And we’ve got three amazing exhibitions being showcased in the DAC building paired with Artists Meet & Greet, refreshments, and crafts to make this night one to remember! As always, Third Fridays are free and open to everyone!

See “Carving Light “, a relief printmaking exhibition and meet artist ciara anais stewart in the Allenton Gallery. ciara uses light (or lack thereof) to emphasize her subjects to convey intensity, power and strength, and even a sense of holiness. The works in this exhibition are of moments of quiet introspection and stillness, protest and triumph, and human connection in everyday life.  

“You Are Your First Home” by Britney Symone will be upstairs in the Semans Gallery and feature multiple mediums, both digital and physical. Meet Britney and learn about her process of designing, painting, framing, and embellishing digital art with beadwork. Her inspiration is found in the vibrancy of Black diasporic cultures, nature’s serenity, spirituality’s depth, and the gift of emotional tenderness.

Our friends at the Durham Art Guild will be showcasing in the Truist Gallery, “Between the Margins: Reimagining Materials-Creating New Narratives”, featuring the works of Heather Baumbach, Laura Esbensen, Rebecca Tully Fulmer, Audrey L. Pinto and Nicole Uzzell.

Get crafty and learn something new! Create art with the DAC School, small sponge painting craft inspired by Alma Thomas in celebration of Black History Month.

We want to honor Margaret DeMott for our upcoming gala, The Art of The Party on Saturday, February 28 to celebrate her legacy as she retires this upcoming July.

Margaret’s journey with DAC began as an intern in 1982, the start of a lifelong commitment to nurturing creativity in Durham. With a deep love for music, writing, ceramics, and theater, she found in arts administration a meaningful way to stay close to the art she cherished while uplifting the artists who make it possible.

Over the years she has worn many hats, but she is especially proud of helping shape the Emerging Artists Grant Program alongside Ella Fountain Pratt, knowing that both the funding and the vote of confidence have made a lasting difference in the lives of local creatives.

Margaret has also participated in historical art projects in Durham, such as organizing special public art exhibitions for the Public Art Dialogue = Southeast conference held in 1989, the Durham Convention Center’s first event! Temporary installations Margaret worked directly on included “Second Growth” by Patrick Dougherty and “Loaded Text” by artist-team Kate Ericson and Mel Ziegler. A permanent installation you may be familiar with is “All The Possibilities of Up to Two³ to Sit On” by Vernon Pratt, the iconic geometric blocks in the Durham Arts Council garden.

One of Margaret’s most memorable moment is the exhibit and catalog for a historical exhibition in Durham, “Silvia Heyden and Edith London: Together Again”, a unique collaboration between the renowned tapestry artist Silvia Heyden and the painter-collage artist Edith London in 2013. “The project honored two accomplished Durham artists and was a chance for their families and friends to celebrate their friendship.”, said Margaret.

When we asked Margaret what advice she would give to the next generation of arts leaders and advocates, she said, “Listen. It is good to have a clear vision of what you want to accomplish, but it should always be informed by the insights of the people you work with and for.”

As she looks to the future, she trusts that Durham’s bold spirit of experimentation will continue to spark innovation in the creative sector!

Creativity is in bloom this Spring! Choose from over 100 classes and workshops in performing, literary, and visual arts and creative wellness. Registration opens tomorrow, February 20 at 10am SHARP!

We’ve been nominated! Help us and support the arts in Durham by voting the Durham Arts Council for Durham Magazine‘s annual Best of Durham poll by February 20 at midnight. You know we have a lot going on, so check out the following categories below to vote for us in:

Best Art Gallery

Best Summer Camp

Best Dance Studio

Best Event Space

Best Festival

Best Venue for Community Theatre

Best Live Music Venue Small

The Durham Arts Council is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and local arts agency dedicated to supporting the arts in Durham and the NC Triangle Region since 1954. Each year DAC serves over 400,000 visitors and participants, over 2,000 artists, and more than 300 arts and cultural organizations through classes, workshops, events, grants, and advocacy.

DAC is a catalyst in the cultural development of Durham – it leads, inspires, and promotes excellence in and access to the creation, experience, and active support of the arts for all the people of our community.