Liberty Arts Annual Holiday Sale Party | December 6, 2019 | 6-9pm

Come to our Studio at 918 Pearl Street in Durham to find the holiday gift that means more on so many levels. Quality handcrafted items are always appreciated and supporting your local artists supports your community!

Liberty Arts Artists are busy creating those pieces for you now. We're also bringing in some of our favorite local artists to add to the joy of the season. You'll find first-class handmade items in metal, glass, wood, clay and paper - some in unique combinations.

Great holiday music will get you into the spirit. Food and drinks will be available for festive merriment.

Here are the artists you will be able to choose from:

• Jessie Bailin - jewelry/metalsmith - www.instagram.com/lavenderwinejewelry

• Tricia Becker - jewelry - www.tbeckerjewelry.com

• Fabrizio Bianchi - mixed media - www.instagram.com/fabzart2019

• Jim Cohen - metalsmith - www.jimcohenmetals.net

• Cricket Forge - handmade metal gifts - www.cricketforge.com

• Kimberly Foytlin - mixed media - www.instagram.com/love.foytlin

• Kara Garrett - printmaker - www.redflagprintshop.com

• Delores J Hayes - pottery - www.deloresjhayes.com

• Nate Hicks - metal - http://www.fishbonemetalworks.com/

• David Huber - artisan pipes - www.dshpipes.com

• Elijah Leed - glass art - www.elijahleed.com

• Chris McLaurin - pottery - www.instagram.com/chris_in_the_bull_city

• John Parkinson - woodworking - www.johnparkinsonfurniture.com

• Mike Waller - forged kitchen implements - www.wallerhandmade.com

• Evie G Watts - mixed media - www.eviegwatts.com

• Emily Wismer - greeting cards - www.ladypilotletterpress.com

Scratch Blocks @ DAC | November 15, 2019 | 5-7pm

Come see the opening of the new show Materials/Process, with Jackie MacLeod, one of our alumni, and three other local artists.

On the way to the opening be sure to stop and find out more about Liberty Arts and our upcoming Iron Pour. If you're feeling especially creative and haven't already done a scratch block, you’ll be able to sign up on the spot to do one there.

Steve Little will be demonstrating the whole process with all the materials and tools needed. Otherwise, you can sign up for the upcoming workshops on the following day, November 16th, the day of the Pour.

Where: Durham Arts Council, 120 Morris St, Durham NC 27701

When: 5-7pm, November 15, 2019.

Fallapalooza | September 21, 2019 | 6-10pm

The upcoming Autumnal Equinox has inspired us to open our doors and create the 1st Annual Liberty Arts Fallapalooza. Get ready to celebrate the change of seasons in a completely unique and creative way!

On September 21st from 6 to 10pm our studio at 918 Pearl St will be the place to come for beer and cider from our first class local breweries, food prepared for the season and, of course, s’mores made by you over Liberty Arts’ own fire pits. 

Need some entertainment? Watch your date dancing to fabulous music by local classic rock band W.O. and our good friend Alec Ferrell with his mad DJ skills. 

Feeling creative? Design and create your own Autumnal Tiara at our Tiara Table. 

Seriously, where else are you going to find this kind of fun?!?

Tickets are on sale now for $25.

Please note that this event is restricted to those 21 years of age and older.

BOOK HERE!

Stay tuned as we will be posting updates about our menu, the choice of local breweries and more about the evening’s music.

Dance to W.O. at Fallapalooza!!

Evie G Watts - You put yourself in too small a box, my love | Sept 13 - Oct 13 2019

A new chapter begins…

After a few years of studio administration and management in two different organizations, I’m getting back into the studio myself to make stuff.

Feeling a bit rusty (ha!), and ready to create things other than schedules, emails, lists and conversations. This show will be the outcome of my summer-long foray back into the fold of metal, clay and wood.

I bring what I’ve learned. I offer you a respite from your computer screen, your everyday surroundings. My hope is that you come away with a new way to look at old things.

The opening promises to be a party - Dex and Half Tones have promised to come and play for us. They are a fabulous local jazz band who has entertained us all a few times now and it's always a pleasure to hear them jam. There will also be food and drinks and lots of people to meet and reconnect with. Come and have some fun!

The show will run through October 13th.

Steve Little - Body of Work | June 21 - July 19, 2019

Body of Work

By Steve Little

I started with a series of self portraits.

When drawing, it's important to define the negative shapes between objects - the distance between the eyes, for example; or the gap between the tip of the nose and the chin.

When I returned to my art after 25 years, I aspired to pick up the remains of a long-ago illustration career, combine them with an unexpected career in community development and quarter-century in Latin America, and see what would result.

In art - as in life - negative space becomes so important that sometimes I find myself focusing more on what isn't there, instead of what actually is. My nose isn’t straight. My hair isn’t combed.

So this particular body of work began while staring into a mirror, drawing. The exhibit emerged as I rewrote my resume, explaining gaps in my art career; and as I packed my suitcases, emptied my studio, and flew to a new home in a different country. I developed these pieces as I helped my two kids graduate and move out; and while counting my teeth with my tongue, pondering the gaps where my wisdom teeth used to be.

All art is personal. But the importance of art isn't found in the story told by the artist – It's found in the story understood by others. I hope my art shows the gaps in our lives and between us, not as separation, but as important elements of a larger body of work.

Steve’s show will run in the Liberty Arts Gallery through July 19th.

Food Truck Rodeo | June 16, 2019 | 12-4pm

Get ready to watch a Bronze Pour, take a Foundry tour and buy some art from our fabulous team here at LA between your delicious stops at the Food Trucks. Two pours will happen between noon and  2. Then watch us break the mold to reveal the sculptures inside. See you soon!

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