Art prof. Shaw Smith tells visitors about Magdalena Abakanowicz's "The Group of 10" at Wednesday's opening. More photos below. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

Brad Thomas with a Roualt donated to the college collection. (Bill Giduz photo)

Brad Thomas, Davidson College’s art gallery director since 1999, has found a new perch: As curator of contemporary art at the Mint Museum in Charlotte. Mint officials announced Thursday that he will start the new job Monday, Jan 23, at the museum in downtown Charlotte.

On Wednesday night, Mr. Thomas was at the college’s Van Every/Smith Galleries, saying farewells and accepting pats on the back from friends during an opening for a show of recent acquisitions that shows the stamp he has put on Davidson’s permanent collection. Read the full story

People admire the work in the "Teaching Talents" exhibit. (CAP photo)

CORNELIUS - The Cornelius Arts Center in the Oak Street Mill on Wednesday held an opening reception for its “Teaching Talents” exhibit, featuring art made by the instructors and staff of the Community Arts Project. Also below, a note about a search for new board members at the organization. Want to help? Read the full story

Paul Studtmann with the damaged "Falling Down Man" by Charlie Spear. (Bill Giduz photo)

Can damage actually increase the value of a piece of art? A Davidson College philosophy professor thinks so, and he’ll test the theory in a benefit auction this Friday, Dec. 9., at Summit Coffee in Davidson. The event begins at 8 p.m.

Philosophy professor Paul Studtmann will auction a 2-foot by 3-foot painting complete with its badly bowed steel frame. The painting was damaged in transit from the studio of artist Charlie Spear of Indianapolis to Prof. Studtmann in Davidson.

The acrylic-on-wood image titled “Falling Down Man” depicts a marionette heaped on the ground, which Mr. Spear intended as a statement about the plight of the homeless. Read the full story

Russ and Nancy Gavitt are showing images crafted in wood, including this map of Lake Norman. It's at South Main Square.

If you’re looking for local art to give that special person this holiday season, or if you’re just looking for a new exhibit from area artists, be sure to stop by Town Hall during this year’s Christmas in Davidson festivities through Saturday, where the group show “Local Art for Christmas” is on display. Meanwhile, the unique photographs of Russell and Nancy Gavitt of Davidson is on display during the festival and through March in the Business Center at South Main Square. And Cornelius Arts Center/ Community Arts Project has an exhibit and sale of work by its instructors through Jan. 13. Read the full story

Maggie Birgel and Brandon Smalls star in "Romeo and Juliet" at Davidson College. (Jordan Luebkemann photo)

By BILL KISER
DavidsonNews.net

The election season is fast approaching, and a pair of candidate forums are being held in Davidson this week. On Tuesday night, St. Alban’s Episcopal Church in Davidson – with sponsorship from DavidsonNews.net – will host a forum for candidates for the Davidson Town Board and mayor, while on Sunday at Davidson College, Davidson mayoral candidates John Woods and Vince Winegardner will face off in a Q&A session and roundtable.

And while we’re talking about politics, the Cornelius Town Board of Commissioners will also hold its monthly meeting on Monday night, and the Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners meet Tuesday night in Charlotte. The Charlotte Mecklenburg Library system will celebrate Teen Read Week this week, with the three area branches all Read the full story

Rachel Goldstein's untitled photo is among the works now on display at Town Hall, 216 S. Main St.

The Face by Lyndsay Kibiloski

A group exhibit of photography and digital art by local artists is now open at Davidson Town Hall, 216 S. Main St., Davidson. A reception with the artists is planned Friday, Oct. 7, 5-7 p.m. The exhibit may be viewed during Town Hall business hours through Oct. 31 in the Town Hall atrium gallery.

The show includes works by six local artists: Kevin Childress, Jan Black, Lyndsay Kibiloski, Rachel Goldstein, Steve Marsh, and David Boraks. Read the full story