By Raney Rogers, Executive Director, Smart Kinston

This past Friday I had the opportunity to attend the Open House for Art 105, take a closer look at the art on display and spend some time talking with the artists about their work to learn more about who they are.  Truth be told, I was tired from working all day and the call of a cushy couch with a good book was flashing lights in the back of my head, but I wanted to see some new art.  The Gallery was sparkling and neat and there was a constant flow of visitors generating lively discussion with lines for food and drink.  There was also an incredible array of fresh baked breads for which the profits went to someone who was in need and for whom such fund raising had been done before through the arts.

The second art space that I entered is where I reclaimed my status as an art collector, I fell in love with a painting and bought it.  Wow!  What a rush that was as normally I am the one sitting amongst an array of recently created art waiting for the other person to become enamored with my work.  I know the drill well after over forty years.  It was fun being on the other side and my heart rate quickened so that all I wanted to do was go home and find a special place for my new acquisition.  But, I stayed on and continued to peruse, talk and enjoy some delightful treats.  When I returned home I was not only glad I went but I started to think about what everyone goes through when an opportunity such as an “Art Opening” arises.

As Executive Director of smART Kinston and the manager of smART Gallery, located on Queen Street I have been at the fore of many “Openings” and also “ Artist Talks”.  It has been said to me that people are afraid to go onto Queen Street at night for any event and I have heard all my life that people really aren’t that interested in art anyway.  I don’t buy that for a minute, not either view.  I do know that folks who come to our events are lovers of art, artists and the creative process of making art.  It shows.  Our “smARTists”, as I refer to them, are a wildly creative bunch who dedicate their time, their beliefs and their energy to making something that will speak to them and give others a hint at what makes them tick.  That is the question to ask an artist, “What inspires you to create?”  For each of the over twenty artists we represent, they all have a different angle and experience on life and their work shows it.  Our smARTists work in a wide range of mediums and the work we exhibit is as varietal as the artists who make it and who, by the way, come from all over the country and beyond.  The Artist Talks are a rare chance for you to come, enjoy some refreshment and hear the stories of what makes an artist make art…for a living!  We have had incredible presentations that, when all is said and done, I think, “This was worthy of an auditorium of attendance!”  

Then there is the ever present Community Council for the Arts and the ongoing exhibitions, classes and presentations that showcase art at its finest.  Much of the art is outstanding on all fronts.  The building itself is a work of art that speaks to you as soon as you enter.  Look up, down and all around to see something that will put you in awe of what art can do to the human psyche.  

Walking into an art space is transformative because all of that energy, spirit and talent of the artists is palpable.  You can get caught up in the excitement and maybe even see something that you just can’t live without because, life without art is…eh!  Art is for everyone at every age and engenders the positive and compassionate aspect of living.  Art changes lives and makes them better…always better.

SmART Kinston also awards two grants each year for a special art project and most recently Alice Shapiro, one of our digital artists, created a series of digital art collages displayed on the billboard at Big Bark Marketing on Herritage Street during October.  It addresses what the media has posted about the horror stories in food shortages.  Alice saw a YouTube video about the Bulgarian cultures ritual to alleviate such fears.  When she discovered that Kinston’s agricultural history included the Neusiok Tribe’s existence in Lenoir County she became inspired to create the project.   She also created a silver and blue diamond pendant by Ellis Jewelers of Concord in a limited edition to wear as a reminder that food shortage is not the problem, access is.  You can see more about Alice’s work at https://aliceshapirostudio.com.

In a world of division, lack of equity and distrust, art is the great leveler and salve that can present a thought in a beautiful, comforting and prolific way…even in a small town like Kinston.  Visit the galleries, listen to the stories and yes, buy the art.