Arts Council to host May events
By Becky Barclay
Published in News on April 22, 2017 11:02 PM
Full SizeThe Arts Council of Wayne County will have three major events in May.
The first will be a Cinco de Mayo party May 5 from 5 to 8 during its regular First Friday event. There will be Cinco de Mayo-themed foods and a flamenco dance group from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base.
"We really want to encourage people to get a little more interactive in our First Fridays," said director Wendy Snow Walker. "We had been brainstorming on how to involve other cultures in our events, too. We have our drum circle and jazz showcase, which are very African American centered. We just want to reach out to lots of other cultures in the area. Particularly with the base here, we have people from all over the world."
Also during the Cinco de Mayo party on First Friday, there will be an opening reception for two new art exhibits.
In his "A Painter's Journey," Cedric Baker creates abstract color field paintings to continue his journey of searching out worldly stories and dreams of the human condition. He seeks to share and teach the possibilities of using or adding art to one's life.
Guy Simmons believes that to create is to be human. His exhibit conveys difference and unconformity. He wants people to take a trip away from conventionality by displaying an unconventional place. He wants to inspire people and help them look within and follow their passions.
The Cinco de Mayo party is free and for all ages.
May 7, the Arts Council and Goldsboro Parks and Recreation Department will co-sponsor Sunday in the Park. It will take place at Herman Park from 1 to 5 p.m.
There will lots of activities for children. Food trucks will sell a variety of foods. Arts and craft vendors will sell a variety of items.
There will be live music and maybe even some strolling musicians.
"We are very excited that our Battle of the Bands winner from the April Art in the Park event will be the headliner," Ms. Walker said. "It's the Blue Notes from Eastern Wayne High School, under the direction of Bobby Sherard. They are amazing. It's a group of really talented teenagers who rocked the park in April."
The Blue Notes will perform from 3:30 to 5 p.m.
There will also be a cup mural in the tennis court fencing. Different colors of cups will be used to create shapes and other things in the fence.
"We really want to fill the park with art," Ms. Snow said. "The event helps with the livability of Goldsboro. Everybody is very busy and works hard during the week. On the weekends, you just want to kick back and you want something fun, creative and relaxing to do. And you want to enjoy our beautiful area. To be able to sit back on a Sunday afternoon and enjoy that and hear some great music and beautiful artwork, what better way to spend a Sunday afternoon?"
Visitors to Sunday in the Park may take their own picnic, blankets and lawn chairs. The event is free unless you want to buy food or art from the vendors.
A new event for the Arts Council is a photo scavenger hunt, in conjunction with Cliffs of the Neuse State Park.
Anyone may take photos at Cliffs of the Neuse between May 7 and 24. Entries must be submitted by May 31. The fee is $15.
There are 12 categories of photos, which are nature in motion, living creatures, fire prevention, water conservation, horizontal lines, vertical interests, objects out of place, land and sky, peace in the park, in the light, hidden treasures and seeds, leaves and roots.
"Anyone who enters will send us one digital photo for each category," Ms. Walker said. "Rangers from the park and staff from the Arts Council will chose the 12 best photography to be put into a calendar that will be sold as a fundraiser for the Arts Council and Friends of the Cliffs."
The calendar will be available by Christmas.
All of the photo scavenger hunt entries will be on display at the Arts Council July 28 through Aug. 18.
"We're really excited about it," Ms. Walker said. "We've had great interest already. And we liked the idea of having a calendar that people would see all year long."
The event is open to all ages. Photos can be taken with a camera, an iPhone or anything else. To register, call the Arts Council at 919-736-3300.