Apex Latino Arts Festival

Juliet Torrellas coordinates the Latino Art Exhibit

The Latino Art Exhibit represents the "beauty, richness, and diversity" of the community, says Juliet Torrellas, featured artist and exhibit coordinator at The Halle Cultural Arts Center. Support for the Apex Latino Arts Festival is "growing," says Vladimir Flores with arms open. Standing in front of a room full of people with another key member of the Apex Latino community, Pastor Jose Luis Villasenor, Torrellas and Flores describe how differences can unite. Artists, family, art lovers, sponsors and plenty of cameras to document the kick-off celebration, make up the crowd. Villasenor reads through a long list of sponsors, the naming of some receives cheers from the crowd. The Latino Art Exhibit, on view at The Halle Center through June 1, 2013, features work from fourteen, local artists, with roots in eight Central and South American countries.

Cornelio Campos, Mascara Azteca, 2011

Cornelio Campos' works provide a striking center point for the show. He approaches traditional Mexican iconography with a contemporary reimagining to create fresh interpretations of immigrant life. In Mascara Azteca, 2011, for example, Campos makes prominent the familiar image of Tonatiuh, the sun god, by removing all surrounding noise, floating it on a bright blue background. It's affronting gaze mixed with the almost trance-inducing swirls of the stone earrings ask the viewer to face and consider deeply its meaning, and for Campos, a native of Mexico, the remembrances of his past and the collective unconscious of his people.

Photo by Gabriel Vientos

Look out for future works by Gabriel (Gabe) Vientos, one of the Youth Participating Artists in the show, whose inspired eye and technical savvy (experience he learned as the Sound Technician for The Halle) has landed him a spot in the Photography program at Savannah College Art and Design, class of 2017. This summer Vientos will work on developing his online presence with a website dedicated to his art. His goal is to explore photography from an artistic perspective and blend it with the art of photography. Other art works on display in the exhibit include mixed media, fiber works by Ana Summer of Sew Unique Art, who uses a machine to create the detailed "under painting" of her pieces and further embellishes them with hand stitching.

On the last day of the visual art exhibition, June 1, 2013, The Halle will host families for free crafts, art activities, and the breaking of pinatas from 3 to 6 pm. Then the food and fun begins. The Apex Historic Depot until 10 pm, across the street from The Halle, will become the site of the 4th Annual Latino Arts Festival, a culinary fest and bazaar with samplings of authentic, Latin American foods, dance performances, and music. Upon the purchase of a $3 ticket, participants receive a "passport" to visit the flavors of twelve Latino countries, home made savories and sweets by volunteers from the community. Last year Mayor Keith Weatherly recognized the Apex Latino Festival as an official festival and there were 600 people in attendance. Organizers see support and attendance growing, like Flores said, and I believe their commitment to local, community-driven arts will keep it a unique and diverse experience that will grow with the town and its multicultural population.

Bona Fide Mural Company's Got You Covered

Nurkin paints the Steel String mural

Out with the old, in with the new and Scott Nurkin, owner of Bona Fide Mural Company, is there. In the beginning of one week he began plans to auction or sell his 18 piece collection of paintings representing famous North Carolina born musicians that once hung in the now closed Pepper's Pizza, a collection as artistically diverse as the genre each performer represents. By the middle of the same week I caught him priming a brick wall for a mural at the Steel String Brewery set to open mid-April. Since 2004, Bona Fide has created murals all over the state and not just for purveyors of the college diet- pizza and beer. No one can miss his large scale mural, for example, when visiting the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher; it stretches 80 feet. And for those 800 or so people who live in Vass, NC, they most certainly know Nurkin's work there, a series of murals on the exterior of NC Feed and Seed. And as if that isn't enough, followers of the local music scene will recognize Nurkin as the drummer for Birds of Avalon and the lesser known (no Wiki page yet) Dynamite Brothers.

The back wall of Bona Fide's office, a mural by Nurkin

Needless to say, he gets around, paintbrush or drumstick in hand, creating artful ambience. After graduating with a BFA from UNC, and a stay in Florence, Italy to study classical painting, Nurkin worked as an assistant/ apprentice to local muralist, Michael Brown, whose artwork pretty much covers all of downtown Chapel Hill (a bit I covered about Brown's mural at the Chatham Library is in this post). Nurkin landed the apprenticeship during his senior year at UNC when he raised his hand to the question, "Who in this class wants to be a professional artist?" Surprisingly he was one of the few students to answer yes.

Plans for the Steel String mural by Nurkin

For the Steel String mural, Nurkin was asked to do something proletarian meets beer and bluegrass. He studied bolshevik posters for inspiration, deciding on a pallette of orange that is no less vibrant than red; it takes several coats to cover the surface. In the center of the mural a Carhartt-cald fellow holds a pint in one hand while the other hand gestures an Uncle Sam command to "Enjoy this brew." To the left and right, two figures serenade with the plucky sound of ole' timey music. If you've ever had a haircut at Syd's Hair Shop on Rosemary Street you're familiar with the layout. There's a similar mural there. The painting is a most fitting image of Steel String's commitment to home-made, home grown products. The brewery's choice of an American manufacturer of brewing equipment, "Marks Metal Works, which is made with 100% American Steel, 100% American labor, and 100% American design" (more on this decision from their website here), is the reason for the delayed grand opening of the long awaited addition to the Carrboro scene.


Will you be there for the unveiling of Scott Nurkin's painting at Steel String's Grand Opening?

The Triangle through Tinted Glass

Detail of Tiffany window, St. Matthew's, Hillsborough

A kaleidoscope tour of stained glass windows in places of worship across the Triangle is this amateur photographer’s dream. The tour, both physically and spiritually moving, tells stories of religious symbolism for people in the area while mirroring stained glass design in America. One of the oldest windows and some of the newest I photographed over the last two weeks reveal innovative processes and changing aesthetics of art glass and so begins our journey. 

Detail of Tiffany window, St. Matthew's

The Angel Window at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Hillsborough is a heavenly example of Louis Comfort Tiffany glass. Installed in the sanctuary in 1899 and signed, unlike most of his religious commissions, it incorporates stained glass techniques that became synonymous with his work. The texture of the angel’s wings, for example, is produced when molten glass is rolled into a sheet. The roller moves faster than normal over the glass causing a rippling effect. As the glass cools, the texture remains. Also, notice that the various blues and yellows of the horizon behind the figure are fused within the glass not painted and heated, or flashed, on as seen in earlier stained glass. This technique, called opalescent glass, was patented in the U.S. in 1881 by Tiffany (a year earlier by artist John LaFarge) and continues to be used in stained glass production to create painterly glass surfaces.

North and East Windows, St. Stephen's, Durham

Jump forward nearly a century in the history of stained glass design and into the sanctuary of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Durham, and I feel as though my steam engine has been transformed into a magic carpet. The perfect backdrop for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, St. Stephen’s stained glass, the focal point of G. Milton Small’s modernist architectural marvel, was created by Leandro Velasco with the Rambusch Company in the late 1970s. Influenced by Abstract Expressionism, Velasco’s work is a exuberant nod to post WWII stained glass artists influenced by the use of color and gestural lines to depict emotion. In the center of the East Window, a 34' x 23' panel that is part of an expansive triptych surrounding the altar, a sweeping and tangled mash of colors separate two scenes, the baptism of Christ and The Last Supper. Parishioners describe this part of the work as representations of grace and glory. 

Detail of stained glass, St. Stephen's, Durham

From the exterior the windows are no less impressive, giving me a better understanding of the process of came glasswork, the way in which colored glass pieces are fashioned together with soldered metal strips. Here a formidable yet friendly lion, the king of the beasts, looks out over the congregation protecting them. Lighted from within at night, the windows set the sky ablaze along Kimberly Drive.

Looking into portico, First Baptist, Raleigh

One of the oldest churches in Raleigh, First Baptist, sits on the NW corner of Capitol Square on Salisbury Street since 1859. (It's first location in 1812 was the second floor of the original Capitol Building). In addition to a east facing rose window that emits a path of halos on those sitting in the pews during Sunday morning services, First Baptist is awash with mid-1800's Gothic Revival illuminations in every corner and hallway.

Detail of stained glass, Kehillah Synagogue, Chapel Hill

The stained glass windows of Kehillah Synagogue in Chapel Hill tell a story like that of most Southern Judaica. For example, artifacts originating from Temple Emanu-El in Weldon, NC, a small town at the head of the Roanoke River in the North East corner of the state, were donated and moved to Kehillah in 2004. The Weldon congregation, established in 1912, was comprised of the town's first retail store owners. After a fifty year period of growth, the small, Southern Jewish community and congregation declined as textile mills closed, large chain discount stores moved in, and children of shop owners moved to the larger surrounding cities for more opportunities. 

Detail of stained glass, Holy Cross Catholic Church, Durham

Above the entrance of Holy Cross Catholic Church in Durham is a stained glass window of an Acacia tree. Holy Cross was founded in 1939 by Jesuits to serve the African American Catholic community in Durham. The native African tree provides sustenance and shelter and is drought-resistant, a strong and life-giving symbol of heritage. The Acacia tree was chosen to represent the spirit of the church, a window was created and installed in the new church building that opened in 2007. 

How does your place of worship support and appreciate the arts?  

Big Art in a Small Town- Chris Dalton

Artist Chris Dalton at work

What do you get when you mix four foot tall sunflowers, several flying pigs, and Joyce Meyer's husband playing golf with angels? The art of Chris Dalton, of course. Needless to say, Sanford, NC artist, Chris Dalton, has an endless imagination and the indelible skill to create whatever her mind concocts to match. In true entrepreneurial spirit, a shared trait among successful artists, she has taken risks and drawn upon her own resources to make the most of her God-given talent. Dalton began her artful life out of necessity, a young, single mother needing to make ends meet. From her apartment's kitchen she sculpted figurines from clay, characters from Beatrix Potter books, carousel horses, even clocks. She made casts, reproduced them and sold them wholesale.

Hand painted jewelry by Dalton

Her business grew. From a 1,200 square foot building to a 10,000 square foot warehouse, she created all the designs for the gift products and taught hand painting to her employees, which, at their peak, numbered forty. Dalton had the most wonderful sales rep in New York City. She had buyers in Italy and her products could be purchased in Harrod's of London.  All of this she taught herself, or as she likes to say, taught to her by God through his grace. "The gift industry is ever changing," Dalton explains. "Tastes change, fads come and go. It was a lot to keep on top of." She still gets calls from that sales rep of hers to start up business again but nowadays, after a stint of traveling, various jobs including art therapy for people with developmental disabilities, and many fun years in St, Pete's, FL, Dalton can be found working in her children's business, San Lee Cleaners, in downtown Sanford.

Hibiscus and other flowers by Dalton

Under five feet tall, Dalton peers over the desk, painted with a sea of her signature sunflowers, helping customers with their laundry as if she herself is one of those friendly-faced, sun-beaming plants. She moved to Sanford to be closer to her children and grandchildren and, in turn, has blessed the town with her art. Behind the desk she works on a painting of Dave Meyer playing golf, the minister's husband's favorite past time. Surrounding him are three angels, clubs in hand, wings in back. Dalton keeps customers up to date on the painting's progress when they bring in their Sunday best to be pressed. She intends to mail the work to the Meyers once it is complete. "I don't get too attached to my art. Once I make it, I send it on its way," Dalton tells me. In fact, very few of her pieces are at her home. Most reside at the Carolina Artist's Colony, an impressive gallery of over eighty North Carolina artists and craftspeople, including a large painting of a hibiscus flower she painted so vibrantly you can almost smell it.

Hand carved, foam sea turtle by Dalton

Visitors to the gallery comment on the happy, little penguins in the front window, the sea turtles that swim through the deep blue, flowers that wave hello, an oversized pear, all Dalton's creations. They quickly become admirers of her work. She also has a collection of mobiles and wind chimes made from airplane widgets and a case of hand painted jewelry. Her large scale figurines are carved from foam, layered together, cut and sealed to create wood-like sculptures. No matter the technique, each piece has a unique Dalton stamp. She asks me to pick out her two submissions to the Sanford Strutters Barnyard community arts project, a parade of roosters to be on display throughout town February, 1 through April, 30, 2013 preceding an auction gala in May to support the Lee County Arts Council.

Giddy Up Earl, a Sanford Strutter by Dalton

With a scan around the room at the dozen or so decorated birds, ruffling their feathers in the back office of the Artists' Colony that houses the county's arts council, my eyes fall upon the unmistakable work of Dalton. Two roosters, one named Sir Poppycock, the other, Giddy Up Earl. Possibly influenced by the fast-pace of the gift industry in which she began her career, or that she was in "survival mode for a long time," Dalton is always looking ahead to the next thing. "Horses," she confides, "everyone likes horses." And it is her vision that will drive the visual culture of, at least, her small town, Sanford, NC.


Have you visited Sanford lately, for a show at the Temple Theatre, for a donut from Sandra's, or for a Saturday spent antiquing? Share your experiences below.

Panzanella- Serving Up Local Art

The folks that, year after year, bring the Triangle the "Best place to people watch" while indulging in sustainably produced, organic, local foods are also committed to bringing you the best place to view local art. Panzanella, part of the Weaver Street Market cooperative grocery, serves up Italian fare, seasonally selected, surrounded by the visual imagery of artists from the area. The idea to exhibit local artists' work in the restaurant came about eight years ago when Mary Votta, a marketing professional in search of a new start, was offered a position as the bartender due to her experience working in restaurants. It wasn't long, however, until her marketing expertise and love of art landed her into that new, ideal beginning. Though the restaurant exhibited art, she envisioned a space for rotating exhibitions focused on local producers of art without big gallery representation, a fitting parallel to the organization's community roots. Votta pitched the idea and it sold. She was on her way to becoming Exhibits Coordinator.

Votta chooses artwork with the Panzanella customer in mind. She seeks out art that is exciting yet non-confrontational (remember that people are at the dinner table). The restaurant as gallery expands the number of potential collectors by making the art available to a broader audience. Unlike a traditional gallery setting, potential, unsuspecting, collectors are able to really sit with art, to imagine what it would be like living with original art, eating meals, having conversations with the piece in their periphery.

"The art sneaks up on them. It surprises them in pleasant way," Votta says. Patrons are also surprised to discover that they can afford to own an excellent piece of original artwork.  The proof is in the pudding, or should I say, the tiramisu with mascarpone-espresso cream. Artists who have had exhibitions at Panzanella have sold more artwork there than any other venue. For example, local artist, M. Scott Myers, sold over half of his work from his solo exhibition! Panzanella receives a commission of ten percent of works sold to fund exhibit programming like the opening receptions. The longest running, recurring exhibition, Local Farms/Local Art, coincides with the annual Piedmont Farm Tour, a partnership between the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association and Weaver Street Market. In its sixth year, the exhibition features artwork inspired by North Carolina farms. "So much of art draws upon representations of food and food production," Votta explains, as she describes the upcoming show. From a still life by van der Ast to Millet's rural France to Warhol's soup can, food and art have a deep and congenial relationship. Submissions for Local Farms/Local Art are accepted until Thursday, February 28, 2013 at 5 pm. For more information and to submit your paintings of farm life and farmscapes, visit the Panzanella website here.

Live in the city and need a bucolic scene for your submission to Panzanella's 2013 Local Farms/Local Art exhibition? Look no further,

Getting Crafty- The Lovecrafters of Pittsboro

Lovecrafter knits a sock

Every Tuesday night, 7 pm, in downtown Pittsboro a group of crafters meet to share techniques and stories. Toting bags of yarn and their recent project, they form a circle, fingers, and mouths, activated. Between stitches, some enjoy a cup of hot, herbal tea. No, this is not a scene from a church basement for in the background is a mural of a sooty, Victorian skyline at night, a poster of the 1927 film Metropolis, and a full bar. It is the back room of Davenport and Winkleperry and the group is The Lovecrafters- "a lively bunch who like to get together to knit, crochet, and other crafty things in a friendly atmosphere."

Nicole, aka Lady Attercop, in awe of this thrift store find

Nicole, alias Lady Attercop, both lively and fearless, is the group's perfect leader. As a graphic artist (see her webcomic Strange Fiction here) and newest co-host of the weekly steampunk podcast, A Clockwork Cabaret, Nicole sets the stage for lighthearted, creative antics. Why craft alone at home, watching all the way up to season 7, episode 16, when you can join in on the face-to-face interface of your world meets The Lovecrafters over your choice of a good brew? Amidst tall tales of backwoods surgeries, a round of dentist drill impressions (literally, not a featured cocktail), and ideas for DragonCon costumes you'll hear encouraging words like, "the colors are more avocado and harvest gold than slime and boogers," and, "plastic zip ties make for cheap and easy corset boning." It doesn't matter what it looks like, I learn, crafters will proudly don even their first handiwork. Most everyone there sports a knitted hat or scarf, a testament to their increasing skill. It's explained to me how so much of one Lovecrafter's daily work produces only intangibles and how crafting satisfies her need to create something real that she is in control of, that changes before her eyes, like the shawl turned blanket that she garter stitches as we speak.

D&W Resident Squid and Bartender 

This kind of creative evolution has been the very life force of The Lovecrafter's venue, Davenport and Winkleperry. In addition to this weekly craft event, they also host game nights, movie nights and dances to suit a plethora of musical tastes. They're constantly evolving to meet the needs of the community, taping into the zeitgeist of the ever growing, interest-driven population. People want to feel loved and crafting is one way to do that.


What are crafters up to in your community? Where and when do they meet?

Toeing the Company Line- Nosi Dance Theater

"Walk it from the top. And five and six, ba de bom ba da. No, hand flickies first. Then the butt wiggle down. Tombe, tombe," Allison R. Daniels directs from her perched position at studio stage left. Dancers speak, I chuckle. The jargoned language of craftspeople skilled in artistic movement. It's a Sunday afternoon in a studio at Encore Dance Academy in Durham and these dedicated group of dancers form a huddle, rattling off descriptors and French and pantomiming the first 8-counts of steps with their hands. Moments later the music begins, a contemporary version of Que Sera, Sera, and they're off, a flurry of grace and expression, feet bruised and dirty from the floor, practicing what is called "the balloon dance."

These dozen or so dancers, all of whom have day jobs, have been meeting once a week since late October preparing for the big night. Understandably, one has to be quick on one's feet to perfect all the moves in such a short time. Not to mention, full of unending energy to make it through sets of leaps and twists and level changes during the stress season, sniffling and coughing during breaks. If anyone is the perfect role model for limitless passion and dedication it's Daniels, the creative vision behind Nosi Dance Theater (link here) as she waddles to and fro, pregnant, marking the counts and encouraging her team.

Daniels began Nosi Dance in 2008 after her career as a professional dancer. Upon returning to her hometown of Durham she noticed a lack of inclusive opportunities for burgeoning dancers and a growing interest in the community of the art form. She gathered a group of now dance teachers she knew from childhood for collaboration and support. Since then Daniels has been offering bright hopefuls in the Triangle the taste of the company life. She holds workshops and teaches classes, the culmination of her choreography for the year showcased in the annual performance which takes Saturday, January 19, 7 pm at the PSI Theatre in the Durham Arts Council. "Don't waste your talent," she calls out, her final words at the end of the session. I, too, leave the studio feeling rejuvenated and empowered, excited to witness years of practice and creativity in the upcoming show. Come find out why it's the freshest dance company in the Triangle. Visit their Kickstarter page here to donate to the project.