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.

In an announcement from the Mint, Mr. Thomas said his move is “a natural step” after more than 20 years in the Charlotte-area arts scene. “As an undergraduate art student at UNC Charlotte in the early ’90s, I was acutely aware of the sometimes polarizing nature of the arts in this community,” he said. “I am excited to join The Mint Museum and its talented team of curators at this critical juncture when the arts are now a unifying source of cultural pride and identity.”

Brad Thomas helps lower Antony Gormley's sculpture "You" into place at the college sculpture garden in 2007. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

While at Davidson, Mr. Thomas organized dozens of exhibitions and collaborative projects, including the international artists-in-residency project “Force of Nature,” which included on site-specific art installations by 10 Japanese artists at Davidson, UNC Charlotte and five other institutions. He also led initiatives to integrate visual art into the learning experience, most notably through the establishment of Davidson’s Campus Sculpture Program, which features major outdoor installations by Magdalena Abakanowicz, Antony Gormley, Joel Shapiro, and William Tucker. He also produced publications on Magdalena Abakanowicz, Ewan Gibbs, Herb Jackson, Robert Lazzarini, Reverend McKendree Robbins Long, and Joel Shapiro.

His partnership with the College Writing Program this year led to the publication of the book “Davidson Collects: 100 Writers Respond to Art,” which was officially released at Wednesday night’s exhibit opening. The book features 100 essays by students on works in the college collection.

He joins the Mint a little over a year after its move into a new building on Tryon Street in Charlotte, and officials there said his hiring is an important move. “This is a tremendous step in strengthening the museum’s commitment to modern and contemporary art, which will be a strategic priority over the next five years and beyond,” said Kathleen V. Jameson, the Mint’s President and CEO. “Brad brings great strengths to the museum, adding depth and further expertise.”

Mr. Thomas will work with Carla Hanzal, curator of modern and contemporary art, and the rest of the Mint’s curatorial staff.

BIG EXHIBIT

Hundreds of faculty, staff, students and art aficionados packed the Belk Visual Art Center in Davidson for Wednesday night’s exhibit opening. The night also saw the opening of a second exhibit, of works by artist Sean Scully.

The opening of Davidson College's "Recent Acquisitions" exhibit included the premier of "Davidson Collects" book of student reflections on art. Lee Dorsey '12 and Dolly Olushola '12 were among the 100 student writers. (Bill Giduz photo)

The exhibit of “Recent Gifts,” which runs Jan. 19-March 2, has the gallery filled with works from big names, like Andy Warhol, to important modern pieces, including the monumental bronze sculpture by Polish artist Magdalena Abakanowicz that dominates the main gallery.

WANT TO GO?

The Van Every/Smith Galleries are at Belk Visual Art Center, 315 N. Main St., at Griffith Street, Davidson. Gallery hours are weekdays 10-5, weekends noon to 4. Info: http://www.davidsoncollegeartgalleries.org/recent-gifts-acquisitions/

RELATED COVERAGE AND LINKS

Jan 13, 2012, Davidson College “Daybook” blog, “DAVIDSON COLLECTS: A singular, sterling sample from a hundred visceral essays on art,”

July 20, 2007, “College builds a sculpture garden,”an audio slide show and interview with Brad Thomas about Davidson’s sculpture garden.

Oct. 12, 2007, WFAE-FM, “Force of Nature,” on WFAE-FM – On Friday, Sept. 29, David Boraks joined artist Takasumi Abe, Davidson gallery director Brad Thomas and Davidson art student Gavin Weber in a trip to Lake Norman to collect sound for his “cloud sphere” installation at Davidson College. Abe and assistants made a bunch of homemade helium balloons to lift Abe’s iPod recorder into the sky. Abe wasn’t the only one collecting sound. David brought along a recorder as well and the outing provided the backdrop for a 4 1/2 minute radio feature about the Force of Nature Project for Charlotte public radio station WFAE-FM on Oct. 12. Go directly to the audio, here. Or listen below.

(MP3, 4:42)

Friends of Brad Thomas posed for a photo with the outgoing gallery chief at Davidson Wednesday. (Bill Giduz photo)

DAVIDSON COLLEGE DAY AT THE MINT MUSEUM UPTOWN

Davidson College students on Oct. 15 from 1 to 5 p.m. gain free admission to the Mint Museum’s exhibition, “Romare Bearden: Southern Recollections,” on display uptown at Levine Center for the Arts. Also that day, faculty and staff get in for $8.

“Davidson College Day” is made possible through sponsorships by Davidson College Friends of the Arts, Romare Bearden Society and Davidson College Art Department, and is generously supported by The Wells Fargo Foundation.

For more information visit www.davidson.edu/fotaor call 704-894-2101.

Some of the artists' glass work at Christa Faut Gallery.

GLASS WORK AT CHRISTA FAUT

The Christa Faut Gallery, at 19818 North cove Road in the Jetton Village shopping center, this month presents the glass work of Pablo Soto, Robert Gardner, Rick and Valerie Beck and Robert Levin in “Glass and its Supporting Elements.” The gallery will hold an opening reception with the artists Oct. 15, and the show will be up through Dec. 3.

WANT TO GO?

The artists reception is Oct. 15 from 4 to 6 p.m.

The gallery is open Tuesday – Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

A PHOTO HISTORY OF CORNELIUS

An old firetruck, from Jack Conard's photography collection.

The Cornelius Historic Preservation Commission and PARC Department invite community members to enjoy the work of Cornelius native Jack Conard in “The History of Cornelius: The Conard Collection.”

Mr. Conard’s is the largest known collection of Cornelius photographs, spanning decades of the town’s history and showing the evolution of the area. Click here for a sneak preview.

WANT TO GO?

The exhibit is opens Oct. 17 and runs through Nov. 12 at the Cornelius Arts Center, 19725 Oak Street.

The center holds an opening reception Oct. 20 from 6 to 8 p.m.

It’s St. Patrick’s Day weekend and we have a few events listed to kick start your celebration. Galway Hooker is hosting its 8th annual St. Patrick’s Day celebration. All day they will have Irish festivities and there’s no cover charge. Restaurant X will be serving traditional Irish food while diners are entertained by Irish dancers. Summit Coffee is hosting music by Rusty Knox on Thursday, The Houston Brothers on Friday and the Dennis Currier Trio on Saturday. Lake Norman High School students are putting on the classic play “The Sound of Music.” End the weekend with a trip to the Mint Museum where families from Davidson, Huntersville and Cornelius get a discount to take part in family-friendly activities.

These events and more below, or in our day-by-day calendar at right. At right on this page, see our movie show times listings for Our Town Cinemas where “Paul” opens on Friday, joining “Battle: Los Angeles,” “Rango,” “Adjustment Bureau,” and “The King’s Speech” are playing.

THURSDAY, MAR. 17

St. Patty’s Day at Galway Hooker, Galway Hooker will be hosting its 8th annual St. Patrick’s Day celebration. An all-day event starting at 8am and lasting until 2am. No cover charge. Just come and enjoy drink specials, live music, Irish dancers and other Irish festivities. 704.895.1782 – GalwayHookerPub.com.

AARP Driver Safety Class, 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., North Mecklenburg Senior Center, 18731 W. Catawba Ave., Cornelius – $12 for AARP members, $14 for non-members. Bring your own lunch. Beverages and snacks will be provided. Registration required at 704-892-4041.

Philosophy Lecture, 4:30 p.m., Phi Hall, Davidson College – A.J. Richards, Webb Professor of Law at New York University, will give a lecture titled “Liberalism and the American Paradoxes of Decriminalization- Why Sex and Death, but not Drugs?” Free and open to the public. For information call 704-894-2921 or visit www.davidson.edu.

St. Patrick’s Day at Restaurant X, Dinner hours (5-10 p.m.), Restaurant X, South Main Square, 408 S. Main St. – Restaurant X celebrates St. Patrick’s Day with the Rince Na H’Eirean Irish dancers. They’ll also have a traditional Irish menu, with corned beef and cabbage, shepherd’s pie, Guinness Irish stew, fish and chip. Info: 704-892-9369. 

Davidson College Literary Event, 7:30 p.m., C. Shaw Smith 900 Room, Alvarez College Union, Davidson College – Artist Herb Jackson and author Alan Michael Parker have joined together to present 10 Days, with images by Jackson and poems by Parker. Free and open to the public. For more information, contact Nancy Randazzo at narandazzo@davidson.edu or 704-894-2284.

Theater: The Sound of Music, 7:30 p.m., Lake Norman High School, 186 Doolie Rd., Mooresville – Students will be performing the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children 5 and under. Tickets are on sale through the school by calling 799-8555 x1276 and by emailing lnhssoundofmusic@yahoo.com. Tickets may also be purchased at the door.

Live music at Summit Coffee, 8-11 p.m., Summit Coffee, 128 S. Main St. – Live music: Rusty Knox. Info: 704-895-9090.

FRIDAY, MAR. 18

School’s Out! Lunch and a Movie, noon, Davidson public library, 119 S. Main St. – Bring your lunch and watch Toy Story 3. Rated G. 86 minutes. Call 704-416-4000 or visit www.cmlibrary.org for more information.

Preschool Storytime, 10:15 a.m., Davidson public library, 119 S. Main St. – A 30 minute storytime for preschoolers that includes books, flannelboard stories and musical activities. Call 704-416-4000 or visit www.cmlibrary.org for more information.

Toddler Storytime, 11 a.m., Davidson public library, 119 S. Main St. – A storytime for children 12 – 35 months that consists of books, flannelboard stories and musical activities. Call 704-416-4000 or visit www.cmlibrary.org for more information.

Theater: The Sound of Music, 7:30 p.m., Lake Norman High School, 186 Doolie Rd., Mooresville – Students will be performing the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children 5 and under. Tickets are on sale through the school by calling 799-8555 x1276 and by emailing lnhssoundofmusic@yahoo.com. Tickets may also be purchased at the door.

Live music at Summit Coffee, 8-11 p.m., Summit Coffee, 128 S. Main St. – Live music: The Houston Brothers. Info: 704-895-9090. Tickets are $8.

SATURDAY, MAR. 19

Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast & Silent Auction, 8 a.m.-noon, First Baptist Church, 119 N. Old Statesville Rd., Huntersville – The LKN Kiwanis Club will serve pancakes and sausage to raise money for Ada Jenkins. There will be entertainment by middle and high school students from the area. Guest appearance at 10 a.m. by Chubby the Charlotte Checker and a silent auction. Tickets are $7. Email worrellgew@bellsouth.net or call 704-516-8473 to order tickets.

Angels of ’97 5k and Spaghetti Dinner, 9 a.m., North Mecklenburg High School, 11201 Old Statesville Rd., Huntersville – Local nonprofit group Angels of ’97, founded in memory of deceased North Meck students, will host its 15th dinner and the inaugural 5k run. There’ll be a shorter “Fun Run” for children and families. The 5k starts at 9 a.m. and the dinner is 11 a.m.-7 p.m. For information and to register go to www.angelsof97.com. See our March 8 news story about the event.

Spring Shred Event, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., behind Cornelius Town Hall, 21445 Catawba Ave. – Join the Cornelius Police Department for an opportunity to protect your identity and shred any personal paper documents. You don’t need to remove clips or staples. Free. Visit corneliuspd.org or contact Sgt. George Brinzey at gbrinzey@corneliuspd.org for more information.

March MATHness, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Chambers Building, Davidson College – Davidson College invites area high school students to “March MATHness,” a mathematics competition, lunch, and lecture. Free. Participants should register at www.marchmathness.eventbrite.com. For information call 704-894-2096.

Paws to Read, 10:30 a.m., Davidson public library, 119 S. Main St. – Read to a certified therapy dog. For elementary and preschool ages. Call 704-416-4000 or visit www.cmlibrary.org for more information.

Theater: The Sound of Music, 7:30 p.m., Lake Norman High School, 186 Doolie Rd., Mooresville – Students will be performing the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children 5 and under. Tickets are on sale through the school by calling 799-8555 x1276 and by emailing lnhssoundofmusic@yahoo.com. Tickets may also be purchased at the door.

Live music at Summit Coffee, 8-11 p.m., Summit Coffee, 128 S. Main St. – Live music: Dennis Currier Trio. Info: 704-895-9090.

SUNDAY, MAR. 20

Sunday Fun Days, 1-4 p.m., Mint Museum Uptown, 500 South Tryon Street, Charlotte – Mint Museum will offer discounted admission specifically for residents of Davidson, Huntersville and Cornelius. Sunday Fun Days will include family-friendly activities and free access to the interactive Lewis Family Gallery. Special admission price for families of four is $2 off. They also offer parking and membership discounts on that day. Go to www.mintmuseum.org for more information.

Davidson College Senior Recital, 3 p.m., Sloan Music Center, Davidson College – Senior recital by baritone Jared Smith. He will perform a collection of twentieth-century American art songs with accompaniment by Michael Rowland. Free and open to the public. For information call 704-894-2848 or visit www.davidson.edu.

HAVE NEWS?

Send calendar and events listings to listings@davidsonnews.net. Send items at least 10 days before the event. Listings appear on this page on both CorneliusNews.net and DavidsonNews.net.