Artist Kidd Graves gives BLM art extra dimension

Every artist has a story. Kidd Graves ’20 arrives for the planning meeting for the large plywood storefront at Elsewhere Museum. What’s the message, the tale to tell? The artists gather round, wearing masks or social distancing. They build on their discussions from the weekend before: it’ll be the narrative… Continue reading…

Paint it loud, with Essence Foster

Near the Lewis St. corner, Essence Foster has completed her work, an image of a woman created with charcoal, spray paint, and a collage of magazine clippings. Through a mask, Essence speaks with the other artists, as dusk approaches. Essence, who already holds a bachelor’s degree, is on the pre-med… Continue reading…

Nejla Harris draws from the Black experience

If you were walking on South Elm Street on June 22, you’d have seen Nejla Harris putting final touches on her art work: the faces of two Black males. “Breathe for those who don’t get a chance to.” – Londrelle “Black love, Brown pride.” – Nipsey Hussle These quotes set… Continue reading…

SNL adds UNCG alumna Lauren Holt to cast

Lauren Holt ’13 graduated from UNC Greensboro with a degree in studio art, but according to her former professors, she was always a comedian. “She brought a totally different mood to every class with her humor,” says School of Art Assistant Professor Leah Sobsey. “She kept us laughing.” After college,… Continue reading…

Turn up the front burner

UNCG alumna and guest curator Ashlynn Browning ’02 MFA assembled a stellar lineup of artists for the “Front Burner: Highlights in Contemporary North Carolina Painting” exhibition at the North Carolina Museum of Art (NCMA). Featured are 25 painters from throughout the state working in a variety of media and styles,… Continue reading…

High Notes

Omar Ibn Said, an enslaved Muslim scholar in mid-nineteenth century Fayetteville, was a topic of alumna Rhiannon Giddens’ discussion on campus last autumn. She has composed an opera on him, which was scheduled to debut this spring in Charleston, but its premiere will have to wait. That fall evening, she… Continue reading…

Cool jazz legend

Jazz icon, band leader, and composer Dave Brubeck was born 100 years ago.  This fall, the biggest Brubeck centennial celebration in the world will be hosted at UNCG, with an opening concert by the Brubeck Family Quartet, followed by several days of performances, reflections, discussions, choreography, and social events.  While… Continue reading…

London Calling: Dominick Amendum

What do you do when you come off the high of having worked on the first national tour of the smash Broadway hit production of “Wicked?” Well, you begin work on a high-profile, international stage production of a wildly successful animated film.  This February, the Dominion Theatre in London will… Continue reading…

‘To the Hoop’ at Weatherspoon

Among the Weatherspoon Art Museum’s extensive lineup of exhibitions and events this year, the “To the Hoop: Basketball and Contemporary Art” exhibition looks to be a slam dunk. Coinciding with the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament hosted in the Greensboro Coliseum this spring, the exhibition will explore basketball’s intersection with contemporary… Continue reading…

Dr. Welborn Young

Soaring sounds for UNCG’s choral groups

Choral music lovers consider Greensboro’s First Presbyterian Church a uniquely ambient space. Good news: UNCG’s choral program this year will host more concerts there than ever before. Dr. Welborn Young and Dr. Carole Ott, along with doctoral students, will conduct the choral groups. The Gothic Revival church is crafted largely… Continue reading…