Arts Notes: May 4 | Raleigh News & Observer

Clayton students displaying art

Works by students in Clayton schools are on display this month at The Clayton Center, 111 E. Second St., Clayton. Their teachers are Jane Roberts and Jeanine Frantz, Clayton High; Tracy Comerford, Clayton Middle; Suzan Fontainel Cooper Elementary; and Mary Catherine Foust, Powhatan Elementary. A reception for the young artists is scheduled from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 8, at The Clayton Center. Admission is free, and dress is casual.

Free vocal camp this summer in Benson

A free vocal camp will take place July 28-Aug. 2 in the W.J. Barefoot Auditorium, 303 E. Church St., Benson. Recording artist Amanda Daughtry, a North Carolina native, will conduct the camp for young people ages 6-14. The deadline for applications is May 31.

Benson native directing play

Benson native Eric Woodall is directing the North Carolina Theatre production of “Driving Miss Daisy.” Broadway veteran Sandy Duncan stars in the production. Here are remaining show times: 2 and 7:30 p.m. May 4; 7:30 p.m. May 6-9; 2 and 7:30 p.m. May 10; and 2 and 7:30 p.m. May 11. All shows are in Fletcher Auditorium in the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts, 1 E. South St., Raleigh. For tickets, visit nctheatre.com. Woodall’s directing credits include North Carolina Theatre’s “Steel Magnolias” and Theatre Raleigh’s “August: Osage County.”

Pour It & Paint

The next Pour It & Paint is scheduled from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, May 16, at the Smithfield Recreation and Aquatics Center, 600 E. Booker Dairy Road, Smithfield. The SRAC supplies the canvas and the paint; you supply the wine. The cost is $35. To register, call 919-934-2148.

Paintings at library

Watercolors and acrylics by Heidi-Lee Peach are on display this month at the Public Library of Johnston County and Smithfield, 305 E. Market St., Smithfield.

Variety show in Selma

Here are the next performances of the American Music Jubilee, the Branson-style variety show: 1:40 p.m. May 10, May 17 and May 22 at the Rudy Theatre, 300 N. Raiford St., Selma. For tickets, call 877-843-7839 or visit amjubilee.com

Hospital seeks artwork

The Johnston County Arts Council is helping Johnston Health select and buy original art for the 50 patient rooms and family waiting areas at Johnston Medical Center in Clayton. The new wing will open early next year.

Johnston Health is looking for works that are either 16 by 20 inches or 18 by 24 inches. Works may include acrylic, chalk, crayon, watercolor or pen and ink.

The Johnston County Arts Council will collect entries at its office 1115 Industrial Park Drive in Smithfield. A committee will select works based on artistic merit and suitability for patients and visitors. The committee will give preference to artists who grew up in Johnston County or who now live or work in Johnston. The artwork must be uplifting and inspiring. Artists may enter as many as five works.

Johnston Health will pay $50 for each entry selected and will install a plaque next to each artwork with a short story of the artist’s inspiration for the work and his or her connection to Johnston County. Also, Johnston Health plans to publish a catalog that would include a scanned image of the artist’s work.

For artists interested in submitting work, a tour of the hospital construction project is scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 21.

Artists must submit their work by June 20. The committee will notify artists by email or phone by July 11. For more information, call Darlene Williford at 919-938-0306 or email info@jcartscouncil.org.

Student art on display

Artwork by Johnston Community College students is on display through May 8 in the Frank Creech Art Gallery on the Smithfield campus, 245 College Road. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday. The following students have works on display: Miguel Fonseca, Theresa Scott, Cecili Ward, Donovan Woods, Rebecca Mall, Lauren L. Hicks, Jason Sundin, Savannah Matthews, Lindsey Currin, Beaux Brogden, Eboni Campbell, Arianna Chappell and Mario Calderini. An open house is scheduled for 2 p.m. May 8.

Chorale in Clayton

The Johnston County Chorale will present “Blast from the Past” at 8 p.m. Friday, May 9, at The Clayton Center, 111 E. Second St. The concert will feature music from the 1950s and 1960s, including Motown, country and gospel. The following will join the chorale in performing: a jazz ensemble, the Rendance Company Cloggers and the Knightdale High School gospel choir. For tickets, which are $12, visit theclaytoncenter.com or call 919-553-1737.

Sundown in Downtown

Sundown in Downtown, a concert series, returns to Benson on May 6. The Embers with Craig Woolard will perform in the Singing Grove on Main Street. DJ Steve Hardy will play dance music starting at 5:30 p.m. The Embers will take the stage at 6. Concessions will be available. For more information, visit benson-chamber.com.

‘Pajama Game’ at Clayton High

The Clayton High School Players will present “The Pajama Game” at 7 p.m. May 8-10 in the school’s auditorium, 600 S. Fayetteville St., Clayton. Tickets at the door are $10 for adults and $6 for students. For more information, visit claytonhighschoolperformingartsboosterclub.com.

Art for kids

Doodlebugs, a weekly art class for kids and their parents, meets from 9:30-10:15 a.m. Fridays at the Smithfield Recreation and Aquatics Center, 600 E. Booker Dairy Road. Children 18 months to 3 years experiment with dough, pudding gelatin, crayons, watercolors and more. For Smithfield residents, the cost is $5 per session or $19 for four sessions. For nonresidents, it’s $7 per session or $27 for four sessions. Register two days in advance by calling 919-934-2148.