DavidsonNews.net

A new art space in downtown Davidson called SoAlive Gallery is hosting an exhibit and sale of photographs by Doug Vinez titled “Out of Africa” through the end of the month to benefit AIDS orphans in Zambia.

The gallery, at 108 S. Main St., is the same spot where the Lake Norman Art League had its spring exhibition “Lake Norman Postcards” last month. The success of that show has had some wondering what it might take to bring a permanent art gallery back to the old part of Main Street.

For at least another month, the vacant storefront space at 108 South Main will remain an art gallery.

Eric Vogen, who runs local investment firm Vision Capital and Management LLC, bought the building from Gene and Lynne Keener in January for just over $1 million, according to county property records. Mr. Vogen is exploring ideas for creating a permanent community activity space at the site, which could include meetings, exhibits and music. A new Christian non-profit group in Davidson called SoAlive (www.soalive.org), led by Mr. Vogen’s wife, Mary, is currently overseeing the space.

Merrill-Jennings Gallery and Drew Crawford’s Wooden Stone (www.woodenstonegallery.com) farther down South Main regularly draw visitors from throughout the region. But not since Christa Faut moved her gallery to Cornelius has the town had a permanent ground-level art gallery downtown.

AFRICA PHOTOS

Mr. Vinez is pastor of Lake Norman Fellowship in Mooresville and a longtime photographer. His black-and-white and color images depict the people and wildlife of Zambia and neighboring Botswana, where he traveled last summer on a church mission trip.

His church is one of several from the area that have committed to helping the Mwandi Christian Mission in Mwandi, Zambia.

“Our church has chosen the Mwandi mission as its primary overseas focus,” Mr. Vinez said Tuesday. Since last summer’s trip, he has sold a few of his photographs and “had a lot of affirmation” about them.

“I had the idea that maybe it could sell or people could be inspired to give donations by it,” he said.

After talking with the Vogens, the idea of the fund-raising exhibit was born, he said.

All proceeds from sale will support the work of the Mwandi Christian Mission. The mission includes a church, hospital, AIDS counseling center, school and orphan feeding program. This summer, members of the Lake Norman Fellowship will go back to the mission.

WANT TO SEE IT?

The exhibit will run until May 31. Gallery hours are Wednesdays to Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sundays, noon to 3 p.m.

An opening reception is planned Thursday, May 24, 6-9 p.m. at the gallery, 108 S. Main St., next to the Village Store.

Filed under: Church news, Davidson arts scene