Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/1447854
Next, inspiration moved to the inside of the building. A partnership with Art Ventures in Fayetteville four years ago (see inset story on next page), was the start of a rotating display of local artists in what Steve calls the "Atrium Art Gallery." Currently on display is the art of Latinx artist Andrea Carillo (see profile on page 10). The featured artist changes every 3-4 months, and each is introduced with a wine and cheese reception. Displays have included photography, paintings, pen and ink drawings and even sculptures. But you don't even have to walk inside the building to see the Chamber's latest public art installations—they can be seen from the street. They include a large "You are Beautiful" sign on the top front of the building (see story on page 12) and a light installation that consists of five individual letters shining out of the windows of the chamber offices, spelling out different word every week. Steve chooses the five-letter words himself, with the help of Google. "Did you know there are thousands of five- letter words?" he quips. Some of the past words include "TODAY," "SOOIE," "DAWGS," "PEACE," "HONOR," and of course, "FUNKY." The light installation was an idea Steve presented to Josh Watson, who runs the Chamber's robotics training center, located on the lower level of the building. Josh built the light boxes in the "Fab Lab," which opened in 2017, and wrote the software program that runs the installation. "I wanted the colors to rotate and blend into each other. I couldn't be more pleased," Steve said. The 5,000 square foot Fab Lab is a point of pride for Steve and the Chamber. The Lab offers robotics training to anyone—high school students, robot operators, engineers, programmers, machine tool builders and system integrators—who wants to build their robotics skill set through 7 Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce