North Carolina's Art Scene Transforms Amid Urban Revitalization and Migration from Major Cities
Downtown Raleigh has undergone a significant change, featuring new bars, restaurants, and condominiums, thanks to developer Greg Hatem of Empire Properties, who has revitalized more than 40 historic structures. Contemporary art is highlighted at Artspace and Lump Gallery, with recent showcases including Casey Porn and Barry McGee. The Contemporary Art Museum (CAM), which has merged with NC State's College of Design, is expected to undergo renovations by 2010, coinciding with a new light rail system linking Raleigh to Durham and Chapel Hill. In Durham, artists such as Harrison Haynes are taking over warehouse spaces, with Haynes working on collages for Branch Gallery. Meanwhile, the North Carolina Museum of Art (NCMA) is constructing a 127,000 square foot expansion, slated for a Spring 2010 opening, as curator Kinsey Katchka explores wider contemporary art themes. Despite this expansion, North Carolina's art communities still struggle with a lack of critical mass and unified support.
Key facts
- Raleigh's downtown has been revitalized with bars, restaurants, and condominiums, resembling Manhattan's Meatpacking District and Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
- Greg Hatem of Empire Properties renovated over 40 historic buildings in downtown Raleigh, providing gallery space to students and local artists.
- Artspace in Raleigh recently featured paintings by resident Casey Porn, whose work recalls Kehinde Wiley and Ryan McGinness.
- Lump Gallery, an artist-run non-profit, shows artists like Barry McGee, Swoon, and David Ellis, and featured an installation by Amy Kauffman using candy wrappers.
- The Contemporary Art Museum (CAM) merged with NC State University's College of Design and awaits renovation by 2010, alongside a new light commuter rail.
- Harrison Haynes in Durham is preparing new collages for Branch Gallery, co-founded with Chloe Seymore and co-directed by Teka Selman.
- The North Carolina Museum of Art (NCMA) is adding a 127,000 square foot building for its permanent collection, opening Spring 2010.
- Kinsey Katchka brought 'Julie Mehretu: City Sitings' to North Carolina, aiming to broaden contemporary art definitions and address themes like migration and globalization.
Entities
Artists
- Milan Kundera
- Thomas Wolfe
- Casey Porn
- Kehinde Wiley
- Ryan McGinness
- Barry McGee
- Swoon
- David Ellis
- Amy Kauffman
- Susan Toplikar
- Milton Avery
- Fairfield Porter
- Tim Kiernan
- Harrison Haynes
- Chloe Seymore
- Teka Selman
- Stacy-Lynn Waddell
- Kambui Olujimi
- Thomas Sayre
- Mike Cindric
- Vincent Petrarca
- Elizabeth Murray
- Yvonne Jacquette
- Neil Welliver
- Franz Kline
- Julie Mehretu
- Trevor Schoomaker
- Cary Levine
Institutions
- Empire Properties
- College of Design
- Artspace
- Lump Gallery
- Contemporary Art Museum (CAM)
- NC State University
- Meredith College
- Bain Water Purification Facility
- Duke University
- Goldenbelt
- Branch Gallery
- Sikemma Jenkins Gallery
- North Carolina Museum of Art (NCMA)
- Cameron Art Museum
- Detroit Institute of Arts
- Nasher Museum
- UNC-Chapel Hill
Locations
- North Carolina
- Raleigh
- New York
- Durham
- Chapel Hill
- Brooklyn
- Williamsburg
- Manhattan
- Meatpacking District
- Bushwick
- Philadelphia
- Carrboro
- Wilmington
- Detroit