taylorsville

Public Invited to Attend
Meet the Artists Reception
In Honor of
Hiddenite Center and NAACP Art Exhibit
�Living the Dream:
�Artistic Interpretations of the Words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.�
Sunday, January 11, 2015

The Hiddenite Center is proud to announce an exciting new Lucas Mansion Gallery exhibit, held in conjunction with the Alexander County NAACP. �Living the Dream: Artistic Interpretations of the Words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.� is a multimedia exhibit that challenges artists from across the region to create original pieces of visual art inspired by the written or spoken words of Dr. King.

The public is invited to join The Hiddenite Center and the Alexander County NAACP for a Meet the Artists Reception on Sunday afternoon, January 11, 2015, which will be held in the Lucas Mansion Gallery (316 Hiddenite Church Road) in honor of the exhibiting artists. The reception will be held from 3:00pm until 4:30pm. A Gallery Talk will begin at 3:30pm and will feature exhibiting artists discussing the inspiration behind their works of art. As exhibitors share personal stories, moving memories, and insight into their artistic process, guests will gain a unique perspective on the work that comprises �Living the Dream.� Light refreshments will be served and artists will be on hand to discuss their exhibited works. The reception is free of charge and everyone is welcome to join in this community celebration of �Living the Dream.�

The exhibit features professional artists from across the Northwest NC region as well as student work from the Alexander County Schools and collaborations from area churches. Artists were asked to choose their favorite quotation from Dr. King and then create a piece of visual art that interprets the meaning or inspiration drawn from the written or spoken word. From painted canvas to sculpture, found object installation to paper collage, this exhibit encourages diverse artistic expression. This innovative exhibit unites the literary and visual arts while bridging the gap between artistic mediums.

�Living the Dream� will be on exhibit in The Hiddenite Center�s Lucas Mansion Gallery (316 Hiddenite Church Road in Alexander County) January 7, 2015 through January 31, 2015. All Lucas Mansion Gallery exhibits are admission free and open to the public during The Hiddenite Center�s operating hours, which are Monday � Friday 10am until 4:30pm and on Saturday 10am until 3:00pm.

The Alexander County NAACP will sponsor a �People�s Choice Award� winner and runner-up, chosen by the popular vote of exhibit visitors. At the conclusion of the exhibit, the People�s Choice winner will be awarded the prize of one Acer computer tablet. The People�s Choice runner-up will be awarded a cash prize of $100. All prizes are courtesy of the Alexander County NAACP.

Artists who are interested in submitting work for this exhibit may call The Hiddenite Center at (828) 632-6966 to learn more about exhibit guidelines and details.

Hiddenite Center Executive Director, Pete Woods, believes that �Living the Dream� provides an opportunity for meaningful reflection of the past and creative thinking for the future.

�Art, unlike any other form, tells the story of our collective hopes, dreams, trials and triumphs,� said Woods. �With this exhibit, we have offered artists a chance to tell the story of the civil rights movement through their own unique experience and artistic point of view.�

�The arts can be a compelling vehicle for driving positive social change,� Woods went on to say. �It is our sincere hope that each artist and every visitor will be moved by these important stories, inspired by Dr. King�s message of peace and unity, and motivated to express their own creative talents.�

Alexander County NAACP President, Rev. Sterling Howard, views the exhibit as a positive new addition to the ongoing efforts to commemorate the work of Dr. King.

�We have enjoyed working together with the folks at The Hiddenite Center to encourage everyone in the community to join in celebrating Dr. King�s legacy in this special way,� said Rev. Howard. �It is so important to remember the work of Dr. King and this exhibit really encourages people of all ages to keep the spirit of unity alive. I hope everyone will join the NAACP in supporting �Living the Dream� by visiting this important exhibit.�

Hiddenite Center events, exhibits, and programs are made possible in part through the generous funding of Alexander County government, the Eileen and R. Y. Sharpe Family Foundation, The Winston Salem Foundation, the Friends of the Hiddenite Center membership program, and by the Grassroots Grant of the N.C. Arts Council, a division of the Department of Cultural Resources. The Hiddenite Center�s Lucas Mansion and Educational Complex are wheelchair accessible.

To learn more about Hiddenite Center events and programs, please visit http://www.hiddenitecenter.com, email [email protected], or join the Hiddenite Center on facebook by searching Friends of the Hiddenite Center.