“Everything good, everything magical between the months of June and August ”
Summer Spotlight Series
This summer we are excited about a new summer series that spotlights the wonderful artists that make Liberty Arts so special.
Hannah Joy Lehman
Hannah’s art embodies personal excavation, intertwining technique with a fresh perspective on life. She aspires to use art as a tool for community healing, particularly focusing on the queer and marginalized communities of Durham, through murals, workshops, and creative community exploration.
Provisional show August 16, 2024
Kirk Denny
Kirk is an interdisciplinary artist with a BFA in Art and Design from the North Carolina State University College of Design, graduating in 2016. Since graduating, Kirk has worked as an educator, designer, woodworker, and painter.
Currently at Liberty Arts, they work in a painting studio and are focused on developing a new body of work. Kirk’s current work is heavily influenced by their active participation in the dance and movement community. Drawing inspiration from the fluidity of movement and the physicality of form, their paintings showcase a dynamic interplay of movement, weight, and connection. This is achieved through overlaid figure-based forms and strong communication through color. These paintings not only convey a sense of movement and depth but also aim to represent the multifaceted nature of individual identities.
Provisional Show Sept 20, 2024
What’s Happening
Foundry Event Days
You can now regularly find Liberty Arts artists at the Foundry on select days, during Durham Central Park events and on the occasional Farmers Market Saturdays!
Groups of Liberty Arts artists will set up tables outside of the Foundry in Durham Central Park at 501 Foster street. Artists working in painting, ceramics, glass, and/or metal will have work to sell, and Liberty Arts merchandise will also be available. You may also get the opportunity to see sculptural artists at work in the Foundry, doing demonstrations.
Visit us at the next event on June 9th, from 12:00pm to 4:00pm coinciding with the Food Truck Rodeo
Classes + Workshops
UPCOMING CLASSES
Brenda Cass is teaching a new metals class! Intro to Sculptural Welding is a chance for beginners to learn basic metal fabrication by creating metal magnolias. Students will learn to use plasma cutters, grinders and welding machines. Upcoming dates: June 19th, July 3rd, and July 17th. All classes are from 6-9pm.
Nanette Pengelley is teaching several Intro to Jewelry Making classes this summer. Students can choose from four courses where they can learn to make a pendant, bezel set ring, prong set earrings, or sandcast rings/pendants. Upcoming dates: June 12th, 19th and 26th. And mark your calendars for July 3rd, 10th, 17th. All classes are from 6:00pm -9.00pm
Jim Cohen is teaching Small Metals Classes throughout the month! Upcoming dates: June 17th, 21st, 25th, 26th, 29th. Most classes are from 6:00pm -9:00pm with one exception.*
*Class Note: The June 29th class has a special time which is 10:00am -1:00pm
**Pottery Note: Pottery classes are always being added, so please check back for updates.
WORKSHOP ANNOUNCEMENT
Liberty Arts is collaborating with Bull City Woodshop in the fall and winter to provide two special multi-part workshops. Students will have the opportunity to take a class in both woodworking and glassblowing in order to create a dual-medium art piece!
Stay tuned for more information about this collaboration.
Are you interested in joining the Liberty Arts artist community?
There are a couple of ways: Studio Spaces - sign up here or Guest Teaching Spots sign up here !
Flashback Friday
Karma Keg
This spring, Liberty Arts participated in a large fundraising event sponsored by Inhabit the Triangle, where 20 awesome nonprofits came together to build connections, recruit volunteers from the community, and potentially win funding for their programming.
Carolina Friends School
Another fun flashback happened when 9 students from Carolina Friends School came to visit Liberty Arts and learn about our ceramics program, and see how the facility supports multiple mediums and artists. They were able to visit Hannah Schutzengel’s solo exhibition in the gallery, speak to other studio artists present, and talk with JulieRose Hinson, who is a Liberty Ceramics Artist and CFS alum!
Summer Support
North Carolina Central University News…
Liberty Arts has begun a new partnership with NCCU, recruiting some of their arts students to join Liberty Arts as volunteers. You may spot them assisting in our classes, or joining us for Foundry Days. We are so lucky to have their help!
Volunteer At Liberty Arts…
Liberty Arts is always looking for volunteers, especially as we approach our largest event in November, the 8th annual Iron Pour. For more info on how to pay it forward with your time click the button below!
Did you know when you take a Liberty Arts class you are also supporting our mission? You can see the list of classes by clicking the button below!
And we are always grateful for monetary support you can and you can make a donation here!
8th Annual Iron Pour
Liberty Arts is currently accepting iron donations for the 8th Annual Iron Pour. If you have iron to donate, reach out to us using the contact form on our website.
Happy Summer…
Liberty Arts teaching artists, employees, and board members wish everyone a super sunny and safe summer season!