Art in the everyday
Twenty-five artists explore the often-overlooked objects of everyday life in a new traveling exhibit at Ackland Art Museum in Chapel Hill.
"The Spectacular of Vernacular" draws from such diverse sources as local architecture, amateur photographs and handmade domestic items, in a show meant to suggest a meandering journey through the emblems and eyesores of everyday culture.
The exhibit was organized by the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, and the Ackland, where it will be on view through March 18, is its only Southeastern venue.
Featured artists are Marina Abramovic, Siah Armajani, Louise Bourgeois, William Christenberry, Shannon Ebner, William Eggleston, Walker Evans, Rachel Harrison, Matthew Day Jackson, Butt Johnson, William E. Jones, Mike Kelley, Chris Larson, Ree Morton, Laura Owens, Jack Pierson, Lari Pittman, Faith Ringgold, Dario Robleto, Jim Shaw, Lorna Simpson, Aaron Spangler, Mark Swanson, Jeffrey Valance and Kara Walker.
The Ackland is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday; until 8 p.m. Thursday; and from 1-5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free. The museum is at 101 S. Columbia St., Chapel Hill.
Information: 966-5736 or www.ackland.org.
Man's impact examined
"What Land Will Take" is a new exhibit opening Saturday at Artspace in downtown Raleigh.
Artist Jarod Charzewski's site-specific installations examine landscapes and people, manmade structures among nature and the designs that arise. The Raleigh exhibit is constructed from tons of thrift store garments and is intended to reflect nature's response to man and mankind's impact on the land.
Charzewski's work will remain on display through March 3. A reception is scheduled from 6 to 10 p.m. Feb. 3 during First Friday Gallery Walk.
Artspace is at 201 E. Davie St. It is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and until 10 p.m. on First Fridays. Admission is free; donations are appreciated.
Information: 821-2787 or artspacenc.org.
What's at the peak?
Award-winning journalist Andrew Revkin sees many signs that both population and resource-sapping activities will peak within the next couple of generations. But which comes first - and what part will mankind play in deciding that?
Revkin will share his views in a free lecture at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences.
"Decisions made today about energy, education, urban design and other matters can help smooth the transition, but business as usually will almost assuredly lead to unnecessary losses," Revkin said.
The Museum of Natural Sciences is at 111 W. Jones St. in Raleigh. It is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free.
Information: 733-7450 or www.naturalsciences.org.
Catching light
"Light Cache Live," a gallery talk and demonstration by photographer MJ Sharp, is on tap Tuesday at Craven Allen Gallery in Durham.
Sharp will demonstrate how she creates long-exposure film images, and audience members will take part in the composition. She will also discuss the process of using large-format, midcentury bellows cameras. Wine and cheese will be served; the event is from 5 to 7 p.m. at the gallery, 1106 1/2 Broad St.
Sharpe's photos remain on exhibit at the gallery through Jan. 28. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
Information: 286-4837 or www.CravenAllenGallery.com.
Calling all artists
The N.C. Museum of Art Foundation is seeking original works of art for inclusion in a silent and live auction benefit this spring. Works must be recent originals created by the artists submitting them for consideration. Maximum size: 32 inches by 32 inches by 32 inches. All categories of art will be accepted, including paintings, pottery, sculpture, mixed media, textiles and jewelry.
Details can be found at ncartmuseum.org/auction. The deadline for entries is Jan. 31.
A panel of professionals - including Mark Hewitt, owner of Hewitt Pottery; Elysia Borowy-Reeder, director of CAM Raleigh; and Trevor Schoonmaker, curator of contemporary art at the Nasher Museum of Art - will select one work as Best in Show. The winning artist will receive a $3,000 prize.
The auction, which will benefit NCMA exhibits and programs, is scheduled for April 14 at the Museum's East Building.
Information: 664-6860 or auction@ncartmuseum.org.
Short takes
A two-character love story, "Mary's Wedding," continues through Jan. 22 as part of Burning Coal Theatre Company's second stage series called Wait Til You See This. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and at 2 p.m. Sundays at the Murphey School, 224 Polk St., Raleigh. Tickets, which are $10, are available by calling 538-1742 or at www.burning coal.org . ... "America the Beautiful Mosaic" is the theme of two upcoming concerts featuring the Women's Voices Chorus. The group performs at 4 p.m. Saturday at First Presbyterian Church, 305 E. Main St., in Durham and at 3 p.m. Jan. 22 at University United Methodist Church, 150 E. Franklin St., in Chapel Hill. The concert will feature Latin American, Jewish American, African-American and Native American music and a variety of styles, from classical to jazz.
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