ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA – North Carolina Wesleyan University President, Dr. Evan D. Duff, along with Art Curator, Jan Sullivan Volz, and President of Bob Ross Inc., Joan Kowalski, announced that more of Bob Ross’ famous original paintings are set to adorn the walls of The Mims Gallery at The Dunn Center this upcoming holiday season.
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.
Robert Norman Ross, an American painter, art instructor and television host known by so many for his permed hair, showed the world how to paint fun pieces of art. He was the creator and host of The Joy of Painting, an instructional television program that aired from 1983 to 1994 on PBS in the United States, CBC in Canada, and similar channels in Latin America, Europe and elsewhere. Ross subsequently became known through his posthumous internet presence.
During the holiday season of 2023, there were 76 of Ross’ paintings on display from November 1, 2023 through January 4, 2024. The exhibit was viewed by over 11,000 visitors that traveled from all over the country, and beyond, to see the magnificent work. “We are honored and thrilled that we will have this opportunity to share Mr. Ross’ work again with so many of his fans during the holiday season… this is truly a gift to those that cherish the memory of a great artist and humanitarian,” said Ms. Volz.
The exhibit will open to the public on Monday, December 2, 2024 and run through Monday, January 13, 2025. Advance Tickets will go on sale Thursday, July 4th for $15 per person. Free admission for children under five. For more information about the artwork, contact Jan Volz, Gallery Art Curator at 252.985.5268 or jvolz@ncwu.edu and sign up for the email list at ncwu.edu/artgalleries.
The Mims Art Gallery Embraces Local Artist Duo as Next Exhibit
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA – Connections, the newest exhibit to appear at North Carolina Wesleyan University, is a wonderful collaboration of the works of Tracey Penrod and Kim Valentine. This magnificent exhibit will run from November 3, 2022 – January 2, 2023 and is free for all to attend. The public is invited to an opening reception that will be held in the Mims Gallery of The Dunn Center on Thursday, November 3 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Tracey Penrod is a contemporary artist from Eastern North Carolina who works in both abstract expressive and representational forms. Penrod states “My inspiration comes from moments and scenes captured in time that are both beautiful and peaceful in their simple nature. For this upcoming show, Kim and I decided on the theme of Connections since much of our existing work already examines the many aspects and importance of connections.”
Kim Valentine is based in Elm City, NC and has been inspired to create since she was a child. She loves to explore in many mediums such as alcohol inks, paper, splatter and stencil paints just to name a few. Valentine states “I love to experiment with new ideas and techniques and I am always wondering ‘What If?’”
There will be 70 works of art on display for guests to enjoy during this exhibition. The Gallery is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and during events at The Dunn Center.
“I’m excited to have these two friends showing their work together. This exhibition is going to bring a lot of joy to those who can come out and see it,” stated Greg Purcell, Gallery Curator. “We all know that the upcoming holidays can be stressful, so take some time out to visit us, relax and see some great art.”
To stay up-to-date on future shows coming to the Mims & Gravely Galleries, visit ncwu.edu/artgalleries. Be sure to join the mailing list as well. Upcoming shows include:
Colorful Chaos by artist Delayna Robbins from January 19, 2023 – March 9, 2023
Action Paintings by Wes Day from March 16, 2023 – April 27, 2023
Just Imagine by Mark Cole from May4, 2023 – August 4- 2023
About The Dunn Center
The Dunn Center is a premier venue for concerts, shows and conferences in eastern NC. Located on the campus of NC Wesleyan University, in the heart of Rocky Mount, The Dunn Center is proud to host the Wesleyan Season Series of cultural events and concerts. In addition to these world-class performances, The Dunn Center features a variety of campus and community events, including Wesleyan Players productions, concerts of the Tar River Swing Band and Orchestra and other various performances by nationally known artists. The Mims and Gravely Galleries, located within The Dunn Center, hosts a variety of exhibits, including paintings, drawings, and sculpture. The galleries are open weekdays from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., as well as during performances. To learn more, visit dunncenter.com and follow on Facebook.
Fall Art Exhibit Coming to The Mims Gallery at NCWU
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA – Autumn Hues: A Collection of Diversity, the newest exhibit coming to The Mims Gallery at The Dunn Center, is a beautiful collection of works from the Wilson Active Artists Association. This free, colorful exhibit will run from September 1 to October 28, 2022 and is open to the public. A reception will be held on Thursday, September 1 from 5:00-7:00 p.m.
The Wilson Active Artists Association is one of the longest running nonprofit organizations in Wilson, North Carolina. Founded in 1965, its mission is to help promote art in Wilson. Over time, the Association has grown from its original eight members by providing opportunities for its artists to showcase their work in Wilson and the surrounding areas, as well as having education and awareness classes.
“I’m thrilled to be having the Wilson Active Artists showcasing their work in the Gallery. The chance to work with such a talented local group of artists was too great to pass up,” stated Greg Purcell, Art Curator for The Dunn Center.
Wilson Active Artists Association works in a variety of mediums which include paintings, flow art, sculpture, ceramics, pottery, jewelry and fiber art. The Association is always welcoming new members not only from Wilson, but eastern North Carolina as well. For more information about the Wilson Active Artists Association, visit wilsonactiveartists.com.
Upcoming shows at The Mims Gallery include:
- Connections featuring the work of Kim Valentine & Tracey Penrod from November 3, 2022 – January 2, 2023
- A Colorful Chaos by artist Delayna Robbins from January 19, 2023 – March 9, 2023
- Action Paintings by Wes Day from March 16, 2023 – April 27, 2023
- Just Imagine by Mark Cole from May 4, 2023 – August 4, 2023
About The Dunn Center
The Dunn Center is a premier venue for concerts, shows, exhibits and conferences in eastern NC. Located on the campus of NC Wesleyan University, in the heart of Rocky Mount, The Dunn Center is proud to host the Wesleyan Season Series of cultural events and concerts. In addition to these world-class performances, The Dunn Center features a variety of campus and community events, including Wesleyan Players productions, concerts of the Tar River Swing Band and Orchestra and other various performances by nationally known artists. The Mims and Gravely Galleries, located within The Dunn Center, hosts a variety of exhibits, including paintings, drawings, and sculptures. The galleries are open weekdays from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., as well as during performances. To learn more, visit dunncenter.com and follow on Facebook.
About Wilson Active Artists Association
Wilson Active Artist Association is an organization that seeks to create, promote, and support an interest in the visual arts through communication and the exchange of artistic ideas; to serve as a meeting place for artists; to furnish workshops in various art fields and mediums; to encourage participation in exhibits in Wilson and other areas. The Association holds monthly meetings on the second Tuesday of every month at 4:30 p.m. To learn more, visit wilsonactiveartists.com.
New Art Exhibit Coming to Mims Art Gallery at NCWC
As a Haliwa-Saponi tribal native, Richardson concentrates much of his photographic work in the Hollister, NC community. His photographs chronicle contemporary history of regional events and the annual tribal powwow where members from a variety of east coast tribes join in fellowship and celebration. A ready-to-serve portrait photographer, he especially values the opportunity to make photographic portraits of tribal elders. In his gallery exhibition, you will see a wide variety of subjects. Portraits of powwows show ceremonial dancers in their colorful, traditional regalia captured in dynamic dance movement.
Ivan’s success and professional reputation have grown since beginning Fotoworkz in 2014. Life itself opens photographic possibilities for him, between family, tribe and twenty-five years as a volunteer fireman. He has regularly exhibited, and received accolades, at the Annual Native American Unity Conference in Raleigh, NC. One of his photographs was featured in the Roanoke Rapids Daily Herald in 2019. He was awarded the front cover of McLane Industries’ MERIT Magazine with one of his colorful powwow photographs. Along with continuing his usual photographic work in portrait and chronicling community events, Ivan is looking forward to expanding his interest into wildlife subjects. This will be his second exhibition at the Mims Art Gallery and many of his photographs will be for sale.
The Mims Art Gallery is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. and during evening performances at The Dunn Center.
About The Dunn Center
The Dunn Center is a premier venue for concerts, shows and conferences in eastern NC. Located on the campus of NC Wesleyan University, in the heart of Rocky Mount, The Dunn Center is proud to host the Wesleyan Season Series of cultural events and concerts. In addition to these world-class performances, The Dunn Center features a variety of campus and community events, including Wesleyan Players productions, concerts of the Tar River Swing Band and Orchestra and other various performances by nationally known artists. The Mims Gallery, located within The Dunn Center, hosts a variety of exhibits, including paintings, drawings, and sculpture. The Gallery is open weekdays from 2:00-4:00 p.m., as well as during performances. To learn more, visit dunncenter.com and follow on Facebook.
