The influence of art in the Triangle is significant and plays a large part in the community culture. We’ve seen the positive effects of First Friday, which offers an artistic journey of Downtown Raleigh. First Friday is an event showcasing art galleries and scenes featuring work from local artists and museums on the first Friday of every month to welcome many art aficionados. Various bars and restaurants become jam packed with hungry tourists and residents. The absolute best part about First Friday is it is free and welcomes people of all ages.
Not only in downtown Raleigh is art prevalent, but it’s also growing quickly in Knightdale, Wake Forest, Chapel Hill, Cary and other areas in Wake County. In Knightdale, you will find The Gallery, located at Stained Glass Associates, Inc. is venue specializes in stained glass projects where they “design, fabricate and restore windows across the US.” If you take a drive out to Wake Forest, you will find the Cotton Company, located in the W.W. Holding Cotton Exchange Warehouse. Head inside to the studios and you will find local artists working on their projects. It gives residents and visitors the chance to meet the artists face- to-face, see them in action while they work and ask any questions they may have. You can find Dick Larsen working on his animal paintings or Dr. Jane Steelman working on stained glass artwork. Then, if you head to East Franklin Street in Chapel Hill, you will stumble upon Chapel Hill Gallery, an artist operated gallery, which features artists such as Kathy Alderman, Claude Kattan and Fred Good. ere, you can nd an eclectic array of art including mixed media painting and abstract painting. Lastly, Village Art Circle is an art gallery and studio in Downtown Cary that is run by local artist JJ Jiang. JJ has been a resident of Cary for over 15 years and has taught art classes in the past. e possibilities really are endless when it comes to exposing yourself to various art adventures.
One of the most admirable art galleries happens to be located in the heart of Downtown Raleigh, Artspace. The exclusive approach Artspace has is that it engages the community in its process. It contains a studio of not only well-known and reputable artists, but also up-and-coming artists. Artspace just so happens to be a center for arts education as well as a host for various exhibits. It is “Raleigh’s visual art center for creation and interaction.” If that doesn’t fulfill your art cravings and you want something more modern, check out the Contemporary Art Museum (CAM), located in Raleigh’s chic Warehouse District. From February 5th through May 3rd, they will exhibit Sarah Anne Johnson: WONDERLAND. The exhibit displays in a rather moving way, questioning what is real and what is imagined. Working from her own view of this sometimes-dark world, she also integrates a utopia.
With so many great choices and options in terms of art and exposure to art, you would most likely have to spend an entire month devoted to all the Triangle has to offer. Enriching yourself with the art of the Triangle is the first step to becoming an “art connoisseur”.
