The winter season encourages us to reflect on the past, to be mindful in the present, and to plan for a sustainable future.
A Letter from SECCA Director Bill Carpenter
Tuesday, November 28, 2023
The winter season encourages us to reflect on the past, to be mindful in the present, and to plan for a sustainable future. We practice these things regularly here at SECCA, always while serving our mission to connect audiences with people, objects, and ideas that expand our understanding of what is possible.
In 1956, this institution was named the Winston-Salem Gallery of Fine Arts and it exhibited and sold new works by the city's and region's many talented artists. In 1977, it opened as The Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art on land donated by the late James G. Hanes. For more than a quarter century, SECCA helped broaden the conversations around contemporary art by showcasing emerging artists from diverse backgrounds. Since 2007, SECCA has partnered with the North Carolina Museum of Art to ensure that access to the best of contemporary art and education remains free and available to all.
Our mission gained renewed support this year when the NC State Legislature approved $15 million in capital funding to renovate our buildings and grounds. This historic investment will provide the infrastructure needed for us to continue doing what we do best: provide free access to the finest contemporary art and deliver a diverse range of exceptional programming.
You'll see our commitment to access and diversity across our Winter calendar. The two current exhibitions offer a revelatory mix of materials and styles, from paint to lace, from abstract to figurative. Come see site-specific mural installations with If These Walls Could Talk before the exhibition closes on December 31, and explore fiber-based works by global artists with The Threads We Follow, on view through through the spring.
Music fans can witness the return of our beloved Crossroads series, with concerts by indie-folk star Anjimile this Friday, December 1, and country-shoegaze pioneers Wednesday on Saturday, January 20. Families can enjoy free art-making sessions on Second Saturdays, too.
More than ever, your support for this institution enables us to expand our programming and reach an ever-broadening audience. Memberships, donations, and ticket and retail sales all help fund the artists, performers, and educators who create our wonderful exhibitions and events.
Thank you for your continued support. We hope you'll consider renewing your membership, or gifting a new membership to a friend or loved one as the year comes to a close.
Sincerely,
William J. Carpenter
Executive Director, SECCA