the opening reception April 12th!

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

This marks Year Eight (8) 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, April 12, 2024 will be from 5:00 pm until 7pm in the ClearWater Main Gallery. Open to the public with light refreshments provided by students and sponsors.

This event is free and open to the public.

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Opening Reception: Cab Art Guild's Fall Judged Show
Nov
5
2:00 PM14:00
Cabarrus Art Guild, Events, Opening Reception, Public Event

Opening Reception: Cab Art Guild's Fall Judged Show

Come join us for
The CAG Annual Fall Judged Art Show, 2023
Opening Reception

Opening Reception of a past CAG Judged Show

 

You are invited to the Guild’s Opening Reception on Sunday, November 5, 2023 at 2pm at ClearWater Arts Center & Studios, 223 Crowell Drive NW, Concord (Enter at main entrance on Crowell Drive NW). Winners will be announced and light refreshments will be served. Come and meet local artists and join us in celebrating their artwork. This is always a terrific event. Don't miss a moment!

No pre-registration required.
Free event.

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RECEPTION: CAG Annual Spring Judged Art Show
May
7
2:00 PM14:00
Cabarrus Art Guild, Events, Exhibition, Opening Reception, Public Event

RECEPTION: CAG Annual Spring Judged Art Show

Please Join Us For the CAG Annual Spring Judged Art Show Reception!

 
Date:    May 7, 2023

Time:   2pm

Where: ClearWater Arts Center & Studios, Main Gallery;
                             223 Crowell Street Concord (main entrance on Crowell Drive NW).
 
Come help us celebrate local artists and announce the ribbon winners for the event.

Some light snacks and beverages will be served.

Open to the public, a FREE event.

Artists interested in entering this show- please see the Intake form and fee instructions, on the Cabarrus Art Guild’s website: www.cabarrusartguild.org; Home page / follow links, or the ‘Information and Forms’ page. Art Intake/ Entry Payment dates are Friday 5/5/23 or Saturday 5/6/23.

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EXHIBIT: CAG Annual Spring Judged Art Show
May
7
to Jul 14
Cabarrus Art Guild, Events, Exhibition, Opening Reception, Public Event

EXHIBIT: CAG Annual Spring Judged Art Show

  • Clearwater Arts Center & Studios (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Please Join Us For the CAG Annual Spring Judged Art Show Exhibit!

 
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

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Exhibit: 'Impulse,' RCCC Annual Student Art Show: Exhibit On View
Mar
31
to May 3
Community, Exhibition, Opening Reception, Public Event, Events

Exhibit: 'Impulse,' RCCC Annual Student Art Show: Exhibit On View

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.

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Opening Reception: Fall Judged Show (CAG Event)
Nov
13
2:00 PM14:00
Cabarrus Art Guild, Open House, Opening Reception, Public Event

Opening Reception: Fall Judged Show (CAG Event)

The Cabarrus Art Guild invites you to attend our Annual Fall Judged Art Show Reception.

All are welcome… Come join us!

What: Opening Reception
When: Sunday November 13, 2022 at 2pm

Where: ClearWater Arts Center & Studios, 223 Crowell Street Concord (enter via Main entrance on Crowell Street).

Details: Free to the public, no registration necessary

Come join us in celebrating our local artists and their submitted work for our annual show. Ribbons and prizes will be awarded at this event. Come meet and mingle with artists and those that appreciate art. Light snacks will be served.

For more info, go to http://www.cabarrusartguild.org/news--events.html

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TRI STATE SCULPTORS 43rd Annual Conference!
Sep
30
to Oct 3
Artist Talk, Art Demonstration, Class/ Workshop, Community, Events, Exhibition, Open Art Session, Open House, Opening Reception, Public Event, Seminar

TRI STATE SCULPTORS 43rd Annual Conference!

  • Clearwater Arts Center & Studios (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS
tristatelogoincolor.jpg

Pouring molten metal into scratch molds, 2018

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…

Award-winning Professional Artist, Duke University Professor, Stephen Hayes (2021 Keynote Speaker)

…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!

T-Shirt Design by Adam Adcock with help from Graphic Design students - Appalachian State University

Some pics from prior conferences…

Forging Demo, 2018

Forging Demo, 2018

Tri State Member & Professor Austin Shephard with his sculpture, 2018

Tri State Member & Professor Austin Shephard with his sculpture, 2018

Tri State Forge pic 2019.jpg

Forging demo/ workshop

Member artist demonstrating

Member artist demonstrating

Artist Talk / latest work & public art

Artist Talk / latest work & public art

Scratch molds made by attendees, waiting for metal pour (2016)

Scratch molds made by attendees, waiting for metal pour (2016)

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CANCELED: Exhibition: RCCC Students Art & Design Spring Show
Apr
3
to Apr 4
Community, Exhibition, Open House, Opening Reception, Public Event, Events

CANCELED: Exhibition: RCCC Students Art & Design Spring Show

RCCC_ImpulseArtShow2020_Website-01.png

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.

RCCC_ImpulseArtShow2020_Web.png
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Opening Reception: CAG Spring 2020 Judged Show
Feb
9
2:00 PM14:00
Cabarrus Art Guild, Community, Events, Exhibition, Opening Reception, Public Event

Opening Reception: CAG Spring 2020 Judged Show

FB Event CAG Spring Judged Show Reception 900x500 pix at 96ppi.jpg

Cabarrus Art Guild Presents its first Annual Spring Judged Show to be held at ClearWater, its new home (as of October 2019)!

Held in the Main Gallery of the ClearWater Arts Center & Studios, this opening reception will be displaying the Cabarrus Art Guild's Spring Judged Show entries and celebrating with an awards ceremony of the ribbon winners. Come and experience the outstanding art submitted by local artists. FREE event, open to the public! 2-4p.m., Sunday Feb. 9, 2020.

CAG FB Banner 1260x656.jpg
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'Impulse,' RCCC Annual Student Art Show: Exhibit On View
Apr
5
to May 2
Community, Exhibition, Opening Reception, Public Event

'Impulse,' RCCC Annual Student Art Show: Exhibit On View

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.

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Tenant Artists Show V - Opening Reception / Artist Talk
Mar
22
6:00 PM18:00
Artist Talk, Barbara Ellis, Community, Exhibition, Gordon C. James, Louise Farley, Mary Jane Capron, Open House, Opening Reception, Paul Keysar, Public Event, Walter Stanford

Tenant Artists Show V - Opening Reception / Artist Talk

TenantShowV.Banner1.jpg

CONCORD, NC - The tenant artists of ClearWater Artist Studios will gather to welcome the public and discuss their latest work and experiences as working artists, this Friday, March 22, 2019. Some works in the show, ‘Tenant Artists Show V,’ mark key recent developments in the evolution of certain artists’ style, choices and career path; while others exhibit the mastery of techniques and subject matter honed over years.

Spectacular Raptor Portraits, vibrant children’s book illustrations, large and affecting abstract expressionist pieces, and softly-hued, lovely landscapes are just some of the works on display- not to mention a range of turned-wood and glass pieces.

ClearWater Artist Studios houses the working studios of 12 artists as well as the Southern Piedmont Woodturners’  Association (a Club).  All artists leasing individual studios are juried-in using a range of criteria (currently, the waiting list stands at 14).

The Artists will form a Panel Discussion in the middle of the Gallery starting at 7:00 p.m. during the Opening Reception. Guests are welcome to enter after this time, we just ask consideration for those speaking and listening.

Free; free parking; refreshments.

Artists in the show:

Barbara Ellis

Barbara Ellis & Mikel Frank (one Collaborative Painting)

Walter Stanford

Gordon C. James

Julia Lawing

Kev Harris

Paul Keysar

Louise Farley

####

ClearWater Artist Studios is located in Gibson Village, less than a mile from Downtown Concord, 223 Crowell Drive NW. Working artists lease 12 studios and the Southern Piedmont Woodturners chapter is housed here. Our Gallery is open to the public most weekdays, Noon-5pm; every 2nd Saturday10am-4pm; and/or by appointment. The Gallery, outdoor Green, and open-air covered Market are available to rent for private events. For details, see clearwaterartists.com; or call 704-784-9535.

###

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EXHIBIT - Visual Strategies: A Collaborative Project
Jul
2
to Aug 28
Community, Artist Talk, Exhibition, Open Art Session, Open House, Opening Reception, Public Event

EXHIBIT - Visual Strategies: A Collaborative Project

Front of Postcard; 'See Back' refers to list of events shown below.  Artist Credit: BG Artwork, ‘Palimpsest,’ by GAP members Robert Reed w’ fragments from Gregory Rose

Front of Postcard; 'See Back' refers to list of events shown below.  Artist Credit: 

BG Artwork, ‘Palimpsest,’ by GAP members Robert Reed w’ fragments from Gregory Rose

Visual Strategies:

A Collaborative Project

Curated by Mikel Frank and Carl Heyward

Links to Co-Curators' websites: Mikel Frank and

FaceBook 'Gallery' page for the Exhibition is here.

Featuring Collaborative Works by: 

The Global Art Project (Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/globalartproject; FaceBook, https://www.facebook.com/globalartproject2017/)

The Visual Passion Duo (Mikel Frank & Gerard Amsellem; www.visualpassion.net)

...And YOU!    ...created during Related Events at ClearWater, listed below.

Resumes/ Bio PDF's of the Co-Curators: Mikel Frank - Carl Heyward

______________________________________________

Description/ Related Events Listed Below - keep scrolling - (each Event will have its own Listing)--

GAPStratPOSTERforPRINT_edited-1.jpeg

This upcoming Guest exhibit / set of events, "Visual Strategies: A Collaborative Project" at ClearWater Artist Studios, is being organized by two collaborators: local artist/ curator, Mikel Frank, who recently moved to Concord from NYC and a 29-year career at the Met Museum of Art (2 years ago), and is now an adjunct art instructor at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College; and collaborating curator & artist, Carl Heyward,  founder of the Global Art Project, who is out on the West Coast.

Participating artists from the Global Art Project (GAP) are shipping their jointly-made works in from all over the world for the exhibit, and there will be three live-collaborative-painting events, including one that's for YOU (or anyone) to participate in, on Saturday August 11!

The local artist Mikel Frank is working to invite more local artists familiar with collaborative art-making, to participate also.  

Mikel and longtime collaborative painting partner Gerard Amsellem, who both form the Visual Passion Duo, will present a 5-hour live painting collaboration to live music by local musician, Noel Freidline. This is in conjunction with our monthly 2nd Saturday Open Studios on Saturday, July 14th, from 11:00am to 4:00pm (doors open at 10am).

 

Opening • with Live Painting Event

Sunday, July 1, 2018  -  3:00 - 5:30 pm
Selected Collaborators / Paint Performance

FaceBook Event pages for this Opening: Visual Strategies Exhibition; Visual Strategies; and VISUAL STRATEGIES EXHIBITION  

 

Live Collaborative Painting Demo

Saturday, July 14, 2018  -  11am - 4pm
Featuring the Visual Passion Duo Performing
(Mikel Frank & Gerard Amsellem)

(FaceBook Event Page here) 

(Eventbrite event page here)

 

Family Collaboration Painting Day

[Event page coming soon!]

Saturday, August 11, 2018  -  11am and 2pm
Community is Invited to come paint a large work togeher that will then be added to the Exhibition!
--Facilitated by curator/ artist Mikel Frank—

 

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Opening Reception for RCCC Arts Faculty Show 2018
Jan
19
5:00 PM17:00
Exhibition, Opening Reception, Public Event

Opening Reception for RCCC Arts Faculty Show 2018

Celebrate Rowan-Cabarrus Faculty of the Fine & Applied Arts Department, at the Opening Reception of this, the 2nd Annual Faculty show! Nine Adjunct and Full-Time Faculty are participating, showing recent works in ClearWater Artist Studios Gallery. Come see what those on the front lines of art education, in Salisbury-Concord, are creating in their studios.

All Welcome - light refreshments will be served and faculty members will be present.

See the FaceBook Event page for this Opening!  

Note-- Dates Extended!  

Exhibit is now on view January 9 - March 2, 2018.

(Click link on 'Exhibit' above for the Exhibit event listing, with more details on the artists)

Scroll down to see original invite (with original exhibition dates--  now extended)

RCCC 2018 Faculty Show Invite.jpg
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OPENING RECEPTION: 'Abstracting Spirit: A New Direction,' by Artist Barbara Ellis
Oct
7
6:00 PM18:00
Barbara Ellis, Exhibition, Artist Talk, Opening Reception, Public Event

OPENING RECEPTION: 'Abstracting Spirit: A New Direction,' by Artist Barbara Ellis

BEllis.newworkpic.jpg

Opening Reception for a solo exhibition of ClearWater tenant artist, Barbara Ellis' (BEllisArts) abstract expressionist works, which have evolved over the year 2016-17 as she delves deeper into how Spirit moves her artistic practice.

Barbara's Artist Talk will be the same night (10/7), 7-8pm.
Light refreshments will be served.

This event is also posted on our FaceBook Event Page! Look there for updates and discussion.

The exhibit will be on view Oct. 7- Dec. 1, 2017

Parking is free and plentiful on site in three lots, all well-lit.

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Nov
4
to Dec 31
Artist Talk, Exhibition, Louise Farley, Opening Reception, Public Event

Louise Farley - Outside the Lines

 

RECEPTION FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 5 - 8 PM

We're proud to announce the opening of a solo show exhibition of paintings by artist Louise Farley, titled ‘Outside the Lines.’ The show will be on view in the ClearWater Gallery at 223 Crowell Dr. NW, in Concord, from Nov. 4 through Dec. 31, 2016.  The Opening Reception is Friday evening, November 11, from 5-8pm with refreshments.  All are welcome.

The artist will also give an ‘Artist Talk,’ discussing her approach, style etc. the following day at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday Nov. 12, 2016—which is also ‘2nd Saturday Open Studios’– a monthly open house featuring ClearWater’s resident artists in their studios with doors open from 10am.  Doors close on 2nd Saturdays at 4pm.

Also featured at today’s 2nd Saturday will be Santa! Live and happy to greet children and parents alike. From 11am-2pm.
 
Louise Farley is one of the ‘original’ leasing artists at ClearWater, renting her studio there since renovated studios were first made available in 2011. She commutes from Charlotte, where she lives with her husband, John. She is finally back to her painting career, which got a promising start, then had a long hiatus due to a divorce and single-motherhood. For over 20 years—during which she raised two children and supported the family by running her own boutique in Charleston, SC, including designing and sewing the clothing she sold there—she did not paint.  Since 2005, however, she has immersed herself in painting full-time, teaching occasional workshops at John C. Campbell Folk School and other art centers, and giving lessons in her studio.  This show marks her third solo show in the region this year; and her very first solo show in the 2,200 sq. ft. Gallery at ClearWater Artist Studios.  

The show includes a new body of work Farley has been painting since June, never before exhibited: pictures from Africa, inspired by photos taken by her stepdaughter who travelled there earlier this Spring. “It has given me a new enthusiasm and reinvigorated my work,” Farley said of the new subject matter. “I love the colors, and the energy between the people.”
 
Louise Farley grew up in Tennessee and earned her BFA degree from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. She has lived in Charlotte since 2008.
 
Viewing the show—if you miss the Opening Reception or Artist Talk, or want to come back to look at your leisure, ClearWater’s Gallery is open to the public Weds-Friday Noon-6pm; every 2nd Saturday 10am-4pm; or by appointment during the week. The ClearWater Gallery, outdoor Green, and open-air covered Market are available to rent out for private events and parties.
 
LOCATION: Clearwater Artist Studios, 223 Crowell Dr. NW, Concord, NC 28025. For details and weekly hours, see www.clearwaterartists.com; or, call 704-784-9535.

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Rowan-Cabarrus Community College Fine Arts Department Faculty Exhibition
Oct
3
to Oct 31
Exhibition, Open House, Opening Reception, Public Event

Rowan-Cabarrus Community College Fine Arts Department Faculty Exhibition

OPENING RECEPTION ON FRIDAY OCTOBER 14, 5 TO 8 PM

The inaugural Rowan-Cabarrus Community College Fine Arts Department Faculty Exhibition, at ClearWater Artist Studios Gallery!

WHAT: A collection of fresh, contemporary works by twelve or so of the Visual Arts Faculty within that department, both full-time and adjunct!

WHERE: on view in the ClearWater Gallery, October 8th through 31st, 2016.

WHEN: The official Opening Reception will be held on Friday, October 14, 2016 from 5-8pm. Free and open to the public, with refreshments at the Opening Reception.

WHAT ELSE? The show will be on view as of ClearWater’s monthly ‘2nd Saturday Open Studios’ open house, held every 2nd Saturday from 10am to 4pm, on Oct. 8th; and after.
Artist Talks by RCCC Visual Arts Faculty included in the show will be TBA, in the CW Gallery; check the ClearWater Artist Studios website calendar for dates and times: www.clearwaterartists.com.

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Sep
9
to Sep 30
Robert Crum, Artist Talk, Exhibition, Open House, Opening Reception

September 9th Opening - Press Release

  • Clearwater Artist Studios (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Robert Crum painting in his studio at Clearwater Artist Studios

PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release: Monday, August 15, 2016 CONTACTS: - Sarah Gay, Manager of ClearWater Artist Studios for the City of Concord; 704-784-9535 (office) or clearwatermgr@gmail.com; OR, - Robert Alvin Crum, Artist: 704.310.0382 or robertalvincrum@gmail.com

Local Daniel Boone Descendant Interprets History Through Art; Opening Sept. 9 Concord, NC – A local artist descended from the legendary Daniel Boone aims to express the intertwining legacies his research has uncovered, via his own paintings in a new solo show and related events at ClearWater Artist Studios in Concord, NC. It will become a traveling exhibit.

The solo exhibition “Return to the Land of My Ancestors,” on view in the Main Gallery at ClearWater Artist Studios from September 1 to 30, 2016 will feature 16 oil paintings, 15 watercolors and other artifacts created by Robert Alvin Crum, who currently resides in Salisbury, NC and leases a studio at ClearWater Artist Studios. The debut show in the ClearWater Gallery is part of ClearWater’s ‘Guest Artist’ Series, which began this year and has the Gallery booked, with a new show each month, into 2017.

Through his paintings and other creations, Crum explores revelations of his family’s slave-ownership, battles, love and politics, pioneers and natives, and spiritual connections to the land and the people who moved across it two centuries ago. The exhibit “…tells a story and takes one on a journey,” says the artist, who relates that, growing up in Illinois, he was often told by family that he is a direct descendant of the explorer and “Father of Kentucky” Daniel Boone and his wife Rebecca Bryan. After moving to North Carolina in 1989, he realized he was living and walking in the same places as his Boone and Bryan ancestors.

Crum has extensively researched and completed an award-winning body of oil and watercolor paintings that tell the story of cultural conflict in the 18th century North Carolina backcountry that led to America’s initial expansion into Kentucky and beyond. The project received a 2016 Preservation Education and Publication Award from Historic Salisbury Foundation, Inc. and an Arts and Cultural Development Grant from Rowan Arts Council.

The Public is invited to an Opening Reception on Friday, September 9, 2016 from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm, including refreshments, music by local musician LeDerick Blackburn and a short storytelling session by author and Boone historian Randell Jones. On Saturday, September 10 (during Open Studios day at ClearWater) from 11 am to 4 pm, this journey will be complimented with refreshments, entertainment and an “Artist Talk” by Robert Alvin Crum. LOCATION: Clearwater Artist Studios, 223 Crowell Dr. NW, Concord, NC 28025.

For details and weekly hours, see www.clearwaterartists.com; the Facebook Page at: https://www.facebook.com/ClearwaterArtistStudios; or call the CW office at 704-784-9535. Open to the Public. The journey begins at RobertAlvinCrum.com

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