Liberty Arts is a sculpture studio and foundry whose purpose is to enrich our communities with arts experiences that inspire, empower, educate and entertain.
We believe strongly that diversity enhances our ability to fulfill that purpose, and in fact fosters a more creative and innovative artforce. Liberty Arts welcomes all to our inclusive atmosphere.
We do NOT support the NC Legislature’s passage of HB2.
Gift Certificates!
We will soon have gift certificates offered online! Until then, Liberty Arts is happy to offer gift certificates in any denomination. Contact us at info@libertyartsnc.org with the amount and what information you would like on the gift certificate (To/From names). Once we receive payment we will send out your gift certificate.
News & Observer: Artists work molten magic in Durham Central Park
“It’s not every public art event that comes with its own hose and fire extinguisher.
But Durham’s public iron pour Friday night wasn’t an ordinary public art event, as hundreds gathered in Durham Central Park to watch a Kevlar-coated, safety-goggled militia turn solid metal into liquid.
And while they weren’t forging swords or that tricked-out chair from “Games of Thrones,” it was still otherwordly.
Or in a word: primal.”
Mark Schultz with the News & Observer came to our iron pour in Durham Central Park Friday night and wrote this amazing article: check it out!
Liberty Arts Moves Again
Liberty Arts Sculpture Studio and Foundry is expanding its services and moving to a larger facility that it hopes will become its permanent home.
By mid-September Liberty Arts’ sculpture studio will be located at 918 Pearl Street in the Cleveland-Holloway neighborhood of East Durham, in the space previously occupied by Triangle Brewing Company near SEEDS and Counter Culture Coffee. Our foundry will remain at its current Durham Central Park location on Foster Street.
Following the collapse of the Liberty Warehouse roof in 2011, Liberty Artists have been working out of the Cordoba Center behind Golden Belt.
“We are thrilled to be moving to a much larger space at Pearl Street," said Diane Amato, co-president of the Liberty Arts Board. "This will allow us to increase the number of artists, showcase their art, and at the same time enable us to expand our sculpture arts education programs which will now include glassblowing”.
“The addition of glassblowing enhances our ‘Fire Arts’ brand”, says Leigh Hayes, co-president of the Board and a glass artist himself. “We believe the making of fine, hand-blown art glass deserves to be a more prominent part of the local art scene, and our new studio will attract world class glass artists to Durham while offering students and glass artists a state-of- the-art experience”.
Along with glassblowing, Liberty Arts will be adding more and diversified classes, as well as private instruction in welding, metal fabrication and casting, and wood turning.
Early next year, Liberty Arts also plans to offer hourly studio and equipment rentals to students and the public. “Our students will now be able to practice what they’ve learned with expert craftspeople just steps away” points out Executive Director Nicholas Verna, “and knowledgeable home enthusiasts will have a resource for projects awaiting completion”.
2016 Summer Intern, Mia Kaplan, "Sol" Opening Reception
"Spiraling Out"
"Layers"
Untitled
On Friday, August 12, Liberty Arts' 2016 summer sculpture intern, Mia Kaplan, had her opening reception for her show, "Sol." Mia joined Liberty Arts through this select internship and worked throughout the summer with our community of artists to produce unique work, culminating in this show. Her show included many pieces made over the summer including: A large floor piece "Spiraling Out" made of welded steel; Multiple items of jewelry including rings, necklaces, and pins, including "Identity" made of copper and enamel; A wall piece "Layers" made of copper, patina, and steel; Cast statuettes made of bronze and patina; A wooden jeweler's bench; Ceramic glazed mugs; and An artisan pipe.
Quote from the artist: "I am titling this show 'Sol' in honor of all the work I did in the heat of the summer."
Executive Director attends Duke Nonprofit Management Program
At the end of June, our executive director, Nick Verna, completed the Duke Intensive Track Certificate in Nonprofit Management Program. The program, one of the oldest in the country, has courses in board governance and development, planning and evaluation, grant writing and compliance, social enterprise, sustainable strategic planning, financial management, employment law, and human resource development. The program was held with 34 participants from different nonprofits all across the country with different backgrounds and experiences. Find more information about the program at: Duke
David S. Huber attends the 2016 Chicago Pipe Show
David S. Huber attended the 2016 Chicago Pipe Show for his fourth year exhibiting there, selling out for the second year in a row! He had the honor of meeting Lars Ivarsson and Nanna Ivarsson, the son and granddaughter of Sixten Ivarsson, the person who revolutionized pipe carving and whose work is the basis for every pipe maker working today. They were very impressed with his work and offered to help whenever they can.
One special pipe was purchased by a famous pipe collector whose collection consists of a great many Ivarsson pipes as well as a few other iconic pipe makers. This individual is considered a 'litmus test' for high grade pipe carvers. David is thrilled to have one of his pieces in such a collection.