Renowned Artist Alison Saar to Headline New Exhibitions That Redefine Art at Gantt Center

Free Community Opening on January 28th to coincide with ASC Connect with Culture Day Charlotte, NC

The Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts+Culture will debut its new collection of exhibitions to the public on Saturday, January 28, 2017, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with a free, day-long open house for the community. Activities include gallery talks, artmaking workshops, and artist-and curator-led tours that also coincide with ASC Connect with Culture Day, an initiative of the Arts & Science Council to promote cultural diversity.

“We applaud the Arts & Science Council for its efforts to highlight the vast spectrum of the arts and for enabling the community to enjoy all that our institutions have to offer, for free,” says David Taylor, President & CEO of the Harvey B. Gantt Center. “By bringing renowned artists such as Alison Saar to exhibit her work here in Charlotte, we are demonstrating the endless ways in which visual art can be presented and perceived, particularly as it pertains to people of color. Our aim is to eliminate stereotypes by exposing individuals to the work of abstract and contemporary artists who are sculptors, photographers, and painters.”

The Gantt Center will host a series of free events as part of the opening weekend and ASC Connect with Culture Day. Additional details about the artists and programming are available at ganttcenter.org.

ALISON SAAR: THE NATURE OF US

Alison Saar: The Nature of Us explores themes of motherhood, the role of women, the intensity of their hearts, and their embodiment as nature by highlighting the works of this renowned artist.

Artist Talk with Alison Saar 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Guided Tour of Alison Saar: The Nature of Us with the curator 11:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Panel Discussion with artist and Emory University Professor Dr. Michael D. Harris, curator of Alison Saar: The Nature of Us; UNC Charlotte Africana Studies Representatives. 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

THE FUTURE IS ABSTRACT

Curated by Dexter Wimberly, The Future is Abstract highlights the work of four multidisciplinary, contemporary artists -- Rushern Baker, DeShawn Dumas, Torkwase Dyson, Brenna Youngblood -- working in abstract painting and mixed-media. The exhibition includes an array of rigorous, processdriven works made from reclaimed or found materials, as well as classic painting and production techniques.

Abstraction Workshop with local artist, Paul “Paulie” Miller. Gantt Center Teaching Artist Paul Miller will lead families and individuals through this drop-in workshop that demonstrates the value of symbols, colors and shapes as they relate to abstraction. 10:30a.m. – 4:30p.m.

CURATOR TALK with local, national and global perspectives featuring: Jennifer Sudul Edwards, Ph.D., Bechtler Museum and curator Dexter Wimberly, The Future is Abstract. 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Guided Tour of The Future is Abstract with the curator 1:45 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

JORDAN CASTEEL: HARLEM NOTES

Jordan Casteel: Harlem Notes is an exhibition of recent paintings by Harlem based artist, Jordan Casteel. The exhibition combines her exterior portraits with details that explore intimacy and the document.

Artist Talk with Jordan Casteel, 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Guided Tour of Jordan Casteel: Harlem Notes with the Artist, 3:45 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

ALSO FEATURED IN THE GRAND GALLERY - ARTIST ZUN LEE: FATHER FIGURE

Zun Lee: Father Figure is at once documentary photography and personal visual storytelling. Through intimate black-and-white frames, the artist’s aim is to provide insight into often-overlooked aspects of Black fatherhood.

About Harvey B. Gantt Center for African American Arts + Culture

The Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture is a multi-disciplinary arts institution located in the heart of Charlotte, North Carolina. Founded in 1974, the Gantt Center’s mission is to present, preserve and celebrate excellence in the art, history and culture of African-Americans and those of African descent through visual and literary arts, dance music, film, educational programs, theatre productions and community outreach. The Gantt Center features fine art exhibitions from around the world and is home to the nationally celebrated John and Vivian Hewitt Collection of African-American Art, which was generously donated by Bank of America, and is accessible online.

Named for Charlotte civic leader and former mayor Harvey Bernard Gantt, the Gantt Center is housed in an iconic, award-winning structure designed by architect Philip Freelon, co-designer of the Smithsonian National Museum for African American History and Culture (NMAAHC).

Contact
Ingrid Travis James
ingrid@ganttcenter.org
(704) 547-3764

Posted on Thursday, January 19, 2017

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