WEDNESDAY
12.13.17
NORTH
STATE
JOURNaL
Luke Skywalker is back, Page 7
the good life IN A NORTH STATE OF MIND
play list
Dec. 13-Dec. 22 Enchanted Airlie Airlie Gardens, Wilmington Come see one of Wilmington’s cherished holiday traditions at Airlie Gardens . More than 1 million festive lights and holiday flowers will be on display. Fun for the whole family includes musical entertainment, holiday refreshments and a visit with Santa.
Dec. 14 Steve Hardy’s Original Beach Party Greenville Convention Center, Greenville Come celebrate Christmas beachin’ style with four of the best beach bands around: The Mighty Saints of Soul, The Main Event Band, The Band of Oz, and Jim Quick and Coastline. Children’s toys will be collected for the Durham Rescue Mission and admission is by ticket only.
Dec. 14-Dec. 16
PHOTO COURTESY OF MIKE BENNETT’S STUDIO
Above, Mike Bennett poses for a photo. Below, Mike Bennett’s work.
Connections flow in Williamston art community By Laura Ashley Lamm North State Journal WILLIAMSTON – Authentic and realistic art, combined with creative spaces for artists and the community to come together, provides fulfillment to Mike Bennett. “I’m a visual artist who paints realistic portraits,” said Bennett. “I have a deep love for art and pour that into what I do. Seeing the joy my work brings to other people makes me fill fulfilled.” Bennett, 59, spent his childhood drawing on the back porch of his family’s home in Robersonville. “I remember drawing whatever I could find – cups, trees, tree stumps,” said Bennett. “In the eighth grade, I knew I really wanted to be an artist.” Mostly a self-taught artist, Bennett attended Oak City High School where he received a scholarship to attend the North Carolina School of the Arts in Winston-Salem. While at the School of the Arts, he met artist Anthony "Tony" Griffin, the brother-in-law of world-renowned Fresco artist Ben Long. Bennett spent his summers in the mountains with Long, working on drawing and painting while helping mix lime plaster for The Last Supper Fresco in Glendale Springs. Following school, he’s had jobs painting billboards and signs all while continuing his portraiture and mural painting. Bennett’s work has quickly and quietly helped him make a name for himself in the art community. He paints portraits, landscapes, and murals with detailed preci-
sion that brings the realness of the subject to life. “As a visual artist, I can paint all types of subjects from portraits to murals and other large types of compositions. From figure drawings and paintings, land and seascapes, interior compositions, animals, flowers, and more,” said Bennett. Murals can be found at Weeping Mary Baptist and Jones Chapel (Oak City), Roberson Chapel (Parmele), Bethel Baptist (Bethel), St. James Museum (Robersonville), Blount-Bridgers House (Tarboro), Greenville Museum of Art, and Grimesland Baptist. He uses a variety of mediums from pencils to pen, ink to watercolor, oils to pastels, and sculpting. He recently opened the Mike Bennett Art Studio in downtown Williamston. A place where creative artists can play and members of the public can drop by to visit. “Having an open studio, artists can come in, work and meet other artists. It is a way we can learn from one another in the art community,” said Bennett. “I have available space for 10 artists with 8 x 8 feet of space for each artist,” he added. There’s even a grand piano, drum set, and keyboard waiting for a jam session. “With a store-front building in downtown Williamston, I wanted a place for people to connect in a way that was open to the public,” said Bennett. Bennett’s studio, at 132 West Main Street, is open from 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. Monday – Saturday, and 12 – 9 p.m. on Sundays.
A Christmas Carol: The Broadway Musical High Point The High Point Community Theatre presents the timeless holiday classic, “A Christmas Carol.” Join family and friends for an epic performance that is sure to bring the most “Bah! Humbug!” some holiday cheer.
Dec. 14-Dec. 22 The Polar Express Train Ride N.C. Transportation Museum, Spencer Sip hot chocolate and eat cookies (in your pajamas of course) on board The Polar Express as the train heads to the North Pole. All aboard will enjoy singing, dancing, and a reading of “The Polar Express” and will receive a silver sleigh bell to ring as they celebrate the magic of Christmas.
Dec. 15-Dec. 16 Olde Mecklenburg Brewery’s Weihnachtsmarkt Charlotte Join family and friends in the Biergarten for Weihnachtsmarkt (A German Christmas Market). Gifts and locally baked goods may be purchased from forty different booths. And don’t forget about the seasonal beer — Dunkel, Bauern Bock, and Yule Bock will be on tap, along with Glühwein, a spiced red wine. Tweetsie Christmas Tweetsie Railroad, Blowing Rock Discover Tweetsie Railroad at Christmas time with this inaugural holiday celebration. See a magical light display while taking a train ride followed by a visit to Santa’s Workshop. The whole family can enjoy caroling, live animals, a fire pit and snow.
Dec. 16 Christmas in New Bern South Front Street, New Bern Be a part of New Bern’s “Seasons of Giving: A Candlelight Christmas Celebration.” This colonialinspired tradition of giving features 12 Days of Christmas decorations and historically dressed characters. Guests may join Governor and Mrs. Tryon for a tour of their new home and also visit the Stanly House, Dixon House, and Commission House.