Bob-Ross-Slider-2024—Purchase-Tickets-with-Logos

In support of the cultural mission and quality entertainment of The Dunn Center, the Mims and Gravely Galleries annually produce a series of art exhibits by nationally recognized and local professionals from various and diverse populations. Most gallery events are free to the public and bring music and art together for reception parties where visitors and art collectors can talk with visiting artists one on one. Most artworks are for sale and we encourage collecting from our exhibits.

The Gravely Gallery in The Dunn Center is a new space for edgy, young art made possible by a generous gift in honor of the late Janice Gravely. As a showcase for student talent at both NCWU and other local schools, it’s a great entry point for emerging artists and a tremendous benefit to the local art community. With so much to see and do at The Dunn Center, here’s a brand new gallery fulfilling that promise!

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Bob Ross Art Exhibition, "Bringing Back the Joy", Will Return to NCWU in December 2024!

Bob Ross Bringing Back the JOY will be on display in the Mims Gallery of The Dunn Center, located on the beautiful NC Wesleyan University campus from Monday, December 2, 2024 through Monday, January 13, 2025. The 2024 exhibition will entail 76 different paintings than the previous ones on display at NCWU, including special pieces aside from those featured on his PBS show, The Joy of Painting. This will be the second Bob Ross exhibit in North Carolina, but still the largest exhibition ever seen under one roof globally. Open to the public.

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Upcoming Events at the Mims & Gravely Art Galleries

november

novPaint Like Bob Ross ClassesExclusive Paint Class with CBR Instructor Melissa Pearce

Event Details

Join us for laughter, fun, and create a Happy Little Painting as you learn to use the wet-on-wet technique taught by Bob Ross on his PBS show, The Joy of Painting, with Certified Bob Ross Instructor, Melissa Pearce! You’ll be painting along side Melissa as she instructs you.

Choose from 10 different classes that begin on Sunday, Nov. 17. Each class is on a Sunday afternoon and all supplies are included. Great Holiday gift for kids 12 and up or just a fun day painting with Melissa.

After class, display your work in the Gravely Gallery at the NC Wesleyan Dunn Center. Classes are for 12 years old and up, All supplies included.

Tickets: $60 each

SCHEDULE OF CLASSES BELOW.
SELECT CLASS TO PURCHASE TICKETS.

Sun, Nov 17, 2-5 pm
Class: Cool Waters, S4 E9

Sun, Nov 24, 2-5 pm
Class: Lake in the Valley, S26 E4

Sun, Dec 1, 2-5 pm
Class: Purple Splendor, S4 E1

Sun, Dec 8, 2-5 pm
Class: Aurora’s Dance, S29 E12

Sun, Dec 15, 2-5 pm
Class: Blue Moon Seascape, S3 E2

Sat, Dec 21, 2-5 pm
Class: Desert Glow, S21 E11

Sun, Dec 22, 2-5 pm
Class: By the Sea, S21 E8

Sun, Dec 29, 2-5 pm
Class Winter Frost, S10 E12

Sat, Jan 4, 2-5 pm
Class Morning Mist, S6 E3

Sun, Jan 5, 2-5 pm
Class Dimensions, S22 E7

ABOUT THE ARTIST

I live in a world of controlled chaos, creativity, and endless hope for the future. By day, I am a high school English teacher. I spend hours teaching, planning, grading, thinking about field trips and projects and extracurriculars. I am often in the whirlwind of ensuring students are ready for whatever step they choose to take once they graduate and move forward in life.

Finding myself caught in the busyness that is the lives of other people’s children and our education system, I realized I needed something grounding. In that moment, I began my painting journey, and it is truly a journey.

I began learning the Bob Ross wet-on-wet techniques through classes and painting along with his Joy of Painting. I learned to push trees out of my brushes, give little rocks a friend or two, and shape some happy clouds floating in a phthalo blue sky. Like anyone who watched Bob, I couldn’t help but to be struck by some of the simple and profound nuggets of wisdom he dropped along the way. During his show, Bob would say in his low, steady voice that “It’s hard to see things when you are too close. Take a step back and look,” or, “If you have light on light, you have nothing. If you have dark on dark, you basically have nothing. Just like in life. You gotta have a little sadness once in a while so you know when the good times come.”

Those small pieces remind me that there is often simple truth to be found in the most unlikely places. In addition to these little truths, the process of painting has helped me steady the busyness around me. I find that I am more mindful of a moment: the way colors blend in an early sunrise over the school building before I walk in, the fall leaves popping bright against grey autumn skies, and reflections pulled long across a lake’s edge. Those moments center me, and I find that same quiet, stillness when I break out my brushes and put paint to canvas.

It is my hope that others can find the simple truths and simple quiet joys in their own lives. For some, it won’t be at the end of a fan brush, but for some it might. I hope that I can help a few others find that joy as they move along their own painting journeys.