Rail Walk Studios & Gallery to Host ‘Where Have You Been?’

 Submitted

The title of the newest art exhibit at Rail Walk Studios & Gallery is “Where Have You Been?” This is a question which the artists of Rail Walk were free to answer in any way they chose. Some answered in a geographical sense, some metaphorically, some spiritually and some humorously. All answered it artistically through the creation of art work .

An open reception is this Saturday, July 8 5-7 p.m. at the Rail Walk Gallery at 409-413 N. Lee St. Light refreshments will be served.

The art will be on exhibit through Aug. 26. The exhibit and reception are free and open to the public.

Artists participating in the exhibit are June Battle, oil paintings; Pamela Deal, art with gourds, Sharon Forthofer – oil paintings, Keyth Kahrs – acrylic paintings; Patt Legg, oil paintings; Tatyana Shurtz, oil paintings; and Marietta Smith,watercolor paintings with pen and ink.

The gallery and studios are open to the public Thursdays – Saturdays 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Rail Walk Studios & Gallery is home to eight local artists who enjoy having visitors and chatting about their art. Parking is ample and free. For more information visit www.railwalkgallery.com or call 704-469-2781.

 

Save the date: CFA to host ‘Hello My Name Is…’

Submitted

Asheville visual artist Douglas Lail will present “Hello My Name Is…”, a collection of 40 portraits and personal recovery stories of people recovering from alcohol, drugs, mental health and other life challenges. The exhibit opening reception and artist talk is Friday, July 14, in the Art Gallery of Center for Faith and the Arts and the exhibit will run through the first week of September.

A professional artist since 2007, Lail began concentrating on portraits in 2014. The idea to do an exhibit on people in recovery grew out of Lail’s own recovery experience and his desire to do something socially relevant with his artwork.

“I’ve been in recovery since 2013,” Lail said. “I’d been in recovery about a 18 months and was experiencing the sting of negative social stigma associated with addiction and I realized I had found the subject matter for my artwork. This project offers a look at the faces of people that face their greatest fears and reunite with the world.”

Lail said the HMNI project as a community outreach program to break through the social stigma of addiction by focusing on the positive impact of recovery, in the lives of individuals, their families and the community. He created the portraits in the HMNI project using basic white charcoal on black paper. He said he chose this medium to align the art with the overall concept of the project — emerging from the darkness of addiction into the light of recovery. “My mission with this project is to paint the light that I see in the mirror as well as the light I see in the people in recovery around me,” Lail said.

The exhibit and July 14 opening reception are free and open to the public. Donations will be accepted to support the project, but the artwork itself is not for sale.

The Asheville Area Arts Council (AAAC), is the Fiscal Sponsor of The “Hello My Name Is…” Project. For more information visit ashevillearts.com/programs. The project is a traveling exhibit. Those interested in following his efforts may contact Lail at www.HMNI.org, or follow the project’s progress on Facebook at HelloMyNameIsProject

The Center for Faith & the Arts is located at 207 W. Harrison St.

Reception, July 14, 6-9 p.m. with a talk by the artist at 7:30 p.m.

 

‘The Relevance and Longevity of Austen’ 

Jennifer Hubbard, author of the upcoming adaptation of “Pride & Prejudice” at Lee Street Theatre, will be speaking on “The Relevance and Longevity of Austen” on Sunday July 9 at 5 p.m. The talk will be at the Utzman-Chambers House, 116 S. Jackson St. Light refreshments will be served. The play is a production of St. Thomas Players, a program of the Center for Faith & the Arts. The play runs at Lee Street Theatre July 20-23 and 27-29.

Learn more at www.faithart.org

Free Summer movies

Salisbury Movies in the Park

July 7 – Sing. 9 p.m. at City Park, corner of W. Miller and Jackson Streets. Entertainment begins 8 p.m. City Park. Free. www.salisburync.gov/PLAY or 704- 216-PLAY.

Kannapolis Movies in the Park

July 7: 8:30 p.m. – SING (PG) • Aug. 4: 8:30 p.m. – Moana (PG). In Village Park, Kannapolis, see kannapolisnc.gov

RPL Summer Reading Film Series

July 7, 10 a.m. – BFG (PG) at headquarters, 201 Fisher St. Free, open to the public, adult must accompany children under 9. Free popcorn and lemonade. https://www.rowancountync.gov/307/Library

 

Interactive murder mystery dinner show 

CHARLOTTE — 7 p.m. Aug. 18: “Best Laid Plans” promises a night of intrigue, deception, and delicious food in this comedic thriller, held at Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery, 401 N. Tryon St Suite 100, Charlotte. $90.

For more information visit https://murdermysterydinnercharlotte.com

 

New classes for the summer 

Beginner line dance class 

Intro to a new beginner line dance class will be offered July 17 at Rufty Holmes Senior Center from 5-6 p.m. Classes will be offered depending upon amount of interest. For more information call Cheryl Kluttz-704-633-3484.

Refresh & Relax Yoga sessions

$90 ($15/class). May make up one missed class per session. Try a class before registering.

Class 1: Mondays 5:45-7:15 p.m. July 10-Aug. 21 (no class August 14)

Class 2: Tuesdays 5:45-7:15 p.m. July 11-Aug. 22 (no class Aug. 15)

Class 3: Wednesdays 9:30-11 a.m. July 12-Aug. 23 (no class Aug. 16)

Register at inspiredwellness@bellsouth.net or 704-637-1671 or see www.faithart.org