Arts

50 Years of Color: Arts Council of Fayetteville celebrates milestone anniversary

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Tuesday, 28 May 2024

Written by Amber Little

Fifty years is no small feat, especially for an arts council. This year marks the milestone anniversary of the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County. Cape Fear Botanical Garden, located at 536 N Eastern Blvd, will host the event on June 6 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The dress code is colorful cocktail attire.
There are two ticket options for the evening of fun. General admission is $50 and VIP tickets are $75 and can be purchased online on the Arts Council website at https://www.theartscouncil.com/. Attendees can look forward to a night of vibrant art, live music by local artists, and light hors d'oeuvres and refreshments. VIP ticket holders will have access to craft cocktails in the Arts Lounge, exclusive Arts Council swag, and a special gift to take home.
Robert Pinson, President of the Arts Council of Fayetteville, is a familiar face, as his time at the council spans 13 years. He is elated about the 50-year celebration.
“It’s a year-long celebration. We aren’t just doing a one-event type of thing. We will start with a major social event out at the Botanical Garden on June 6. It’s a world of color. We really feel that the Arts Council has taken a black and white world, in its near beginnings in the 50s and 60s, to a very colorful, exciting world that engages all people in our community,” he said. “What we want to do is really be able to tell our story throughout the year. We are going back into some of the chronicles and files downstairs to see what we got. From the very beginning, there was a publication, almost a newsletter thing called Spectra. One of the things we are looking to do is to recreate an issue of Spectra that will tell some of the stories of what we have done in the community over these last 50 years, from 1974 to present.
"Along with that, we will do a series of stories; again that's what the Arts Council is about. It’s the stories of how we have engaged the community through some of the funding things we’ve done over the years but also just engage our community and make our community a better place. We have a lot of personal
stories to tell.”
Pinson’s tenure has come with a vast knowledge of the history of the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County.
“It was a project that started out of the state. The North Carolina Arts Council, at the state level, was starting to create a series of regional arts councils. So this wasn’t just a Cumberland County pop-up idea, ‘let’s create an arts council here in Cumberland County,’ it was actually started through some efforts of the state. With the idea that they wanted to make sure there was some type of art representation throughout all 100 counties in North Carolina…. Everybody is not as big as Cumberland County, Wake County, or Mecklenburg County, so what was created was a series of regional arts councils. When I first started working here some 13 years ago, we actually had 16 counties that were part of our umbrella here in North Carolina. So again, all 100 counties didn’t have their own dedicated arts council, but the regional arts councils stood up and we were one of them….When I first started working here, Wilmington didn’t have its own arts council. Who would think Wilmington, North Carolina didn’t have an arts council? They now have a robust arts council and we are proud of that.”
The Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County has come a long way and is looking to the future and pivoting into whatever role the community needs. Miles McKeller Smith, Director of Public Relations, is one of the newest and freshest faces at the Arts Council.
“I’ve been very fortunate. I got here when things were kind of moving in the sense of being executed on… being able to have input in the logo that we are using for the 50th and figuring out what all goes into that. Figuring out how to market the events we are doing. What goes into the celebration on the 6th? Just what other experiences can we create for people to make sure that we commemorate 50 years… of serving the community, 50 years of serving artists? Just being able to be at the table for those discussions and see where it goes…. When I think about the Arts Council, I think about the community,” McKeller-Smith said. “Make sure we are reaching these communities and counties that maybe don’t have the opportunity available for their artist,” McKeller-Smith remarked on his time and work to date at the Arts Council.
“We are not in a 10-year plan anymore… actually as we were coming out of Covid, we got very much involved in a strategic planning process that took us two years out. Then as we continue to move forward, we’re toward the tail-end of that first two years. We are starting to work on the next couple of years as we go forward with it. But our biggest impact we continue to see is not necessarily in programming things ourselves. We’ve got a lot of agencies and organizations in this community that can do that. Where we really see our strength is… or strength is to be able to go after those dollars to be able to bring them into the community and then strengthen those organizations that are already set up to do that sort of thing. So, that’s really what we are looking to do and try to continue to engage the community.
"We are trying to get deeper into the community. We’ve got a lot of pockets in our community that have just been underserved over the years and we are trying to make a lot of efforts, deep efforts to reach some of those and make them aware of opportunities that we have in the community through many of our grant programs… The mini-grant program is a fantastic program,” Pinson remarked of the current role the Arts Council is taking in the community.
The Arts Council continues to be an integral part of the arts in Cumberland County and beyond, moving from facilitator to funder through the mini-grant programs, providing local artists and collectives the opportunity to see their visions realized.

(Photo: The outside of the Arts Center, where the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County calls home. Located in downtown Fayetteville, it is the heart of the historic part of the city. Photo by Aly Hansen)

Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra announces 2024-25 season

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Tuesday, 21 May 2024

Written by Sheila D. Barker

The Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra has curated a thrilling season that facilitates their ability to share and connect their music with audiences both inside and outside of the concert hall.
The upcoming season promises to feature a diverse array of musical genres and showcase various sections of the orchestra.
Along with six season concerts, the 2024-2025 lineup boasts an assortment of Community Concerts and additional Symphony on Tap dates.
2024/2025 SEASON CONCERTS

Music of the Knights — Saturday, September 21 at 7:30 p.m. | Seabrook Auditorium at Fayetteville State University
Kicking off their season, the FSO pays homage to the musical prowess of three British legends: Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, Sir Elton John, and Sir Paul McCartney.
Audiences can indulge in a breathtaking showcase of talent by the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra and internationally renowned vocalists. Among the memorable melodies to be performed are beloved classics such as "Hey Jude" and "Can You Feel The Love Tonight," among others.

Handel’s Water Music Suite — Saturday, November 23 at 7:30 p.m. | St. John’s Episcopal Church
A delightful evening of classical chamber music awaits as 20 skilled musicians from the Fayetteville Symphony gather to present a concert featuring Handel’s Water Music Suite.
The performance, which promises to be a true treat for the senses, will take place in the serene surroundings of St. John’s Episcopal Church, where the Symphony will delight the audience with a rendition of suites 1-3.

Sounds of Lafayette — Saturday, January 25, 2025 at 7:30 p.m. | First Presbyterian Church
2025 will mark the 200th anniversary of Lafayette's visit to Fayetteville, the sole city bearing his name that he had the opportunity to visit.
To pay homage to this remarkable occasion, the FSO have planned a captivating chamber concert that will showcase music compositions crafted by renowned French composers.
This exclusive event will truly be an authentic chamber music concert, as talented string and woodwind musicians will grace the stage to deliver awe-inspiring performances without a conductor.
Additionally, they have invited the accomplished Maestro Stefan Sanders to share his expert commentary and insights during the concert.

The New World Reimagined — Saturday, February 22, 2025 at 7:30 p.m. | Seabrook Auditorium

Be sure to attend the world premiere of a brand-new composition by Ahmed Al Abaca, specially commissioned by the FSO.
This thrilling piece will showcase the talents of Dr. Ron Ford, renowned for his exceptional saxophone solo during the 2022 John Williams concert, as well as his numerous captivating performances with the FSO Jazz Ensemble.
Additionally, they will be presenting a new work by North Carolina composer Brittany J. Green, generously sponsored by the League of American Orchestras’ Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation Orchestral Commissions Program.
The second half of the program features the timeless classic New World Symphony by Dvorak, a beloved piece inspired by the rhythms and melodies of Black and Native music.

Mallet Madness — Friday & Saturday, March 14 & 15, 2025 at 7:30 p.m. | Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County
Dr. Daniel McCloud, an Assistant Conductor and percussionist, will be taking the audience on an extraordinary musical journey accompanied by an eight-person percussion ensemble.
Their skilled and imaginative percussion section promises an enthralling concert, making it a not to be missed event of the season. You are cordially invited to attend the performance on either of the two nights at the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County.

Beethoven V — Saturday, April 26 at 7:30 p.m. | Seabrook Auditorium at Fayetteville State University
This performance is all about Beethoven’s epic Symphony No. 5. Accompanying this masterful piece is a collection of compositions to be performed by Billy Hunter, principal trumpeter of the Metropolitan Opera.

2024/2025 FAMILY &COMMUNITY CONCERTS
Nosferatu-Saturday, October 12 | 8 p.m. | Dirtbag Ales
Enjoy the black and white gothic 1922 German silent film Nosferatu while the FSO plays live music arranged by Peter B. Kay. The concert is free at Dirtbag Ales Taproom.

Messiah with Cumberland Choral Arts — Saturday, December 7 at 7:30 p.m. |Seabrook Auditorium
During the upcoming holiday season, FSO and Cumberland Choral Arts will team up to present a captivating rendition of Handel's Messiah at Seabrook Auditorium. Admission is free, reservations are required to secure your spot.

The Snowman — Sunday, December 15 | 4 p.m. | Cape Fear Botanical Garden
Get into the festive spirit with a family concert and movie at Cape Fear Botanical Garden.
This holiday-themed event is perfect for the community to come together and celebrate. Secure your spot by purchasing tickets, which will be available soon.
Keep an eye out for updates! Please note that a separate ticket is required for Cape Fear Botanical Garden’s Holiday Lights event.

Side by Side Concert — Sunday, March 30, 2025 | 4 p.m. | Huff Concert Hall at Methodist University
The Fayetteville Symphony Youth Orchestra will perform alongside the FSO's world-class musicians.

New dates for the FSO’s Symphony on Tap have yet to be announced. To get updates on these concerts, any of the concerts above, as well as season tickets, be sure to visit: https://www.fayettevillesymphony.org/

(Photo: The full Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra poses for a photo. The orchestra has announced their 2024/25 season. Photo courtesy of Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra)

Artists rejoice: Fayetteville Art Attack is back

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Tuesday, 21 May 2024

Written by Sheila D. Barker

The Fayetteville Art Attack was originally started in 2014 at The Rock Shop. Every Wednesday night, artists, musicians and crafters would gather to share their love for the arts. Shawn Adkins was the proprietor of The Rock Shop. He now owns Back-A-Round Records, a local establishment situated in the downtown area which offers an assortment of vintage vinyl records, cassettes, CDs and collectibles for purchase. Adkins, who had been eagerly waiting for an opportunity to revive the Fayetteville Art Attack event, has successfully accomplished his goal.
“Diversity and art have always been very important to me and so many others' well-being. The Art Attack at my old venue, The Rock Shop, was also every Wednesday. It was my favorite night of the week. Doing something about The Attack really became obvious to me around October of last year. People kept talking about the great vibe it created for them. I knew 100% that the trigger was needing to be pulled. The question was when and how?” says Adkins.
As it turns out the perfect venue was The Church Entertainment Lounge, the dance club at Paddy's Irish Pub.
“Every time I would go into Paddy’s Pub, the crew would ask me to bring back Art Attack. I finally had some time and energy to invest in doing it again. I love the venue and all the positive people working there. We sat down and talked in the right place at the right time,” shares Adkins.
“This time around it is a force to be reckoned with. We have the support from the whole crew at Paddy’s to all the artistic-minded people that come into Back-A-Round Records, to the old Rock Shoppers and all of our socials. Success has already happened within the first couple of Wednesdays. It is a very beautiful thing. Protecting the original vision of The Art Attack is key. You can say we have changed the locks and bought sturdier doors. Art Attack for many, will be a much needed, positive, influential, artistic, vacation in town that happens once a week.”
If you are an artist or musician interested in participating Adkins invites you to just come to the event.
“For visual artists, just bring your art in and put it up for sale. For stage performers, I want to meet you first. As long as you have something for me to hear or see. It is that easy. I would say, show up and check it out for yourself.”
Adkins hopes that the revival of Fayetteville Art Attack will help to bring local artists together to be able to share a night.
“I just want people to feel inspired to do something artsy outside their home and meet other artistic people to bounce ideas off of. The people that I personally enjoy being around are the people who implement art into their daily lives whenever possible. If your readers feel the same, then this is their day to come out and play!”
If you are interested in participating, or just checking out Fayetteville Art Attack, it will be happening every Wednesday at The Church at Paddy’s Irish Pub located at 2606 Raeford Road. Artists' set up time is 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. every week and doors open at 8 p.m. to the public. This event is free to attend and is open to all ages. For more information about art setup, you can email fayettevilleartattack@gmail.com. Also, be sure to check out the Fayetteville Art Attack Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/fayettevilleARTattack

(Photo: Visitors view art at Fayetteville Art Attack. Photo courtesy of Fayetteville Art Attack)

Seventeen Men: Portraits of the Men of the 25th US Colored Troops

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Tuesday, 14 May 2024

Written by Sheila D. Barker

The Museum of the Cape Fear is currently showcasing a unique exhibition titled "Seventeen Men: Portraits of the Men of the 25th US Colored Troops." This display narrates the tale of 17 soldiers from the 25th USCT Regiment, depicted through an array of portraits and life histories, masterfully crafted by artist and genealogist Shayne Davidson.
A tiny pocket-sized photo album was the inspiration for this project and led Davidson on a months-long research project. Each life-sized portrait of the 17 men is accompanied by a short biography of the man's life and a reproduced image of the original albumen print or tintype the portrait is based on.
Davidson, originally from St. Louis, Missouri, earned her BFA from the California Institute of the Arts and an MFA in Medical and Biological Illustration from the University of Michigan.
Post-retirement from her commercial illustration career, she shifted her interests toward genealogy. During the creation of a friend's family tree, she was introduced to an album held by Captain William Prickitt, which housed miniature photographs of 17 Civil War soldiers who were under Prickitt’s command in the USCT. Intrigued by these images, she delved into detailed research about these men’s lives and created life-sized portraits of them.
This led to the creation of a mobile display known as Seventeen Men.
Besides the Seventeen Men exhibit, the gallery also showcases details about the US Colored Troops who were actively involved in the Cape Fear region's Wilmington Campaign. The USCT regiments played crucial roles in the Fort Fisher battles and confronted the Confederate soldiers as the Union army advanced from Fort Fisher to seize Wilmington, the Confederacy's final significant supply route.
Particularly, during the Forks Road battle, the 5th USCT led an aggressive frontal attack against a firmly fortified enemy. Over half of the Union's losses in the campaign to retake Wilmington were men from the USCT Regiments. Without their valiant efforts, it is quite likely that Wilmington would have remained under Confederate control, prolonging the Civil War.
The exhibit can be seen through June 2, during regular museum hours, Tues. through Sat. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
The Museum of the Cape Fear is located at 801 Arsenal Ave. Admission is free.

(Photos courtesy of Museum of the Cape Fear)