August 2011

Gallery C in Raleigh, NC, Features Works by James Augustus McLean

Gallery C, in its new location on North Blount Street in Raleigh, NC, will present the exhibit, James Augustus McLean (1904-1989) Retrospective, on view from Aug. 11 through Sept. 21, 2011. A reception will be held on Aug. 11, from 5-7pm.

McLean was a North Carolina artist and teacher. He was primarily known for his American Impressionistic style, however, he embraced many other mediums and styles, even creating stone sculptures. In 1929, McLean opened the first art school in North Carolina, the Southern School of Creative Arts, which trained students in all forms of visual art, including performance art.

McLean was born in 1904 in Lincolnton, NC. He attended the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Art. Although he was invited to stay upon completion at the Academy, he brought his talent back to North Carolina. He had a vision of a broad and diverse art culture throughout the state. During the Depression he won many grants from the WPA and FAP programs that were instituted by Franklin Delano Roosevelt. McLean taught art classes at North Carolina State University, Shaw, and St. Augustine. He also became the first person to teach art at the University of North Carolina.

The exhibition represents a variety of works by this 20th century North Carolina artist. Examples of his many styles are included, from his haunting tonalist nocturne paintings to his deco stone sculpture. A large group of his coveted modernist ballet dancers in ink are well represented in the exhibition. This exhibition is guest curated by Ed Alexander, who was not only a friend and patron of McLean’s but also the manager for the estate after McLean’s death.

For further info check our NC Commercial Gallery listings, call the gallery at 919/828-3165 or visit (www.galleryc.net).

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