Arts

Arts Council debuts new sculpture at Up & Coming Weekly

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Tuesday, 06 August 2024

Written by Staff Report

Throughout the downtown area, sculptures sprout up overnight, turning our community into a public art gallery. The Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County is responsible for these sculptures.
"Public art is art created for general public consumption. Public art is often commissioned by public institutions for a specific site. Public art must always be, by definition, visually and physically accessible to the general population. Therefore it is usually installed or staged in easily accessible public spaces.
"Public art adds enormous value to the cultural, aesthetic and economic vitality of a community. It is now a well-accepted principle of urban design that public art contributes to a community's identity, fosters community pride and a sense of belonging, and enhances the quality of life for its residents and visitors," according to the Arts Council website.
The piece debuting at Up & Coming Weekly's office on Rowan St. is called "Wonder." It is an 114"x5'x5' fabricated painted steel. Here's the information on Wonder. Abigail Law is the artist.
"In much of my work I've attempted to capture both the spontaneity and order found in nature through the use of organic or 'natural' subject matter. Many of my pieces are inspired by the unexpected yet somewhat predictable patterns and forms found in living organisms. I have enjoyed exploring the complexities and sometimes otherworldly visual elements found within even the smallest of living organisms, and aim to create from that inspiration. This likely stems from many years spent working in the garden, and my lifelong love of gardening as a means of therapeutic escape.
'I am interested in making art that not only brings joy and inspires the viewer, but also causes them to ponder the beauty of life and creation. I make art for the enjoyment of the viewer, as well as to satisfy my own curiosity. Hopefully this fabricated steel sculpture called 'Wonder' is able to both instill a sense of wonder, and bring joy to those who experience it," Law said.
The Arts Council has a series of public art sculptures placed all around town. For more information, visit https://www.wearethearts.com/artscape6
The Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County just celebrated their 50th anniversary in Fayetteville. Their mission is to "connect our communities, embraces diversity, promotes individual creativity, advances economic development, and fosters lifelong learning through the arts. As the primary steward of public and private funding for arts, cultural and history activities in the Cape Fear Region, the Arts Council, and the agencies it supports are known for the core values of excellence, accountability, transparency, collaboration, and innovation."

("Wonder" sits outside of the Up & Coming Weekly community newspaper's office on Rowan St. in Fayetteville. Photo by Linda McAlister )

Cape Fear Studios goes miniature with new exhibit

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Tuesday, 06 August 2024

Written by Lena Simmons

“When you look at a miniature … The beauty is in the details.”
— Bill Richardson
Cape Fear Studios is presenting the Sculpture and Miniature Challenge exhibit from July 26 to Aug. 20. The exhibit will feature 2D and 3D small works by local artists. The studio is located at 148 Maxwell Street, Fayetteville. The exhibit is open Tuesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Best of Show will be determined by guest judge, Silvana Foti.
“2D art exists primarily in a flat, two-dimensional plane, (painting, photograph), while 3D occupies space with a measurable height, width, and depth, (sculpture),” according to Study.Com.
Pandy Autry, president, Cape Fear Studios, shares, “Miniature Art is an intriguing art form that reflects our world on a smaller scale emphasizing details that can get lost in a greater work. Having a show of only miniatures allows us to focus on these pieces, as they are often overlooked when mixed with larger pieces. I hope the show can continue to expand to more awareness and focus our visitors to seek and explore the world of art in miniature.”
Silvana Foti is the guest judge of the Sculpture and Miniature Challenge exhibit. She holds an MFA from the University of Notre Dame and a BFA from St Mary’s College, Notre Dame. She is affiliated with the Association of Academic Museums and Galleries and the Association of Art Museum Curators, New York, to name a few. She is a tenured professor of art at Methodist University and was the executive director of the David McCune International Art Gallery on the campus.
“As a practicing artist, Silvana is best known for her expertise in printmaking. In addition to participating in more than 50 artist exhibitions, her former and current art gallery representation encompasses works on display in nine galleries throughout North Carolina, New York City and Chicago. Her personal works are on display in more than 45 public and private collections,” according to her biography.
Nancy R. Edge won Honorable Mention in the show with the piece entitled “Tundra Swan.”
“I like to play with light. The light follows the form. Light mirrors the swan’s feathers. The contrasts of light within nature are captured by the medium of pastels,” she said.
Small-scale is beautiful. Stop by the Cape Fear Studios Sculpture and Miniature Art Challenge. Admission is free. For more information, contact Cape Fear Studios by email at https://www.capefearstudios.com or phone at 910-433-2986.

Summertime NC peaches

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Tuesday, 06 August 2024

Written by D.G. Martin

One of the great joys of summertime for many North Carolina families is a drive to the Sandhills to visit one of the roadside peach stands that dot the region.
The well-drained Sandhills provide for peach trees what the California Napa Valley does for grape vines. When the peach blossoms survive the late winter frosts and when spring and early summer bring the right amount of rain, it is hard to find anything that tastes better than a Sandhills peach.
Even a perfect peach has to be picked and eaten at the right time.
Peaches are temperamental. A just-picked, fully ripened peach can taste better than the most elegant dessert at a five-star restaurant.
But peaches do not age well. A perfectly delicious, fully ripe peach is right on the edge of disaster. Deterioration and decay begin almost immediately. The best peach will not be as good after a few hours, and it can be a mushy mess of decay in a few days or less.
Peaches don't travel well either. Ripe ones bruise easily. Temperature variations and the lapse of time make the peach less and less appealing every minute after it leaves the tree.
So the best way for a North Carolina family to get a bite of a most delicious peach is to buy a ripe one right after it is picked.
The temperamental peach can sometimes drive a peach farmer crazy as he tries to manage the timing of its growth and harvest. But its nature is also a godsend for the Sandhill growers. It is this temperamental nature that keeps families driving down to the Sandhills to experience the perfect peach taste that is available only close to the source.
Over the last few years, many North Carolina small farmers found that they can no longer compete with the larger operations. As much as they love farming and farm life, many have had to find other lines of work.
Sandhills peach farmers face some of the same challenges. But, as a result of the peach’s temperamental quality, freshly picked peaches sold by the orchard owners directly to consumers are worth much more than those sold before they are ripe to large wholesalers and grocery store chains.
This phenomenon helps explain why North Carolina peach farmers have resisted the pressures of consolidation longer than most small farmers.
Since it is better to buy peaches as close to the source as possible, small orchards can make more money selling directly at their roadside stands than they can by selling large quantities to wholesalers.
Thankfully, there are still plenty of these family-run orchards in the Sandhills, where we can buy those precious peaches from the same people who grow them.
Greene’s Pee Dee Orchard’s peach stand on U.S. Highway 74 is on the west side of the bridge across the Pee Dee River between Wadesboro and Rockingham. (Don’t miss the fresh peach ice cream that Greene’s family makes on the spot.)
Greene is just one of a proud group of Sandhills peach farmers.
“There are lots of others you should mention, lots of other good peach growers around here.” Greene’s friend and fellow peach grower, the late beloved Watts Auman told me. “We are like a big clan. And the truth is, all Sandhills peaches are almost always real good, if you get them fresh and ripe.”

Editor's note: D.G. Martin, a retired lawyer, served as UNC-System’s vice president for public affairs and hosted PBS-NC’s North Carolina Bookwatch.

FSO closes out Sunset Summer Series at Botanical Garden

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Tuesday, 06 August 2024

Written by Sheila D. Barker

Prepare for an electrifying night of music and excitement on Friday, Aug. 16 with the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra’s string quartet at Cape Fear Botanical Garden. Don’t miss the grand finale of the Sunset Series summer concerts, featuring a thrilling game of Music Bingo.
Experience the electrifying sounds of the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra's star cellist, Jesse Smith, alongside the dynamic Magnolia String Quartet. Get ready for an unforgettable night packed with legendary hits from icons like Elton John, Paul McCartney, Frank Sinatra, and more.
Get ready to crank up the excitement with Music Bingo — a thrilling twist on the classic game. Imagine jamming out to snippets of your favorite tracks while battling it out against fellow music lovers for awesome prizes. Forget the DJ; this is going to be taking it up a notch with electrifying live music!
Here's how it works:
• Musical Clues: Instead of letters and numbers, the quartet plays a 30-second song snippet. Expect pop classics, modern hits, and tunes everyone knows.
• Mark Your Card: If you recognize the song and see it on your bingo card, mark the square.
• Achieve a Win: Complete a traditional 5-in-a-row pattern to win.
• Prizes: Winners receive Symphony tickets, Garden experiences, FSO or CFBG swag, and more!
This high-energy event lasts about an hour and features two intense rounds of bingo.
Food trucks will be on-site, serving up mouthwatering delights alongside a fully stocked bar and a variety of other drink options. Plus, you’ll have full access to explore the stunning garden grounds throughout the event.
Event Timeline:
• 5:30: Food Trucks open and Bingo Cards available to guests
• 6:30: Music Bingo Round 1
• 7:15: Music Bingo Round 2
Admission for this Event (includes entry & bingo game cards for 2 rounds):
• Members Ages 13+: $5 (+tax)
• Non-Members Ages 13+: $15 (+tax)
• Members Ages 6 to 12 – $3 (+tax)
• Non-Members Ages 6 to 12 – $5 (+tax)
• Ages 5 and Under: Free
There is no need to purchase a ticket ahead of time for this event. Cash and card will be accepted for tickets at the time of admission.
Things to Know:
• Limited seating will be available, so bringing your own chairs is recommended for comfort.
• The Garden is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Arrive early to enjoy the grounds or explore during the event.
• The Garden Gift Shop will be open.
• Food trucks will start serving at 5:30 p.m., but you can also bring your own food.
• The event is rain or shine. They prefer to be outdoors but will move to the Orangery if needed.
Be sure to check the Cape Fear Botanical Garden’s website for up-and-coming events at https://www.capefearbg.org/
The Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra’s season opener is “Music of the Knights” on Saturday, Sept. 21 at 7:30 p.m. at Seabrook Auditorium. Experience the iconic music of Sir Paul McCartney, Sir Elton John, and Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber performed by Broadway’s most gifted voices alongside your Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra. Tickets can be purchased at https://www.fayettevillesymphony.org or by calling the FSO office at 910-433-4690.