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Process as Practice: Three Artists from Western NC

Sep 17, 2026 – Nov 29, 2026

Overview

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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.

Related Events

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  Opening Reception: Process as Practice

  Join us for the opening of Process as Practice: Three Artists from Western NC Explore the new exhibition, mingle with the artists, and enjoy music and refreshments. Directors’ remarks will take place at 6:30 pm. Artist Erin Canady’s ice sculpture intervention will unfold for the duration of the reception. Process as Practice: Three Artists from Western NC 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.  Header images: I. Erin Canady, (H)our 2, 2019, graphite on paper. © Erin Canady. Courtesy of the artist.; II. Kimberly English, Wrong Number, 2026, handwoven cotton and wool. © Kimberly English. Courtesy Arcadia Art Consultancy.; III. Leah Smith, Shroud Study 7/1/2024, 2024, ink on paper. © Leah Smith. Courtesy of the artist.

  September 17, 2026

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  Artist Talk: Process as Practice

  More information coming soon

  October 8, 2026

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  Workshop: Introduction to Weave Drafting

  Explore the art of weave drafting with exhibiting artist Kimberly English Drafting is a visual system for translating structure and sequence into woven cloth. In this beginner-friendly workshop, participants will explore weave drafts as both practical tools and conceptual puzzles: systems of interdependent parts that can be read and manipulated. Through guided exercises, participants will learn how to interpret and modify 4-harness weave drafts while developing an understanding of how small structural changes create complex visual outcomes. The workshop approaches drafting not only as a weaving skill, but as a way of thinking through pattern, logic, repetition, and variation. This workshop will be led by exhibiting artist Kimberly English, whose work is on view in Process as Practice: Three Artists from Western NC at NCMA Winston-Salem Downtown through November 29, 2026. English is a fiber artist and educator based in Canton, NC. While some weaving experience may be helpful, this course is also open to artists, designers, makers, and visually curious people interested in systems-based thinking, pattern construction, and structured experimentation. Participation is free but registration is required. Registration opens soon   Header image: Kimberly English, The Devil’s Wife, 2024, handwoven cotton, quilting cotton, batting, curtain fabric backing. Kimberly English. Courtesy of the artist.

  October 10, 2026

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