Process as Practice: Three Artists from Western NC

Interwoven dark and light blue threads make an elongated grid pattern.

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Process as Practice: Three Artists from Western NC

Sep 17, 2026 – Nov 29, 2026

Overview

The North Carolina Museum of Art, Winston-Salem, is pleased to announce Process as Practice: Three Artists from Western North Carolina, the second exhibition at the new art space in downtown Winston-Salem. An opening reception will be held Thursday, September 17 from 5 to 8 pm, with remarks at 6:30 pm.

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Process as Practice weaves together objects by three artists who call western North Carolina home. Leah Smith (Canton, North Carolina) works with ink and cotton to create drawings and forms that examine how pieces combine to create a unified whole. Kimberly English (Canton, North Carolina) creates objects with thread to ask how parts can assemble while maintaining their own individuality. Erin Canady (Asheville, North Carolina) captures the effects of time through works that include water and graphite.

The artists look at how materials join, gather, and change. Their practices center on paying attention to patterns and irregularities, helping us be more aware of the physical world around us.

The exhibition is part of the ongoing series NC Strong: Resilience, Tradition, and Innovation, which received grant support from the National Endowment for the Arts. NC Strong commemorates America 250 and celebrates North Carolina’s pivotal role in our nation’s cultural history. The exhibitions in this series feature contemporary fiber arts, woodworking, design, painting, and pottery, showcasing the breadth of lived experiences and creative processes that shape the art of North Carolina and the Southeast.

Whereas typical museum exhibitions do not sell the art on display, many works from Process as Practice are available for purchase. Visitors can speak with gallery hosts for pricing and more information, or contact the museum at info.ws@ncartmuseum.org.

This exhibition is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts and Kelley and Drew Hancock. Additional support for NCMA Winston-Salem Downtown and programming is provided by Anna Reilly and Matthew Cullinan, Mia Celano and Skip Dunn, Ann and Borden Hanes, Twin City Development Foundation, Robbin and Don Flow, Stuart Parks, Innovation Quarter, EMBER Audio + Design, Joe Logan, Pinnacle Financial Partners, Claire and Randall Tuttle, Atwell Ford Real Estate, Leland Little Auctions Ltd., Fader Real Estate, and Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation.

Header Image: Detail of Kimberly English, Second Story Landing, 2024. Courtesy of Arcadia Art Consultancy.

Erin Canady, “Calendar,” 2015. Courtesy of the artist.

Kimberly English, “Wrong Number,” 2026. Courtesy of Arcadia Art Consultancy.

Leah Smith, “Tangle I 9.2.2024,” 2024. Courtesy of the artist.

Related Events

Unboxed: Art beyond the Museum

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Unboxed: Art beyond the Museum

Jul 16, 2026 – Aug 30, 2026

Overview

This group exhibition launches the NCMA Winston-Salem downtown art space by bringing together artists who have contributed to the Museum’s Portable Gallery.

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The North Carolina Museum of Art, Winston-Salem is pleased to announce Unboxed: Art beyond the Museum, the inaugural exhibition at our new art space in downtown Winston-Salem. An opening reception will be held Thursday, July 16 from 6pm to 8pm, with remarks at 6:30pm and a member preview from 5pm to 6pm.

Unboxed: Art beyond the Museum launches the NCMA Winston-Salem downtown art space by bringing together artists who have contributed to the Museum’s Portable Gallery. Developed as an education outreach initiative, the Portable Gallery provides students access to contemporary art by bringing original works by North Carolina artists directly into schools. Last year, more than 2,000 students across regional school districts experienced the Portable Gallery.

Unboxed presents artists at different career stages, each concerned with place, identity, and imagination. Some have come to North Carolina recently; others have made homes here for much of their lives. Their works reflect a range of subjects, materials, and techniques as diverse as North Carolina itself.

The Portable Gallery reimagines what a museum is and what it can do for its community. With every classroom visit, it reaffirms the importance of presence, representation, and exploration in the lives of students. We open our new art space with works from the artists who have made the Portable Gallery possible because we believe this new endeavor is born of the same idea: that everyone deserves access to great art.

Exhibiting artists include Nico Amortegui, Kevin Calhoun, Emily Clare, Owens Daniels, Ellen Heck, Eric Knoche, Andrew Mastriani, Caroline Paul, Travis Phillips, JP Jermaine Powell, Daniel Rich, Sloane Siobhan, and Mona Wu. Whereas typical museum exhibitions do not sell the art on display, many works in Unboxed will be available for purchase.

This exhibition is generously supported by Pinnacle Financial Partners and Fader Real Estate.

Generous support for NCMA Winston-Salem Downtown and programming is provided by Anna Reilly and Matthew Cullinan, Borden and Ann Hanes, Twin City Development Foundation, Skip Dunn and Mia Celano, Don and Robin Flow, Stuart Parks, Joe Logan, Randall and Clare Tuttle, Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation, and EMBER Audio + Design.

NCMA Winston-Salem Downtown is located at 400 W Fourth Street, suite #130.

Related Events

Art in the Park: Botanical Art (Double Feature!)

Join us for a special Art in the Park double feature with concurrent workshops led by artists Emily Clare and Laura Lashley at Miller Park Emily Clare will guide participants through hands-on printmaking with Gelli plates, using natural elements like leaves and flowers to produce layered, one-of-a-kind monoprints. Laura Lashley will lead an exploration of meditative flower paintings during an acrylic painting session designed to promote mindfulness while exploring balance, pattern, and vibrant floral forms. No experience is needed, just curiosity and a love for nature-inspired art. Materials are provided and all ages and skill levels are welcome. Emily Clare Emily Clare is a visual artist from Cookeville, TN, who now lives and works in Winston-Salem. She has exhibited work in regional, national, and international exhibitions; most recently, NCMA Winston-Salem’s inaugural exhibition, Unboxed: Art beyond the Museum and a solo show at Central Gallery in Greensboro, NC. Clare is a co-founder of the Ardmore Art Walk in Winston-Salem. | emilyclarestudio.com Laura Lashley Laura Lashley is an artist living and working in the Piedmont Triad region of North Carolina. Her distinctive vision has remained consistent over decades of creating and exhibiting paintings in the Triad where her work in and out of the studio has been widely celebrated. | lauralashley.com Art in the Park Art in the Park is a free pop-up series presented by NCMA Winston-Salem and Winston-Salem Recreation & Parks. Designed for all ages, Art in the Park invites you to explore your creativity at scenic local parks. Drop by between 10:00 and 1:00 to enjoy a unique, hands-on tutorial led by our featured local artist. Materials are provided, and if you can’t stay to create, we’ll happily send you off with supplies to help spark your imagination later.

September 19, 2026

Exhibition Display Tag: Free with Registration