Sheri Leseberg
Director's Gallery - August 2024
Craven Arts is proud to host the works of Sheri Leseberg in the Director's Gallery for the month of August. Sheri began her career by working with oils, painting mostly landscapes, however she currently
practices mixed media artwork, primarily utilizing acrylics, ink, and pen. Over the years her choice of style has evolved, more recently inspired by street art. Leseberg's work has been published in Somerset Studio, and featured in various gallery shows. Around New Bern, some of her work includes New Bern Bear artwork for the following businesses; Cres Com Bank, The Promise Place, Merchant's Grocery.
Craven Arts held a reception for Leseberg's work on August 9th, from 5 - 8 pm.
Sheri currently has artwork displayed at The Bern Bar and Grill New Bern.
practices mixed media artwork, primarily utilizing acrylics, ink, and pen. Over the years her choice of style has evolved, more recently inspired by street art. Leseberg's work has been published in Somerset Studio, and featured in various gallery shows. Around New Bern, some of her work includes New Bern Bear artwork for the following businesses; Cres Com Bank, The Promise Place, Merchant's Grocery.
Craven Arts held a reception for Leseberg's work on August 9th, from 5 - 8 pm.
Sheri currently has artwork displayed at The Bern Bar and Grill New Bern.
The Bank of the Arts National Juried Exhibition
Main Gallery - July & August 2024
The Bank of the Arts National Juried Exhibition is Craven Arts Council & Gallery's signature exhibit, featuring artists and artwork from across the country, in a variety of mediums, styles, and movements.
The 2024 Bank of the Arts National Juried Exhibition offers $5,000 in awards, including the $1,500 CAC&G Permanent Collection Purchase Award. The show’s juror was Jeff Bell, Executive Director of the
North Carolina Art Council. Featured categories included 2D (paintings, mixed media), Photography, Contemporary Crafts (pottery, jewelry, textiles, wood, glass and metal art), Indoor Sculpture, Outdoor Sculpture. Four awards were dispersed at this prestigious exhibition, which included the $1,500 CAC&G Permanent Collection Purchase Award.
The 2024 Bank of the Arts National Juried Exhibition offers $5,000 in awards, including the $1,500 CAC&G Permanent Collection Purchase Award. The show’s juror was Jeff Bell, Executive Director of the
North Carolina Art Council. Featured categories included 2D (paintings, mixed media), Photography, Contemporary Crafts (pottery, jewelry, textiles, wood, glass and metal art), Indoor Sculpture, Outdoor Sculpture. Four awards were dispersed at this prestigious exhibition, which included the $1,500 CAC&G Permanent Collection Purchase Award.
Karen Mason
Director's Gallery - July 2024
Mortality by Karen Mason
In the Director's Gallery for the month of July, Craven Arts was proud to host the works of Karen Mason in the Director’s Gallery for the month of July.
Karen Mason an artist local to New Bern who works in photography as both a creative and spiritual outlet. Her photography primarily involves nature as she is heavily inspired by earth and nature’s offerings. She claims that photography has made her “keenly aware of how much we have to lose if we do not take care of what is left”. Mason appreciates the photographic process and the way it takes her away
from herself as well as the before and after. She describes the photography process as keeping her in the “now”, and trusting the end result of providing a sense of harmony or wonder.
Karen Mason an artist local to New Bern who works in photography as both a creative and spiritual outlet. Her photography primarily involves nature as she is heavily inspired by earth and nature’s offerings. She claims that photography has made her “keenly aware of how much we have to lose if we do not take care of what is left”. Mason appreciates the photographic process and the way it takes her away
from herself as well as the before and after. She describes the photography process as keeping her in the “now”, and trusting the end result of providing a sense of harmony or wonder.
Juneteenth
Main Gallery - June 2024
Beauty Within by Crystal Fonville
Nationally celebrated on June 19th since 2021, Juneteenth commemorates the announcement of the Emancipation Proclamation in the state of Texas, two and a half years after the Civil War. In honor of this historic celebration of freedom in the South, Craven Arts hosted local
African American artists to present works showcasing their African American heritage and cultural expression. Artists included in the Juneteenth exhibition include organizer Lee Hood, Chrystal Fonville, Toni Graves, Tyrone Brown, Diamond Campbell, Derrick Bryant, Kayla Kizzie,
MiQuille Tyron Bryant, and more.
African American artists to present works showcasing their African American heritage and cultural expression. Artists included in the Juneteenth exhibition include organizer Lee Hood, Chrystal Fonville, Toni Graves, Tyrone Brown, Diamond Campbell, Derrick Bryant, Kayla Kizzie,
MiQuille Tyron Bryant, and more.
Jane Horner
Director's Gallery - June 2024
Craven Arts Council & Gallery hosted the works of Jane Horner in the Director's Gallery for the month of June. Jane's studio practice includes installation sculpture, painting, drawing, collage, collection and assemblage. Jane obtained a Masters in Fine Arts degree from the University of North Carolina Greensboro. Her work has been featured in New Hampshire, Boston, Montreal, Finland, the Netherlands,
and more. Her opening reception will be during Artwalk on June 14th, 5 - 8 pm. We are honored to have hosted the works of the late Jane Horner, this June.
and more. Her opening reception will be during Artwalk on June 14th, 5 - 8 pm. We are honored to have hosted the works of the late Jane Horner, this June.
ROY G BIV
Main Gallery - May 2024
ROY G BIV is an exhibition by Craven Arts Council & Gallery showcasing the use of color. Each artist will receive a 12”x12” cradled board and draw a random color. Each work will utilize hues, shades, tints and tones of that color as the primary palate for the work. Each panel in the Main Gallery at Bank of the Arts will be filled with works featuring that color, creating a rainbow that moves across the gallery. Colors selected for the exhibition will be red, orange, yellow, green, blue, violet (purple), white, and black. Works will be judged for a chance to win one of twenty prizes, and artist may sell their work on a 60/40 split in the artist’s favor.
New Bern High School Students
Director's Gallery - May 2024
Craven Arts Council & Gallery is proud to present the work of New Bern High School students in the Director’s Gallery for the month of May. This exhibition features exceptional student art work from the art department at New Bern High School. Work is selected from students who have shown a great ability and dedication to growing as artists. The work represents their thought process for tackling certain thematic goals. Students brainstorm and visually plan for each piece, with the goal of effectively communicating their themes to their viewers. Featured will be works in various mediums, each accompanied by an artist statement.
2024 TRAA & CCC Student Exhibition
Main Gallery - April 2024
The 2024 Twin Rivers Artists Association & Craven Community College Judged Exhibition was open to current members of the Twin Rivers Artists Association, and students enrolled in arts classes at Craven Community College in the Spring 2024 semester. Cash awards for 1st, 2nd, 3rd and Honorable Mention. One cash award for outstanding student.
The Twin Rivers Artists Association (TRAA) exists to promote and encourage the creation, education, and appreciation of fine art in the region. . Skill levels range from beginners to professional artists, in an environment that encourages cooperation and mentorship. Once a year the Craven Arts Council hosts an exhibition of the group’s membership, combined with students from the local Craven Community College (CCC) , in order to encourage the creation and exhibition of local art. Works on display will include painting, photography, sculpture, pottery, and mixed media.
More information about Twin Rivers Artists Association can be found at their website at www.traaofnewbernnc.com.
The Twin Rivers Artists Association (TRAA) exists to promote and encourage the creation, education, and appreciation of fine art in the region. . Skill levels range from beginners to professional artists, in an environment that encourages cooperation and mentorship. Once a year the Craven Arts Council hosts an exhibition of the group’s membership, combined with students from the local Craven Community College (CCC) , in order to encourage the creation and exhibition of local art. Works on display will include painting, photography, sculpture, pottery, and mixed media.
More information about Twin Rivers Artists Association can be found at their website at www.traaofnewbernnc.com.
Congressional Art Competition
Director's Gallery - April 2024
The 2024 Congressional Art Competition featured the work of local high school students from both public and private schools. Participating
students were selected by their teachers to showcase their talents. The featured artwork above was awarded First Place and student will have a chance to attend
a reception in Washington D.C., where all artwork awarded First Place from across the country will be displayed.
students were selected by their teachers to showcase their talents. The featured artwork above was awarded First Place and student will have a chance to attend
a reception in Washington D.C., where all artwork awarded First Place from across the country will be displayed.
Private and Homeschooled Student Exhibition
Director's Gallery - March
Students from Epiphany Global School, St. Paul’s Catholic School, Annunciation Catholic School, and various homeschooled students across the county exhibited their work in the Director’s Gallery. This exhibition will feature work created by students in art classes from various private, parochial and home schools across the county. Art has been shown to have an integral beneficial effect on youth education
in subjects from math and science to literary analysis. Craven Arts is pleased to reinforce these ideas by offering the students a chance to exhibit their works in a gallery setting.
in subjects from math and science to literary analysis. Craven Arts is pleased to reinforce these ideas by offering the students a chance to exhibit their works in a gallery setting.
The Alzheimer's Fantasies
Main Gallery - February and March
The Alzheimer's Fantasies was crafted by Michael A. Dorsey, inspired by his relationship with his wife, serving as both her husband and caregiver. Featuring 30 colored drawings and digital prints on display in the Main Gallery at the Bank of the Arts, this series was created by Dorsey with knowledge gained over the course of 5 years as a caregiver for his wife, who battled Alzheimer’s. His exhibit explores their relationship as well as personal memories and history. Michael A. Dorsey is a retired art professor and former dean of the School of Art at East Carolina University.
Dion Burroughs
Director's Gallery - February
Born and raised in Martin County, Dion Burroughs began drawing at the age of fifteen. Throughout high school he attended the summer program at the Martin Luther King Center, and was mentored by
Carolyn Ashley, Cyndi Herman, and Kathy McKee. Dion has displayed his work in nearly 30 solo exhibitions and several juried and invitational art exhibits in Martin and Beaufort Counties. He had won first
place awards for Warrior with Lion Helmut, Soll Life with Lobsters, and The Role Models. Dion’s quilt entitled The Scary Scarecrow is displayed in the First South Bank’s Permanent Collection.
Several of his paintings have been chosen for the NC Community College Art exhibit. Dion describes his artistic journey as a path of self-discovery and self-expression. He explores many different styles of art
but his favorite are most represented by his works of Religious Art, Black, Fine, and Traditional Art.
Carolyn Ashley, Cyndi Herman, and Kathy McKee. Dion has displayed his work in nearly 30 solo exhibitions and several juried and invitational art exhibits in Martin and Beaufort Counties. He had won first
place awards for Warrior with Lion Helmut, Soll Life with Lobsters, and The Role Models. Dion’s quilt entitled The Scary Scarecrow is displayed in the First South Bank’s Permanent Collection.
Several of his paintings have been chosen for the NC Community College Art exhibit. Dion describes his artistic journey as a path of self-discovery and self-expression. He explores many different styles of art
but his favorite are most represented by his works of Religious Art, Black, Fine, and Traditional Art.
Joy In The Ordinary
Main Gallery - January
Joy in the Ordinary features work by various local artists. During the holiday season, we often hear the words gratitude, joy, peace & light, yet we know that this time of year may not always be those things for all. Joy in the Ordinary seeks to remind ourselves and our community of the ways we experience glimmers of positivity and comfort every day of the year, not just during the holiday season. The exhibition features more than 45 artists, in a variety of mediums including painting, photography, ceramics, woodworking and more.
2024 Craven County Valentine's Day Sale
Director's Gallery - January
Craven Arts Council and the Twin Rivers Artists Association are proud to present the 2024 Craven County Valentine's Day Card Sale in the Director's Gallery for the month of January 2024! Valentine's cards created by students of all grades in Craven County School System, all proceeds are donated to Craven County art teachers for purchasing classroom supplies. Priced at $3.50 each, these card will aid in funding art education in our local community!
