Writing Workshop 
NC Museum of Natural Sciences
June 11 and 18, 6:30-8:30pm
Hunting Dinosaurs (and Diamonds, and Dunes): How to Use Nature and Science as Your Muse

The Hummingbird's Ghost – A "Hunting Dinosaurs" Exercise
On June 11 and 18, I’ll be teaching my Hunting Dinosaurs workshop at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. In the first week, I’ll be talking about how to use the natural world (through the lens of the Museum’s exhibits) as a muse. Then the students will be turned loose to find inspiration in the museum and leave with the assignment to write no more than 500 words of an opening scene based on what they saw, plus a short synopsis, preferably also in the 500-word range. The following week, we’ll discuss the opening scenes and synopses in hopes that when the students leave that night, they’ll have fleshed out all the ideas they need to write a complete, publishable story. I visited the museum myself a few weeks back, wanting to first try the exercise myself to provide an example for the class. This is what I came up with.

Piedmont Laureate Events
Piedmont Laureate Program

Arts Access and CAM Raleigh have partnered to present A Little Potato and Hard to Peel. In this warm, smart and engaging autobiographical solo show, David Harrell delivers a hilarious and insightful look at living with a disability. Currently based in New York City, Harrell’s North Carolina roots trace back to his MFA in theatre performance from UNC-Greensboro.

Wednesday, June 17
Tickets are free. Seating is limited.
Learn more

Interested in creating public art projects on City property or rights-of-way? Information on the application process is now available on our website. Developed by the Raleigh Arts Commission and the Public Art and Design Board, the process outlines steps that encourage the development of innovative creative art opportunities while ensuring facilitation with affected City departments. Learn more

Image: Artspace x Peregrine Projects x NRP Group: Blount Street Mural

Nancy Novell, who has lived in Raleigh for 22 years and served on the Commission for five years, will serve as the new chair of the Raleigh Arts Commission. She holds a BA in art education from the University of Alabama in Huntsville and has worked as an arts administrator for the NC Arts Council, Artspace, Exploris Museum and Town of Cary. She works at the Food Bank of Central & Eastern NC and the Little Art Gallery, and is also a potter.

Gene Davis, an attorney who was born and raised in Raleigh and has served on the Commission for four years, will serve as vice chair. He earned a BA in communications from the University of North Carolina, a JD from the University of North Carolina School of Law, and certificates from Duke University and the Sorbonne. He also serves on the North Carolina Museum of Art's Board of Trustees.

Our gratitude goes to Clyde Lundy for his leadership of the Commission over the last two years.

The public is welcome to join our Commission meetings on the second Tuesday of each month.

With sadness we bid a fond farewell to retiring founding Public Art and Design Board members Clymer Cease, Thomas Sayre and Brian Starkey. Their insight and experience helped establish the foundation for Raleigh’s growing public art program. Thank you Clymer, Thomas and Brian!  

Image: Brian Starkey, Public Art Coordinator Kim Curry-Evans, Thomas Sayre, Clymer Cease

If you’ve walked into Pullen Arts Center and noticed the sparkling floors, crystal clear windows, or the surprising absence of dirty footprints coming from the pottery studio, or if you’ve arrived with your arms full of art supplies and had the door held for you by a smiling face, you’ve seen the work of Melvin Parrott, who has served as Pullen’s service technician for the last seven years. We are so happy to have him as a part of our organization, and we are very proud to announce that he was recognized as the City of Raleigh’s Employee of the Year. Congratulations Melvin!

Theatre in the Park seeks a full-time technical director. Experience in theatrical scenic, lighting, props and sound design is required. BFA or MFA in design or technical direction is strongly desired. Additional skills include facilities maintenance, carpentry, painting, CAD drafting and MIG welding. For more info, contact hr@theatreinthepark.com.

Thank you to all who joined us for the opening of State of the Print and helped us celebrate the start of our 2015 exhibition series. If you missed it, you still have the opportunity to see these outstanding works by printmakers from across North Carolina, on view through July 24.

Image: State of the Print at Block Gallery

Block Gallery | 222 W. Hargett St., Raleigh

The Office of Raleigh Arts invites artists and curators 18 years of age or older, residing or working in Chatham, Durham, Johnston, Orange or Wake County for at least one year (by July 10, 2015), to submit work for exhibition in the Block Gallery for exhibition years 2016 and 2017.

Deadline: Friday, July 10, 2015
Learn more

CITIZEN PLANNING COMMITTEE FOR PULLEN ARTS CENTER IMPROVEMENT PLAN
The Pullen Arts Center Improvement Plan was included in the 2014 Parks Bond approved by voters last November. This project includes the conceptual planning and construction of the Pullen Arts Center and surrounding north Pullen Park. We are assembling a Citizen Planning Committee to assist with guiding and developing design options over the coming months. Our ideal committee comprises 10-16 community members with a wide variety of backgrounds, experience and expertise. 

Interested in being a committee member? Contact Eliza.Kiser@raleighnc.gov or James.Marapoti@raleighnc.gov. 
Deadline: July 12

SUMMER CLASSES
Registration is open for Pullen Arts Center’s summer classes. Register online, by mail, or stop by Pullen Arts Center.

PULLEN ARTS CENTER
105 Pullen Road, Raleigh
919-996-6126

GALLERY
Artists’ Reception: Saturday June 20, 1-3pm
Raleigh Room: Kevin Bass, paintings
Hall Gallery: Amy Richards, embroidery
Display Cases: Juniper Bay Metals by Staci Sawyer Phebus, jewelry; Sanderford Creek Elementary students, watercolors and mixed media

Image: Juniper Bay Metals

WORKSHOPS

Painting – Color Mixing for Acrylics and Oils
Age: 15yrs and up. Leatha Koefler instructs.
Course Fee: $55
#173709 Jun 23 T 10:00am-4:00pm 

CLASSES

Pottery – Sertoma Studio Orientation for Qualified Pullen Potters
Age: 16yrs and up.
Course Fee: $25
#173549 Jun 17 W 6:00-7:00pm

Photography – Close Up and Macro Photography
Age: 15yrs and up. Shaun King instructs.
Course Fee: $43
#172453 Jun 18 Th 6:00-9:30pm

SUMMER CLASSES
Registration is open for Sertoma Arts Center’s summer classes. Register online, by mail or stop by Sertoma Arts Center.

SERTOMA ARTS CENTER
1400 W. Millbrook Road, Raleigh
919-996-2329

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