“We Belong Here: The Gutierrez Collection” Opens Oct. 23, 2025

North Carolina Museum of Art August 26, 2026

(Winston-Salem, N.C.) – The North Carolina Museum of Art, Winston-Salem (formerly SECCA) is proud to present We Belong Here: The Gutierrez Collection, on view Oct. 23 through Dec. 27, 2025 in Main Gallery at NCMA Winston-Salem. An opening reception will be held Thursday, Oct. 23 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The museum is part of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

We Belong Here: The Gutierrez Collection is the first public exhibition of a collection of contemporary art built over the past decade by North Carolina-based collectors Onay Gutierrez and Jeff Childers. In their words, “The Gutierrez Collection aims to create a space where art becomes a platform for dialogue and understanding across a broad spectrum of identities and perspectives.”

We Belong Here features over 40 works created in the 21st century by over 40 international contemporary artists working in a broad range of media, engaged with current social, political, cultural, and personal issues. Artists include Anthony Akinbola, Saif Azzuz, Monica Kim Garza, Jeffrey Gibson, Hayv Kahraman, Beverly McIver, Zanele Muholi, Angel Otero, Deborah Roberts, Tavares Strachan, Mickalene Thomas, and Kehinde Wiley, among many others.
 
“This powerful exhibition celebrates the global voices of contemporary artists and asserts that everyone has a place in the story of art,” said Linda Dougherty, Chief Curator and Senior Curator of Contemporary Art at the NCMA. “We Belong Here provides a rare opportunity to see works by international contemporary artists whose works are not often on view in the U.S.”

Gutierrez and Childers, who began their collection in 2015, describe their collecting philosophy as “revolving around the contemporary cultural landscape of their time through a cross section of artistic voices primarily from underrepresented communities.” As collectors, they prioritize artists who deviate from traditional or expected approaches to their medium, and who employ unique techniques to convey specific narratives. Their collection reflects contemporary ideas around mental health; LGBTQ rights; Latin/Latinx, African, and African Diasporic identities; as well as broader explorations of activism, protest, and civil disobedience.

This exhibition is made possible through the support of Onay Gutierrez and Jeffrey Childers and is co-organized with the Cameron Art Museum/CAM in Wilmington, N.C. On view at CAM: April 23-Sept. 7, 2025; on view at the NCMA Winston-Salem Oct. 23-Dec. 27, 2025.

“Brandon Sadler: The Path of Totality” Opens July 10, 2025

North Carolina Museum of Art June 9, 2026

(Winston-Salem, N.C.) – North Carolina Museum of Art, Winston-Salem (formerly SECCA) is proud to present “Brandon Sadler: The Path of Totality, Chapter One – Bathed in Shadow,” on view July 10 through Dec. 27, 2025 in Potter Gallery at NCMA Winston-Salem. An opening reception with the artist and curator will be held Thursday, July 10 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., with remarks at 6:30 p.m. The museum is part of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

“The Path of Totality” is an ongoing episodic narrative series made up of figurative and calligraphic works that reflect Sadler’s diverse passion for storytelling, ink painting, and East Asian art forms. By adapting “shufa,” the art of Chinese brush character writing, he transforms the gallery into an immersive journey of mastering a medium through the Three Perfections: poetry, painting, and calligraphy.

Inspired by Sadler’s passion for world-building that combines calligraphy with figurative painting, “The Path of Totality” explores a mythical universe inhabited by beings who can cultivate cosmic energy and create realities through written language. With several newly created paintings by the artist, “Chapter One – Bathed in Shadow” specifically investigates the concept of supreme love, an all-encompassing and ever-expanding force that permeates everything beyond space and time.

“This exhibition is a culmination of Brandon’s work over the past few years, emphasizing his cross-cultural storytelling and world-building,” said Maya Brooks, associate curator of Contemporary Art at the NCMA. “I’m excited for our audience to get to know Brandon, because many have probably seen his work in popular settings (Marvel’s Black Panther and his public murals), but they may not have seen his work in a more immersive exhibition. I’ve personally appreciated working with Brandon because he has a very clear vision and understanding of his practice that translates to the overall narrative of ‘The Path of Totality.’”

ABOUT THE ARTIST
Brandon Sadler is a multi-disciplinary artist based in Atlanta, Georgia. He graduated from the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) with a BFA in Illustration. Sadler is renowned for his calligraphy, public murals, and performance art. In addition to contributing to fine arts institutions, he has partnered with several major brands and commercial ventures, including a feature in Marvel Studios’ Black Panther film series.

“Brandon Sadler: The Path of Totality” is curated by Maya Brooks and organized by the North Carolina Museum of Art. This exhibition is made possible, in part, by the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources; the North Carolina Museum of Art Foundation, Inc.; and the William R. Kenan Jr. Endowment for Educational Exhibitions. Research for this exhibition was made possible by Ann and Jim Goodnight/The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Fund for Curatorial and Conservation Research and Travel.