Up & Coming Weekly

18 UCW SEPTEMBER 23-29, 2009 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM On Sept. 25, the Arts Council Fayetteville/Cumberland County will host a special 4th Friday in anticipation of the multicultural gala that is more commonly known to the citizens of Fayetteville as the International Folk Festival. The exhibit is titled Cultural Expressions, and the works will showcase local artists and their impressions of culture through painting, drawing, sculpture and mixed media. Timed to coincide with the 31st International Folk Festival, a two- day celebration of the diversity that exists in the local area, this exhibit is drawing on the many perspectives that people of different cultures bring to a community and the beauty that results when the citizens of a community contribute to being a part of something bigger than themselves. "Every year when we do the Folk Festival we try to coordinate our Fourth Friday opening and take in art that has some relation to the cultural aspects of the event," said Calvin Mims, Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County arts services coordinator. "Cultural Expressions is just that — an artist and his or her interpretation of their culture and however they want to express it, in whatever medium they choose to express it." Fayetteville is quite diverse and there are a multitude of cultures that together make this town the interesting and culturally invigorating place that it is today. The past three decades of celebrating multi-ethnicity at the International Folk Festival testifi es to that. Our differences make us stronger as a town and give the place character and fl are that is hard to come by in other cities. "I think what is unique about Fayetteville is the fact that we are a community of so many cultures, so when you throw out a call for art you are going to get a representation of so many different cultures," said Mims. "Because we are so diverse here, I think that is part of the strength and beauty of the city that we live in. We are going to see art created by people of so many different and diverse backgrounds — that in itself puts together a fabric that is colorful. It is exciting and it is very uniqe to our area." While it is always a surprise to see what kind of art comes in, Mims is never disappointed in the caliber of the work that the Arts Council of Fayetteville/ Cumberland County is able to display, thanks to local artists. "The art work in Fayetteville is astounding. It is absolutely astounding," said Mims. "You go to places like Chicago or Atlanta or Washington and you see art and I think the average person does not stop to consider the fact that we have artists here in Fayetteville creating art on that caliber. We have wonderful artists, very talented people in Fayetteville. It will be a beautiful show." Of course being Fourth Friday, there will be events and activities all over downtown. City Center Gallery & Books is featuring photographs and note cards by Cheryl Farmer. Her images of historic scenes in downtown Fayetteville showcase the very best of the town's historic buildings. The Headquarters Library is hosting International Voices and Perspectives, a panel discussion with Fulbright Scholars from Fayetteville State University. Visiting scholars from China, Kenya, Nigeria and Egypt will talk about their life experiences and what America means to them. There will be a question and answer session after the discussion. Shops will be open late and there will be performances, exhibits and vendors throughout downtown as 4th Friday kicks off the 31st Annual International Folk Festival. The fun starts at 7 p.m. and lasts until 9 p.m. Maps and other info are available at 301 Hay St. 323-1776 or on the Web at www. theartscouncil.com. 4th Friday Kicks-Off the International Folk Festival by STEPHANIE CRIDER Stephanie Crider, Staff Writer, COMMENTS? 484-6200 ext. 222 or or email stephanie@upandcomingweekly.com &KHFNRXWWKHFKDQJHVDW ZZZXSDQGFRPLQJZHHNO\FRP &KHFNRXWWKHFKDQJHVDW ZZZXSDQGFRPLQJZHHNO\FRP

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