This painting by Charlotte artist Carmella Jarvi is part of the summer exhibition at Waterworks Visual Arts Center.

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This Ben Martin photo, part of an exhibition at Waterworks Visual Arts Center, is of singer James Brown.

This portrait by John Wesley Simms Jr. is part of the summer exhibition at Waterworks Visual Arts Center.

This sculpture by Rick Sorensen is part of the summer exhibition at Waterworks Visual Arts Center. Submitted photo.

he upcoming exhibits at Waterworks Visual Arts Center will highlight the work of several local artists, including Ben Martin and Rick Sorensen.

An opening reception, free and open to the public, will be held from 6-8 p.m. Friday, June 11. The exhibits will continue through Aug. 28.

The participating artists take a variety of approaches to the idea of "Being There," the show's theme. The art explores humans living in a place and time — and the singular moments that define human experience.

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Carmella Jarvi's evocative paintings and drawings of women swimming are on display in the Stanback Gallery hall.

In her new body of work, Jarvi worked from photographs shot underwater, with her goal being for the viewer to feel the water in these paintings that are both reflective and dynamic.

Jarvi is a full-time artist living in Charlotte. She graduated in 1992 from UNC-Charlotte with degrees in visual arts and philosophy. She is a summer affiliate artist at the McColl Center of Visual Art.

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The theme "Being There" appropriately describes Ben Martin's career as a photographer.

Martin was Time magazine's first staff photographer, and his 33 years as a photojournalist gave him a unique opportunity to see history unfolding. His photographs have captured the fall of the Berlin Wall, the Kennedy Funerals, presidential inaugurations. An artist's eye and a knack for being in the right place at the right time have made him a master of the defining moment.

A collection of his photographs of artists — from performing to visual — will be on display in the Young People's Gallery. The exhibit is called "A Few People, Places and Things I've Seen."

This collection includes private and intimate moments in the lives of artists like Leonard Bernstein, Duke Ellington, Roy Lichtenstein, Jasper Johns, Carl Van Vechten, Nicholas Monsarrat and Craig Claiborne.

Martin, retired to his childhood home in Salisbury, continues his work as a freelance photojournalist and commercial and advertising photographer. He lectures on photojournalism at colleges, universities, and seminars in the United States and Great Britain.

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Rick Sorensen discovered his passion for art after retiring from a long career as a medical investigator.

Sorensen, who carves pieces of driftwood he finds near his home on High Rock Lake, sees his wood sculptures as instants of awakening.

After studying the art of wood sculpting, he taught himself some less-than-conventional techniques. He describes his work as a fusion of classical sculpture and the Carolina heritage arts of wood spirit carving.

He strives to release the the essential nature of the wood in his work. He believes the art that emerges from within a piece of slimy, weathered wood is an affirmation of the beauty within each of us.

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Tennessee artist John Wesley Simms Jr. paints powerful portraits of African Americans.

"Visual artists knowingly or unknowingly chronicle their influences," Simms says. "Where they've been, what they've seen, their joys and hurts exposed to the viewer for their enjoyment or criticism.."

Simms was born in a small parsonage adjoining the church where his father served as pastor in Indiana. His artistic talents were evident at a very early age. However, his interest was almost extinguished by one practical-minded yet racially insensitive teacher who strongly encouraged him to "take up a trade" rather than pursue his love of art. After returning from a three-year stint in the U.S. Army that included a tour of duty in Vietnam, his self-taught art skills attracted Indiana artist Joseph Holiday, who mentored Simms. His work was first exhibited at the 1972 Indiana Black Expo.

While still pursuing a 30-year career with General Motors, Simms graduated in 1993 with a bachelor of fine arts from the College of Creative Studies, Detroit, Mich. He retired from GM in 1999. Simms and his wife, Clintina, now live in Cumberland Plateau, Tenn., where he paints full time.

His sister, Dr. M.J. Simms-Maddox, is a professor at Livingstone College. - - -

In addition to the professional exhibitions, Waterworks will feature a selection of work in a solo exhibition from this year's Dare to Imagine Award winner, Michelle Casper. Casper's portfolio was one of six senior submissions by art specialists from the Rowan-Salisbury high schools. Now in its seventh year, the Dare to Imagine Award is given in recognition of the importance of art in the life of our community and to a graduating senior whose work most exemplifies the creative potential of the human spirit, heart, and hand. This $1,000 award is made possible by a gift from Susan and Edward Norvell. Casper is a student of Dr. Mark Riley, Rowan Salisbury Schools' Fine Arts Academy chair and Karen Lundgren, RSS's Fine Arts Academy instructor from Jesse Carson High School. Casper plans to attend the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in the fall and major in costume design.

Gallery hours at Waterworks Visual Arts Center are from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday; Thursdays from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a..-3 p.m.

Admission is free. Donations are accepted.