Be inspired by art and music at Kreativity Unlocked on Aug. 4 in the Orangery Ballroom at the Cape Fear Botanical Garden. Host Keith Sykes is a local photographer who will have prints on display to view with select items available for sale.

There will be an open bar with wine, spritzers and hors d'oeuvres. Guests can get creative with a 360-photo booth. There will also be musical performances by Testimony and DJ Liek, who both hail from Norfolk, Virgina.

This is not the first photography exhibit Sykes has organized. He held a show in 2018 at the Cape Fear Regional Theatre and one in 2019 at the Cape Fear Botanical Garden. He chooses locations that will inspire creativity in his guests so they can fully experience the art and music.

"One of the things that I always say when I'm putting (events) together is that it's all about the experience," said Sykes. "I want the people that come through the door to really experience something different than they've experienced in the first two shows."

Sykes has had a varied career that led to becoming a photographer and owner of an event planning company, IKreate Consulting. The New Orleans native joined the military when he was 20 years old. Sykes traveled the world while he served, which sparked his interest in photography. He settled in Fayetteville after 20 years of service.

"I have had a love for photography for a very long time because one of my older brothers was a photographer at one point, but it was never really serious," said Sykes. "And then, in 2015, I started taking it seriously because a couple of friends suggested it. So, my very first exhibit was in 2018."

Much of Sykes' inspiration comes from travel, and guests will be able to see areas like Edisto Island and Greenville, South Carolina, and some local spots in Fayetteville through his lens.
This event will be the last featuring his work as he plans to organize future events to help local artists.

"I want to give other local artists who are not very well known and who are not very visible in the local community the opportunity to show their work," he said. "So, I think the next thing I do will be something collaborative with a couple of different artists."

The event is limited to 100 guests. The cost is $50 and includes all drinks and appetizers. No tickets will be sold at the door. The event is not formal, but guests are encouraged to dress to impress.

Purchase tickets here www.eventbrite.com/e/kreativity-unlocked-tickets-302584035997.