Sheila Hall / United Arts Center

Sheila Hall

United Arts Council

The bold and vibrant hues of SJ Hall’s art give us pause as we go about our otherwise busy routines of life. Passionate crimsons, royal purple and gold denote culture and ceremony. Bright yellows and orange reflect the warmth of the sunlight or floral gifts of nature. Hall paints and creates from experiences, memories, dreams and visions.

Originally from North Carolina, SJ Hall ventured to Alaska in 1981. For eighteen years she taught art to children and adults of all ages. Having retired after thirty plus years as an educator, principal and supervisor Hall now paints for enjoyment and on commissioned works. Sheila Judge Hall is best known as an Alaskan artist whose work can be found in several art collections in Anchorage Alaska. She has been a featured artist in Anchorage Wild Salmon on Parade Sculpture Project, Transformed Treasures Salvation Army Benefit art exhibitions and has donated art to many charitable silent auctions. Her colorful artwork is among many private art collections from Anchorage to North Carolina. Living and working in Alaska for over twenty years exposed Hall to a multitude of nationalities and cultures, which influenced her art. Visit sjhallartwork.com to see some of her work and shopvida.com/collections/sheila-j- hall for wearable art. Hall has returned to her native state and now works from her home “Color Speaks Studio,” in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Sheila Judge Hall is a graduate of East Carolina University, School of Art and Design, and the University of Alaska Anchorage. Hall is currently a professional artist in Raleigh, NC and a member of NC Artspace. She is a proud wife, mother and grandmother.

PROJECT POSTCARD

PROJECT POSTCARD IS BACK!

A blank postcard, a stamp and a few USPS restrictions were the only guidelines given for VAE’s inaugural Project Postcard.  In today’s culture we so rarely mail things.  This project encouraged students to think about the ways in which we communicate our creative ideas.

Postcards are displayed May 5 - 15, 2017 in the windows of

VAE Raleigh

Holly Grove Middle School

Holly Springs High School

Homeschool

JF Webb High School

Leesville High School

Longleaf School of the Arts

NCSU

Reedy Creek Middle School

Roxboro Community School

Salem Middle School

Southern Wake Academy

The Waldo School

Vance Granville Community College

Wake Young Men’s Leadership Academy

White Oak Elementary School

311 Gallery

Apex Friendship High School

Carnage Middle School

Dillard Drive Middle School

Durant Road Middle School

Enloe High School

Heroic University

Millbrook High School

Saint Timothy's School

Sanderson High School

Wakefield High School

United Arts

Apex High School

Broughton High School

Garner High School

Holly Ridge Middle School

Ligon Middle School

Martin Middle School

North Garner Middle School

Partnership Elementary School

Rand Road Elementary School

Ravenscroft 

Rolesville High School

Southeast Raleigh High School

Turner Creek Elementary School

The Lived Body

Can I Keep You by Erin Canady

The Lived Body
Subverbal Collective

May 5-25, 2017
First Friday Reception: May 5, 6-10 pm

“My body is my point of view on the world not just another object in the world.”
-Merleau-Ponty

In this group exhibition six artists have chosen to engage with Merleau-Ponty’s notion of der Leib or the body as lived body. As a phenomenologist, Merleau-Ponty sought to describe the world of human experience and to describe the world as experience.

One essential structure of human existence for his view is the body. For Merleau-Ponty, the body was not merely an anatomical physical object in the world (der Körper) but a necessary part of the order and the structure of existence. It is how humans engage with the world and how knowledge is directly acquired. The body also organizes and structures our phenomenological knowledge of being a being-in-the-world.

In this exhibition we engage with this notion of the body in six unique ways.

SUBVERBAL COLLECTIVE IS AN ARTS COLLECTIVE BASED OUT OF THE RALEIGH/DURHAM AREA OF NORTH CAROLINA. FOUNDED IN 2016 BY SIX VISUAL ARTISTS WHO ARE CURRENT AND RECENT GRADUATES OF UNC'S MFA PROGRAM, SUBVERBAL SEEKS TO PROVIDE A SPACE FOR CRITIQUE, DIALOGUE, AND COMMUNITY. 

ULTRALIGHT

ULTRALIGHT

Exhibition run May 5-25, 2017

ULTRALIGHT is an exhibition of artwork about disability, created by artists living with disabilities. VAE is offering a platform for artists who identify as living with disabilities to take back the narrative that is so often controlled by the medical field, media, and stereotypes. ULTRALIGHT seeks to exhibit work that challenges the viewing public to leave their preconceived notions and sympathy at the door, and experience artwork that tells the real story of living disabilities and the current state of access. The exhibition breaks access into three parts: physical, communication, and attitude. 

Works and Artists
 

Theresa Devine Till Disability Do Us Part  
Ken Morgan New York School, Snake Charmer
Eduardo Lapetina Searching for the music in us
Brian Markuson Bees, My lips are sealed
David Adelman Elegy, Ability, and Glitch
Jeff Newell Entering the World, A Bird in the Hand
Shelby Scattergood  Blind Faith
Anthony Garcia-Copian Witches of Depression
Cary  Brief  Cat and mouse
Jean Shortall POLIO INDUCED INSOMNIA
King N. Godwin Me and my family are together “71”,  Hawaii is cool because there are starfish in the ocean
Mitchell Price Pirate Baseball
Evan Webster Future, No One Is Perfect
Luis Rosario Central Park
Jessica Baisey Incomplete
Darryl Johnson The Goddess Comforts the Blind
Wiley Johnson  Darnkness Streams
David Chadderton Mystical Infusion
Sherry Spencer  Out of the Woods,  Speak to Me

Awards

• 1st - Theresa Devine In Sickness And In Health
• 2nd - Shelby Scattergood  Popcorn
• 3rd - Eduardo Lapetina Where the intangible hovers
• Honorable Mention - Rea Rossi Cilia
• Honorable Mention - Heather Youngblood In my head.

Project Seed Grants Awardees

Darryl Johnson - 

Part One. “Beautifully Disabled”

In this piece I challenge traditional concepts of feminine beauty. For example is a disabled woman considered beautiful? I know the question can be considered “offensive”, but I believe it is valid. After all, when was the last time a beauty care or clothe advertisement featured a disabled woman. This piece will feature a beautiful disabled woman. 

Part Two. “Divine Suffering”

Typically when society sees someone with a physical disability we think of how much pain or suffering that individual must endure. Usually the topic ends there. I believe some types of pain have a nobler purpose. Christians see the suffering of Christ on the cross as being divinely inspired. Christians have taken the crucifixion, which was a common instrument of capital punishment at the time, and elevated it to a greater purpose that they believe was divinely inspired. I believe that the suffering that I must endure as a disabled person is divinely inspired. Perhaps my very practiced ability to bear some of my limitations teaches others humility or compassion. Maybe they become inspired and think "Me too- but the grace of God." Thus my disability becomes something greater. It is transfixed to that of noble teacher. 

Part Three. “The Goddess Comforts the Blind”

Social isolation and evil mockery are some of the hardest things my wife and I endure because of my disability. No matter where we go, naturally some places are better than others, when we are together we always hear, sometimes in a whisper other times in a shout "why oh why is she with him." Is she pretty but "stupid". Perhaps she "feels sorry for him because he's so low." Oh this whole thing must be some type of fraud. "Everyone knows that the pretty don't marry the blind."

Cary Brief- Life Under the Sea

Hand painted wood 3D cutouts exploring Life under and around the sea and humans' affect on it. Octopus, starfish, crabs and fish coral etc. They are large colorful, hand painted fun images that have multi layers and lots of depth coated in an epoxy for an intensifying effect. "I started this project in 2016 but due to  disability and a move I haven't been able to work on it as much as I'd like to." The funds will be used for materials so I can finish the project. 

 

Ignite Marketing Speed Date

SOLD OUT! More SPEED DATE opportunities, here. 

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MONDAY, MAY 15TH @ VAE RALEIGH

SPEED DATES are thematized 30-minute one-on-ones with area smartypants who can answer your pressing professional questions! This time, we are excited to host four marketing experts from Centerline Digital to answer your questions about how to get the word out about your creative projects. Learn how to stand out from the crowd! Register now while space is available! 

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HOW IT WORKS

This is your chance to pick some smart brains in a relaxed, comfortable environment! You should come with a few questions you want to ask your guru(s) during your 30-minute meeting(s). The Speed Date registration form will give them a little background on you before you meet so you won't have to start your conversation totally from scratch.

This event will be held from 2-6 pm on Monday, May 15. That time frame is just when the gurus are available to meet. You get to pick who you meet with and when (depending on availability). You are not expected to be at the event the whole four hours it's happening. Pick and choose to suit your needs and schedule!

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REGISTRATION

STEP ONE: Complete the registration form through Wufoo [CLICK HERE]. You will be asked for your contact information and a short survey of questions to help the gurus understand your needs. This event is FREE for current VAE members and $10 for non-members.

Questions/prompts Include:
 - What are the five words that BEST describe your creative work?
 - What kids of marketing do you currently do?
 - What marketing outreach do you enjoy doing? 
 - What are the main challenges with marketing your creative work? 

STEP TWO: Once you've completed step one we'll give you a link to an outside scheduling service called Sign Up Genius where you will choose the guru(s) and time(s) you want. Once you've done that and hit submit, you're 100% registered!

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MEET YOUR DATES

Meghan McKeon
Senior Digital Strategist: AKA, get eyes on digital platforms
Meghan specializes in content strategy for social media, and analytical reporting. So if you need tips on how to best use social media to reach potential customers, Meghan is your gal!

Brenna Mickey
Senior Interactive Designer: AKA, turns digital platforms into art
Brenna is a web designer who can help you organize your website and social media posts to look amazing and connect with your future customers. She has a knack for thinking about online platforms as opportunities for creativity and personal storytelling.

JT Moore
Associate Strategy Director: AKA, temporary press agent!
JT is a business creator, the ultimate pro at connecting artists to buyers, target audiences, and people who "dig" what you do. This guy is terrific at listening to your challenges and brainstorming creative solutions! He can help you find the heart of your 'brand'.

Brittany Kotary
Communications Manager: AKA plans the talking to meet your goals  
Brittany creates goal-oriented communication plans for web-based outreach. So much of marketing creative work is finding your voice and telling your story. Brittany can help you do that. 

UNDER PRESSUE

For the month of July, VAE will be hosting the dual exhibition Under Pressure. The exhibition will consist of a performance show, where each day a different artist will perform for the duration of the exhibition. As well as the print show, where artists will show work created under the pressure of the press. We will be showcasing artists that love to work in the process of ink, run, repeat. 

The exhibition will run July 7 - July 27

Collective Behavior by Maggie Evans

Collective Behavior

Maggie Evans

ARTIST STATEMENT
Western art has long emphasized the uniqueness of each human being.  But beneath these independent identities and myths of rugged individualism lies our deep, intrinsic desire to be part of a group.  The group provides security and comfort, but it is also vulnerable to manipulative leadership, oppression of independent thought, and exclusion of those seen as “others.”

Using hundreds of simple, uniform chairs I create drawings and site-specific installations that examine this propensity towards collective behavior and its resulting power structures and homogeneity.  Uniformity and repetition are more important than individuality in my work.  Yet simultaneously, we are vaguely aware that each chair represents an individual.  Though reminiscent of organized, ritualistic gatherings, the specific purpose of the chairs remains undefined and irrelevant, further emphasizing the sheer ubiquity of our collective behavior.

BIO
Maggie Evans is an artist based in Savannah, Georgia.  Using drawing, painting and site-specific installation her work examines human collective behavior and the hierarchies, homogeneity and social divisions that result.  

Maggie’s work has been included in over fifty national and international juried exhibitions and a number of art publications including New American Paintings and Manifest Gallery’s INPA 6.  Artist residencies include The Hambidge Center for the Arts, Central Trak in Dallas, Texas and a full fellowship to the Vermont Studio Center.  In 2011 she was awarded a Chinese Government Scholarship that granted her ten months to develop new work at the China Academy of Art in Hangzhou, China.  She has had thirteen solo exhibitions and been invited to lecture on her work at a number of institutions including Indiana-Purdue University and the University of Texas, Dallas.

Maggie holds an MFA in Painting from the Savannah College of Art and Design (2008) where she is a part-time Professor of Foundation Studies.  In addition to her work as an artist, she performs regularly as a professional jazz singer and bassist.

FLOAT

There is a childish freedom of sitting in 4 inches of water. Kiddie pools have a nostalgia of aloof parents and excited friends eager to sit in rusty hose water. The imprint of those memories have toys and objects, designed to (or not designed to) float in luke-warm water waiting to be rescued.

This month VAE welcomes spring with a show of work that floats on water and in the air. We asked artists to create work that rests in fluid transitions. Work that requires the viewers’ transitions. Work that floats on the surface, between substances, and in space. And boy did they deliver. Come see FLOAT. It's joyous.

The FLOAT exhibition is dedicated to Sarah Powers, because.
 

Off Route Journals

Off Route Journals

presented by Betsy Peters Rascoe, Mike Cindric, & Sam Cox

Join us as we celebrate the unique people and landscapes of Eastern North Carolina.

April 7 - 27, 2017
Opening Reception: April 7, 6-10pm

Project Statement

North Carolina’s coastal plain has a fertile landscape and rich agricultural and cultural history. Yet, the counties between Interstate 95 and the coast remain a blank spot on many North Carolinians’ mental maps. Most experience the region as a blur of pine trees, fields, and gas stations as they rush towards the beach. What can we learn by slowing down and engaging Eastern North Carolina in a conversation on its own terms?

Click here to continue following the conversation on Facebook.

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ULTRALIGHT / Project Seed Grant

Project Seed Grant

Deadline for entry - 11:59 pm on May 19, 2017

As a part of the ULTRALIGHT exhibition, VAE is giving away two $250 grants to artists who identify as living with disabilities who are looking for resources to begin new projects, further their current practice, and continue their creativity. 

ELIGIBILITY
This opportunity is open to any artist who identifies as living with disabilities, working in any medium, anywhere.

APPLICANTS MUST SUPPLY

• documents of three recent works
• a short bio
• project statement that outlines what funds will be used for

ACCESSIBILITY
VAE wants to make this opportunity as accessible as possible. If you have any trouble with the online form, please email Kyle or call 919.828.7834.

IGNITE CREATIVITY SUMMIT

Let us rock your brain for 36 hours.

The Ignite Creativity Summit is designed to empower creative people of all persuasions by inspiring them to think bigger, make connections and become familiar with the resources available to them, both locally and nationally.

Ignite is not a professional conference. It is a blow-your-mind learning experience.

Through Ignite, VAE is rethinking and retooling professional education for creative makers. Online search engines have changed the way people learn. With information just seconds away, the job of educating artists is no longer about providing data, but about teaching artists how to apply data to build stronger careers and communities. Ignite offers a new interactive learning structure to fit the times, providing creative entrepreneurs with learning experiences that can’t be googled.

The 2017 summit theme is ALLIES: How can artists use creativity to empower and engage marginalized communities, creating relationships that are reciprocally beneficial and that bring about positive social change?

This year’s programming includes: 

• A free public keynote address by New Orleans citizen artist Imani Jacqueline Brown, a founding cultural activist of Blights Out, an organization that serves a cultural connective tissue to join oppositional groups of people in order to heal literal and figurative blights in New Orleans.

• Cool regional panelists and speakers speaking about the ways that creative symbiosis between art and community unlocked unexpected artistic and professional opportunities for them.

• A facilitated charrette (which is a fancy word for group problem solving and brainstorming) around the idea of using and building alliances as artists to meet needs within the community. Ignite has $3000 to give away as seed money for projects resulting from these discussions and interactions!

• A live recording of the Don't You Lie to Me podcast.

• Two delicious meals and a fun cocktail reception.

COSTS:

$35 for VAE members, $50 for non-members

Michael Bambuch / United Arts Council

Micheal Bambuch

United Arts Council - March 

   I'm not cool enough to talk about myself in the third person. I'm a photographer, original from the northeast(New Jersey and Massachusetts), that has landed in Apex, North Carolina.

    I shoot people. I love conceptual. I want my photos to be dynamic, to shape a perception, whatever you feel it might be. I do not have formulas and I never went to art school. I won't be able to explain or defend my work with gregarious themes and deeper meanings. I subscribe to the idea that you can just shoot something and like it. It doesn't have to go further than that. If you find something deeper, kudos, I've done something to elicit a response. I suppose that's what art is about? My photographic inspirations are Ritts, Lagrange, Blumenfeld, Wolf, Avedon and Walker. I don't think my work necessarily looks like their images, but they drive a lot of what I do.

ULTRALIGHT / call-for-art

May 5 - 25, 2017
Deadline - 11:59 pm on April 3, 2017

ULTRALIGHT is an exhibition of artwork about disability, created by artists living with disabilities. VAE is offering a platform for artists who identify as living with disabilities to take back the narrative that is so often controlled by the medical field, media, and stereotypes. ULTRALIGHT seeks to exhibit work that challenges the viewing public to leave their preconceived notions and sympathy at the door, and experience artwork that tells the real story of living disabilities and the current state of access. The exhibition breaks access into three parts: physical, communication, and attitude. We encourage artists to draw inspiration from these questions:

• What physically creates a barrier to access?
• How does communication prevent access?
• How do attitudes surrounding disability prevent access? 
• What does celebrating life living with disabilities look like to you?
• What do you wish more people knew about living with disabilities?

This exhibition is meant to empower people with disabilities who often feel left out of the contemporary art world. VAE is working to be a creative space where everyone feels welcome. If you have a comment, critique, or idea about how we could do a better job of that, please email Brandon or call 919.256.6856.

DETAILS
ULTRALIGHT is a juried exhibition, open to artists who identify as having a disability. All work must fit through VAE’s 104″ x 71″ front door. Up to two entries per artist. Juried with JPEGs. No media restrictions. Entries must received by 11:59pm on March 27, 2017.

JUROR
Ruth Gould is the Artistic Director of DaDaFest, a disability arts organization based in Liverpool, UK, which delivers an international, biennial festival and organizes other events to promote disability and deaf arts from a variety of cultural perspectives. In 2001, Ruth established the festival by bringing together cultural organizations and artists to develop a 10-day event that would bring about social change through direct action, influence, and example and place disabled artists into the spotlight.

Ruth is seen as a leader and pioneer in this field and continues to be passionate about empowering disabled artists. Ruth meets with, hires, and exhibits work by artists with disabilities worldwide, including by being a board member for Michigan's DisArts. FUN FACT - Ruth is also a Member of the British Empire!

Project Seed Grant
As a part of the ULTRALIGHT exhibition, VAE is giving away two $250 grants to artists with disabilities who are looking for resources to begin new projects, further their current practice, and continue their creativity. 

AWARDS
First - $300, Second - $200, Third - $100, (2) Merit Awards - $50.

ENTRY FORM
Please use the online entry form to submit artwork details and pay your entry fee. 
The form will ask you to:
> enter your personal contact information
> upload your JPEG entries OR submit a link for web-based submissions
> provide details about your entries
> allow you to pay your entry fee

ENTRY FEE
VAE members - $10 per artwork/$20 for two pieces*
Non-members - $15 per artwork/$30 for two pieces*
* If this entry fee would pose a financial barrier to entering this exhibition please email Kyle or call 919.256.6856.
* Entry fees are non-refundable. Click here to join VAE!

SCHEDULE
Deadline for entries.....................11:59 pm on Monday, March 27, 2017
Artwork drop-off...........................April 27, 11-6 - April 2, 2017 11-4
Exhibition ......………………….….…....May 5-25, 2017
First Friday receptions…..…….….May 5, 2017 6-10pm
Artwork pick-up…………...........…..May 26, 11-6 and May 27, 2017, 11-4


To use the online form to submit information about and images of your work, please review these instructions for naming your files:

• All files should be named like so: 01_LASTNAME_TITLE.jpg, 02_LASTNAME_TITLE.jpg.
• Still images should be sent as jpegs should be at least 1000px at their widest dimension, not to exceed 2MB per image. 2D artists may submit one JPEG per entry. 3D artists may submit two JPEGS (one full shot and one detail) per entry. Follow the filename format for works as indicated above.
• Video samples should be edited to no longer than 2-minute excerpts. It is strongly preferred that video & audio artists submit their work online through clips or URL addresses to online sharing formats like Hulu, Vimeo, youtube, or dropbox. Videos submitted as uploaded files should be submitted as Quicktime files whose width is no larger than 720px and file size is no larger than 10MB (as that is the largest file eligible for upload on our entry software). Video pieces will only be accepted for exhibition if they are captioned, either with open captioning, that is integrated into the video or closed captioning that can be turned on when needed. Read info about captioning videos on Youtube, with iMovie, or Quicktime! Please only submit video art or video documentation of an art piece that requires video to be fully experienced. Do not send video walk-throughs of static exhibitions or video slideshows. While web-hosted submissions are strongly preferred, video and audio samples can be submitted on CD if necessary. Please contact Brandon Cordrey to make arrangements for CD delivery prior to the deadline. Follow the filename format for works as indicated above.
• Audio: Audio should be submitted as separate MP3 files. Each track should be no longer than 2 minutes. Follow the filename format for works as indicated above.
• Web-based: Web-based work should be submitted as a URL listed in the work sample list. Please only submit web-based projects. A portfolio website that features audio/video art and still images will not be considered.

ELIGIBILITY
ULTRALIGHT is open to any living artist with a disability. A maximum of 2 works of any medium, per artist may be submitted. Two and three-dimensional entries will be accepted. Work must be original and completed in the last 3 years. No copies, mechanical reproductions, molds or kit work will be accepted. VAE reserves the right to exclude work due to size or special requirements. Entries must be hand delivered to the gallery or mailed in a returnable container. Artwork submitted on behalf of an artist requires written and signed authorization from the artist.

ACCESSIBILITY
VAE’s gallery space is fully accessible and we strive to make the submission process accessible as well. We encourage anyone to enter our open call exhibitions. If you need any additional information or accommodations in order to enter this exhibition or become a VAE member, please email Brandon or call 919.256.6856 for assistance. Visit our accessibility page for more information.

SHIPPING WORK
Ship artwork using a sturdy, reusable packing materials clearly labeled with your name and telephone number. Do not include return postage in case the artwork sells during the run of the exhibition. Following the exhibition, each artist who shipped their work should generate a FedEx label and email it to Kyle so the piece may be returned. Do not use styrofoam packing peanuts. Shipments of artwork will be accepted April 22-27, 2017.

SHIP TO
VAE Raleigh
attn: Kyle
309 W Martin Street
Raleigh, NC 27601

SALES
VAE will retain a commission of 30% for VAE members, 50% for non-members on all work sold during the exhibit. If a work is not for sale please indicate with NFS value in appropriate space during registration or on the consignment sheet. Click here to join VAE!

LIABILITY
All entries will be handled with the utmost care and respect. VAE is not liable for artwork during transportation to or from the gallery but does carry a blanket inland marine policy that covers most fine art works and craft items up to $5,000. VAE reserves the right to refuse coverage to artwork with inherent vices, high values or that is deemed unstable. By entering into this show, the artist agrees to abide by all rules and regulations as set by exhibition guidelines.

QUESTIONS? Email Kyle!

Community Exhibition Program

CEP
Deadline for entry - 11:59 pm on May 21, 2017

ABOUT
VAE's Community Exhibition Program offers VAE members the chance to have solo or group exhibitions in alternative venues around Downtown Raleigh. These exhibits are seen by thousands of people each year!  VAE works with five venues across Downtown Raleigh to give artists opportunities to show bodies of work and receive a stipend. Each venue is unique and has its' own exhibition schedule. Exhibition benefits vary based on each venue, please see below. 

APPLY
This is an open juried call-for-art with a deadline of May 21, 2017, at 11:59 p.m. Submissions are reviewed on a bi-annual basis. The entry form will allow you to: submit five work samples of work you would like to exhibit, a bio, an artist statement, first and second choices for the venue, two months you are unable to show, and payment.  

Entry Fees
Members - $20
Non-members - $30

Become a member today!  
 

 
VENUES

AJ FLETCHER FOUNDATION
907 & 909 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27605
Exhibitions at AJ Fletcher Foundation enliven the common areas of start-up non-profit organizations that work inside the AJ Fletcher building. This venue allows artists to present their work to professionals who are excited about and supportive of local artists! 

Artists are curated by the AJF staff and while the exhibitions are not open to the public and offer no reception, exhibiting artists are financially compensated $150 per month.

Capacity: 15-20 pieces of small (<16"x20") to large (>24" x 36") works
Exhibition Duration: 3 months

ALOFT RALEIGH
2100 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, NC 27607
Aloft Raleigh offers exhibitions that are seen by thousands of people each month: guests of the hotel, visitors to the ground-floor businesses, attendees of conferences or meetings, and people headed to the hotel's restaurant and bar. The hotel's branding is contemporary, colorful, and visually stimulating and it is in their mission to support local artists who make work with that same look and feel. 

Artists are curated by the Aloft Raleigh staff and while the venue does not offer a public reception artists are financially compensated $125 per month.

Capacity: 15-20 pieces of medium (> 16"x20") to large (> 24"x36") works
Exhibition Duration: 3 months

ALOFT RDU
10020 Sellona Street, Raleigh, NC, 27617 
Aloft RDU offers exhibitions that are seen by thousands of people each month: guests of the hotel, visitors to the ground-floor businesses, attendees of conferences or meetings, and people headed to the hotel's restaurant and bar. The hotel's branding is contemporary, colorful, and visually stimulating and it is in their mission to support local artists who make work with that same look and feel. 

Artists are curated by the Aloft Raleigh staff and while the venue does not offer a public reception artists are financially compensated $125 per month.

Capacity: 8 pieces of medium (> 16"x20") to large (> 24"x36") works
Exhibition Duration: 3 months

HAGERSMITH DESIGN
300 S Dawson Street, Raleigh, NC 27601
Located in Raleigh’s Warehouse District, right around the corner from VAE's main gallery space, HagerSmith architecture firm offers artist great exhibition space, with gallery lighting, and an opening reception as part of Raleigh's First Friday Gallery Walk.  The layout is conducive to many styles and sizes of artwork. This is an excellent space for both new and established artists to display their work.

Artists are curated by VAE staff. Artists are responsible for providing and refreshments for opening receptions and HagerSmith is only open for the first month's First Friday. Artists are financially compensated $50 per month

Capacity: 15-20 pieces of medium (> 16"x20") to large (> 24"x36") works
Exhibition Duration: 2 months

UNITED ARTS COUNCIL
410 Glenwood Avenue, Suite 170, Raleigh, NC 27603
Exhibitions at United Arts are mounted in The MJH Gallery. This space is located in the historic Pine State Creamery building in the Glenwood South district of Downtown Raleigh. This exhibition space features great natural light, views from the storefront windows, and an opening reception as part of Raleigh's First Friday Gallery Walk. This venue features exhibits of 2D and 3D work each month. While UAC does not offer and artist stipend, they host the largest First Friday out of our CEP and are one of the best selling venues. 

Capacity: Two-dimensional exhibits: 15-20 pieces of medium (> 16"x20") to large (> 24"x36") works
                 Three-dimensional exhibits: 5-15 pieces (depending on scale)
Exhibition Duration: One month

e1ev1n I Warren Hicks

e1ev1n

Warren Hicks
February 22 - April 8
Artist talk, April 8, 1:11 pm

 ARTIST STATEMENT

In February 2015, I began documenting random observations of the times 1:11 and 11:11. They became too frequent to continue to ignore. Initially, I only made notations of the date of occurrence. Then I started capturing the occurrences with wallpaper screenshots on my phone, ultimately including elements of what was happening in my life as well.

My days are far from routine, so occurrences aren’t triggered subconsciously by repetition or location, but I do spend a lot of time on my phone. I don't cheat and wait for the time to come around. It has to be a random glance at a clock or phone or an event that happened or was captured at those times, to be included in this documentation project.

Eventually, these numbers began revealing themselves beyond the realm of visual time. One example is three addresses in Durham, NC that have significance in my life and are all located within one block of each other. They form an isosceles triangle as demonstrated on the map:

111 W. Parrish St. (original Carrack location - exhibitions)
111 Corcoran St. (21c Museum Hotel - exhibition installations)
111 W. Main St. (a close friend's apartment)

The result of this ongoing documentation is a self-portrait composed of time, events, locations, and professional and social interactions — all relative to the numbers 111 and 1111 — observed and recorded within a two-year period. The first recorded occurrence was February 12, 2015. The installation of this exhibition began on February 13, 2017. A total of 171 time captures to date are represented on the chalk wall.

FYI – The blue text bubbles in the message screenshots are my voice.

BIO

Warren Hicks is a visual and conceptual artist working in a variety of media including photography, video, sculpture, and installation. Hicks lives in Chapel Hill, North Carolina and works in his studio at Golden Belt in Durham.

Completely self-taught, Hicks' artistic evolution has been as unique as his personal revolution. Hicks has morphed through a progression of styles, mediums, and influences—embracing, digesting, and discarding. A restless experimenter with a keen sense of humor, he is constantly pushing himself into new ideas in visual art and in writing.

Born and raised in Chickasha, Oklahoma, Hicks studied architectural design at Oklahoma State University. Prior to graduation, he fled Oklahoma under cover of darkness to Miami, Florida to explore opportunities within the music industry. After twelve years of toil and slight hearing loss, Hicks returned to architectural drafting and relocated to Chapel Hill. In 2002, at the ripe age of 36, he began painting.

Although Hicks established himself as an abstract painter, his recent forays into photography and conceptual art have been well received. Hicks' work has been shown throughout the U.S. as well as in Beijing, China and Skopje, Macedonia.

When he isn't making his own art, Hicks is a freelance art preparator for museums and corporate art collections. Museum clients include: NC Museum of Art, Raleigh, NC; Nasher Museum of Art, Duke University, Durham, NC; CAM Raleigh, Raleigh, NC; Ackland Art Museum at UNC-Chapel Hill, NC. Some of the artists whose work has passed, but not slipped, through his hands include Picasso, Miro, Calder, El Greco, Rauschenberg, Van Gogh, Wangechi Mutu, Nick Cave, and El Anatsui.

interface I Ely Urbanski

interface

Ely Urbanski
February 3 - 23, 2017
Opening Reception: Friday, February 2, 6-10pm

Project Statement

I have been collecting clothes from friends, family and my previous exhibitions visitors. These clothes are the matrices for my monoprints on fabric. Most of the clothes have a story, they were worn for a long time, the person who owned the clothes had an emotional attachment to it, they only used them in special occasions, etc. What I noticed is that those clothes have one thing in common: they are stories of relationships. A material reminder of an interaction with a living person, with someone they missed or a particular situation in their lives.

I believe that what I transfer to the substrate (a piece of fabric, a reclaimed sheet) is not only the material image but also part of the memory|energy of the clothes and their owners|users.

Our bodies, like pieces of clothes come in different fashions, colors, patterns, but the invisible part of our beings are made of the same common raw material and manifests itself through our positive or negative actions.

As it is invisible, we may not notice it at first glance, but if we take the time to focus on a conversation, a story, actions|behaviors we may start seeing the character of a body. The same way, if you allow yourself to see the invisible part of my works you may picture the memories, the stories, the interface.

About Ely Urbanski

Born and raised in São Paulo, Brazil. Her father a photographer and her mother a dressmaker, influences seen in her works. Ely studied Art Education at the University of São Paulo where she studied with well-known printmaker Evandro Carlos Jardim.

From 1993-1995 she lived in Tokyo. Returning to São Paulo she started a series of works on fabrics, using sewing and drawing as an attempt to add trip memories and experiences to her prints.

From 2005-2011 she lived in Suzuka, Japan. During this period she developed a series of prints where the matrices were articles of clothing. Because of the lack of equipment, she used her own weight as the pressing instrument. During this time she participated in several group exhibitions and had her own solo show in Suzuka.

After the earthquake of 2011 in Japan, she decided to return to Brazil.
Back in Brazil and trying to rebuild her life she met her future husband online. In December of 2013, she arrived in North Carolina and became Ely Urbanski in January 2014.

Ely has been developing her art in Snow Camp, N.C. She creates prints on paper (monoprints, woodcuts).Other projects use clothes as matrices for her prints. Most of them are donations from friends or her exhibition visitors. Some of the donors participate in video recordings where they talk about the stories behind the clothes they donated. Interacting with the local community has been an important part of her creative process.
 

If you would like to participate in the exhibition, Ely Urbanski will be collecting clothes and recording interviews at VAE on the following dates:

2/4 (Sat) 12-4pm
2/8 (Wed) 3-6 pm
2/10 (Fri) 3-6 pm
2/11 (Sat) 12-3 pm
2/16 (Thu) 11am-3pm
2/18 (Sat) 12-4pm
2/22 (Wed) 11-2pm
2/23 (Thu) 3-6 pm

Martha Thorn / Aloft RDU

 

February - April
ARTIST STATEMENT
Line and drawing are the most important elements in my paintings. Texture and design follow, with color being only a vehicle through which I can persuade an audience to look at my work. I am a process painter who paints as intuitively as possible. I begin by setting parameters for myself through canvas dimensions or tools that I allow myself to use and then try to approach the work while breaking all other parameters set for me or by me in the past, particularly as a graphic designer. This is the most critical and honest stage. Then I start to “clean up,” hopefully reducing the chaos in a painting by just one degree so that it becomes a successful, cohesive painting bordering on the brink of disaster. The dichotomies of chaos and peace, dirty and clean, and ugliness and beauty are recurrent themes in my work. Though these are not new themes in art, my hope is to execute and present them in a fresh, authentic way.

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION
Martha Thorn is an artist based in Raleigh, NC. She got her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with a concentration in Graphic Design from Western Carolina University. She began painting in 2007, marrying her background in design with a process driven approach to painting. Her work has been exhibited at GreenHill, The Carrack Modern and other venues throughout the Southeast.

 

The internet ate our website!

Ugh, robots.

On Saturday afternoon (1/28/17), our website domain name (vaeraleigh [dot] org) was weirdly sold out from under us. It's not a big deal, but getting it back looks like it might be a long-ish process. (It was just the name. Our website itself is completely fine. We were not hacked.)

So for the time being, our website is accessible as vaeraleigh.com. We apologize for any confusion over the links in last week's enews, which were broken by the domain name shenanegans.

Thanks for your patience!
Contact us with any questions or hiccups!

xoxo,
VAE

IGNITE GRANT WRITING SPEED DATES

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 6TH, 2PM-6PM @ VAE RALEIGH

SPEED DATES are thematized 30-minute one-on-ones with area smartypants who can answer your pressing professional questions! This time, we are excited to host four grant writing experts from across the Triangle to answer your questions about funding your creative projects through grants! Money for art? Yes please! Register now while space is available! 

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HOW IT WORKS

STEP ONE: Complete the registration form through Wufoo [CLICK HERE]. You will be asked for your contact information and a short survey of questions to help the gurus understand your needs. This event is FREE for current VAE members and $10 for non-members.

Questions/prompts Include:
 -What are the five words that BEST describe your creative work?
 -What kinds of grants are you looking to apply for? 
 -What short term professional goals do you have?
 -What are most hoping to learn at this event?

STEP TWO: Once you've completed step one we'll give you a link to an outside scheduling service called Sign Up Genius where you will choose the guru(s) and time(s) you want. Once you've done that and hit submit, you're 100% registered!

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MEET YOUR DATES

Jeff Pettus
Senior Program Director of Arts in Communities, North Carolina Arts Council

Jeff  oversees most of the grants programs and services to artists and arts organizations at the NC Arts Council, like the North Carolina Artist Fellowship! He studied at Princeton University and the University of North Carolina and worked in book publishing and art museum administration prior to coming to the Arts Council.

Emily Catherine Mealor
Arts in Communities Coordinator, North Carolina Arts Council

Emily Catherine manages grants related to arts in accessibility, aging, and healthcare. Emily Catherine has degrees in English and Social Work from Appalachian State University and Washington University in St. Louis, where she focused on community development and arts integration. She's also involved with SPARKcon and serves on the committee for the Arts Learning Community for Universal Access through The Arts Council of Raleigh and Wake County and the Office of Raleigh Arts.

Brandi Neuwirth
Art Coordinator, United Arts Council of Raleigh and Wake County

Brandi curates public art spaces and administrates the Professional Development Grant for Artists at United Arts Council of Raleigh and Wake County. She moved to the Triangle in 2005 from Los Angeles, where she worked in entertainment for 20th Century Fox, Vanguard Films/DreamWorks and Conde Nast. The child of two artists, she is proud to be a part of the vibrant arts community in Raleigh and the Triangle.
 

Margaret DeMott
Director of Artist Services, Durham Arts Council 

Margaret brings 34 years arts experience, overseeing Durham Arts Council's four grant programs, exhibit programs and technical assistance for arts organizations and artists. She has served on many artist selection panels, and grant review panels, managed the community process for the Durham Cultural Master Plan, coordinated a 3 year, multi-county audience development initiative and currently provides support for the Durham SmART Initiative.

Clarenda Stanley-Anderson
VP of Institutional Advancement, Shaw University

Clarenda Stanley-Anderson is a fundraising generalist who has earned the coveted Certified Fund Raising Expert (CFRE) designation. Selected as the 2016 Outstanding Fundraising Professional by the Association for Fundraising Professionals Triangle Chapter, she specializes in individual giving and major gifts, having raised more than $51M in her decade-plus career. As Vice President for Institutional Advancement at Shaw University, she spearheaded the University’s 70% increase in private philanthropy last year. Connect with her on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook! 

Anthony Garcia-Copain / UAC

Anthony Garcia-Copain

United Arts Council
January - February

When I paint, I paint abstract memories. Sometimes the memory is foggy and has been replaced by an imaginary sediment, a residue that has made one memory solid and the other fluid.

Everything in art is a memory.

I have empathic traits, therefore I paint the images of the emotions that I am able to absorb from strangers and from those who surround me.

The only expectation that I have from my art is pleasure.

AGC