Events

Drinking Gourd Gallery Calendar

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WHEN ART & POETRY MEET

The Route 3 Blog and Drinking Gourd Gallery Present: A discussion of the work of award-winning poet January Gill O'Neil, Sunday, January 14, at 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time
 
The Route 3 Blog and Drinking Gourd Gallery are thrilled to announce that the 2024 Poetry Appreciation Series will begin on Sunday, January 14, at 7 pm with a discussion of the work of award-winning poet January Gill O'Neil. O'Neil teaches English at Salem State University and is the author of four poetry volumes: Glitter Road (forthcoming, 2024), Rewilding (2018), Misery Islands (2014), and Underlife (2009). Fellow poet Nin Andrews has described O'Neil as "a poet who touches the heart within the heart, the muse within the music, the magic within the ordinary" (from the author's website).
 
Read the poems of January Gill O'Neil: January Gill O'Neil — January Gill O'Neil (januarygilloneil.com)
Listen to a three-minute video of January Gill O'Neil talking about her writing process: January Gill O'Neil, P.O.P - YouTube
 
How to Participate
If possible, please borrow or buy one of the author's poetry books prior to the event. Alternatively, you can visit websites featuring the work (see link above), and read the poems there. Then pick one poem that truly resonates with you. During the discussion, we will talk about the poems we chose and the impact they had on us. If you prefer not to share your thoughts at the group discussion, you are still welcome to join in and listen to what others have to share. All levels of participation are welcome! 
 
Join the Discussion: Send an e-mail to us at dggartinfo@gmail.com to receive the log-in information for the January 14 discussion. 
 

The Route 3 Blog and Drinking Gourd Gallery Present: "how i got ovah": Celebrating the poetry of Carolyn Rodgers, Dec. 14, 2023, at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time

December 14 is the birthday of the late Carolyn Rodgers (1940-2010), an influential Black woman writer, co-founder of the legendary Third World Press, and the founder of Eden Press. A Chicago native who came of age during the Civil Rights movement and who embodied the creative spirit of the Black Arts movement, Rodgers often wrote about the personal, social, and political concerns of Black women, challenging patriarchal ideas about how they should act, talk, live, and feel. Among her many published works are Paper Soul (1968), Songs of a Blackbird (1969), and how i got ovah: New and Selected Poems (1975). In addition to being a poet, Rodgers was also a short story writer, an essayist, a professor, a literary critic, and, at one point, a social worker.

Join a group of literature lovers on Thursday, December 14 at 7:30 pm Eastern Time to engage in a virtual discussion of Rodgers' poems. If possible, please borrow or buy one of Rodgers' poetry books prior to the 14th (see purchase options below), or visit the Poetry Foundation page devoted to her work and read her poems there. Then pick one Carolyn Rodgers poem that truly resonates with you. During the discussion, we will talk about the poems we chose and the impact they had on us. If you prefer not to share your thoughts at the group discussion, you are still welcome to join in and listen to what others have to share. All levels of participation are welcome!

If you have time, we encourage you to watch this 27-minute video of Carolyn Rodgers speaking about her life experiences in 2007 (at the end she reads one of her poems): Carolyn Marie Rodgers speaking

Purchase options: There are a few Amazon book dealers who sell Carolyn Rodgers' books, but it is fine to stick to reading the poems on the Poetry Foundation website, if that works better for you.

Borrowing options: Some libraries carry her books.

Join the Discussion: Send an e-mail to us at dggartinfo@gmail.com to receive the log-in information for the December 14 discussion. 

We look forward to seeing you soon! 

  

JOIN US FOR SLOW ART DAY APRIL 15, 2023!

Artwork: IS IT HOT IN HERE? OR, IS IT JUST ME? by Carol Torian
To celebrate this international event, Drinking Gourd Gallery will be looking at two pieces of artwork by artist Carol Torian. One work focuses on menopause, while the other challenges notions of beauty. Slow Art Day participants will look at the works for about ten minutes, then discuss their impressions as part of a group. 
Researchers in museums have found that on average, visitors spend about 30 seconds in front of works of art. Slow Art Day is a global art movement that encourages people to slow down to look at art to find peace, calm, and connection.

We invite you to join us on April 15 from 4:00 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. EST for this fun, interactive online event! You can stay the entire time, or hop off early if you need to. We look forward to seeing you!

This online Slow Art Day event is free, but registration is required.

JINGLE MINGLE ARTISAN MARKET, Saturday, November 12, 2022

Join us at the Jingle Mingle Artisan Market at the Imperial Centre for the Arts in Rocky Mount on Saturday, November 12, 2022! This event is sponsored by the Tar River Arts Collaborative and will feature more than 40 vendors! Make plans to attend and bring a friend! 

 

 

Inaugural Buck Leonard First Baseman's Hall of Fame Induction & Gala, Saturday, October 29, 2022

On October 29, 2022, emcee Chris Lovingood of WRAL and several special guests will be on hand for the Inaugural Buck Leonard First Baseman's Hall of Fame Induction and Gala! During the event, the Buck Leonard Association will posthumously induct its first seven members into the Buck Leonard First Baseman’s Hall of Fame and unveil original player portraits of Martin Dihigo, Lou Gehrig, Hank Greenberg, Buck O’Neil, Tony Perez, Joe Staton and Ben Taylor created by artist Darryl Matthews. The portraits will be on permanent display at the Imperial Centre for the Arts & Sciences in Rocky Mount, NC. 

 

 

 

Drinking Gourd Gallery: Slow Art Appreciation, Saturday, April 2, 2022, 4:00 PM

Register in advance for this event:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUsc-urqDstH9Wt5UdZjLj7JA7QazK7ZlWn

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the event.

Join us on Saturday, April 2 at 4:00 p.m. as we connect to the moment and mindfully observe works of art. We will spend a little over an hour reflecting on Kirsten Moore’s paintings "Taste the Rainbow," "Spring Onions," "Traditions," and "Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy." These richly colored works build on a tradition of food as art. This will be a live virtual program presented through Zoom. There is no charge to attend.

Why Slow Art?

The more you look, the more you see. Slow Art is an approach based on the idea that if we want to get to know a work in better detail, we need to spend time with it. Slow looking can allow us to explore different perspectives and make unexpected discoveries about works of art. Slow art events can take place at any time, but one day each year – April 2 in 2022 – people around the world pause to look at art slowly at museums and galleries. Participants look at one or a few artworks and talk about their experience.

How to prepare for this virtual program:

Make yourself comfortable. Find a quiet place to relax and immerse yourself in the moment. Participate as little or as much as you want in the discussion. Don’t worry if nothing comes to mind when you first see the artwork. Be patient with yourself and have fun.

We look forward to seeing you on Saturday, April 2, 2022!

About the artist…

Kirsten Moore, the founder and owner of Sola Bee Artistry has a passion for planet sustainability and uses re-purposed materials and discarded items to create her mixed media artwork. As a native to the North Country, she has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Design, concentrating in sculpture and graphic design, from the State University of New York at Potsdam, located in Potsdam, NY.

Please contact Drinking Gourd Gallery at cjtorian@gmail.com or call 919-627-4994 with any questions about any of the gallery’s programming.

 

 

 

ARTSPLOSURE - THE RALEIGH ARTS FESTIVAL

October 9-10, 2021 | Downtown Raleigh (This event has passed.)

It's official! Drinking Gourd Gallery is coming to the 2021 Artsplosure festival! We are honored to have the opportunity to join other visual arts and craft exhibitors from across North Carolina and the nation at this event. We look forward to seeing you there! 

 

 

 

 

DRINKING GOURD GALLERY HOSTS SLOW ART PROGRAM, Saturday, May 15, 2021, 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Join us on Saturday, May 15 at 3:30 p.m. as we connect to the moment and mindfully observe a work of art. We will spend an hour reflecting on Corliss R. Owen’s painting “Auntea”. This will be a live virtual program presented through Zoom. For ages 18 and up. There is no charge to attend. (This event has passed.)
Why Slow Art?
The more you look, the more you see. Slow Art is an approach based on the idea that if we want to get to know a work in better detail, we need to spend time with it. Slow looking can allow us to explore different perspectives and make unexpected discoveries about works of art.
How to prepare for this program:
Make yourself comfortable. Find a quiet place to relax and immerse yourself in the moment.
Participate as little or as much as you want in the discussion.
Don’t worry if nothing comes to mind when you first see the artwork. Be patient with yourself.
Register in advance for this event:
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. We look forward to seeing you on Saturday, May 15!
Please contact Drinking Gourd Gallery at cjtorian@gmail.com or call 919-627-4994 with any questions about any of the gallery’s programming.

 

 

DRINKING GOURD GALLERY LAUNCHES ART TALKS!

It’s the start of a new year and Drinking Gourd Gallery is launching Art Talks! The Art Talks series will bring together artists, writers, and fellow art lovers to discuss books and films related to art and artists. Art Talks will also feature lectures, concerts, and Meet the Artist events. We're kicking off the series with a book discussion!
On February 6, join us along with poet and librarian Stacy Torian for a virtual discussion of Betye Saar: Black Girl’s Window written by curators Esther Adler and Christophe Cherix. In this beautifully illustrated book, the authors examine Saar’s career and one of her most seminal works. Betye Saar (b. 1926, Los Angeles) is an assemblage artist who is an icon of the feminist and Black Arts Movements. Her work combines symbols and found objects, and addresses issues of race, gender, and spirituality. This is going to be a powerful discussion you will not want to miss! (This event has passed.)
Book Discussion Group: Saturday, February 6, 2021, 7 – 8 p.m.
Betye Saar: Black Girl’s Window by Esther Adler (Author), Christophe Cherix (Editor), Betye Saar (Artist) Publisher: The Museum of Modern Art, 2019, ISBN-10: 1633450767, ISBN-13: 978-1633450769 
Register in advance for this virtual book discussion (14 person maximum):
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the book discussion.
You are responsible for obtaining a copy of the selected book either in hard copy or e-book format. This book is available through local and national booksellers or libraries.
Please contact Drinking Gourd Gallery at cjtorian@gmail.com or call 919-627-4994 with any questions about any of the gallery’s programming. We look forward to seeing you soon!

  

 

 

DRINKING GOURD GALLERY PRESENTS COLLECTIVE VOICES

Drinking Gourd Gallery's exhibition, Collective Voices, is a gathering of works by five contemporary African-American artists. The works represent a variety of styles and thematic interests, with each piece telling a story from the artist's unique perspective. The exhibit features acrylics, watercolor, digital and limited edition prints from Darryl Matthews, Corliss R. Owen, Shelvy Ramsey, Carol Torian, and youth artist Jade. The exhibit is complemented by a series of conversations called "Say It Loud". Hear the artists discuss the type of art they create and what motivates them to make it. Learn about what influences the dimensions of their work and how they settle on titles. Carol Torian will also talk about current trends in the art world. And she will share her thoughts about why art produced by people of color, past and present, may be unknown or overlooked.  
This exhibition is available exclusively online and is open to the public through January 30, 2021. Admission is free. View the Collective Voices Exhibition: https://artspaces.kunstmatrix.com/en/exhibition/3044799/collective-voices  
Artwork Credits from left to right: "Mama, I Went to a Rally Today (But They Called It a Riot)" by Carol Torian; "Blue Bliss" by Jade; "Kobe" by Darryl Matthews; "Petals" by Shelvy Ramsey; and "Uncle Joe" by Corliss R. Owen.
 

 

POP-UP SHOP, December 8, 2019, Noon to 5:00 p.m. 

We are very excited to announce that we will setting up a pop-up shop at locally-owned Wye Hill Kitchen and Brewing https://www.wyehill.com/ on Sunday, December 8! Come out and enjoy delicious food and drink and shop with us while you're at the restaurant!  We will be donating 10% of Sunday's gross sales to Southeast Raleigh Promise (SERP) https://serpromise.org . SERP's long-term vision is to break the cycle of intergenerational poverty for residents living in the Rock Quarry Road Corridor (RQRC Zone). Please join us in supporting this worthwhile cause. We look forward to seeing you soon! 

POP-UP SHOP, Thanksgiving Weekend, November 29 - December 1, 2019

We're popping up at Cary Towne Center for Thanksgiving weekend, y'all! We'll have hand-painted ornaments, original artwork, books, handmade cuff links, and necklaces. Come out and shop local with us and find the perfect gift for everyone on your list! 

POP-UP SHOP, October 12, 2019

On Saturday, October 12, 2019, we'll be a the 3rd Annual Sir Walter Smoke-Off (https://sirwaltersmokeoff.com/). Over a dozen professional BBQ Teams will compete for the Sir Walter Smoke-Off Golden Pig Trophy and up to $1,000 in prize money. The event organizers are also collecting toys, hurricane relief supplies and money for the Capital City Clauses & The Carolina Cavalry. Please come out to this fun event and stop by our shop while you're there! We'd love to meet you! 

ARTS PROJECT

Tin Can Arts Project. In December 2018, we launched our Tin Can Arts Project by making a weekly non-perishable foods donation to our local food bank in honor of our Drinking Gourd Gallery Insiders (i.e. our mailing list subscribers). We also created some tin can art along the way, which we posted to our Facebook and Instagram pages. If you'd like to become an Insider, just enter your e-mail address in the box below and click subscribe! 

 

Check back often for information about upcoming shows, events, and exhibitions!