Arts

Gallery 208: Beyond Surface: Abstractions by Kellie Perkins

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Tuesday, 26 March 2024

Written by Soni Martin

Depicting a recognizable subject in a painting can evoke pleasure or even comfort for the viewer – we are familiar with the objects, figure or place. We perceptually experience a landscape when the artist captures the nuance of light, shadow and the size of objects diminishing in scale as they recede into the background.
In the new exhibition at Gallery 208, we do not have a memory of a locale or a familiar place to experience. Instead, we are able to view the unfamiliar. Beyond Surface: Abstractions by Kellie Perkins, opening April 2, is a body of work by an artist who has created accessible places and spaces for us to experience.
Instead of being constrained by the conventions and expectations of representational art, Perkins creates new forms and ideas about the potential of painting to be a new experience for the viewer. Unlike representational works in which we are limited to a place in time, Perkins creates a world of potential for us to embark on.
Unlike small works which can often limit our sense of the possible, the large scale of Perkins paintings is integral to the spatial experience. In the painting titled Storm, 36” x 36,” the artist has created an abstracted space, the color red illuminates small white areas of the background and are suppressed by lavender and shades of blue.
The formal elements of shape, movement and rhythm enable the viewer to move through the lavenders and blues on a yellow-orange brush mark.
The beauty of abstract works is the opposite of figurative works, it does not tell us a narrative story. Suppose we allow ourselves to leave the familiar world of the representational and experience the classical tradition of abstract expressionism.
In that case, we are open to the artist’s conveyed meaning and emotion using mark marking, color, line, shape and texture. While a story is not represented literally, the artist's style and approach convey a sense of an inner world and perspective.
Fantasy Falls, a 36” x 48” painting, is the only work in the exhibit that alludes to something identifiable. The artist has created a work in which the blue sound of falling water evokes a waterfall in front of something mammoth resembling a rock formation. The brilliance of the painting is subtle and similar to the way Cezanne was able to capture movement and stillness at the same time.
Fantasy Falls is mesmerizing. Created with muted colors, bold and visible brushstrokes we can sense the abstracted rock formation against an endless blue sky. In the composition, the flattened rocks are stacked and serve to anchor, and emphasize the solidity and stillness of the form, while a sense of balance and stability exists in the work.
In the blues and neutrals of the painted mark, the artist uses repetition of line to symbolize falling water and a sense of flattened movement over time. The flatness of the water pushes the rock formation into the background, staging us to sense the subject in different states of being. We see the opaque flatness, but our experiences remind us of the transparency of water.
Whisper from the Past is a small work; the 18” x 24” painting exudes something different than the majority of works in the exhibit. With less dramatic mark-making, we can float in a poetic, abstracted and manifested place of rest in time.
Contrasts of warm and cool colors swirl in movement around the perimeters of a central lavender space. The painting evokes activity and calm in mood, the lavender space shape is able to dominate amidst the swirls and movement. Again, in Perkins fashion, we experience the preferred - among turmoil a place of rest still exists.
Perkins was influenced by her training in fabricated metal sculpture during her undergraduate degree in metals from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
It was not until her study of painting during her master’s degree in art education that the artist investigated the potential of painting.
Experience in metal fabrication is evident in the works. The artist does not investigate volume but sees shapes and repeated patterns; constructing different textures on a flattened surface to create depth.
Similar to Cezanne, a dichotomy exists in the work. The background in metal fabrication enables the artist to experiment with different painting surfaces, transitioning into a painterly approach.
Perkins shared her influences and style of painting by saying the following: “By studying the works of Pat Steir, Sam Gilliam, Fiona Rae, Gerhard Richter, and Hans Hofmann, I formulated a strong foundation in the painting process.”
“Artistically, I render the unique physical nature of paint and provocatively mix colors to create a layered nomadic space on my canvases. This space resonates with my visual texture and mark-making along with my intricate treatment of the surface, using both traditional and nontraditional tools to invent marks in a multitude of layers.
These layers evolve into intense visual textures through the spontaneous application of paint, the push/pull of deep space, the form that evokes content, and the essence of the living, breathing artwork which compels the viewer’s involvement.”
Perkins explains how the “ancillary painting process produces my emotionally compelling expressive qualities in my paintings; a mark is not just a brush stroke, a squeegee pull, a palette knife scraping, or a painterly drip of liquid, but a creative, cogent, and personal stimulus, which evokes the viewer’s involvement in my work as an integral part of each person’s response.”
While representational art is popular among the public, visiting Beyond Surface: Abstractions by Kellie Perkins, is an accessible opportunity to experience the emotional and aesthetic appeal of an untethered and unlimited reaction to the unknown made known. It is as if we are on a break from what is seen to the sensuality of the unseen.
Perkins preferred to spend her career as an art educator in the Cumberland County public school system. The exhibit is an example of a dedicated and award-winning educator who remained a producing artist. We have the opportunity to see the results of her dedication to remaining an artist who explores the promise of the arts to express states of being in ways we can explore and enjoy effortlessly.
Practicing her style, Perkins successfully creates an otherworldliness through color and composition and the absence of recognizable form. We see shape and color first to pull us into space. The absence of recognizable forms creates a detachment from the natural world.
Dynamic compositions, often using diagonal lines and asymmetrical shapes, initiate a sense of movement and energy that is not grounded in the natural world.
Even seeing the smaller works, like Spiratic, visitors will leave the gallery feeling refreshed for not being tethered to the world; instead challenging our perception of reality.
Unexpected proportions in the paintings also challenge our sense of the relevance of scale and contribute to the feeling of being unleashed.
The public is invited to attend the opening of Beyond Surface: Abstractions by Kellie Perkins on Tuesday, April 2, between 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. At 6 p.m. the artist will give a short talk about the exhibit.
Gallery 208 is located at the headquarters of Up and Coming Weekly, at 208 Rowan Street in Fayetteville.
*Visitors should know there is plenty of parking behind the gallery. For anyone who cannot attend the opening, the exhibit will remain up until June 24. Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday. For information call 910-484-6200.

Gilbert Theater features the newest production: Assassins

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Wednesday, 13 March 2024

Written by Amber Little

The Gilbert Theater is indeed back for another production. The season is NOT over and this production is sure to intrigue audiences. The latest musical production to hit the community theater stage is Assassins. A far cry from musical productions such as Cats, Assassins takes musical theater and spins it on its head with a darkly fascinating concept and arguably some of the most complicated music written for a musical. Shows started March 8th, and will run every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until March 24th. Show times are Friday at 8 p.m. only, Saturday, at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sunday, at 2 p.m. only.

Assassins is based on the book written by John Weidman and adapted into a musical by Stephen Sondheim. A musical production unlike any other, Assassins tells the tale of nine men and women who have made an impact on history by trying and failing or successfully assassinating an American President. At its surface, a comedy peeled back to bare bones, Assassins is a social commentary on what drives the extreme in America and leads one to kill the leader of the “free world.”

Marie Lowe is at the director's helm of this season’s production of Assassins. An active member of the theater community here in Fayetteville for a decade, this is Lowe’s first time directing a musical.

“I’m very pleased to be doing it. Assassins is a much beloved, kind of cult hit with musical theater people and Sondheim people… it’s very rarely produced, although this is the second time the Gilbert is doing it… I anticipate people really enjoying it because this cast is fantastic. It’s hard to do Assassins unless you have really good people because Sondheim is known for particularly technically difficult music… we got all the people, it’s really delightful,” Lowe said of her musical directorial debut.

Not a theater to not prepare for a production, the Gilbert Theater was able to bring in a musical director for the first three weeks of rehearsals.

“Everyone learned their music and now we are just putting it on stage and it’s going to be fantastic,” Lowe said.

Artist Director Larry Carlisle, who has managed a successful season of amazingly diverse shows, is no musical expert but his knack for finding the right directors and musical directors has paid off this season, with the Rocky Horror Show being a brilliant success last fall.   “Generally, with musicals, I try to stay pretty hands-off… this one is pretty awesome… mostly I just try to let the director and music director do their thing because I know I can’t really offer anything of usefulness,” Carlisle said.

Assassins takes place in a carnival-like purgatory and John Wilkes Booth is the leader of the band of successful and unsuccessful assassins. The cast has put in the work, with some taking method acting to a new level, such as Chris Walker and Molly Malone. 

“I’m concerned the audience will like the cast too much. They are all so good, but they are playing people who are not lovable and who are not so good. They are doing a good job of trying to bring some of that into it as well,” director Lowe said of the casting for Assassins.

With a talented cast and an equally talented director, Assassins is a can’t-miss musical production. Tickets to the show can be found on the Gilbert Theaters website, https://www.gilberttheater.com/2023-2024-season/.

Local business owner, NY artist, bring new mural downtown

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Tuesday, 30 April 2024

Written by Amber Little

Downtown Fayetteville is seeing an artful beautification revolution. Businesses are giving the outside of their buildings photo-worthy upgrades with murals.
The Capital Encore Academy hosts a colorful, whimsical mural by artist Dare Coulter and The Sweet Palette just finished their enchanting addition to the side of their building. Back-A-Round Records is the latest business to add a piece of what will become downtown Fayetteville's history.
The new mural, already being affectionately referred to as the “J. Cole” mural, is now one of the biggest highlights of the downtown area thanks to the joint effort of Back-A-Round Records' owner Shawn Adkins and NY-based multifaceted artist Andaluz the Artist.
The mural is the brainchild of Andaluz, who is creating a new series of art that combines his two masteries’ rap and art. This series will explore small cities, the people that make them, and the legends that make them. Not only is Fayetteville the new proud owner of the J. Cole mural, but it is also the background for the latest documentary-style music video by Andaluz and his team. “…half of it is in New York and the other half is in Fayetteville. My boy Darrell Dove, he’s my videographer/photographer from Atlanta came up to Fayetteville. He shot that.”
Those who are interested in seeing the video should follow Andaluz the Artist and Back-A-Round Records on social media for updates on its big release. Andaluz hinted that there could be a viewing party coming soon for Fayetteville.
The project aims to not only bring new art to small cities but show the world what those places have to offer.
“I wanted to do something where I give people their roses while they're still alive. I admire what they do and look up to some of their work. When it came to J. Cole, it was multiple factors. One was like, he was just on fire. With his first set of tracks, I was just like man, J. Cole is killing it. Secondly, it was like, he has talked about Fayetteville so much. This year I was focusing on not just New York and not just bigger cities, but smaller cities, smaller towns around the country that don’t get that big city love, so me being from a big city I was like, you know what. I’m going to go and understand those parts of the country.
"In 2024, I want to go around and meet these amazing, lovely people and interact with them, so it was like, ‘let’s go paint the J. Cole mural and interact with people.’ And also I do music. Each mural that I’m trying to put together, that’s my idea. Not a client job but my idea. I wanted to do a track and music video for each one because no one else is painting and rapping at this point right here and I wanted to open up a new lane for artists. You can be creative in any form, you don’t have to just stick to one. So that was the whole goal when it came to this project,” Andaluz explained.
Shawn Adkins, owner of Back-A-Round Records, local musician, and art patron, financially backed the new project and ensured its location in Fayetteville. The previous owner of the highly loved and missed, live music venue, The Rock Shop, Adkins has been making it his personal and humble mission to ensure art of all forms is appreciated and available to the Fayetteville community and beyond.
“When I bought the building six years ago, I saw that big ugly white wall that I had and I knew I wanted a mural on there and what I wanted on the mural was to capture what Fayetteville means," Adkins said. "That was the main goal. It was right in the middle of the Market Square of downtown Fayetteville… I put it off for a long time… One day at the very beginning of this year I got a call from somebody. It was Andaluz and he was saying something about doing a mural with J. Cole in it. I was like man, you called the right person because I was thinking basically the same thing. Especially being that I had something to do with J. Cole’s first time on stage. He was talking about doing a Fayetteville mural that integrates everything about Fayetteville and I was like, ‘man we’re talking the same language.’”
For anyone who has not checked out the mural, it covers the lower half of the Back-A-Round Records building facing Green Street. The location is perfect for making the mural the backdrop for photo-ops, content creation or just enjoying a stroll downtown. Fayetteville truly embraced the artist while he was in the city.
Andaluz exclaimed, “In Fayetteville, I had such a great time. I had brought my family. I brought my wife, my daughter. And Darrell and his family. They came down so… my family had a great time. The people who are there are amazing… it was amazing for me to see how many people knew each other. When they came to the plot… everybody just knew each other. And it was interracial and there were so many races and backgrounds of people who were just like appreciating it. And I just love that. People were getting together because of the art and having a good time.
"So many companies and businesspeople like dropped-off stuff. I had people giving me like little barbeque sauces they made and some of their food and t-shirts and all types of cool gifts, that people were just like, ‘here takes this, thank you so much.’”
With summer approaching, the mural is sure to be the highlight of some photos and conversation. Andaluz the Artist hopes to bring more of his art to the city and brighten up other businesses in the area.

(Photo: The new mural downtown features local rapper J. Cole and focuses on what makes Fayetteville unique.  Photo by Aly Hansen.)

Living Water Music Festival: A celebration of community

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Tuesday, 16 April 2024

Written by Jamie Bishop

 On Saturday, May 4, the serene grounds behind the First Baptist Church at 4621 Cameron Rd. in Hope Mills will transform into a vibrant oasis of music, arts and camaraderie as the community comes together for the Living Water Music Festival. From 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., attendees are invited to immerse themselves in a day filled with live performances, artisanal crafts, delicious food and meaningful connections, all supporting a noble cause.
Nestled on a bustling 4 acres of land, the festival promises an unforgettable experience for all ages. With a diverse lineup of local entertainment spanning hits from the 60s and 70s, country, jazz, bluegrass, gospel and contemporary Christian music, there's something to captivate every musical palate. From toe-tapping tunes to soul-stirring melodies, the festival stage will showcase the rich tapestry of talent within the community.
In addition to the musical extravaganza, the festival grounds will host an array of vendors offering an eclectic mix of arts & crafts, jewelry, beauty and wellness consultations. Attendees are encouraged to bring their chairs, blankets and picnic baskets to fully enjoy the outdoor ambiance while exploring the offerings from local artisans and entrepreneurs.
One of the festival's highlights is the Classic Car Cruise-In, where vintage automobile enthusiasts can admire an impressive display of meticulously restored vehicles. Foodies will also be delighted by the presence of food trucks from local culinary establishments such as This Little Pig, Sunset Slush of Grays Creek, Some Tings' Cookin’ and many more, offering an irresistible assortment of culinary delights to satisfy every craving.
However, a more profound purpose drives the event beyond the music, food and festivities. Proceeds from the Living Water Music Festival will benefit Gate Beautiful, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to offering a clear path to freedom for individuals caught in the snares of prostitution or addiction. Gate Beautiful's mission extends beyond aiding victims of human trafficking to provide support and restoration for individuals on all sides of the trafficking issue, including victims, buyers and traffickers themselves.
Human trafficking is a pervasive and insidious crime that affects individuals of all ages, genders and backgrounds. Despite the clandestine nature of the crime, organizations like Gate Beautiful work tirelessly to provide rapid response, case management, and individualized restoration planning to those in need. By raising awareness and rallying support through events like the Living Water Music Festival, communities can contribute to the fight against human trafficking and offer hope and healing to survivors.
Ronnie Holland, an organizer from First Baptist Church spoke about the inspiration behind the Living Water Music Festival and its significance to the community.
“The Living Water Music Festival was born to foster unity and support within our community while addressing a pressing issue like human trafficking. Music has a unique power to bring people together and inspire positive change. By organizing this festival, we aim to provide attendees with a day of enjoyment and raise awareness and funds for Gate Beautiful, an organization doing crucial work in our area,” Holland said.
“At First Baptist Church, we view ourselves as more than just a place of worship; we see ourselves as an integral part of the community. It's our responsibility and privilege to support initiatives that promote compassion, justice and healing,” he said. “Our partnership with Gate Beautiful exemplifies our commitment to addressing social issues with empathy and action. Together, we hope to make a meaningful impact in the lives of those affected by human trafficking and related challenges.”
The community is encouraged to come out to the event to support the efforts of Gate Beautiful and First Baptist Church, but the festival isn’t the only way to show support.
“Individuals can support Gate Beautiful and its mission in several ways. Volunteering time, making financial donations, or simply spreading awareness about the issue of human trafficking are all valuable contributions. For those attending the Living Water Music Festival, we encourage donations of cases of water, which the Red Hat Ladies will collect at the event entrance. Additionally, individuals can contact Gate Beautiful directly to inquire about volunteer opportunities or contribute financially. Every effort, no matter how small, makes a difference in the lives of those impacted by human trafficking,” said Holland.
As the Living Water Music Festival approaches, anticipation builds within the community for a day filled with music, fellowship, and meaningful support for a worthy cause. Through the collective efforts of organizers, volunteers, performers, and attendees, the festival stands as a beacon of hope and solidarity, demonstrating the transformative power of community action in the fight against human trafficking.
For more information about the Living Water Music Festival and how you can support Gate Beautiful, please visit www.gatebeautiful.org or contact Ronny Holland at (910) 624-4166 or info@gatebeautiful.org.

(Photo: First Baptist Church on Cameron Road in Hope Mills will host the Living Water Music Festival on May 4. The music festival will benefit Gate Beautiful, a non profit organization dedicated to help those who have been involved in prostitution or addiction. Photo courtesy of First Baptist Church Facebook Page.)