Methodist University plays an integral part in Fayetteville’s arts and culture scene. The Friends of Music offer concerts several times a year and Reeve’s Auditorium is often filled with the musical talents of the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra. Now add to that the William F. Bethune Center which holds 2D visual arts courses as well as art history courses. The 8,844 square foot fl oor plan includes a printmaking studio, a painting studio, a graphic design lab, a photography lab, a digital photo studio, and a drawing and art education space — as well as an exhibition gallery. The exhibition gallery is named after local artist and contributor to the project and is called the David McCune International Art Gallery. The gallery hosts student shows as well as local, regional, national and international artists.

On Saturday, March 12, Methodist University welcomes the public to the latest exhibit opening in the David McCune International Art Gallery.

The works of the gallery’s namesake, David McCune will be on display in an exhibition titled Heavy Metal. The Heavy Metal opening reception is from 6-8 p.m. on March 12.

Although McCune works in water color, acrylics, makes furniture and jewelry and even has a few songs to his credit, just like the name implies, this exhibit is all about fabricated metal. “It is all one of a kind with lots of colors and lots of interesting shapes,” said McCune. “It is amazing how you can take a fl at piece of metal and within moments give it shape and form that makes it look real. That is what I am doing in this exhibit, too — shape and form.”

With everything from ecosystems and wildlife to abstracts and patterns represented in his work, McCune brings life and color to each piece, striving to create work that will have an emotional and visual impact on the viewers.

“That is pretty much it — what I try to do is just to create the magic for people,” said McCune “That is what I try to do in art — create the magic the mystique and the illusion.”

McCune uses two different techniques when he creates metal wall art. First he makes the piece into its shape, from there it is either powder coated in black and then color is added to it, or a clear coat is applied and then color is added. Because McCune’s work can be displayed indoors or outdoors he is careful to make sure that everything is very well protected from the elements.

Once the surfaces are prepared, the creativity and fun kick in.

“The way I paint, it is like looking through a microscope,” said McCune. “Under a microscope you can see different layers of the tissue. That is how I paint — in layers. It really adds an element of depth.” Look for annual exhibits by McCune, but the other eleven months of the year expect to see high quality work from students, local talent and national and international names as well.

“Another reason for the art gallery is to try and step up our art community. We have a really nice art community right now,” said McCune. “But we are trying to bring it to another level where people can start seeing all the different arts and artists ... to bring in some international artists that our community can enjoy and then get to the point to where people from Raleigh and Greensboro will drive to Fayetteville to see art displays.”

The exhibit will be open from March 14 to April 4. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Call 630-7100 or visit www. methodist.edu/art/gallery.htm for more information.

PHOTO: David McCune works on a piece for the Heavy Metal exhibit.