Three Artists Represent VGCC in State Display
The 14th annual North Carolina Community Colleges Art Exhibition is officially open for public viewing in Raleigh, and it includes three works representing Vance-Granville Community College. An “Open Segmented Vase” by Reuben Palmer of Norlina, a quilt called “Rabbits Prefer Chocolate” by Velvet Boyd of Warrenton, and a watercolor painting, “Woodland Pathway” by Mary J. Oakley of Creedmoor, are VGCC’s entries among the 166 pieces of art by college students and employees from across the state. The artwork includes paintings, sculpture, photography, ceramics, drawings, mixed media, needlework, quilts and more.
Each of the state’s 58 community colleges was invited to submit pieces to be displayed in the Caswell Building, headquarters for the N.C. Community College System Office. “The 2011 exhibition is a great testament to the depth and breadth of talent within our community college family, and this year, for the first time, we have all 58 colleges as well as the System Office represented,” said Community College System President Dr. Scott Ralls. “Each year, the System Office employees look forward to the new décor that accompanies the annual art exhibition and the creativity of our students, faculty and staff is a wonderful daily reminder of the true purpose of our work.”
Palmer, a retired VGCC Carpentry instructor and graduate of that program, said that his vase, measuring 8.5 inches high by ten inches wide, includes 722 pieces of four different species of wood (walnut, oak, purple heart, holly) and 30 rings. He meticulously glued the pieces together and then turned the piece on a lathe, before shaping, sanding and varnishing the vase. Boyd, who started quilting after taking classes at VGCC and now teaches them for the college, said that she made the quilt for her grandson. “I have always loved collecting all kinds of bunny rabbit pieces,” Boyd said. “I ran across this block in a quilt shop, and of course, I just had to have it. I had to learn how to appliqué before I could do this project. It is the first appliqué quilt I have made, and I love it.” Oakley, a student in VGCC personal enrichment art classes, said that her painting “was inspired by forests in the area where I live and by childhood memories of our family farm.”
The System Office partnered with the Visual Art Exchange of Raleigh to install the artwork and jury entries. Art is exhibited on all six floors of the Caswell Building, located at 200 W. Jones Street, in downtown Raleigh. Public tours are available on a limited basis and may be scheduled by calling (919) 807-7100. The exhibit will run through December. Click here for a virtual tour .
Above: An “Open Segmented Vase” by Reuben Palmer of Norlina.
Above: “Rabbits Prefer Chocolate” by Velvet Boyd of Warrenton.
Above: “Woodland Pathway” by Mary J. Oakley of Creedmoor.
