Arts

Arts Council creates “ArtScape” in Fayetteville

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Tuesday, 22 April 2025

Written by Sarah Busman

Fayetteville has seen a transformation in its public spaces thanks in part to the vision of the Arts Council. In 2017, the ArtScape Public Art Initiative was launched, bringing a bold new vision to the city’s streets. The initiative has since leased and purchased more than ten pieces of art each year, showcasing a diverse array of sculptures and installations that beautify and inspire. With a focus on engaging the public, ArtScape’s mission is to create thought-provoking works that not only enrich the city’s landscape but also spark conversation among residents and visitors alike.
“Public art enhances the urban realm, lending itself to vibrant, engaging spaces for visitors and residents alike,” says Ashanti Bennett, the Interim President/CEO, Cool Spring Downtown District. Bennett understands the importance of art in public spaces. “Communities are enriched by the opportunity to engage with art that is easily accessible — regardless of demographics — amplifying a sense of place, boosting quality of life, and ultimately supporting the growth of the local economy.”
ArtScape rotates out pieces each year to reflect the community's changing landscape. Visitors have just a few more months to engage with the current pieces on display. Each work has its own personality with new pieces that span a diverse spectrum of color, design, theme, and structure. Some pieces are functional art, like Greenspace Bench outside of the Cool Spring Downtown District Office. The piece is described by the artist, Matt Amante, as walking “the line between planter, bench, and sculpture.” Other works, like Kevin Vanek’s LOUD!, have hidden meanings.
“This work is meant to be a fun/funny attention grabber while also being a literal mouthpiece for the unheard.” The bright red lips and gold teeth point toward Market Square Loop outside of the Self Help Building.
ArtScape also hosts some permanent pieces that pepper different areas of the city, including downtown Fayetteville, Linear Trail, the Cape Fear River Trail, and the Fayetteville State University corridor. The 18 permanent pieces are valued at $198,000, largely funded by individual community members who want to beautify Fayetteville. Individuals can sponsor a piece for a year, too, explains Director of Development Josh Murray.
“Sponsoring an ArtScape piece is a tangible way individuals and small businesses can contribute to the vibrancy of Fayetteville, while publicly supporting the crucial role art plays in our local economy,” he said.
As the years go by, it’s clear that ArtScape is doing more than just showcasing art; it’s creating a sense of place and pride in the community.
“Public Art helps to engage our citizens and to attract visitors and tourists to our community as Fayetteville becomes a travel destination,” says Arts Council President and CEO Robert Pinson. “As we enter the ninth year, the program is one of the most successful public art exhibitions in North Carolina, drawing artists from across the country.”
Each new installation invites people to explore, reflect, and appreciate the beauty of Fayetteville in an entirely new way, ensuring that public art will be an integral part of Fayetteville’s vibrant culture for years to come.
ArtScape 8, the current iteration of public art pieces, will be removed in June to make way for ArtScape 9, which will run from June 27 to July 31, 2026. For more information, visit https://www.wearethearts.com/artscape8.

(Photo: Gothic Doorway, by Beau Lyday, is located at 318 Hay St. The piece is part of ArtScape 8. Photo courtesy of Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County)

Artist Village takes theater goers to Neverland

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Tuesday, 22 April 2025

Written by Katie Herring

The story of Peter Pan is timeless. The tale of a boy who won’t ever grow up is one many of us are familiar with. Whether you first met Peter in Disney’s animated classic, through J.M. Barrie’s novel, the classic Broadway musical, or through Sweet Tea Shakespeare’s recent production of PAN (a modern retelling of Peter Pan), nearly everyone has some familiarity with Peter and Tinkerbell, Captain Hook and Smee, the island of Neverland with mermaids and native islanders. But where did they all come from? How did Peter and the Lost Boys wind up on Neverland? How did the island become so magical? The answer: a shipwreck and Starstuff. What is Starstuff, you ask? For that answer, check out the Artist Village’s upcoming production of Peter and the Starcatcher.
The Artist Village is a community theatre company in Hope Mills. Peter and the Starcatcher is their third and final production of this season, presented through a grant from the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County. The play will be performed at the Hope Mills Recreation Center at 5766 Rockfish Road, Hope Mills, in the Community Room. Performances are May 2-4.
Peter and the Starcatcher is a fun, fantasy play, based on a novel by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson. The play is the origin story of all the main characters and details of Peter Pan. Through a funny and heartwarming tale, we learn how Peter is able to fly, how he and the Lost Boys came to be on this magical island, and why they call themselves “Lost Boys.” The story begins on two ships, with plenty of mischief and misunderstanding; then hijinks and high winds ensue.
Everyone’s favorite villain is on board: Black Stache, the pirate (who will one day be known as Captain Hook) wreaks the best kind of havoc. Spoiler alert: they wind up shipwrecked on a mysterious island. Based on the title, you might ask: what is a Starcatcher? For that answer, you’ll have to see the play and let Lord Aster and his daughter, Molly, explain that phenomenon.
The play incorporates music and magic-theatre magic-to help tell the story, which includes a flying cat, a massive crocodile, and mermaids, all of whom are tricky to bring to life onstage. The creatives of Artist Village are up to the challenge.
According to Kaitlin Davis, Assistant Executive Director and Marketing Director of Artist Village, this play lends itself well to a flexible staging concept. This fits the need of the theatre company, as it stages work in a space that was not built to be a theatre. But the beauty of theatre is that it can happen anywhere, including the Community Room of a recreation center.
Peter and the Starcatcher invites the audience to “suppose all these planks and ropes are now the British Empire…and use your thoughts to hoist the sails and deck the ships awaiting us,” so from the beginning, our imaginations have an active part in the show. Combine that with unique prop creation, spearheaded by cast member Randy Burkhead, and you have a formula for a unique theatre experience.
Peter and the Starcatcher is great for all ages. With a diverse cast of local actors, ranging in age from 10 to over 60, and laughs and surprises around every corner, there is truly something for everyone. Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for students of any age, available for purchase online or at the door. For more information, visit artistvillagehm.com.

Gilbert Theater brings "Little Shop of Horrors" to stage

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Wednesday, 14 May 2025

Written by Amber Little

The Gilbert Theater is bringing another campy cult classic to the stage with its upcoming Little Shop of Horrors production. Opening night is Friday, May 16, and runs until Sunday, June 1st. Theatergoers can catch a show on Friday nights at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the box office located at 116 Green Street, 2nd Floor, or online at https://ci.ovationtix.com/36002/production/1206179.
“Prepare for a blooming good time... with a bite!" with the cast of Little Shop of Horrors. While Rick Moranis, Ellen Greene, and Vincent Gardenia brought the characters of Seymour, Audrey, and Mr. Mushnik to a broader audience, the original low-budget, dark comedy, directed by Roger Corman in 1960, is the inspiration for it all. In 1982, two of Disney’s musical mavens, Howard Ashman and Alan Menken, wrote a musical adaptation that would give the cult movie of decades past a new life on the stages of Broadway.
Southern Pines native, professional actor, and Gilbert alum, Bill Saunders, is directing the musical hit and has worked tirelessly to bring the stage to life for this show, which has proven to be a massive undertaking, but is worth every minute when the vision is realized on stage for audiences. Saunders is well-versed in the history of both films and the final transition onto the stage, making him the perfect fit for the role.
“...Roger Corman apparently made the film on a bet he could do it for under $10,000. So they did it over the course of a weekend on the set of a film that had finished filming, and it’s terrible. But it’s famous because it starred Jack Nicholson in one of his earliest speaking roles as the masochist who goes to the dentist and wants to be tortured… It’s a parody [the musical stage adaptation] of the 1950s style melodrama. Audrey is supposed to be kind of a Billie Dawn from Born Yesterday, and it has become one of the archetypes of theater. We are having a blast with doing the show. It makes fun of all the Motown songs and that kind of thing,” he eagerly explained.
Little Shop of Horrors follows the flower shop assistant, Seymour, and his purchase of a strange plant in Chinatown. The plant brings the shop a lot of business but has a taste for the customers… and the world. To pull off the progressive growth of Audrey II, puppets are being used, a prop that has proven to be effective in storytelling and the impact of the show, but has proven to be one of the greatest challenges for the whole production crew.
“We have puppets involved. We have Audrey II, the killer plant, [which] is four separate puppets of different sizes that go from a hand puppet to six feet long and four feet tall, and three feet wide. That has to eat people. We have been very lucky, North Moore High School in Orange County had done this show, and we borrowed several of their plants,” Saunders said.
A show of this magnitude wouldn’t be possible without an incredible cast, and Little Shop of Horrors is packed with some amazing talent.
Vinny Dupree: Seymour
A Phoenix native, Dupree has spent his adult life acting. A graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy, he spent 2007 through 2011 in New York City, eventually making his way to North Carolina after meeting and marrying Bill. He has spent time working with summer theater programs and theater in the park performances. He recently played JD in Heathers and is excited to bring the role of Seymour to life on the Gilbert stage. Dupree has a history with the role, once auditioning and being told he looked too young to play the leading role.
Michelle Rutherford: Audrey
Coming in hot off her last Gilbert production as Heather McNamara in Heathers, Rutherford was excited to take on the role of Audrey. A seasoned stage presence in the area, she’s worked with CFRT and Sweet Tea Shakespeare.
Quentin King: Audrey II
A “military brat”, King was born in Germany and eventually made his way to Fayetteville. His resume includes work with CFRT and Sweet Tea Shakespeare. While the audience will never see King on stage, the veracity and tone of his voice make for an unforgettable Audrey II.
Chris Walker: Orvin “The Dentist”
A Fayetteville native, Walker is no stranger to the stages across not only Cumberland County (CFRT, Sweet Tea Shakespeare, and the Gilbert) but also gracing the stage of the Carolina Civic Center in Lumberton. He’s spent most of his stage time at the Gilbert, bringing some iconic characters to life, like Beast, in Beauty and the Beast. His outgoing personality and understanding of character roles make him the perfect fit for Orvin and some other minor roles he will be playing.
Evan Bridenstine: Mr. Mushnik
Ohio native, but longtime local, Bridenstine, currently a Professor of Fine Arts at FSU, has made a career for himself teaching, while dipping his toe in on the stage when time allowed. After moving to the area in 2001, he worked at Methodist University for 23 years. He has worked with the Gilbert, CFRT, and Sweet Tea Shakespeare. While a humble man, his degrees, experience, and time on the stage will surely bring an element to this character that only Bridenstine could bring.
Whether you’ve seen the original, the 80s remake, or sung along to the musical, Gilbert’s production of Little Shop of Horrors will be a delight for all who come. For more information, call 910-678-7186.
Tickets are $22 for general admission, with discounts for military, students and seniors.

(Photo:Various puppets will be used throughout the production of Little Shop of Horrors to make the character of Audrey II. Photo courtesy of Gilbert Theater Facebook page)

Gilbert Theater summer camp registration now open

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Tuesday, 22 April 2025

Written by Amber Little

"You are one of us now, didn't you know that? You are one of the crew. We're all in the same boat." — Roald Dahl, James and the Giant Peach
Summer camp is the iconic symbol of summer. It's where lifelong friends are made and imaginations are inspired. It fosters a community for youth who share the same interest and sparks new passions. The Gilbert Theater is hosting its annual summer camp for those interested in learning about the theater and putting on a full production from sets to lights to acting. The camp is a fully immersive experience ending with the camp production of James and the Giant Peach.
Camp runs from July 14 to July 26, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Gilbert Theater located at 116 Green Street (second floor) and is open to children ages 7-11 and 12-18. The curriculum will differ depending on the age group. Tuition is $250 before the end of April and $300 starting May 1 ($25 discount for each additional sibling). Summer camp t-shirts and 2 show tickets are included in
camp tuition.
At the end of the 2-week session, camp will conclude with 2 performances of James and the Giant Peach. The show is open to the public and tickets will be available at the box office. To register, call the Gilbert Theater at 910-678-7186 or online at https://ci.ovationtix.com/36002/production/1230560?performanceId=11604850.
Stepping in to lead the campers through their theater journey is local thespian and former theater arts teacher, Claudia Warga-Dean. A Gilbert veteran, she has worked with the theater for 17 years, with her most recent production being Misery as Sheriff Buster. Not only will she be facilitating the summer camp, but she is also taking on a more permanent role at the theater as Education Director.
“I am very grateful to Matt and the board for the opportunity. Theatre education is a passion of mine, and I can’t wait to jump in! I will be tag-teaming with the wonderful Malissa Borden, which is great. I am a big fan of hers,” she said.
Warga-Dean's time at Gray’s Creek High School and on stage make her the perfect fit for this community-centered program.
Warga-Dean is excited about this year’s camp and its expansion to two weeks.
“Adding an extra week allows us to spend more time working with students by inspiring and challenging them to reach their full performance potential. Having that second week allows students to get comfortable and learn how the Gilbert Theater works. We definitely advocate a welcoming space for kids of all backgrounds,” she said.
“The Gilbert Theater has been my home for 23 years. I started here while I was still in high school. The Gilbert not only educated me on theatre and gave me opportunities, but it allowed me to be a part of the theatre community here, which has enriched my life greatly… we are one of a few theatres that offer summer camps! And we don’t mind saying that! We support them all because they have supported us! So I say check them all out! My daughter is doing the Gilbert Summer Camp and the CFRT summer camp. The Gilbert, CFRT, and Sweet Tea Shakespeare all offer great opportunities to school-age children to immerse themselves in creativity and to make loads of friends. Between all three theatres, your kids will have a world of support and hands-on training. Even if theatre is just a hobby for them, their confidence will grow immensely.”
For more information about the Gilbert Theater, volunteer opportunities, education, or tickets to upcoming shows, visit online at https://www.gilberttheater.com/.