Artspace’s biennial fundraising exhibition and celebration of NC artists
FRESH is a celebration of NC artists. With a twist on our biennial fundraiser, FRESH will not only include both an open and a juried exhibition, but also live music as part of FRESH Sounds, FRESH Perspectives with panel discussions, roundtables, artist talks, and more, as well as programming for families with Artspace’s FRESH Family Day. Each sale of artwork supports both a North Carolina artist (60%) and Artspace (40%) in our mission to provide subsidized studio space in the heart of downtown Raleigh, accessible art education for all ages, exhibitions and artist residencies with regional and national artists.
- May // Exhibition opens with all submitted works!
- June // Juried exhibition revealed and juried works exhibited. Juror: Jonell Logan, VP + Creative Director at the McColl Center, Charlotte, NC
- Throughout May + June // FRESH Sounds + Perspectives with music, panel discussions, a FRESH Family Day, and more!
Volunteer during FRESH
Quick Links
FRESH is a biennial fundraising exhibition that celebrates the incredible creative output across North Carolina, while demystifying the typical art jurying process. For the entire month of May, all 250+ submissions of original artwork by artists from the Mountains to the Coast were on view in Galleries 1 + 2. Visitors to the gallery had an opportunity to purchase works, vote for the People’s Choice prize, and experience the work of artists who have never shown work in a gallery alongside the work of seasoned professionals. This year, our juror, Jonell Logan, Vice President and Creative Director of the McColl Center in Charlotte, reviewed all of the works in person. The final juried selection of just 34 works of art represents a diverse cross section of the imaginative, thought-provoking and skilled art that is being created across our state today.
All works are available for purchase! Each sale of art supports both a North Carolina artist (60%) and Artspace (40%) in our mission to provide subsidized studio space in the heart of downtown Raleigh, accessible art education for all ages, exhibitions and artist residencies with regional and national artists. Purchase a work in person or by calling us (919.821.2787).
The FRESH Juried Exhibition is in Gallery 1 through June 26.
Jonell Logan is the VP + Creative Director at the McColl Center. She is an arts advocate dedicated to supporting the careers of contemporary artists and providing connections for non-traditional audiences. Based in Charlotte, she served as the Executive Director of The League of Creative Interventionists (LOCI), a non-profit organization that supports a national network of artists and community partners using creativity to transform communities from within. Before LOCI, Logan founded 300 Arts Project, an arts consulting company that supports community engagement, equity and diversity in arts via training, strategic planning, and exhibitions.
Originally from New York, Logan worked at several arts organizations including The Metropolitan Museum of Art; Whitney Museum of Art; Studio Museum in Harlem. Moving South, she worked at the the Gibbes Museum of Art in Charleston, SC; and the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African American History and Culture in Charlotte, NC.
FRESH Sounds
Fundraising concert series with an intimate vibe featuring live music and spoken word artists. All performances will take place at Artspace in our gallery spaces from 7:00-9:00pm. Beer and wine will be available for purchase.
Per event //
- $45 General Admission (Includes 1 drink + light snacks)
June 25, 7-9pm
Opening with Spoken Word by Oceaque, Oracle, and Humble Rodent.Poets curated in partnership with s.P. the Writer.
Get your tickets today and join us for an exciting musical theater performance by Carly Prentis Jones with Aya Wallace, Freddy Perkins, Natalie Turgeon, and Kevin O’Barr on piano!
Carly Prentis Jones is a vocalist and theatre artist who has performed on stages throughout the Triangle region for over a decade. Jones grew up singing in choir and on youth stages in the City of Oaks and later received her formal vocal training at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio where she earned degrees in vocal performance and arts administration. As a classically trained singer, Carly enjoys performing as an active recitalist and soloist with symphonies and chamber groups. She most enjoys working on new works with playwrights and musicians uplifting stories of those that have traditionally been silenced and surrounding current issues.
June 11, 7-9pm
Opening with Spoken Word by Ajani Kambon, Travis Kyng, Wild Perfection, and William Davis. Poets curated in partnership with s.P. the Writer.
Based out of Raleigh-Durham, NC, NiiTO has spent the last two and half years crafting their own original sound and honing their skill set. With heavy influences from a variety of genres, they’ve stumbled upon a unique sound. Their music blurs the lines between R&B, Rock, Pop, Soul, Funk, Jazz, Blues and more, creating a RnB/Hiphop Funk fusion sound. It’s only a matter of time before NiiTO becomes a well-recognized name.
June 4, 7-9pm
Opening with Spoken Word by Anna Weaver, Cgraves, Johnny Lee Chapman III, and Watson. Poets curated in partnership with Tongue & Groove.
Charly Lowry, a musical powerhouse from Pembroke, NC, is proud to be an Indigenous woman belonging to the Lumbee/Tuscarora Tribes. She is passionate about raising awareness around issues that plague underdeveloped, underserved, and marginalized communities. While she may be familiar to some from her success as a semi-finalist on American Idol, she maintained close ties to her Native American roots, culture, and music as Lead Singer of Dark Water Rising. Currently, Charly is writing her first solo album.
May 14, 7-9pm
Opening with Spoken Word by Antino Art, Ina Cariño, and Bob Gilbert.
Currently based in the NC Triangle, Larry Bellorín and Joe Troop are versatile multi-instrumentalists and singer-songwriters on a mission to show that music has no borders. As a duo they perform a fusion of Venezuelan and Appalachian folk music on harp, banjo, cuatro, fiddle, and whatever else they decide to throw in the van.
Please note, this show has been postponed. Stay tuned for the future date!
Opening with Spoken Word by K-Lambitty, Oceaque, Nick Courman, and Humble Rodent.Poets curated in partnership with s.P. the Writer.
Yolanda Rabun is a chart-topping national recording artist and award-winning professional equity actor skilled with an exceptional natural talent for storytelling. Known for her endless energy, commanding vocal power and inventiveness on stage, Rabun headlined and opened Koka Booth and Red Hat Amphitheaters, Carolina Theatre and DPAC, among others.
FRESH Perspectives
Panel discussion series led by and featuring local artists and arts professionals. Events are free (registration is required) and take place at Artspace, 201 E Davie St, Raleigh, NC 27601.
FRESH Leadership:
Innovation in Arts Administration
June 9, 6-8pm
- This panel brings together arts professionals to discuss their own creative programs, policies and funding models while sharing their experience as trailblazers in the field.
- Moderated by Carly Jones, President + CEO at Artspace, this panel includes Kayla Coleman, Executive Director at VAE Raleigh, Germane James, Executive Director at NorthStar Church of the Arts, Cherrelyn Napue, Executive Director at Arts Together, and Laura Ritchie, Arts Organizer + Curator.
- Free, please register so that we may anticipate attendance.
Meet the FRESH Artists:
A Guide to Collecting with Mavis Gragg
May 12, 6-8pm
- Attorney + Arts Enthusiast Mavis Gragg will share practical tips for art collecting while highlighting three artists featured in our FRESH exhibition.
- Free, please register so that we may anticipate attendance.
The Art of the State
Author Talk with Liza Roberts
May 25, 6-8pm
- Liza Roberts hosts an author talk on her upcoming book The Art of the State celebrating NC visual artists. A panel discussion with three North Carolina artists, Chieko Murasugi, Shephen Hayes, and Thomas Sayre, will follow the author talk.
- Free, please register so that we may anticipate attendance.
Virtual FRESH
Guest Curators Talk
May 26, 7-8pm
- Join Artspace Creative Director Annah Lee for a virtual talk with this year’s FRESH guest curators: Marjorie Hodges, Founder + Co-owner at Artsuite; Carly Jones, President + CEO at Artspace; Niki McNeill Brown, Founder + Principal Interior Designer at McNeill Brown Interior Design; Tift Merritt, singer-songwriter + musician; and Dustin Patrick Smith, entrepreneur + lifestyle influencer.
- Free, please register so that we may anticipate attendance.
FRESH Juror Talk
with Jonell Logan
June 2, 6-8pm
- Sit down with this year’s FRESH Juror Jonell Logan as she provides insights into her creative process and artworks featured in the FRESH juried exhibition open from June 3-26.
- Free, please register so that we may anticipate attendance.
FRESH Programming
In addition to our regular First Friday programming, Artspace will offer a variety of events including a live music + spoken word series, a family day, panel discussions, and art education programs.
FRESH Family Day
May 14, 11am-3pm, FREE
Artists of all ages are invited to explore their creativity in our open studio, participate in a koinobori art making activity, and enjoy demonstrations led by Artspace studio artists.
While you’re here you can also explore the FRESH exhibition with over 250 new works by artists from all over the state of North Carolina. Nana’s Sweet Treats will also be onsite selling baked goods and drinks!
FRESH First Friday
June 3, 6-10pm
Join Artspace for the opening night of the FRESH juried exhibition and kick off Pride Month! Enjoy live music by XOXOK and a variety of art making activities from 6-8pm. At 7pm, we’ll be publicly announcing this year’s FRESH award winners. Stick around to celebrate Pride Month with DJ Gay Agenda and drag performances from 8-10pm in partnership with Raleigh Pride. First Friday is free and open to the public.
- Painting workshop with Ann Roth, Universal Access Artist in Residence from 6-8pm
- Community Canvas Project with Adriana Ameigh, Artspace studio artist from 6-8pm
- Lemonade Stand Project with Allison Coleman, Artspace studio artist from 6-8pm
- Live music from XOXOK from 6-8pm
- DJ Gay Agenda + drag performances from 8-10pm in partnership with Raleigh Pride
Thank you to our FRESH Sponsors
Become a FRESH Sponsor
Learn more about becoming a sponsor of FRESH with the links below.
Accessibility
As part of our mission, Artspace strives to be accessible and welcoming to people with disabilities. If you have an accommodation request or questions regarding inclusion, please contact us at info@artspacenc.org.
Questions?
If you have any questions related to the FRESH exhibition, please contact Annah Lee, Creative Director at alee@artspacenc.org. For questions related to media inquiries or programming, contact David Moore, Director of Community Engagement at dmoore@artspacenc.org.