Wayne Community College to host concert, art show
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on April 19, 2016 1:46 PM
The renowned Red Clay Ramblers will be performing at a free concert at Wayne Community College next week, in tandem with a juried art show and sale to benefit the fine arts and music programs at the college.
Sponsored by the Foundation of WCC, "Adventures in Musicians' Theatre" will be presented on Monday, April 25, at 7 p.m. in Moffatt Auditorium.
Bland Simpson and Jack Herrick are members of the Tony Award-winning band the Red Clay Ramblers, a North Carolina string band whose roots in mountain music also include elements of bluegrass, country rock, New Orleans jazz, gospel and the American musical.
Their work includes "Diamond Studs," "Hot Grog," "Pump Boys and Dinettes," "Fool Moon" and "Kudzu." "Fool Moon," which ran for five weeks at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., in 1999, received a special Tony award that year.
Simpson is the Kenan Distinguished Professor of English and creative writing at UNC-Chapel Hill and longtime pianist for the Ramblers. In 2005, he received the state's highest civilian honor, the N.C. Award in Fine Arts.
Herrick has served as artistic director, composer and performer with the Ramblers since 1979.
The evening of the concert, the public will also have a chance to browse through the art show and purchase student artwork that is on sale.
Angie Waller, art instructor at the college, is coordinating the juried art show and sale.
"Present and past students who have taken my studio courses have the opportunity to submit a work of art to be judged for prizes," she explained. "(Arts Council of Wayne County Director) Sarah Merritt and Lou Ann Smith, my former high school art teacher -- a very full circle moment for me -- will judge the works and prizes will be awarded for first through third place."
Prizes will be announced during the WCC Spring Fine Arts Festival, being held on April 28. That evening, the student art show starts at 6 p.m. in the Wayne Learning Center building and the college chorus, under the leadership of Bradley Collier, will perform in Moffatt Auditorium at 7 p.m.
Ms. Waller said she is especially excited about providing the juried pieces for sale.
"I can't tell you how many times I have someone ask if a student work is for sale," she said. "This year the community will have the opportunity to purchase a juried piece and all proceeds will benefit the Foundation of WCC.
"This is an excellent way for the community to purchase an original and affordable piece of art that directly helps students at Wayne Community College. I have several past students who are submitting pieces to pay it forward for future students."