Dali & Art of the Master

Dali & Art of the Masters exhibits select Fayetteville

 as their only Southeast destination

Demonstrating the community's appeal far beyond the military

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – When you think about Fayetteville, N.C., you naturally think about the military. Well, too often people forget that soldiers and their families travel the world – bringing an acquired taste for culture and art. Their desire has created one of the most thriving art communities in the state. So it’s no wonder why Fayetteville has been chosen as the only city in Southeast to host two major national art shows. One features the work of African-American artists while the other illustrates one of the greatest pieces of classical medieval poetry.

            From January 22-March 6, the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County will feature “Art of the Masters: A Survey of African American Images, 1980-2000.” It is an exhibition of 36 national and international artists whose works showcase different media – pottery, oil, watercolor, mixed media, collage and more. Some items will be for sale.

            The “Art of the Masters” show was initially exhibited at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in New York City. After leaving Fayetteville, it will go to Chicago.

            The collection will be available to view throughout Black History Month, a natural tie-in to the region’s rich African-American heritage. Pieces in the show offer a glimpse of daily life, much of which is included in the African-American Heritage Trail in the Fayetteville area. The driving trail includes churches, cemeteries, museums and more.

            Then from February 13-28, the Fayetteville Museum of Art will host “Dali Illustrates Dante’s Divine Comedy.”

            So, who is Dante? Who is Dali? And what is the “Divine Comedy?”

            Dante Alighieri was an Italian poet in the 1300s who wrote of an imaginary trek through the afterlife.  Titled “The Divine Comedy”, the poem takes the reader through hell, purgatory and heaven.

            In the 1950s, the Italian government commissioned Spanish artist Salvador Dali to offer his interpretation of the poem. A few years later, Dali had completed 100 illustrations representing each of the verses.

            It is the 100 illustrations that the public will see.

            Dali’s work was displayed at the Loveland Museum and Gallery in Colorado prior to its Fayetteville arrival. In mid-March, the show will open at the Lore Degenstein Gallery at Susquehanna University in Pennsylvania.

            “So many of our residents have traveled throughout the world and have an unsurpassed appreciation for art,” says Margo Jarvis, director of marketing and development for the Arts Council. “Because of their support, they are helping us bring these two world-class events to Fayetteville.”

            “We’re so fortunate in Fayetteville to not only have the support of our arts community, but also to live in the United States where we have the freedom of expression to be able to use our creative talents – and to share them with others. As many of our local residents can tell you, some artists in other countries are deprived of that right. I can’t wait to see both exhibits,” commented John Meroski, president and CEO of the Fayetteville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.

            Both exhibits provide free downloadable educational resources for students, adults and the general public at www.TheArtsCouncil.com and www.FayettevilleMuseumArt.org.

“People will be able to learn about and experience first-hand Dali’s visual interpretation of Dante’s literary masterpiece,” says Michele Horn, assistant director of the Fayetteville Museum of Art. “Due in part to Dali’s Spanish heritage, the exhibition labels are provided in both English and Spanish,” she explains.

            The shows are within walking distance of each other.

            The “Art of the Masters” show will be held at the Arts Council at 301 Hay Street. Admission is free. Hours are Monday-Thursday: 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.; Friday: 8:30-noon; Saturday: noon-4 p.m. Groups may request a guided tour by calling 910-323-1776 in advance of the visit.

            The Dali exhibition will be held at the Festival Park Plaza Building at 225 Ray Avenue. Tickets will be available at the door after January 13 and are $10 for adults, $6 for children ages 6-18 and free for those 5 and younger. Groups with 20 members should call the museum at 910-485-5121 in advance of their visit to register for reduced rates. Hours are Monday-Friday: 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Saturday: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sunday: 1-4 p.m.

            For more information about the exhibits, group rates, educational resources, parking and the African-American Heritage Trail, log onto  http://www.visitfayettevillenc.com/exhibits or call 888-98-HEROES (43763).