The Orange County Arts Commission, in partnership with UNC Arts Everywhere, will host “Monumental Voices Community Art Project: A Visual Arts Response to History, Equality and Social Justice” on Friday, April 6, and Saturday, April 7, 2018. The event will take place at 109 E. Franklin St. (the former home of the Ackland Museum Store) from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. both days.
Participants will use visual and literary arts to express their responses to questions including:
- What does equality look like?
- Whose words and faces deserve to be memorialized?
- How do we acknowledge truth in our history in a constructive way?
Canvas squares will be provided, as well as the supplies to paint, draw, write, or use mixed media to create a unique piece of art. The canvas squares will then be stitched together to form a quilt to be displayed throughout the community.
Participation is free. Participants can paint or draw their creation on-site using the provided supplies, and are also encouraged to bring visual components such as poetry or photographs to incorporate into their piece of work. All ages and skill levels are invited to participate. Templates will also be provided for those not wishing to start with a blank canvas.
Monuments created by elementary school students in The ArtsCenter’s Afterschool Arts Immersion Program will be available for viewing during the event. The “Making Monuments” Residency was instructed by local artist Ben Hamburger, who encouraged students to make their own monuments of events and people important to them. Hamburger is also a member of the Monumental Voices planning team, along with Orange County Arts Commission Advisory Board Members Marcela Slade, Chris Kubica and Fred Joiner.
Volunteers are needed to help with painting, drawing, and writing. To sign up click here.
