ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA – Over the last several months, The Dunn Center at North Carolina Wesleyan University has been the recipient of multiple grants that will allow for the renovation of various spaces in the facility. The Dunn Center was initially opened in 1996, with many of the spaces still in their original form.
The DeLeon Carter Foundation has donated $14,000 for the renovation of the Sweatt Courtyard, located adjacent to the Carlton Board Room. This will permit The Dunn Center to purchase new outdoor furnishings, heaters, art, lighting and an awning for the space. The DeLeon Carter Foundation was established by the late Myrtle Carter Henry in memory of her father, DeLeon Carter, for educational and scientific projects in Nash County. Since it began making grants in 1997, the DeLeon Carter Foundation has given approximately $900,000 in much-needed grants.
Additionally, The Honorable Phil Carlton has pledged $35,000 for the full redesign of the Carlton Board Room, which is named after him. Local interior designer, Leslie Bauer, has donated her time to assist with renovation. This will include paint, lighting, drapery, art, cabinetry, refinished tables and lamps.
“A Board of Trustees member, Thomas A. Betts, Jr., made the presentation to the Carter and Carlton Foundations that led to these awards. In 2022, he secured $30,200 from The Mims Foundation to renovate the Mims Art Gallery. That particular renovation is near completion with a formal reopening planned for early spring,” stated Greg Purcell, Art Curator.
These spaces are also available to the public to rent for board meetings, company gatherings, holiday parties and more. For additional information, visit ncwc.edu/event-venue-rentals.
About North Carolina Wesleyan University
North Carolina Wesleyan University (NCWU) is a small, private Methodist-affiliated institution with a liberal arts-based core curriculum that prepares students for professional advancement, life-long learning and responsible participation in their communities. NCWU offers liberal arts, professional and graduate degree programs for traditional, transfer and working-adult students. The skills cultivated by faculty and built into the curriculum include critical thinking and reflection, communication, collaboration, and information technology. North Carolina Wesleyan University delivers education that is personal, practical and purpose-driven. Personal…through mentoring and the connections that are provided. Practical…by helping students develop lifelong skills. Purpose-driven…by helping them fulfill their purpose in life. With students from all over the United States and more than 40 different countries, the University has immense cultural diversity. To learn more, visit ncwc.edu and follow on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok and Instagram.
NCWU Announces Dates for World’s Largest Bob Ross Exhibit
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA – Fantastic Little Paintings by artist, Bob Ross, is set to adorn the walls of The Mims and Gravely Galleries at The Dunn Center from November 2, 2023 through January 4, 2024. The 2023 exhibition will be open to the public. Tickets will be available for $15 per person with free admission for children under five. The University will kick off the initial sale of tickets with a Christmas Flash Sale in the near future. This will be the first time a Bob Ross exhibit has been to North Carolina. With 100 paintings, this will be the largest exhibition ever seen under one roof globally.
Robert Norman Ross, an American painter, art instructor and television host known by so many for his permed hair, showed the world how to paint fun pieces of art. He was the creator and host of The Joy of Painting, an instructional television program that aired from 1983 to 1994 on PBS in the United States, CBC in Canada, and similar channels in Latin America, Europe and elsewhere. Ross subsequently became known through his posthumous internet presence.
Greg Purcell, Art Curator for the Galleries at The Dunn Center, says “there will be more to this event than just the paintings on the walls. As we get closer to the opening, there will be classes taught by Bob Ross Certified Instructors so that you can learn how to paint like Bob Ross. The excitement is already building for this exhibit which is now less than a year away. Keep checking our website regularly and join our email list to be the first to hear about all the fun plans, as well as having the chance to get early access to tickets.”
Bob Ross, Inc. will allow the funds raised from this exhibit to go directly toward bringing future artists to the Galleries at The Dunn Center. Guests are invited to come experience the joy that Ross brought to the art world. For more information, contact Greg Purcell, at gpurcell@ncwc.edu and sign up for the email list at ncwc.edu/artgalleries.
About The Dunn Center
The Dunn Center is a premier venue for concerts, shows and conferences in eastern NC. Located on the campus of NC Wesleyan University, in the heart of Rocky Mount, The Dunn Center is proud to host the Wesleyan Season Series of cultural events and concerts. In addition to these world-class performances, The Dunn Center features a variety of campus and community events, including Wesleyan Players productions, concerts of the Tar River Swing Band and Orchestra and other various performances by nationally known artists. The Mims and Gravely Galleries, located within The Dunn Center, hosts a variety of exhibits, including paintings, drawings, and sculpture. The galleries are open weekdays from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., as well as during performances. To learn more, visit dunncenter.com and follow on Facebook.
Local High School Student Debuts Photography Exhibit at NCWU
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA – The newest exhibit to grace the walls of the Gravely Art Gallery in The Dunn Center at North Carolina Wesleyan University is The Study of Composition by Nick Dupont. A talented, local sophomore at Rocky Mount Academy, this will be his first time ever exhibiting his photography to the public. This eye-catching exhibit is free and open to the public running from November 17, 2022 through January 31, 2023. A reception will be held on opening night from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Photography has been a passion for Nick ever since he got his first point-and-shoot camera as a young child. As he has grown, he has developed his own way of telling a story through a lens. Whether a portrait or landscape, his use of light and depth of field really capture his subject to draw in viewers.
Greg Purcell, Gallery Curator, is thrilled that the Gravely Gallery will be the first place that Nick will exhibit his photographs. “We are getting a chance to see the world through the talented eye of a young man who is still developing his own world view and finding his way through life,” stated Purcell. “This will be an exhibit to remember as his subjects are wide-ranging and exciting.”
The Gallery is open Monday through Friday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and during events at The Dunn Center. To stay up-to-date on future shows coming to the Mims & Gravely Galleries, visit ncwc.edu/artgalleries, where you can join the mailing list as well. Upcoming shows include:
Colorful Chaos by artist Delayna Robbins from January 19, 2023 – March 9, 2023
Action Paintings by Wes Day from March 16, 2023 – April 27, 2023
Just Imagine by Mark Cole from May4, 2023 – August 4- 2023
About The Dunn Center
The Dunn Center is a premier venue for concerts, shows and conferences in eastern NC. Located on the campus of NC Wesleyan University, in the heart of Rocky Mount, The Dunn Center is proud to host the Wesleyan Season Series of cultural events and concerts. In addition to these world-class performances, The Dunn Center features a variety of campus and community events, including Wesleyan Players productions, concerts of the Tar River Swing Band and Orchestra and other various performances by nationally known artists. The Mims and Gravely Galleries, located within The Dunn Center, hosts a variety of exhibits, including paintings, drawings, and sculpture. The galleries are open weekdays from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., as well as during performances. To learn more, visit dunncenter.com and follow on Facebook.
The Mims Art Gallery Embraces Local Artist Duo as Next Exhibit
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA – Connections, the newest exhibit to appear at North Carolina Wesleyan University, is a wonderful collaboration of the works of Tracey Penrod and Kim Valentine. This magnificent exhibit will run from November 3, 2022 – January 2, 2023 and is free for all to attend. The public is invited to an opening reception that will be held in the Mims Gallery of The Dunn Center on Thursday, November 3 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Tracey Penrod is a contemporary artist from Eastern North Carolina who works in both abstract expressive and representational forms. Penrod states “My inspiration comes from moments and scenes captured in time that are both beautiful and peaceful in their simple nature. For this upcoming show, Kim and I decided on the theme of Connections since much of our existing work already examines the many aspects and importance of connections.”
Kim Valentine is based in Elm City, NC and has been inspired to create since she was a child. She loves to explore in many mediums such as alcohol inks, paper, splatter and stencil paints just to name a few. Valentine states “I love to experiment with new ideas and techniques and I am always wondering ‘What If?’”
There will be 70 works of art on display for guests to enjoy during this exhibition. The Gallery is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and during events at The Dunn Center.
“I’m excited to have these two friends showing their work together. This exhibition is going to bring a lot of joy to those who can come out and see it,” stated Greg Purcell, Gallery Curator. “We all know that the upcoming holidays can be stressful, so take some time out to visit us, relax and see some great art.”
To stay up-to-date on future shows coming to the Mims & Gravely Galleries, visit ncwc.edu/artgalleries. Be sure to join the mailing list as well. Upcoming shows include:
Colorful Chaos by artist Delayna Robbins from January 19, 2023 – March 9, 2023
Action Paintings by Wes Day from March 16, 2023 – April 27, 2023
Just Imagine by Mark Cole from May4, 2023 – August 4- 2023
About The Dunn Center
The Dunn Center is a premier venue for concerts, shows and conferences in eastern NC. Located on the campus of NC Wesleyan University, in the heart of Rocky Mount, The Dunn Center is proud to host the Wesleyan Season Series of cultural events and concerts. In addition to these world-class performances, The Dunn Center features a variety of campus and community events, including Wesleyan Players productions, concerts of the Tar River Swing Band and Orchestra and other various performances by nationally known artists. The Mims and Gravely Galleries, located within The Dunn Center, hosts a variety of exhibits, including paintings, drawings, and sculpture. The galleries are open weekdays from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., as well as during performances. To learn more, visit dunncenter.com and follow on Facebook.
