The City of Kings Mountain, NC, Kings Mountain Tourism Development Authority and Kings Mountain Little Theatre Board of Directors Commission Mural of Hometown Hero Jimmy Wayne

The City of Kings Mountain, NC, in partnership with the Tourism Development Authority and the Kings Mountain Little Theatre Board of Directors, have commissioned artist Scott Nurkin, founder of the North Carolina Musician Murals Project, to create a mural honoring hometown hero — author, singer, songwriter, musician — Jimmy Wayne as part of an art installment celebrating art and artists from North Carolina.

Wayne, who was born in Kings Mountain (Cleveland County), is a former foster kid turned award-winning country recording artist and “New York Times” bestselling author, whose songs and story highlight his mission to raise awareness for children in foster care.


Rendering of what the mural will look like.

Scott Neisler, Mayor of Kings Mountain, says, “The City of Kings Mountain is proud to honor Jimmy Wayne with this special mural at the Joy Performance Center. Jimmy’s story, from his birth here in Kings Mountain, to his path to country stardom is remarkable. He deserves to be recognized in his hometown.”

Wayne shares, “When Mayor Neisler called to share this news with me, I was deeply honored. I hope the mural is a reminder to anyone who sees it, ‘no matter who you are, your dreams can come true — and it’s okay to give God all the credit for your success.”

“Jimmy is a shining example of the power of music; but more than that, he’s never forgotten where he came from and is always giving back,” says Angela Padgett, Special Events Coordinator for the City of Kings Mountain. “It’s part of why we’re honored to have his profile grace the Joy Performance Center. As soon as you top the hill on your way into Kings Mountain, you’ll see Scott Nurkin’s rendering of Jimmy. We can’t wait to see it completed.”

Scott Nurkin is no stranger to creating murals to honor North Carolina musicians. In collaboration with Backdrop, a Raleigh-based consultancy, Nurkin has created nine murals from John Coltrane on the historic Opera House in Hamlet to Earl Scruggs on Newgrass Brewing Co. in Shelby. Wayne’s mural will be the 10th stop on the North Carolina Musician Murals Trail.

“When I first heard about Jimmy Wayne, I’ll admit I was not very familiar with his work,” says Nurkin. “After doing a little digging I found out that he is an incredibly accomplished singer-songwriter with several Top Ten hits. But what impressed me most was learning about his dedication to raising awareness for children in foster care. As a foster kid himself, Wayne walked halfway across America (from Nashville to Phoenix) to raise awareness for kids aging out of the foster care system. He wrote a movie and a best-selling book dealing with the subject of children in foster care. This is a guy who deserves recognition not for just being an amazing musician but for also being an amazing human being and humanitarian. I’m honored to paint his picture.”

Nurkin will begin work on the mural on May 15, 2021, and, weather permitting hopes to have it completed by May 21.

For more information on Scott Nurkin and his work, visit his website at (musicianmuralsproject.com).

About Jimmy Wayne:

Having recently celebrated the 10-year anniversary of finishing his walk halfway across America — Project Meet Me Halfway — to raise awareness of the plight of more than 30,000 children in foster care, Wayne, a Cleveland County native, is a former foster kid turned award-winning country recording artist and “New York Times” bestselling author of “Walk To Beautiful”. Wayne’s songs and story highlight his mission to raise awareness for these forgotten youth.

Wayne’s hits include “Stay Gone,” “Paper Angels,” “I Love You This Much” and “Do You Believe Me Now,” which earned BMI’s prestigious Million-Air Award for receiving more than one million radio spins in America. In 2009, Wayne toured with Brad Paisley and recorded “Sara Smile” with Rock and Roll Hall of Fame duo Daryl Hall and John Oates.

In 2005, Wayne became the youngest recipient of The William Booth Award, one of the highest honors that may be conferred upon an individual by The Salvation Army.

In 2012, Wayne lobbied to pass legislative bills extending the age of foster care from 18 to 21 in California and Tennessee.

In 2013, Wayne’s first film, “Paper Angels” (UPtv) became an instant holiday classic and in 2014 he released “Walk to Beautiful: The Power of Love” and a “Homeless Kid Who Found the Way” (Thomas Nelson/Harper Collins) which became a three-time “New York Times” bestseller, crossing the 170,000 sales milestone in early 2019, and becoming a #1 Bestseller at Amazon.

In 2016 Wayne received the prestigious Points of Light award from President George W. Bush (41), while simultaneously contributing to the extension of foster care services from age 18 to 21 in North Carolina and Ohio.

In 2017, Wayne was honored with the inaugural Community Maker award by Verizon and received an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from William Woods University. In 2018 he received an honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts from Cal State University San Marcos and most recently, (May 2019) he was honored by the National Council for Adoption with the Warren and Mary Alice Babineaux Award in recognition of his continued commitment to creating positive change in the lives of children in foster care who need permanent families.

Wayne has shared his story — “The Power of One” — around the world as a keynote speaker and has performed on the Grand Ole Opry stage 224 times. He lives in Nashville and continues to give back through his non-profit awareness campaign, Project Meet Me Halfway. For more about Jimmy Wayne, visit (www.jimmywayne.com).

For further information about Jimmy Wayne, or to set up interviews, please contact Jackie Marushka by e-mail at (Jackie@MarushkaMedia.com).

Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County in Fayetteville, NC, Calls for Sculptures to Participate in 5th Annual ArtScape 5 – Deadline March 15, 2021

The Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County in Fayetteville, NC, is seeking sculptures and temporary installations for its 5th Annual ArtScape 5. The Arts Council will place 10-20 works at varied and diverse sites in downtown Fayetteville. Works will be leased for a period of no less than one year. Lease amounts should range from $1,000 to $3,000 for a one-year period.

Selection criteria shall include, but not limited to: Artistic excellence, safety, suitability for public display, compatibility with the site(s) available, durability, and maintenance. The selection committee will make recommendations to the City’s Public Art Commission who will forward all final recommendations to the City Manager for final decisions.

The deadline for submissions is: March 15, 2021

Click here to view the Call for Art (https://artist.callforentry.org/festivals_unique_info.php?ID=8579&fbclid=IwAR0ABArMHsMNG3dZ4GcOmzcuD3s1AVg_Y57vrEdJ-7EjNxbXFtp4TjQg6Kk).

Apply Here (https://artist.callforentry.org/login.php).

City of Concord, NC, Dedicates First Permanent Public Artworks to Grace Greenway

Dignitaries from the City of Concord, NC, Atrium Health Cabarrus, and Cabarrus Arts Council met at a microphone near a flooded marsh Friday to officially dedicate a new pair of artworks recently installed along the Hector Henry II Greenway. The dedication was live-streamed for virtual attendance via the City’s FaceBook page (where the recording is visible). Concord Mayor Bill Dusch joined Chris Bowe, Atrium Health Senior Vice President, and North Market President; and Noelle Scott, President & CEO of the Cabarrus Arts Council, in making brief remarks before the artworks’ unveiling. A handful of people attended, masked, and socially distant. Despite the foggy, grey morning, spirits were high. The realization of these two 9-foot tall art panels, in 1/4” thick, cor ten steel, fulfills a years-long partnership effort.


Design by Paul Keysar

Atrium Health Cabarrus, in celebration of its 80th anniversary, donated a generous gift to several local municipalities, including Concord, in 2017; their goal was to fund projects that would be of benefit to the Cities and promote health and wellness. City leadership proposed the public artworks as an “Art on the Greenway” project to fulfill the Hospital’s goal for the community project, and Atrium Health accepted. The Planning & Neighborhood Development Department and the Buildings & Grounds Department co-managed the project, enlisting ClearWater Arts Center & Studios.

With approval from the Concord Public Art Committee and the funding from Atrium Health Cabarrus, ClearWater commissioned resident artists Walter Stanford, Paul Keysar, and Gordon C. James to create images of birds found in the wetland near the Greenway. For fabrication, Jim Gallucci Sculptor, LLC, in Greensboro, NC, gave consult on the refinement of the computer images of the designs, and also handled the cutting and finishing. He provided an economical cost to complete two panels within the commemorative gift budget.


Design by Walter Stanford

The large, rust-coated panels poetically depict two bird species: the soft flight of a Snowy Egret over water, by Paul Keysar, the commanding gaze of a Barred Owl from tangled branches, by Walter Stanford. (The third design, Great Blue Heron by James, should be funded soon via other sources.) These are the first works of public art for these artists.

At the dedication, the Mayor thanked all parties involved, with a nod to the work of the Public Art Committee. “We know what a powerful positive force public art is, for the economic and cultural life of a city,” he said. “These artworks will withstand the elements for many years while enhancing the experience for those on this Greenway. They signify the beauty of the wildlife living in the Wetlands area.” He congratulated the Hospital for a “fine investment in citizen health.”

“Atrium Health is excited to partner with the City of Concord for this very special initiative to add even more beauty to the Hector Henry II Greenway while celebrating the hospital’s 80th anniversary,” said Chris Bowe, Atrium Health Senior Vice President, and North Market President. “As we invest in our community together for health, hope and healing for all, we find that these public spaces are an opportunity for us to gather safely, celebrate nature and celebrate Dr. Henry, who gave so much to the hospital, his patients and his community.”

For further information contact Sarah Gay, ClearWater Arts Center & Studios Coordinator, by calling 704/784-9535 or visit (http://clearwaterartists.com).

Arts Council of York County in Rock Hill, SC, Calls for Artists to Submit Storm Drain Art – Deadline Jan. 8, 2021

The Arts Council of York County in Rock Hill, SC, is implementing a new public art project centered around local water heritage and water quality. The ACYC seeks design concepts from regional artists to enhance selected storm drains in Old Town Rock Hill, SC. Selected artists will turn their concepts into reality in the form of small-scale, semi-permanent, outdoor murals that adorn Old Town storm drains, raising awareness and educating the public about the effects of stormwater runoff on water quality.

Why Storm Drains? Storm drains lead directly to our waterways. Each time it rains, trash and pollutants on our streets are washed into the storm drains and are carried into our rivers, streams, and lakes. Stormwater pollution can significantly degrade our fish and wildlife habitat, our drinking water, and recreational opportunities. By painting Rock Hill’s storm drains, we are reminding residents that our neighborhoods are all connected to our rivers, streams, and lakes.

The Storm Drain Art project is open to artists 18 and older who live in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg region. Preference will be given to artists who reside in York County. Submissions will only be accepted through the Arts Council’s online portal through Friday, Jan. 8, 2021. The selected designs will be painted over a three day period beginning on Earth Day, April 22, 2021, weather permitting. There are no entry fees to participate. Guidelines and submission information can be found at (https://www.yorkcountyarts.org/stormdrainart).


2018 RVAH2O Storm Drain Art in Richmond, VA, taken by ACYC Staff

A committee of judges will select 2 designs that are graphically bold with clear messages relating to the suggested themes, and with the potential to engage a wide range of audiences. All proposals will be evaluated on artistic merit and unique storm drain integration. General scoring categories will include: artistic qualifications and previous work examples (if available), educational message, creative use of space, overall appeal, and place of residence.

AWARD | $200 per drain with ½ of the payment to be issued in advance, and ½ upon completion. If the design is created by a group of artists, the $200 payment is to be divided between the members of the group.

The Arts Council is headquartered in downtown Rock Hill, a state-recognized cultural district. For more information on Arts Council events, contact the Arts Council of York County at 803/328-2787, by e-mail at (arts@yorkcountyarts.org), or visit our webpage at (http://www.yorkcountyarts.org).

City of Florence, SC, Installs Statue of Native Artist William H. Johnson

The City of Florence, SC, installed a statue of native artist, William H. Johnson, in the West Evans Street breezeway, in the growing arts district of downtown Florence. The statue was created by sculptor Alex Palkovich, who once lived and worked in Florence, but now lives in Israel.

Alex Palkovich sitting in front of the statue he created.

William H. Johnson was born in 1901 in Florence. After deciding to pursue his dreams as an artist, he attended the National Academy of Design in New York and met his mentor, Charles Webster Hawthorne. After graduating, Johnson moved to Paris, traveled throughout Europe and was exposed to new kinds of artistic creations and artists. Upon his return to the United States, Johnson used a primitive style of painting in conjunction with what was considered a “folk” style, using bright colors and two-dimensional figures. He spent his final 23 years of life in a mental hospital in Central Islip, New York, where he died in 1970.

One of Johnson’s works from the Florence County Museum.

You can see works by Johnson at the Florence County Museum, not far from where the statue sits.

Alex Palkovich’s creations fall into the category of figurative art with elements of mannerism, capturing the nuances, personalities and stories of his subjects using subtle physical cues, attention to detail and expressive realism in features and stance. He is best known for his portraiture and his work in relief, although in recent years Palkovich has been involved in the creation and installation of many monumental pieces in and around Florence. These include an award winning memorial in Florence Veteran’s Park and a giant sculpture of Francis Marion installed in a historical park at Venter’s Landing near Johnsonville, SC.

For further information visit (http://alexpalkovich.com/).

Redux Contemporary Art Center in Charleston will Offer a Focus Group for Artists on Public Art in Charleston – June 25, 2019

Artists of all media are invited to join a group of Morehead-Cain Scholars from UNC Chapel Hill and Redux Contemporary Art Center in Charleston, SC, for a focus group to discuss Public Art in Charleston, on June 25, beginning at 6pm.

This event will focus on gaining input from artists in the community to inform the drafting of a public art policy for Charleston. A working group, established by a city committee, is in the early stages of creating a draft of a public art policy for the city of Charleston. Through this focus group on Tuesday June 26 at Redux, the scholars are hoping to gain as much insight as possible into an artist’s perspective on what would constitute effective guidelines for the process of creating public art.

Redux Contemporary Art Center is located at 1056 King Street, Charleston, SC 29403

For further info call 843/722-0697 or visit (www.reduxstudios.org).

Lancaster County Council of the Arts in Lancaster, SC, Calls for Artist Participation – Deadline August 15, 2019

The Lancaster County Council of the Arts in Lancaster, SC, is issuing a Call for Artists for the second litter of Paws on Parade! We are seeking Lancaster County artists for this creative, public art project to design one of our fiberglass dog forms! Litter #2 will extend the project past the initial ten placed around the county, to shine more light on even more artists and special places in our community. If interested, please contact the Lancaster County Council of the arts at 803/285-7451 or e-mail to (arts.takepart@gmail.com) to get the application and to learn more about the project.

Deadline for applying artists is August 15, 2019.

For more information and guidelines, please contact or visit the Lancaster County Council of the Arts, 201 W. Gay Street, Lancaster, 803/285-7451 or visit (www.lccarts.net).

Public Art Commission seeks artist for project at Hickory Police Department in Hickory, NC – Deadline Apr. 15, 2019

The City of Hickory’s Public Art Commission (PAC) is seeking an artist to create a large-scale work of art inspired by the theme of “Police and Community Together.” The work will be a sculpture installed on the grounds of the Hickory Police Department and will be visible from public streets and pedestrian walkways, free of any admission fee. The committee is especially interested in work that highlights community, creativity, diversity, and craftsmanship.

The PAC invites applications from professional artists or designers, age 18 or older, who are eligible to work in the United States. Priority will be given to artists based in North Carolina.

Interested artists must submit an application, including a statement of interest, work samples, resumes, and references, by 5pm on Apr. 15, 2019. Applications may submitted electronically to (sgreene@hickorync.gov) or mailed to the following address:

City of Hickory Public Art Commission
c/o Sarah Greene
P.O. Box 398
Hickory, NC 28603

A review committee composed of members of the Public Art Commission and project stakeholders will evaluate applications and invite finalists to interview. The committee will then recommend an artist, or artist team, to the Public Art Commission for approval. The selected artist will be notified on May 10, 2019.

Additional details about the project and application process are available online at (http://www.hickorync.gov/content/public-art-commission).

The Public Art Commission, an advisory group to the Hickory City Council, works to enrich Hickory by integrating a wide range of art into public spaces that will create a visual sense of the community, improve quality of life, represent all facets of population, commemorate history, and inspire all citizens and visitors. Hickory’s Public Art Collection is comprised of over 100 works of art, including paintings, sculptures, murals, and benches.

To learn more about the Public Art Commission, visit (http://www.hickorync.gov/content/public-art-commission). For questions about this project, please contact PAC liaison, Sarah Greene, at 828/261-2275, or via e-mail at (sgreene@hickorync.gov).

Entries Sought for 14th Annual “National Outdoor Sculpture Competition & Exhibition” Held in North Charleston, SC – Deadline is Feb. 25, 2019

Sculpture artists from across the nation are invited to participate in the fourteenth annual “National Outdoor Sculpture Competition & Exhibition”, which opens in conjunction with the 2019 North Charleston Arts Fest. Up to 14 sculptures will be juried into the exhibit and compete for cash prizes totaling up to $19,750. A $1250 honorarium is given to all artists accepted into the show to assist with transportation, installation, de-installation, and incidental expenses. Once all pieces are installed, the juror will award Best in Show ($1000), Outstanding Merit ($500), and up to three Honorable Mentions ($250 each).

Work by Joni Younkins-Herzog from the current exhibition

The application is only available online and may be accessed via the link at (NorthCharlestonArtsFest.com/apply). An application fee of $35 allows artists to submit up to four entries. Deadline for submissions is Monday, Feb. 25, 2019. Artists in need of assistance with any part of the application process may contact the Cultural Arts Department to schedule a one-on-one meeting, which can be conducted over the phone or in person.

Organized and presented by the City of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department, this 11 month exhibition offers established and emerging artists the opportunity to display their thought provoking, extraordinary sculptures throughout the picturesque North Charleston Riverfront Park. Set on the banks of the Cooper River, Riverfront Park features ten acres of walking paths, a boardwalk and fountain, an expansive lawn with performance pavilion, children’s play areas, and picnic sites. An estimated 50,000 people visit this public park annually to enjoy the amenities located in the heart of the city’s arts community.

The juror for this year’s exhibition is Katelyn Kirnie. Kirnie has served as the Director of Public Art Chattanooga since 2016. She moved back to her hometown of Chattanooga, TN, after living and working in Portland, OR, and Boston, MA — where she managed the public art program for the Rose Kennedy Greenway. Kirnie was introduced to the public art world early in her career as Exhibition Manager for renowned sculptor, John Henry. She went on to establish an award winning and highly anticipated rotating mural program, dubbed The Greenway Wall, in Boston, MA. She holds a Master’s Degree in Arts Administration from Boston University and has an extensive background in fabrication project management and exhibition production for the public realm. Kirnie is inspired by the way art and artists enhance the urban environment – adding meaning, building community, and creating connection.

The 14th Annual “National Outdoor Sculpture Competition & Exhibition” will be on display May 1, 2019, through March 22, 2020, at North Charleston Riverfront Park, located at 1001 Everglades Avenue in North Charleston. A free public reception and announcement of awards will be held at the Charleston Area Convention Center on Wednesday, May 1, 2019, from 6:00-8:00pm.

For more information about the North Charleston Arts Fest, the “National Outdoor Sculpture Competition & Exhibition”, or other exhibition opportunities, contact the City of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department by calling 843/740-5854, e-mail to (culturalarts@northcharleston.org), or visit (www.NorthCharlestonArtsFest.com).

Durham Arts Council in Durham, NC, Offers First Work in the SmART Initiative

The Durham Arts Council in Durham, NC, is proud to announce that installation has been completed for the first major public art work of the Durham SmART Initiative – The Corcoran Garage Art Wrap, which creates a monumental signature gateway element for the Blackwell/Corcoran/Foster SmART Corridor.  The art wrap was designed by nationally recognized public artist Olalekan (LEk) Jeyifous, who was selected from a competitive and rigorous review of 107 artist applications from across the United States. Local vendors Steel City Services, LLC, and Mosca Design were key partners in fabrication and installation.

Front View

Left side

Right side

Back view

The Durham SmART Initiative is part of the North Carolina Arts Council’s statewide SmART Initiative which supports the transformation of downtowns through arts driven economic development. Working with the Durham Arts Council as the project’s lead local agency, the NC Arts Council provides significant leadership and funds toward creative placemaking along the rapidly-transforming Blackwell, Corcoran, Foster Street downtown corridor to create a vibrant arts and entertainment district. Major funders and partners also include the National Endowment for the Arts “Our Town” grant, the City of Durham, Durham County, Durham Arts Council, Capitol Broadcasting Company, Duke University, Downtown Durham, Inc., Nasher Museum of Art, Durham Convention & Visitors Bureau, and Durham Area Designers.

Since 2012, over 26 local, state and national project partners have been participating in and supporting this major SmART Initiative. The Durham Arts Council and North Carolina Arts Council also thank the City of Durham staff for assisting and supporting the approval process for the banner installation on the City-owned Corcoran Garage structure which was built in 1964.

The SmART Initiative Team worked with internationally acclaimed public art and urban designer Mikyoung Kim along with 180 businesses and over 200 individual community stakeholders to complete and unveil the SmART Vision Plan in June 2015. The Durham SmART Vision Plan is a multi-year, $10 million public art and urban design strategy. More information is at (www.smartdurham.org).

The Durham Arts Council is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and local arts agency dedicated to supporting the arts in Durham and the entire Triangle Region in North Carolina and has served the community since 1954. Each year DAC serves over 400,000 visitors and program participants, over 1,000 artists, and more than 60 arts organizations through classes, artist residencies, exhibits, festivals, grants programs, technical support, arts advocacy and information services. Durham Arts Council, Inc. is a catalyst in the cultural development of Durham – it leads, inspires, and promotes excellence in and access to the creation, experience and active support of the arts for all the people of our community.

For more information call 919/560-ARTS or visit our website at (www.durhamarts.org).