Artspace is on the move thanks to its new mobile art program.
Art hit the streets at high-speed March 1 with a colorful addition: Artspace on the Go. The DTR-based open-floor studio and creative space, known for using art to create positive impacts in the community since 1986, will be driving further into its mission via a mobile art program in the form of the newly debuted van.
The nonprofit visual arts center plans to wheel the magic of arts education directly to K-12 students in underserved neighborhoods across Wake County who haven’t been able to visit its Downtown hub—thus keeping art accessible to all.
“We want to give opportunities for [children] to express themselves, to learn about art and to hear from teaching artists in their own community,” says Director of Community Engagement David Moore. “The people who can’t get to us will be able to have the full Artspace experience with teaching artist exhibitions and learning more about arts education.”
Equipped with professional teaching artists and hands-on activities, Artspace on the Go will drop by community centers, libraries, after-school programs and Title 1 schools—giving families the chance to experience interactive art murals, Styrofoam printmaking, linocuts, visual slideshows of current exhibitions and more.
“Art touches everything,” says Moore. “It’s a very important component of learning. We believe it’s important to make sure people have space to be creative and to have an imagination. If people can’t come to us, let’s go to their neighborhood.”
Artspace on the Go’s new journey has just rolled out—but it’s far from finished. The now on-the-move studio plans to stop by rural communities and local nursing homes—plus, look for it setting up shop at myriad festivals and community events to boot.
“In addition to helping us reach new communities, [the van] will help us grow awareness for our organization,” shares the community engagement director. “This is the first step to getting to know us better. If you want to come to Raleigh and get a taste of what our art scene is like, Artspace is the perfect place.” … Sounds like they’re only getting arted!
Experience the creative world of LEGO via new Art of the Brick exhibition.
Creativity is just one brick away. … Raleigh is in for a special treat this month as the world-renowned Art of the Brick LEGO art exhibition arrives May 24 at Pleasant Valley Promenade (!)
The first-of-its-kind exhibition—which has already toured several cities and made CNN’s list of must-see exhibits—features 90+ incredible LEGO sculptures by artist Nathan Sawaya. A former corporate lawyer from NYC, Sawaya is the pioneering artist who successfully brought LEGO into the realm of art and has two bestsellers under his belt.
Now, Art of the Brick exclusively showcases LEGO as an art medium, with myriad works composed of LEGO bricks that have been diligently pieced together since 2002 (work hard, play hard, amirite?). Sculptures include an enormous T-Rex; intricately crafted human figures; and reimagined versions of some of the world’s most famous art masterpieces, including Van Gogh’s Starry Night and Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa.
The level of detail and creativity the “Brick Artist”—as he so aptly calls himself—brings to each sculpture is truly remarkable. … “We’ve been looking forward to bringing our tour to Raleigh for quite some time now and are excited to showcase our extensive collection of LEGO-inspired art installations and sculptures,” says Sawaya. “Designed to evoke fond childhood memories of play and creativity, this is the perfect opportunity to introduce Raleigh to my intricate works, which have been meticulously crafted to capture the imagination of all ages.” In addition to the LEGO sculptures, the exhibition—hosted by Exhibition Hub and Fever, the same team behind the successful Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience—also features an innovative multimedia collection produced in collaboration with award-winning photographer Dean West. The multimedia collection showcases Sawaya’s sculptures in a new light, combining them with West’s photography to create a unique and unforgettable experience for visitors. Imagination, meet reality.
For nearly a decade, contemporary painter Advait Kolarkar has enjoyed a level of global success that many artists spend their whole lives aspiring to. … And he’s only 9 years old.
From Feb. 24 to March 4, the young prodigy will appear live in Raleigh to show off his newest abstract paintings via Advait: Through the Lens exhibition at LaMantia Gallery—and you’ll have three chances to meet him through artist receptions March 3 and 4 (!).
“I love meeting people,” says Kolarkar. “I feel happy and proud they’re supporting and encouraging me to do more.”
Kolarkar, who began painting at the tender age of 8 months and had his first solo exhibition at age 2, has a vivid imagination that drives his love of being in his studio playing with colors. “I feel like there’s some beautiful force around me that takes me into a different world. In that magical world, everything is possible,” he adds.
Kolarkar’s compelling contemporary style is reminiscent of one of his favorite artists, Jackson Pollock. He also draws inspiration from Leonardo di Vinci. “Leonardo has done so many jobs—a painter, architect, inventor, lots more,” says Kolarkar.
In addition to showcasing his art in major cities around the globe, Kolarkar has won numerous awards, including the 2020 Global Child Prodigy Award; was the youngest TEDx speaker of India in November of 2022; and scored a feature in Disney’s diversity initiative, Reimagine Tomorrow.
Nonetheless, the artist doesn’t feel boxed in by these early days of success. He maintains he wants to do other things too, like be an inventor and a paleontologist. For now, though, you can find Kolarkar splitting much of his time between his studio and international art galleries—and you’ll be able to add some of his remarkable one-of-a-kind pieces to your art collection through his Raleigh exhibition. Clearly, this is just the beginning for this young artist taking the art world by storm.
Find “everlasting light” at Walnut Creek as Grammy-winning rockers, well, rock out for their Dropout Boogie tour with special guest Band of Horses. walnutcreekamphitheatre.com
9/1 Intocable
Intocable lands in Raleigh for the first time ever (!) for a fiesta of a show as part of their Modus Operandi tour. dukeenergycenterraleigh.com
9/1–10/13, ongoing Jazz in the Square
Get jazzy with it through DRA’s outdoor music series on select Thursdays in Moore Square. downtownraleigh.org
9/2 First Friday Artisan Mini-Market
This First Friday promises to leave a lasting impression with local artisans, drinks and sandos at State of Beer. trophybrewing.com/state-of-beer
9/2 Stephanie Mills & Will Downing
Broadway or Raleigh? Grammy-winning singer, songwriter and actress Stephanie Mills (who rose to stardom as Dorothy in the original Broadway run of The Wiz) takes stage with “Prince of Sophisticated Soul” Will Downing at NCMA’s Theater in the Museum Park. ncartmuseum.org
9/2–4 Pete Correale
Stand-up comedian Pete Correale brings his “regular New York guy attitude” to Improv to show Raleighites what the Big Apple’s all about. improv.com
9/2–4 Ryan Davis
Quick wit meets Southern charm with internet sensation Ryan Davis, so get ready for a night of laughs as he braves the (new!) Goodnights stage. goodnightscomedy.com
9/3 Games on Glenwood Adventure Scavenger Hunt
Get your game face on and grab your adventure buddies for a stroll through six small businesses on Glenwood South to tackle all types of games and challenges. May the best team win! searchinthecity.co
9/3 Oliver Tree
“It’s my concert and I can cry if I want to.” Head to Red Hat for Oliver Tree’s Cowboy Tears tour—and don’t forget the tissues. redhatampitheater.com
9/3 Neon Nights
Get your ne“on” and grab the glow sticks for a fun scavenger hunt on and around Fayetteville Street. The winning team’s future is looking bright.searchinthecity.co
9/3 Triangle Beagle Rescue September Dog Wash
Fido looking ruff? Wag your tail over to Unleashed at Lake Boone for a dog wash, with proceeds to benefit rescue beagles! tribeagles.org
9/3, Saturdays Midtown Farmers Market
Fresh is best, and North Hill’s weekly farmers market is the perf place to get your produce straight from the source (aka NC farmers). You can’t beet it! visitnorthhills.com
9/3, ongoing North Carolina A to Z
ABC, easy as 123… The North Carolina Museum of History staff has challenged themselves to create an exhibit that matched aspects of NC history to each letter of the alphabet—B for basketball (paraphernalia from Tobacco Road schools), F for film industry (costumes worn by actors while filming movies around the state), and so on. Prepare to be hooked on phonics all over again. ncmuseumofhistory.org
9/4 Interpol
Interpol wants you to “c’mere” to The Ritz for its 2022 tour stop in Raleigh. ritzraleigh.com
9/7 Bourbon Tasting
Into whiskey business? Bop on over to Transfer Co. Food Hall for a fun evening full of bourbon tasting and good food… NTM learning all about how the good stuff is made. Alcohol ya later… transfercofoodhall.com
If you’re looking for a sign, heaven let your light shine down, indeed, at Booth this fall. boothamphitheatre.com
9/7 STIR White Wine Tasting
Pop off! Sample six selections of white wine, speciality desserts and a personal charcuterie board (!) at STIR for the most delightful Wine Wednesday. Can we get a sip, sip, hooray?! stirraleigh.com
9/7, weekly East Street Run Club
Pound the pavement during this Wednesday run club hosted at Current Wellness—open to all levels of runners and walkers and covering a variety of routes and distances in DTR. Then fete your steps with a free beer. Cheers! @eaststreetrunclub
After successful launches in seven cities, Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience is making its way to the City of Oaks.
“Great things are done by a series of small things brought together”—so said art phenom Vincent van Gogh—and nowhere is that more apparent than Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience, making its highly anticipated debut in Raleigh in late April after successful launches in Atlanta, Dallas, New York, Miami, Philadelphia, DC and Boston. If you ever fancied the feeling of stepping into a painting, you absolutely must gogh immerse yourself into the prolific painter’s works—including a one-of-a-kind 360-degree virtual reality multisensory exhibit that’ll guide you through “A Day in the Life of the Artist in Arles” (think a 20,000-square-foot light and sound spectacle casting two-story projections of the likes of van Gogh’s most famed works—“Vincent’s Bedroom in Arles” [natch], “Starry Night,” “Wheatfield With Crows” and more). And if you’re feeling inspired, make sure to visit the drawing studio to put some of van Gogh’s techniques to the test by creating an artistic masterpiece of your own. A “starry night” indeed. Tickets on sale now via Fever’s marketplace, from $32.20 for adults, from $19.10 for children, Pleasant Valley Promenade, vangoghexpo.com
