Fall 2026 Preview

PREVIEW FA L L 2026

In This Issue

PREVIEW

Fall 2026, September–November

2110 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh, NC | (919) 839-NCMA

| ncartmuseum.org

| @ncartmuseum

MANAGING EDITOR Laura Napolitano DESIGNER

4 exhibition Ancient Nubia

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exhibition Nancy Baker Cahill

Dan Ruccia

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PHOTOGRAPHERS Christopher Ciccone, Rachel Jessen

Interact with Art

CONTRIBUTORS Cameron Allison, Jason Blyskal, Ashley Cohen, Katie Gaito, Jessica Gorelick, Moses T. A. Greene,

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Curator with a Vision

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Mobile and Modular

Danielle Hahn, Miles Hall, Molly Hull,

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Courtney Klemens, Kayla Miles, Lizzie Newton, Jamie Powell, Michael Rafo, Bryanne Shepard,

Art Collecting 101

Cali Stuckey, Jill Taylor, Janis Treiber, Oliver Wagner, Andrew Wang, Caroline Webster, and Jeffrey Yelverton

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Oh, Hi!

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My NCMA

Preview is published by

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the NCMA four times a year.

The North Carolina Museum of Art is a division of the NC Department

Be a Leader in Our Community

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of Natural and Cultural Resources, Pamela B. Cashwell, secretary.

cover Nubian artist, Sudan, Amulet of a Falcon, 690–664 bce, gold, H. 11/16 × W. 3/16 × D. 9/16 in., Harvard University—Boston Museum of Fine Arts Expedition, 20.253; Photo: © Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

Welcome Chef Matt Griffith

WHAT’S TO COME! We are currently reimagining our campuses through exciting renovation and construction projects.

Here’s the latest. raleigh Construction continues on

winston-salem Work at the Marguerite

the Joseph M. Bryan, Jr., Theater in the

Drive location begins in fall 2026. In the

Museum Park and new pavilion behind

meantime, visit NCMA Winston-Salem

East Building. Inside, the conservation

Downtown, a new exhibition and program

labs on Levels A and B and the community

space, at 400 W. 4th Street.

spaces on Level C are progressing. The galleries, program spaces, stores, and NCMA Café remain open.

For up-to-date news and answers to frequently asked questions, please visit ncartmuseum.org/ncma-campus-renovations-and-updates.

Photo: Philip Pledger

From the Director Dear Friends, This fall, the NCMA offers visitors of all ages exciting opportunities

Later in this issue, we mark exciting beginnings and poignant

for learning through interactive art and experiences on our Raleigh

endings. A back-to-school section details how the Portable Gal-

campus.

lery program at the NCMA Winston-Salem brings museum-quality

The exhibition Ancient Nubia: Excavating Treasures of the

art into classrooms with a new display system (pages 14–15) and

Nile, from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, focuses on the

how students in Johnston County began an art collection that

archaeological work that unearthed astounding artifacts from

included a Vollis Simpson whirligig. The sculpture is now part of

the Kingdom of Kush, located south of Egypt along the Nile River

the People’s Collection and will be featured during school tours

(pages 5–7). Learn more about this ancient civilization and rival

(pages 16–17). And we send off Chief Curator and Senior Curator

of Egypt through a rare and special selection of artworks from

of Contemporary Art Linda Dougherty, who is retiring after more

the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and innovative

than 21 years of dedicated service to the Museum, with a heartfelt

interactives such as a virtual dig, hands-on pottery reconstruction,

tribute (pages 12–13).

and a walk-through tomb designed specifically for the NCMA’s

We have planned a wide range of lectures, creative workshops,

presentation of the exhibition in partnership with our Teen Arts

fun family programs, and original performances for the next three

Council.

months, many related to the fall exhibitions and artwork displayed

The contemporary art exhibition Nancy Baker Cahill: Ecologies

in the galleries and Museum Park (pages 22–25). I hope you’ll plan

of Scale, featuring works in East Building and the Museum Park,

to immerse yourselves in these offerings in addition to participat-

also invites visitors into immersive experiences, including video

ing in this season’s interactive exhibitions.

installations and augmented reality projects that consider how technology is changing human cognition (pages 8–9). Cahill uses

With appreciation and my best,

a variety of mediums to explore such timely topics as ecological and cultural instability and concepts of interconnectedness and empathy.

Valerie Hillings

Buskers Day, April 2026

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Discover an Almost Forgotten

Ancient Kingdom caroline rocheleau Director of Research and Curator of Ancient Collections

N il e R

iv

e

r EGY PT

Ancient border between Kush and Egypt

FIRST CATARACT

LOW E R N U B I A SECOND CATARACT

UPPER NUBIA THIRD CATARACT

Kerma

Napata

FOURTH CATARACT

SIXTH CATARACT

T

FIFTH CATARACT

Meroe

his fall, walk in the footsteps of archaeologists and discover

understand why the Kushite royal family adopted and, more

ancient Nubia’s mighty Kingdom of Kush. This ancient

important, adapted Egyptian style, rituals, and material culture.

Sudanese kingdom was a powerful rival to Egypt of the

You’ll also meet the five most famous kings of Kush before setting

pharaohs, with whom they shared certain religious beliefs and practices, culture, and artistic style. And yet, they remained

off on your exploration of the treasures within.

In Ancient Nubia the Kingdom of Kush is presented as a pow-

uniquely and unabashedly Nubian. Today, Kush is unfamiliar to

erful and complex ancient civilization with distinctive political

many but was renowned in antiquity for its natural resources,

structures, artistic traditions, and cultural legacies. The exhibition

skilled archers, a king who saved Jerusalem, and powerful kan-

explores three thousand years of Nubian art, culture, and history

dakes (female rulers). Kush pioneered industrialized iron smelting

through extraordinary jewelry, pottery, sculpture, and metalwork

operations and forged vast trade networks extending further south

discovered in the royal tombs of the kings and queens of Kush

and west into Africa as well as the Near East and Mediterranean.

by Egyptologist George Reisner more than one hundred years

Ancient Nubia: Excavating Treasures of the Nile is the last

ago. Grouping these objects in historical sections, the exhibition

venue of a touring exhibition originating from the Museum of Fine

presents the three major periods of Kushite history—Kerma (circa

Arts, Boston, which holds the largest collection of ancient Nubian

2400–1550 bce), Napatan (circa 765–332 bce), and Meroitic (circa

material culture outside of Sudan and Egypt. Previous venues

332 bce–364 ce), all named after the capital city at the time. Each

each tailored the experience (and title!) and we’re doing the same

period shows unique traits that truly distinguish the Kushites from

at the NCMA. As an archaeologist working in Nubia, I wanted to

their northern neighbors, but there is continuity between them

use archaeology as a connective thread throughout the exhibi-

over the millennia. Set against rich, dark plum–colored walls,

tion, revealing how knowledge of Nubia has been discovered,

the objects shine in more ways than one.

interpreted, and re-examined over time. Using archaeology as an

During his time in Sudan between 1916 and 1923, Reisner

entry point sparks curiosity and invites discovery even for those

excavated at Kerma, Napata, and Meroe, and the stunning arti-

unfamiliar with Nubia.

facts in the exhibition were discovered during the archaeological

Upon entering, visitors will find themselves in a pale orange

work conducted there. Reisner was a meticulous archaeologist,

space that recalls the hue of the iron-rich Sudanese sand. There,

but his understanding of the material he was unearthing was

you can visualize Nubia in space and time thanks to maps and

biased, racist, and Egyptocentric. He and other early 20th-century

a timeline, learn more about archaeology and Nubiology, and

scholars interpreted Kush through a colonial lens that disregarded

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indigenous African civilizations. In their view it was unfathomable that any people further south in Africa could be as culturally advanced and powerful as Egypt. They completely failed to see the intrinsic Nubian-ness of it all, believing that the Egyptian or Egyptianizing material discovered on the digs in Sudan was evidence of the superiority of Egypt over Kush.

Indeed, Kush had very strong cultural, historical, and political connections to pharaonic Egypt, and the relationship between these two ancient civilizations was multifaceted and very complex. Neither Kush nor Egypt existed in a vacuum and, for three thousand years, their history was tangled, their co-existence a precarious balance of power in the Nile Valley. In the last few decades, new archaeological work in Nubia and the re-evaluation of excavated material have shed new light on Kush, and these new interpretations are contrasted against Reisner’s in the exhibition.

Visitors can easily follow the commentary on special panels that accompany the spectacular floor to ceiling murals created from the glass plate negatives taken by Reisner’s Egyptian photographers, Mohammedani Ibrahim Ibrahim and Mahmud Shadduf.

Combined with the rich wall colors, the murals create a world where an almost forgotten kingdom still exists and in which you can immerse yourself for a moment.

Ancient Nubia also offers visitors the chance to explore Kush by stepping into the boots of an archaeologist and perhaps living a childhood dream for a few minutes. (The exhibition’s subtitle, Excavating Treasures of the Nile, does not only refer to beautiful objects excavated from royal tombs!) Explore a re-creation of the tomb of King Tanwetamani, take a look at Reisner’s field notes on this monument (annotated by yours truly), and write your own impressions of what you see around you. Grab a brush and play in our digital Dig Zone. Who knows what you might find? Try reconstructing 3-D puzzles inspired by ancient Nubian pottery.

The NCMA’s Teen Arts Council created several activities to help visitors engage with the content of the exhibition. You want to test your knowledge of Nubia? We’ve got a crossword puzzle.

You’re feeling artistic? Make your own magnetic amulet and snap a photo of it. Enjoy two different audio tours, one where the teens talk about objects in the exhibition and another in which they interview their favorite Nubiologist.

As visitors exit they can view a selection of Egyptian artifacts recently donated to the Museum by Dr. and Mrs. Gerhard L. Weinabove Nubian artist, Sudan, Heart Scarab of Queen Asata, 593–568 bce, jasper, 45/16 × 23/4 in., Harvard University—Boston Museum of Fine Arts Expedition, 20.643a; Photo: © Museum of Fine Arts, Boston below Nubian artist, Sudan, Necklace with Leaf-Shaped Beads, Meroitic Period, 50–320 ce, carnelian, travertine, and obsidian, L. 163/4 × W. 13/4 in., Harvard University—Boston Museum of Fine Arts Expedition, 23.367; Photo: © Museum of Fine Arts, Boston opposite Nubian artist, Sudan, Ushabti of King Taharqa, 690–664 bce, green magnesite–containing rock, H. 201/16 × W. 63/4 in., Harvard University—Boston Museum of Fine Arts Expedition, 20.227; Photo: © Museum of Fine Arts, Boston page 4 Jebel Barkal: Pyramids 1–8, May 19, 1920, Photographer: Mohammedani Ibrahim Ibrahim, Harvard University—Boston Museum of Fine Arts Expedition; Courtesy Museum of Fine Arts, Boston page 5 Nubian artist, Sudan, Winged Goddess Pectoral, 743–712 bce, faience, H. 33/8 × W. 27/16 in., Harvard University—Boston Museum of Fine Arts Expedition, 24.616; Photo © Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

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berg. Some provide additional context for key moments in Nubian history that are only briefly mentioned in the exhibition. Others serve as comparative materials to contrast with similar Nubian objects. Stop by the Nubia Lounge, sit on an angareeb (a traditional Sudanese bed that traces back to the Kerma Period, if not earlier, that today often serves as a couch for guests), and listen to traditional music. Finally, watch a video of my colleague Mahmoud Suliman Bashir talking about the accomplishments of Kush and the need to engage younger generations in the protection of this important cultural and archaeological heritage.

ncient A ubia N Excavating Treasures of the Nile

From the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

October 17, 2026– January 10, 2027

TICKETS

East Building, Level B,

$20 Adults

Meymandi Exhibition Gallery

$17 Seniors age 65 and older

Reserve at ncartmuseum.org free for Members

$12 Students (ages 7–22) free for children 6 and under Questions about ticketing?

Email help@ncartmuseum.org.

Ancient Nubia: Excavating Treasures of the Nile is organized by the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, curated by Denise Doxey (Norma Jean Calderwood Curator of Ancient Egyptian, Nubian, and Near Eastern Art).

In Raleigh additional support is made possible, in part, by the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources; the North Carolina Museum of Art Foundation, Inc.; Paula D. Burleson and Barry P. Harris IV; and the William R. Kenan Jr. Endowment for Educational Exhibitions. Research for this exhibition was made possible by Ann and Jim Goodnight/The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Fund for Curatorial and Conservation Research and Travel.

EXHIBITION-RELATED EVENTS NCMA After Hours Thursday, October 15, 7–10 pm

Community Day

Nubia Trivia at Trophy Maywood

Sunday, October 18, 10 am–5 pm

Friday, November 6, 7 pm

free

free

Thank you to our Lead Sponsor, First Citizens Bank

free

Community Day

Thank you to our Lead Sponsor,

Sensory-Friendly Hour

First Citizens Bank

Member Preview Day Friday, October 16, 10 am–5 pm free with registration; members only

Excavating Ancient Nubia Opening Lecture, hosted by the Docent Lecture Endowment Friday, October 16, 11 am–1 pm free with registration

Sunday, October 18, 9–10 am free

OLLI at Duke: Egypt and Nubia in Ancient Africa Wednesday, October 21, October 28, 11 am–12:30 pm Ticketed

Audio Description Tour Saturday, November 14, 10:30 am–noon free with exhibition ticket purchase

An Archaeologist’s Face to Feet with King Taharqa Friday, November 20, 7–8:30 pm free with registration

Member Monday Monday, November 30, 10 am–3 pm free; members only

Docent-Led Tours Wednesday–Sunday, October 24–January 6 (by request) free with exhibition ticket purchase

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BLENDING THE

Natural and Digital linda dougherty Chief Curator and Senior Curator of Contemporary Art

T

he exhibition Ecologies of Scale

approach to all emerging technologies

ecological collapse experienced through

features recent work by Nancy

she uses, questioning current practices

various perspectives—ground level, aerial

Baker Cahill, an award-winning

and proposing alternatives.

or bird’s eye, and underwater. The series

transdisciplinary new media artist.

This multifaceted exhibition features

explores the natural beauty of multifaceted

Combining analog and digital media,

a wide variety of work by the artist both

landscapes, along with human interven-

she creates immersive experiences, video

inside the galleries and outside in the

tions in nature. Through complex layering

installations, sculptures, works on paper,

Museum Park. The Pia Mater series of

and filmic collage, the CARBON films invite

and augmented reality (AR) projects that

multilayered digital paintings printed on

viewers to consider the possibility of multi-

blend natural and digital worlds. Her

silk and canvas reference the protective

ple, embedded, concurrent realities being

works explore timely issues and concerns,

membrane, translated from Latin as “ten-

true at once.

including ecological, cultural, and social

der mother,” which surrounds the brain.

instability, along with universal concepts of

Describing these works, Baker Cahill

titled Aftermath combines a sculptural

interconnectedness and interdependence.

states: “I think a lot about cognition,

work on paper with a dynamic, precisely

especially as human attention has been

projection-mapped video with sound. The

our everyday experiences and impacts

ruthlessly exploited and monetized. In

work is made from an archive of graphite

human cognition and perception, Baker

the Pia Mater series, I am exploring the

works on paper, encompassing over a

Cahill utilizes augmented reality, block-

resilience and fragility of perception, and

decade of drawings, torn and reassembled

chain, and machine learning to create

the urgency of protecting it, as a tender

into something completely new each time

multimedia artworks that provide an

mother would.”

it is installed. The exhibition continues out-

Investigating how technology mediates

A large-scale immersive installation

inclusive and empowering glimpse into

The Widows are wall hanging sculp-

the high stakes of our technologically

tures made out of paper, holographic par-

tal participatory AR artwork, Substrate,

mediated moment. In her practice she

ticles, and other materials. The blackened,

located in the Ellipse (see page 10).

asks, “How might expanded forms of per-

complex forms bring to mind elaborate

At first, the viewer is drawn in by

ception foster greater empathy, collective

flora or dramatically feathered creatures.

Baker Cahill’s visually seductive works

awareness, and mutual responsibility

The artist began the series before the

of art. A closer look reveals multivalent

within an increasingly unstable world?”

2025 fires in Los Angeles and considers

layers of content and narrative that raise

Often lost in the discourse around

side in the Museum Park with a monumen-

them symbols of ecological grief and

challenging questions about technology

emerging technologies is their impact

rebirth. Each work in the Distortions series

and its pervasive impact on contemporary

on culture and cognition. Baker Cahill’s

consists of abstract graphite drawings

life. Nancy Baker Cahill: Ecologies of Scale

research-based practice and artwork

collaged with multicolored, hand-cut “pix-

reinforces the Museum’s commitment to

directly address both the challenges and

els” arranged in patterns that create the

highlighting contemporary artists whose

opportunities when engaging with such

illusion of three-dimensional space. Rede-

works focus on ideas and issues relevant

technologies. Since 2018 she has been

fining the traditional practice of drawing,

to concerns of the current moment. This

the founder and artistic director of 4th

the Distortions embody the disorientation

exhibition is also a continuation of efforts

Wall, a free augmented reality public

of digitally mediated visual culture and its

to showcase art inside and outside the

art platform created to expand access

impact on human cognition.

NCMA’s walls, inviting visitors to connect

to experimental public art and collaborative world-building. She takes a critical

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Three films, CARBON 1, 2, and 3, are from an ongoing series that imagines

with art and nature.

Nancy Baker Cahill

ECOLOGIES OF SCALE September 26, 2026–January 31, 2027 East Building, Level B, Gallery 1 (Julian T. Baker Jr. Gallery), Gallery 2 (Allen G. Thomas Jr. Gallery), and Gallery 3; Museum Park Organized by the North Carolina Museum of Art. This exhibition is made possible by the generous support of the Hartfield Foundation and Libby and Lee Buck.

Additional support is provided by the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources; the North Carolina Museum of Art Foundation, Inc.; and the William R. Kenan Jr. Endowment for Educational Exhibitions. Research for this exhibition was made possible by Ann and Jim Goodnight/The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Fund for Curatorial and Conservation Research and Travel.

clockwise from top left Nancy Baker Cahill, Pia Mater I, 2024, edition 1/1 + 1AP, archival pigment print on silk suspended over an archival pigment print on canvas mounted to Dibond, secured with aluminum magnet slat, 47 × 38 in., Courtesy of Nancy Baker Cahill; Photo: Yubo Dong

EXHIBITION-RELATED EVENTS Mindful Museum: Fall Meditative

Nancy Baker Cahill, Distortions III, 2025, graphite, tape, holographic paper, Lucite, air-brushed Tyvek, photographs, AI-generated imagery, paper on aluminum, mounted: 28.5 × 22.75 in., Courtesy of Nancy Baker Cahill

Moments with Art

Nancy Baker Cahill, Carbon 1, 2025, digital animation still, dimensions variable, Courtesy of Nancy Baker Cahill

Ticketed

Wednesday, October 7, 6–7 pm

NCMA After Hours Thursday, November 5, 5:30–9 pm free Thank you to our Lead Sponsor, First Citizens Bank

ABOUT THE ARTIST Nancy Baker Cahill (American, b. 1970) lives and practices in Hudson Valley, NY. Her work has been exhibited internationally at institutions including the Whitney Museum of American Art, Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), Hammer Museum, Desert X, and Times Square Arts. She is an affiliate at the metaLAB at Harvard and was a fellow at the Berggruen Institute and Weibel Institute for Digital Cultures. She is the recipient of a LACMA Art + Technology Lab Grant, a COLA Master Artist Fellowship, a United States Artists USA Fellowship, and was the first digital artist invited to deliver the Whitney’s annual Walter Annenberg Lecture.

Perceiving Otherwise: Ecological Imagination and Experiential Practice in Polycrisis Talk by Nancy Baker Cahill Friday, November 6, noon–1 pm free with registration

Pop-Up Art with Nancy Baker Cahill Saturday, November 7, noon–3 pm free

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I

n recent years the NCMA has added many interactive installations to the Museum Park landscape, creating an artful playground of sorts for adults and children alike. We invite you

to come swing and twirl, walk within, and be seated on contem-

in the park

porary art at your Museum!

Interact I nte ract with w it h A Art rt

Nancy Baker Cahill, Substrate, 2025, interactive augmented reality, dimensions variable, Commissioned by the Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s Art + Technology Lab

TEMPORARY TECH Nancy Baker Cahill’s monumental aug-

cultural artifacts—artworks, movies, books,

mented reality (AR) artwork Substrate is

poems, songs—as “nutrients” essential

on view in the Ellipse through January 31,

for sustaining culture and community with

2027. Seamlessly blending the digital world

shared knowledge.

with the physical world, this participatory

Using the free app 4th Wall, developed

piece invites the viewer to consider con-

by the artist, visitors can view and interact

nections between knowledge-protecting

with the artwork from their smartphones

civic organizations. Three imaginary, inter-

or tablets while in the Ellipse. Viewers can

connected trees represent an art museum,

contribute their own ideas of culturally sig-

library, and community college. Their root

nificant artifacts to a living archive and also

systems and biological networks share

see what other participants have added.

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SEAT YOURSELF

In the winter 2025–26 issue, we previewed a new site-specific interactive sculpture created by London-based artist and designer Paul Cocksedge. Please Be Seated—North Carolina, now installed, transforms a simple bench into a monumental, undulating sculpture on which Cocksedge invites Park visitors to sit, lounge, or stand. A gift of Pat and Tom Gipson, it is designed to follow the contours of the landscape and provide space for rest, conversation, and exploration, with a uniquely people-centered design.

Other people-centered artworks that invite interaction, collaboration, and conversation include Daily tous les jours’ Musical Swings, down the hill from the Welcome Center, which play a multiinstrumental tune when participants swing in unison. Nearby, Daydreamer: Kinetic Musical Benches hum and sing as they are twirled or rocked. The speech bubbles Ernst and Ruth, named after artist Hank Willis Thomas’s grandparents, act as covered benches that encourage backand-forth dialogue (and cool selfies).

above Paul Cocksedge, Please Be Seated—North Carolina, 2025, Gift of Pat and Tom Gipson; Photo: York Wilson below left Children create a rubbing of one of the etched aluminum plates in A Closer Look below right Jeppe Hein, Mirror Labyrinth NY, 2016, highly polished stainless steel, H. 1061/4 × W. 2771/2 × D. 2881/4 in. Gift of Pat and Tom Gipson

OLD FAVORITES

Don’t forget to revisit some old favorites in the Park that visitors have been engaging with for years. Get momentarily disoriented navigating the path within Jeppe Hein’s Mirror Labyrinth NY. Trade secrets at the Whisper Benches by Jim Gallucci or make a souvenir rubbing of one of the small images of native plants and animals in Tim Purus’s A Closer Look in the Volunteer Garden.

Go on a scavenger hunt to find and try out the six Benches and Bicycle Racks made from materials Alvin Frega found during the 2003 demolition of the prison that once stood on the Museum Park site.

In the woods, enter Chris Drury’s humansized camera obscura Cloud Chamber for the Trees and Sky and hover over the landscape by inching out onto Beam-I by Maria Elena González.

Download the NCMA Park app to access a map of locations and read more about artists’ intensions behind these experiential artworks. Connecting with art designed for participation adds joy to any Park visit.

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curator with a vision

Linda Johnson Dougherty karen kelly Senior Editor

T

his fall marks the end of an era at the NCMA: Linda Johnson Dougherty is retiring after a storied legacy as chief curator for the last 19 years and curator of contemporary art since

her arrival in 2005. Before coming to Raleigh, Dougherty held curatorial positions at the National Gallery of Art and The Phillips Collection in Washington, DC. For over 21 years, Dougherty has worked to expand the visitor experience at the NCMA, both indoors and outside in the Museum Park, while also adding prestigious, sought-after works to the NCMA’s collection; organizing original contemporary art exhibitions, developing working relationships with living artists, collectors, and donors; publishing on the art of our time; and managing a cadre of talented fellow curators whose work she tirelessly championed.

“Time and again, Linda has shown unwavering support for the Curatorial Department,” says curator Jared Ledesma. “Her willingness to advocate on our behalf reflects the qualities of an immensely impactful leader.”

“During Linda’s tenure,” adds fellow curator Caroline Rocheleau, “contemporary art and photography became a major focus of the People’s Collection.” Dougherty also led the Museum’s drive to “acquire works by North Carolina artists, ensuring their art can be seen on regular rotation in the galleries.”

Donors and collectors alike praise Dougherty for her insights and expertise. “Her impact on the NCMA’s contemporary global collection is remarkable and will be enjoyed and appreciated by all North Carolinians going forward,” say collectors Carlos Garcia-Velez and Kent Davis, adding, “Her years of experience, knowledge, and love of the NCMA will be greatly missed.”

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“The people of North Carolina have been blessed with an incredible talent,” says longtime NCMA donor Tom Gipson. “Her knowledge, enthusiasm, and diligence have resulted in dramatic accomplishments, and the Museum is so much better as a result of her efforts.”

Among Dougherty’s favorite works that she has acquired for the NCMA is her very first acquisition: Rosemary Laing’s photograph flight research #5 (1999), which features a “bride” suspended high above the Blue Mountains in Australia (no AI fakeness here; the model is a real stunt woman). She also adores one of her later acquisitions, Yayoi Kusama’s LIGHT OF LIFE, which has been dazzling visitors with its kaleidoscopic show of colored lights since its arrival in 2018. Out in the Park, Linda’s favorite “gets” have been Chris Drury’s Cloud Chamber for the Trees and Sky (2003; fondly nicknamed “the Hobbit house” by many visitors) and another interactive work, Musical Swings (2023), by Canadian artist collective Daily tous les jours. One of her fondest memories is of “walking by a group of adults swinging joyfully on the swings and hearing one of them say, ‘Whoever came up with this is a genius’ … (meaning the artists, not me!).”

It is this humble respect and admiration for living artists that has garnered mutual respect in turn: “I feel so lucky to have worked with Linda, who from the moment we met, embraced my transdisciplinary practice with curiosity, open-mindedness, curatorial rigor, and warmth,” says Nancy Baker Cahill, whose one-woman show at the NCMA opens September 26. “She immediately drew brilliant connections among the series I proposed and expanded the exhibition footprint to include a participatory augmented-reality project in the Park, which is so important to me for accessibility.”

In addition to organizing Baker Cahill’s Ecologies of Scale, Linda has developed and presided over 40 exhibitions at the NCMA, including her favorite and the most popular contemporary art show in the Museum’s history, You Are Here: Light, Color, and Sound Experiences (2018), which featured memorable, immersive art explorations across the NCMA campus. She also enjoyed co-curating, with Huston Paschal, Defying Gravity: Contemporary Art and Flight, which marked the 2003 centennial of flight in our OPPOSITE, top to bottom Linda Dougherty at the entrance to West Building;

country.

Throughout her tenure, Linda Dougherty has emphasized the

Dougherty giving a gallery talk during a media preview for the redesigned African galleries in East Building, June 2017;

importance of experiencing art where it lives. “It is so easy now

Dougherty with Caroline Rocheleau at the 2018 Humber Dinner, Photo:

to see the world digitally and online,” she says, “but, for me,

Kumolu Studios; Dougherty with artist Mickalene Thomas at the opening of the exhibition 30 Americans, March 2011

there is nothing that compares to seeing a work of art live and

above, top to bottom Artist Paul Cocksedge, Dougherty, NCMA Director Valerie Hillings, Tom Gipson, and Pat Gipson at the opening celebration for Please Be Seated—North Carolina, June 2026, Photo: York Wilson;

has the power to shift your perspective and invite you to see

Rosemary Laing, flight research #5, 1999, chromogenic print, 423/8 × 941/4 in., Purchased with funds from Charles Babcock and Dr. and Mrs. Lunsford Long, by exchange; Dougherty with artist Bob Trotman during the installation of his work Vertigo in East Building, August 2019

in person. I think it is during those close encounters, that art the world from a different vantage point.”

That shift in perspective is part of the “surprise” Dougherty loves to experience when she enters a gallery or walks along an outdoor art trail. She leaves the NCMA with many such educational surprises, and another parting gift: her upcoming publication about the Museum Park, its history and environmentally conscious works of art, entitled Art in the Open, slated to appear in 2028.

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back to school

Mobile

and

Modular

alex brown

photos by jessica blackstock

Director of Programs and Audience Engagement, NCMA W-S

Communications Manager, NCMA W-S

T

he NCMA Winston-Salem’s Portable Gallery was launched in

surrealist landscape, a thoughtful question about the subject

October 2021 with a clear goal to bring original artworks by

of a bold cubist portrait, or a new connection between a student

North Carolina artists to students who might not otherwise

and their classmates.

have access to them. What began with two paintings by Winston-

Looking ahead, the next phase of the Portable Gallery will

Salem artists has grown to 29 works representing 19 artists from

further deepen its educational impact. Beginning in the 2026–27

across the state. Today, the Portable Gallery includes paintings,

school year, the program is going to include longer-term exhi-

prints, photographs, ceramics, works on paper, and sculpture,

bitions installed in school common areas for up to eight weeks

offering students opportunities to engage with contemporary

at a time. Students will have daily access to contemporary art,

artistic voices that are actively shaping North Carolina’s culture.

and educators from all disciplines will have the chance to more

Rather than asking schools to travel to the Museum, which can present a challenge for rural and under-resourced communities, the NCMA W-S uses the Portable Gallery to deliver

fully integrate Portable Gallery artworks into their classroom instruction.

The success and expansion of the Portable Gallery have

museum-quality art and educational experiences directly to

required more than paintings and a clear goal; they have

classrooms throughout the Piedmont. For many students these

depended on people behind the scenes who have helped build

encounters are their first experience with contemporary art and an

and refine the program. One of those individuals is Jeff Crawford,

all-too-rare opportunity to engage with art outside of screens and

head of art services at the NCMA W-S, whose contributions con-

reproductions. Since its creation 273 classes and 7,428 students

tinue to shape the Portable Gallery’s evolution.

have participated in Portable Gallery programs. Behind each of

“The core message of the Portable Gallery is that students

those numbers is a conversation sparked by an abstract compo-

deserve meaningful access to art,” Crawford says. “By bringing art

sition, a moment of joyful discovery born from looking slowly at a

into classrooms, this program transforms them into spaces where

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curiosity, creativity, and self-expression can flourish. Personally, I find this project highly commendable. From its community outreach to its focus on empowering young minds, it provides opportunities that many of us in the art world may not have had during our formative years, when access to museums and artistic experiences can shape perspectives and inspire lifelong engagement with art.”

Shortly after joining the NCMA W-S, Crawford was asked to help redesign the Portable Gallery cases to improve their ease of use and functionality. Each case holds two artworks, which can be interchanged to create different thematic pairings. Previously, the artwork had been mounted directly onto wooden panels, which were then bolted to the cases. Crawford relates, “This method worked, but it was cumbersome and made swapping out the artwork a time-consuming process requiring specialized tools.

To address this, I developed a new mounting system that drastically improves interchangeability, is noninvasive, and meets museum standards.” Changing the artwork now requires no tools and can be completed in just a few minutes. Crawford redesigned and standardized the mounting panels, and each is now equipped with custom-built locking mechanisms that attach securely to the cases. A key is used to unlock the panels, allowing the artwork to be easily removed or swapped.

“Through this project I was able to directly support the Portable Gallery’s mission, ensuring that artworks can travel safely and continue to inspire students wherever they go,” says Crawford. “Contributing in this way reinforced for me how thoughtful design and careful planning behind the scenes can create meaningful access to art, fostering engagement with creativity.”

As the Portable Gallery grows, its success will be measured by more than the number of artworks in the program or number of students reached. Its true impact can be found in the moments of curiosity, connection, and serendipity it creates—a student seeing themselves reflected in an artwork; a classroom being challenged to think and communicate in new ways; a young person realizing that art is alive, not something static that’s observed passively. With each new artwork, school, and student, the Portable Gallery demonstrates that meaningful encounters with art belong everywhere.

NCMA Winston-Salem Downtown 400 W. 4th Street, Suite 130 Winston-Salem, NC 27101 ncmawinstonsalem.gov Free admission Wednesday, Friday, Sunday, 1–5 pm Thursday, 1–7 pm Saturday, 11 am–5 pm

15

back to school

Art Collecting 101

W

hen schoolchildren come to the NCMA this fall for a tour, they will be introduced to an

artwork newly installed in the Education Lobby. A five-foot-tall whirligig by North Carolina artist Vollis Simpson (1919–2013), whose thirty-foot Wind Machine is prominent in the Museum Park, incorporates found metal parts, such as a tractor wheel, with a propeller, bird with spinning wings, and brightly painted pinwheel. Docents will tell the story of Simpson’s life and art using the work, but they will also let the children know that students just like them played a large part in the sculpture coming to the Museum.

This whirligig has an unusual but fascinating provenance, or history of ownership.

It was gifted to the NCMA by the Johnston County Public Schools, which bought the sculpture twenty years ago from the artist through a class project at its AIG Center.

The center hosted students who had been identified for the academically and intellectually gifted program one day each week during the school year. There, the children took elective classes in subjects like music, technology, geography, and art.

Art teacher Sue Avera, who taught at the AIG Center for eight years, created an elective called Art Acquisitions in 2005.

Four times a year, a new group of fourth and fifth graders learned about art criticism and collecting by purchasing a work by a living artist to add to the center’s gallery. “These were above-average students who were serious about art and learning,” says Avera. “The experience taught them that they could do this seemingly hard thing—they could develop a sense of what was good in their opinion and worth acquiring.”

Over the course of nine weeks, the students went through the process of procuring an original work. First, they learned about famous artists from the

Students in Art Acquisitions class with artist Vollis Simpson, 2006; Photo: Sue Avera

impressionist movement onward and created a rubric to evaluate art. Once they understood how to determine what makes a work collectable, they identified an artist they wanted to approach. They practiced inquiring about works available in their price range ($500), contacted the artist, then raised money for the acquisition by

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Vollis Simpson, Untitled (Whirligig), 2006, metal and paint, H. 57 × W. 26 × D. 51 in., Gift of the Johnston County Public Schools

asking for donations from other students,

eastern North Carolina when he retired

collection, they wrote a label that focused

parents, and community members. The

in 1985. Simpson was one of the state’s

on their studio visit, reflecting the impres-

final step was writing an interpretive label

most original and inventive artists, and his

sion the visit had made.

and celebrating their success.

whimsical kinetic sculptures are marvels of

The AIG Center closed in 2011. The

During the five years that Avera taught

mechanical engineering and ingenuity. For

school district transferred most of the art

the elective, students added works to the

example, Wind Machine, created when he

collection to the Public Library of Johnston

AIG Gallery by regional, then nationally

was 83 years old, consists of forty separate

County and Smithfield. The whirligig, too

known artists. The collection contains

movable elements.

large to be on display, was stored until it

original works by Dot Hooks, Frank Creech,

The AIG students took a field trip to

Avera, Henri Matisse’s great-granddaughter

Simpson’s studio, a workshop in an old

Avera is excited that the whirligig has

Sophie Matisse, and cartoonists Hilary

barn on his property in Wilson County.

a new home at the NCMA and will be used

Price, Jim Davis, Marcus Hamilton, and

According to Avera, he brought them to his

to introduce schoolchildren to Simpson’s

Ron Ferdinand.

whirligig field across the road and through

work through close looking. “My hope is

his workshop, showing them all types of

that the Art Acquisitions elective students,

by Vollis Simpson in 2006. Simpson

kinetic sculptures and pointing out the

now grown, will visit the Museum with

designed and built heavy equipment for

ones that fit within their budget. He talked

their children, who can see what their

moving houses and ran his own farm

readily to the students and was happy that

parents accomplished at a young age and

machinery repair shop. He started creating

they were interested in his practice. Once

learn that art collecting can be accessible

kinetic sculptures out of found objects in

the children chose a whirligig for the AIG

to people of all ages.”

The students chose to collect a work

was given to the Museum in June 2026.

17

Oh, hi!

We’re your art museum. interviews by eric hudiburg

and bekah boyer

photos by rachel jessen

Marketing Manager

Director of Annual Giving

Staff Photographer

Oh, hi!

I’m your local artist purveyor.

liz senecaut, retail manager, joined the NCMA’s visitor experience and retail team in 2025 and quickly put her art history degree to work talking with visitors. Liz recommends checking out El Anatsui’s Lines That Link Humanity as well as the Museum’s special exhibitions. Her favorite artists featured in the People’s Collection are Sam Gilliam and Thomas Wilmer Dewing. Stop by to say hi to Liz in the Museum Store, featuring NC artists, and receive local gift and book recommendations.

Oh, hi!

mina platania, retail experience associate, helps make the Museum Store welcoming to all visitors. Hailing from Kinston, NC, she started working for the NCMA in 2025 and quickly found joy in meeting members of the public. Mina says that she “loves interacting with younger visitors in particular—people in their 20s and teenagers on field trips.” Mina recommends visiting Cloud Chamber for the Trees and Sky and other outdoor installations and the 20th–21st Century Gallery.

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I’m your retail welcomer.

Photo: Lori Cowherd

Oh, hi!

I’m your membership phone-a-friend. devin riley, membership associate, is often the first line of communication for our amazing members and the friendly voice on the membership hotline. Raised in Raleigh, Devin has been an integral part of the membership team since September 2022.

Her Museum favorites include the American landscapes, 20th Century Gallery, and the Dutch kunstkammer.

tanner messer, advancement associate at the NCMA W-S, hails from Canton, NC, a town in the Appalachian Mountains. He spends his days inviting folks from all over

Oh, hi!

I’m your community connector in Winston-Salem.

the state to visit and invest in the exciting new NCMA Winston-Salem Downtown gallery space on 4th Street. Tanner and his work BFF, Emily, operations manager, help ensure the NCMA W-S can power pathways for practicing artists to present exhibitions and experiences that encourage living with and through art—one chitchat at a time!

Photo: Emily Sauer

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Oh, hi!

I’m your security supervisor for special events.

connie cooper, from Clarksville, VA, has worked at the NCMA since 2010.

She organizes security for special events, supporting evening offerings like After Hours and member events.

Connie had never stepped foot in a museum before starting her role at the NCMA but has grown to love art through her interactions with docents.

She recommends spending a couple of hours in West Building experiencing the People’s Collection. Connie’s favorite events at the NCMA are jazz concerts, when she works alongside friends and security colleagues Phyllis and Tracy.

Oh, hi!

Police work is serious business, but jason hunt, park ranger, has managed

I’m here for your safety.

to bring both joy and safety to the NCMA in Raleigh since he joined the team in 2018. He is from Elm City, NC, and can be found most often riding his electric bike around campus. Jason says he “did not know much about art” when he began his role, but “quickly discovered the monumental amount of effort that goes into maintaining a museum.” Jason wants visitors to know that his primary role is to keep the Museum community safe and healthy and that he is an emergency medical responder (EMR).

museum store

STAFF PICKS

Mina Platania and Liz Senecaut share book recommendations that inspire curiosity, creativity, and connection while celebrating local authors, artists, and accessible storytelling for readers of all ages. Find these titles in the Museum Store, open Wednesday–Sunday, 10 am–5 pm.

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MINA’S FAVS

Written and illustrated by Raleigh author Paul Friedrich, Zebra and Yak: The Backwards Alphabet Book offers a playful twist on the traditional alphabet story as two friends journey backward from Z to A in search of Apple.

In The Moon Moved In, NC author Sue Soltis tells the story of Stella, a young girl who befriends the moon and discovers its importance to the world around her, introducing complex ideas in an engaging and accessible way.

Oh, hi!

I help enhance your visit.

meliton bravo, housekeeper, remembers starting at the NCMA in 2011 and realizing just how large the buildings are. He and his 12 co-workers keep over 300,000 square feet of indoor space in tip-top shape. Meliton has lived in Raleigh for 24 years, raising a family that includes the recent addition of a grandchild. He fondly remembers the 2003 installation Rabble by Ralph Helmick and Stuart Schechter, the shape of a jet formed from over a thousand mechanized Mylar butterflies.

Oh, hi!

I’m your culinary artist.

Nestled inside West Building is the award-winning NCMA Café, managed by hannah broski, director of food and beverage. Her favorite spot on campus is the apiary, which just so happens to provide the honey used in the café. Hannah is proud of the Museum’s offerings for catering special events and especially enjoys creating hands-on experiences like Garden Bites. Café manager Hanif says, “Hannah is the one making sure everything is good behind the scenes.”

LIZ’S RECS

Interaction of Color by Josef Albers explores how color perception is shaped by context, encouraging readers to look more closely at the visual language of art. As a leading figure at Black Mountain College, Albers remains central to North Carolina’s artistic legacy.

The Club: Where American Women Artists Found Refuge in Belle Époque Paris by Jennifer Dasal examines the American Girls’ Club in Paris and the community it created for women artists in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Written by a former curator at the Museum, the book combines historical insight with compelling primary sources and photographs.

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My NCMA

The Museum offers many types of accessibility accommodations for events and tours. To find out what is available or request an accommodation, contact Accessibility Coordinator Molly Hull, mhull@ncartmuseum.org. Please note that requests require a minimum two-week notice.

FALL EVENTS The listings in My NCMA represent a selection of events taking place at the Museum in September, October, and November. Watch for email newsletters and go to ncartmuseum.org/programs for details and to find more programs.

MEMBER EVENTS

embodied meditation, which fosters

Reconnect with yourself through guided

deeper self-connection and artistic

art making and mindfulness practice in

Patron Party at NCMA

expression.

community. These quarterly sessions invite

Winston-Salem Downtown Friday, October 23, 6–8:30 pm free tickets for Patron-level and above members Join us for the Patron Party at the new downtown space to mix and mingle

Art inside the Bottle Thursday, September 10, 6:30–9:30 pm Prepaid reservation required Enjoy a curator-led tour in a small group, then experience a themed coursed dinner

you to create, reflect, and restore using simple materials, meditative art processes, and seasonal themes.

NCMA After Hours Thursday, September 17, October 15,

featuring wine education and pairings.

November 5, 5:30–9 pm

legacy of practicing artists in NC.

In the Moment: Cultural Activities

save the date: Raleigh Patron Party,

for the Memory Community

NCMA After Hours is now monthly. Join us

with other members and celebrate the

Thursday, January 7, 2027.

director’s circle luncheon The Future of Museums: NCMA’s Interns in the Art World Tuesday, November 17, 11 am–1 pm By invitation to Director’s Circle members and above Meet three former NCMA interns who have gone on to make their mark in the art world. Contact the membership team to learn more about upgrading

Friday, September 11, October 9, November 13, 1–2:30 pm free with registration

with a wide breadth of topics. September and October: Sounds of NC; November: America 250. In partnership with multiple

Ticketed Led by sculptor and certified mindfulness instructor Meg Stein, this

The Zine Dream with Zaire Miles-Moultrie Saturday, September 19, 11 am–4 pm

organizations within the NC Department

Ticketed

of Natural and Cultural Resources

In this workshop participants explore

Sunday, September 13, 1–3 pm

November 12, 1–3 pm

by the People’s Collection or exhibitions First Citizens Bank

program inspires collective engagement

with Redbud Writing Project

Thursday, September 10, October 8,

take part in hands-on art activities inspired

changes and their care partners, this

level to attend.

with Meg Stein

energy. Explore the galleries after dark and

on view. Thank you to our Lead Sponsor,

Rage Retreat

Sculpture Meditation

for an evening of art, music, and creative

Designed for those living with memory

your support to the Director’s Circle

ART EXPERIENCES

free

Ticketed In this workshop participants delve into how writers can explore and interrogate the topic of rage in memoir and fiction.

Together, they examine how anger can become a powerful creative force on the page.

mindful museum Seasonal Restorative Art-Making

the art of making small, self-published booklets. Weaving together multimedia techniques like drawing, collage, and other inclusions, students learn how to visualize dreams into narrative works and leave with a handcrafted zine.

Craft Night at the Museum Thursday, September 24, October 29, 5:30–8 pm free Make art and new friends after hours. Bring in any craft project you’re working on or create something fresh with provided art

class invites participants to engage in

Circles (Fall)

supplies. Each month we have a differ-

hands-on sculpting while practicing

Wednesday, September 16, 6–7:30 pm

ent suggested theme connected to our

free with registration

galleries.

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Science, Technique, and Process of Papermaking with Lisa Pearce

kanof lecture What Should Our Judaism Look

Saturday, October 3, 9 am–noon

Like? The Tobe Pascher Workshop

At Meredith College

and American Jewish Ritual Art

Ticketed

Sunday, November 1, 2 pm

Participants learn the process of hand-

free with registration

made papermaking while creating unique

This talk provides the history of and con-

sheets from jute fibers and recycled papers

text for the Tobe Pascher Workshop, under

and experimenting with embedding dried

the direction of German-born silversmith

foliage, fabric, thread, and metals.

Ludwig Wolpert and established by Dr.

Introduction to Digital Art with David Anyanwu

Abram Kanof, and examines its impact and influence.

Saturday, October 3, 11 am–4 pm

Lasting Impressions:

Ticketed

Clay Relief with Isys Hennigar

In this workshop participants learn the

Saturday, November 7, 11 am–4 pm

LIVE ARTS, PERFORMANCE, AND FILM Dance ncma dance gumbo Dance Fitness with Jordan Farrell Saturday, September 19, October 3, 9–9:45 am free with registration Join Jordan Farrell for an invigorating aerobic workout set to a mixture of pop, Zumba, Latin, and hip-hop dance moves.

basics of digital art with a focus on anime

Ticketed

still. moving

character design. Students dig deep into

In this workshop participants explore

Wake County Public Schools Dance

the techniques, layering, brushes, and

bas-relief, a hand-building technique used

colors used to create original digital

to create clay objects that capture visual

Ticketed

works. Ages 16 and up.

ideas and images on ceramic surfaces.

Join dancers from Wake County high

Students craft a pictographic narrative

schools for a dynamic evening as each

pulling from personal experiences and

school presents a distinct work inspired

the natural world.

by the People’s Collection. They guide

Chine Collé Printmaking Workshop with Erica Kendrick Saturday, October 3, 1–4 pm

Saturday, September 19, 6:30 pm

audiences through West Building on a

At Meredith College

Art Heist Dinner

Ticketed

Friday, November 13, 6–9:30 pm

Participants explore chine collé, a print-

Prepaid reservation required

still. moving

making technique that combines printed

During an evening of intrigue, art meets

Arts Together/Rainbow Dance Co.

imagery with delicate collaged papers,

mystery, and every bite holds a clue.

Saturday, October 3, 11 am, 12:30 pm

using decorative, found, handmade, and

Indulge in a special multicourse menu

free with registration

personal papers.

while uncovering hints that guide you

Inspired by Louise Bourgeois’s Spiral

friends of greek art lecture Breaking the Bank (Literally): The Secret Life of Roman Piggy Banks

to the missing artwork. Will you crack the case before dessert?

mindful museum

vibrant journey of art and movement.

Woman, Arts Together/Rainbow Dance Co. embodies the emotional pull between freedom and control, transforming themes of memory, identity, and resilience into a

Sunday, October 4, 2–3:30 pm

Fall Singing Bowl Sound Bath

free with registration

Wednesday, November 18, 6–7 pm

How did the Romans collect, carry, and

Ticketed

global rhythms

store their coins? Join Professor Robyn

Enjoy a restorative sound bath in the

Big Red Dance Project

Le Blanc (UNC Greensboro) as she

peaceful setting of our galleries. Sound

Saturday, October 17, 11 am, 1 pm

explores ceramic savings banks, where

baths are a meditative practice that uses

free with registration

they were found, and their various uses

resonant instruments to calm the nervous system, decrease stress, and enhance rest.

Inspired by five exquisite Italian arias, this

in ancient Roman society.

Virtual Sensory Journey

A Puzzling Affair:

through Art

Jigsaw Competition at the NCMA

Thursday, October 8, 7–8 pm

Thursday, November 19, 5:30–8 pm

free with registration

Ticketed

Join NCMA staff for a virtual sensory

Playing with puzzles made from works of

journey inspired by art from the People’s

art in the Museum’s collection, a team of

collection. Participants are prompted to

up to four players competes with fellow

use a provided sensory kit to activate the

puzzle enthusiasts for cool prizes and a

senses of touch, taste, smell, and sound.

chance to pick our next puzzle.

compelling choreographic journey.

program explores romance in all its complexities through expressive contemporary dance that reveals love’s many faces— from tender longing and playful flirtation to heartbreak and vengeance.

Paired with audio description.

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unframed voices

ncma music series

Running from October through April, the

Art. Theater. No Boundaries.

Phaeton Piano Trio

series features a special guest talkback at

Friday, October 9, Sunday, October 11,

Wednesday, October 14, 7 pm

7 pm

Ticketed

Ticketed

Join the Phaeton Piano Trio—Friedemann

Move through the galleries as four NC

Eichhorn (violin), Peter Hörr (cello), and

theater companies premiere original

Florian Uhlig (piano), Weimar, Germany-

ten-minute plays by NC playwrights

based artists with two decades of global

Aurelia Belfield, Tamara Kissane, Ian

acclaim—for an evening of Schubert,

Finley, and Brook North, each inspired

Beethoven’s “Archduke,” and Saint-Saëns’

by a work from the People’s Collection.

Trio No. 2.

Music notes on view Salomé Sandoval Interprets The Lute Player by Gerard Seghers Saturday, September 12, 11 am, 2 pm free

film listings.

PARK Adaptive Tai Chi in the Park: Mindful Movement for Everyone Thursday, September 3, October 1, November 5, 5–6 pm

sacred song series

free with registration

A Celebration of Diwali

The Chinese martial art of Tai Chi com-

Friday, November 6, 5 pm

bines slow and gentle movements with

free with registration

focused attention. During this accessible

Experience the vibrant cultures of India

class, participants are guided through

with an evening of light and community.

This joyous celebration includes artisan vendors and a Carnatic music concert

Multifaceted artist Salomé Sandoval,

featuring acclaimed vocalist Smitha K.

originally from Venezuela, sings and

Prasad and an ensemble of traditional

accompanies herself with lutes and early

Indian musicians.

and classical guitars in this multilingual,

each screening. Visit ncartmuseum.org for

visually and vocally descriptive cues and have the option to sit or stand.

park tour Mindfulness in Nature Saturday, September 19, 9–10:30 am free with registration

creative, and innovative program.

notes on view

Join us for a guided walk through the Park that focuses on the healing power

Buskers Day

Gregg Gelb Jazz Combo Saturday, November 14, 3–4:30 pm

of nature. Connect with the natural world,

Saturday, September 12, 1–5 pm

free

yourself, and others through guided med-

free

Join the Gregg Gelb Jazz Combo as they

itation and sensory explorations that pro-

Join us for another Buskers Day in the

bring improvisation, vibrant jazz traditions,

Park! Get ready for an afternoon filled

and rich musical dialogue to our galleries.

with joy, creativity, and unrivaled talent as we celebrate the centuries-old art of busking—performing in public spaces for gratuities.

Classical Music in the Park Saturday, September 12, 6–8:30 pm free with registration Join us for an evening of classical music in the Museum Park featuring works spanning the Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and contemporary eras.

Film animation is art Little Amélie or the Character of Rain (2025) Saturday, October 3, 7–9:30 pm At NCSU Ticketed Directed by Liane-Cho Han Jin Kuang and Maïlys Vallade, 1 hr. 17 min., animation/family, PG

vide opportunities for calm and restoration.

Fall Service Project in the Park Saturday, September 26, 9–11 am free with registration Help steward the Museum Park by supporting staff in their restoration initiatives.

Volunteers plant native species around the Park to increase biodiversity and provide habitat for wildlife.

Fall Garden Bites Tour Sunday, September 27, 1–3 pm Prepaid reservation required This guided experience combines scenic

Amélie, a Belgian child in Japan, explores

exploration, local history, and delicious

life with her companion, Nishio-san.

food. Learn about key Park locations,

A lecture and group discussion with

explore their cultural and environmental

Ticketed

Dr. Mina Kaneko follows the screening.

impact, and enjoy small bites and drinks

The Boston Camerata performs songs and

Jewish Film Series

sacred song series Trav’ling Home Sunday, September 27, 3 pm

hymns as the Initiative for Jewish Art and Culture celebrates the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence with an homage to the early days of American spirituality.

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Thursday, October 8, November 12, 7 pm Ticketed The Jewish Film Series returns with a focus on the American Jewish experience.

crafted with ingredients sourced directly from the Park.

park tour

Artful Story Time

Public Tours

Science and Sustainability

Wednesday, September 16, October 21,

Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays,

Saturday, October 3, 9–10:30 am

November 18, 10:30–11 am

1 pm (except holidays)

free with registration

free with registration

free

Join us for a guided walk through the Park

Story time with an artful twist! Come look,

These tours of the People’s Collection

that focuses on plants, animals, and sus-

listen, and move as we make connections

are great for first-time visitors, as an after-

tainable design features. Explore the natu-

with original works of art and children’s

lunch treat, or if you’re curious about the

ral world around you, learn about topics

books. Rotating featured readers and

5,000+ years of art and culture on constant

in biology and ecology, and more.

changing locations mean there’s always

rotation in the NCMA galleries.

park tour Art and Sculpture

a new perspective to enjoy.

Pop-Up Art

Art on the Dot Saturdays and Sundays, 2:30–4:30 pm

Sunday, September 20, noon–3 pm

(except holiday weekends)

free with registration

free

free

Join us for a guided walk through the

Enjoy the fun of drop-in art-making

Join a docent in the galleries for bite-

activities for all ages popping up across

sized tour experiences. Docents will

the Museum galleries and Park. Check

guide you to two or three works of art

Saturday, November 7, 9–10:30 am

Park that focuses on sculptures and installations. During this interactive tour,

ncartmuseum.org for specific activity

for 30 minutes or less. Join for one round

about featured artists and their processes.

and location.

or stay for them all!

save the date

Family Studio

Family-Friendly Tours

Saturday, October 10, 10 am–noon

Saturday, September 12, October 3,

or 1–3 pm

November 7, 10:30–11 am

free with registration

Ticketed

free with registration

Shine your light at our annual lantern walk!

Look closely at original works of art and

Find new favorites alongside old friends on

find inspiration to create your own proj-

these playful tours. Tours are 30 minutes

ects, guided by expert artists, during

long and are best for kids ages 5–11 with

these two-hour studio workshops. Best

their adult companions.

examine a selection of artworks and learn

Winter Lantern Walk Saturday, December 12, 4:30–6:30 pm

Bring a homemade lantern (no flames) and come together as we honor the quiet beauty of the approaching winter season with a magical paper lantern procession

for families with children ages 5–11.

through the Park.

EDUCATORS

FAMILIES

TEENS AND COLLEGE

Additional information:

Interested in learning more about the

learn.ncartmuseum.org

What’s in the Box?

Panel? Keep up-to-date on our Teens and

Teen Arts Council or the College Advisory

educator online course

College programs web pages.

Art and SEL

Ticketed

Teens Sketch the Galleries

Ticketed

Meet a work of art, enjoy movement and

Saturday, September 5, October 3,

Wednesday, September 2, October 7, November 4, 10–11 am

play, and get your creative juices flowing

November 7, noon–2 pm

Tuesday, October 6–Tuesday, December 8 In this self-paced, 15-hour course, educators explore an arts-based approach to

in this artful workshop for 3- to 5-year-olds

free with registration

and their caregivers.

Join us to spend time sketching with

of Mindfulness, Identity, Perspective Shar-

other teens in the galleries. Bring a

ing, Community Building, and Agency.

NCMA to Go Art Kits Saturday, September 12, November 14, 10 am–noon free with registration Get creative with NCMA art and artists at home! Reserve a kit with materials and written instructions for a complete hands-on project. Kits are designed for all ages. In English and Spanish.

pencil and your sketchbook and follow prompts or find your favorite sketching spot with a friend. Ages 13–18.

TOURS The NCMA offers free private tours of the People’s Collection to school, youth, and adult groups. To select and request the right tour for you, visit ncartmuseum.org

social emotional learning through themes

Educator Expo Tuesday, October 27, 4–7 pm free with registration Educators: join us for a night devoted to you. Connect with your community, enjoy refreshments, learn about NCMA programs and resources, and spend time in the galleries. Admission to fall exhibitions is included!

/plan-your-visit/tours.

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C

orporate members unlock all that the NCMA has to offer—access to world-class exhibitions, exclusive

experiences, and curated events in two museum locations reaching over one million visitors in Raleigh and Winston-Salem each year. The newly relaunched NCMA Corporate Membership Program provides innovative ways to meet your company’s

Be a Leader in Our Community Corporate Membership at the NCMA

goals while demonstrating your commitment to the cultural life of our community.

Whether your business is looking for increased visibility, enhanced employee engagement, or VIP hospitality experiences for executives and clients, a corporate membership at the NCMA can be tailored to your needs.

With giving levels starting at $2,500, corporate membership benefits include: •

Discounted and complimentary NCMA memberships and exhibition tickets to share with staff and clients

•

Access to beautiful event and meeting spaces in Raleigh and Winston-Salem

•

Invitations to exclusive events and private tours

•

A 10% discount at Museum stores and cafés

•

Annual recognition in Preview magazine, distributed to 12,000+ members, and on the Museum’s websites, with more than six million visitors per year

Deepen your impact by pairing your corporate membership with a program sponsorship to generate even greater visibility for your business through the NCMA’s most highly attended programs and events. Your philanthropic investment through membership or sponsorship allows the NCMA to continue delivering enriching arts and cultural programs that improve quality of life for our communities and contribute to the vibrancy of North Carolina’s creative economy.

To learn more or join us in building a customized corporate membership package for your company, contact us at corporategiving@ncartmuseum.org.

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top Photo: Kent W. Ohlman; bottom Photo: Aaron Lurie, VMA Studios

C

dine

hef Matt Griffith brings a passion for refined hospitality and elevated dining to NCMA Café, viewing the culinary experience as an essential extension of a visit to the North

Carolina Museum of Art. Inspired by the creativity and prestige of the Museum, he aims for a café experience that feels thoughtful, artful, and distinctly Raleigh, a destination worthy of the world-

Welcome Chef Matt Griffith

class collections surrounding it.

Raised in a large Italian family in New York, Chef Matt has an appreciation for food that began around lively Sunday dinners, where meals were rooted in connection, tradition, and craftsmanship. After attending culinary school in New York and honing Photo: Hans Rosemond Photography

his skills in some of the city’s elite restaurants, he continued his career in Miami before relocating to Raleigh with his wife in 2009.

They quickly fell in love with the area and chose to raise their family here.

Chef Matt brings a sophisticated yet welcoming approach to NCMA Café, crafting seasonal menus designed to enrich the Museum experience and create memorable moments for every guest, every time.

HOURS

GALLERIES, STORE, NCMA CAFÉ Wednesday–Sunday, 10 am–5 pm ANN AND JIM GOODNIGHT MUSEUM PARK Daily, dawn to dusk

Plan Your Visit

WELCOME CENTER Wednesday–Sunday, 10 am–5 pm (weather permitting)

TICKETS

Admission to the People’s Collection is free. Members receive free admission to ticketed exhibitions.

For exhibition and event tickets, go to ncartmuseum.org.

VISITOR EXPERIENCE

help@ncartmuseum.org | (919) 715-5923 Please contact us via email during open hours for the quickest response.

ACCESSIBILITY

The Museum seeks to make a welcoming space for all. Visit ncartmuseum.org /accessibility for details about on-site accommodations and more information.

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NC Museum of Art Foundation 4630 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-4630

September 17, 2026 October 15, 2026 Ancient Nubia opening 7–10 pm

November 5, 2026 December 17, 2026 January 14, 2027 February 18, 2027 Thursdays 5:30–9 pm

Wander the galleries, enjoy live music and

March 11, 2027

performances, participate in hands-on art

April 1, 2027

activities, and discover experiences inspired by the Museum’s exhibitions and collections.

Thank you to our Lead Sponsor, First Citizens Bank

May 13, 2027 June 17, 2027