Upcoming Exhibitions
With approximately six new exhibitions each year, there is almost always something new to see at the Gregg. These engaging shows present diverse artists, cultures, media, and techniques and examine the regions where art and design intersect with science, engineering, math, and technology. Many originate at the Gregg, while traveling exhibitions from other institutions are sometimes brought in to broaden the range of perspectives offered. Each offering is enhanced by related programming, and many are accompanied by thought-provoking publications.
Selections from the Collections
Drawing from the Gregg Museum’s collections of over 54,000 objects, Selections from the Collections, displays a sampling of the many different kinds of pieces in its holdings. Though objects in the exhibition will rotate from time to time to facilitate their preservation and so that different artists and kinds of objects can be exhibited, the same general themes, materials, and variety of work will remain a part of this ongoing exhibition. For many years, Gregg audiences have been treated to wide ranging but relatively short-term exhibitions that explore topics or present artists’ works for a matter of months, and then get changed out and replaced by entirely new shows. While this will continue, most visitors have departed without realizing that the Gregg staff also maintains vast collections used for teaching, research, supporting student projects, and, on occasion, as source material for the exhibitions in the public galleries. The semi-permanent Selections from the Collections exhibition in the historic Residence seeks to remedy that. This new rotating installation will ensure that there will always be fascinating things to see and share at the Gregg! Selections from the Collections will be on view June 29.
Leading by Design
NC State’s School (now College) of Design became a reality in September 1948, and rapidly gained a reputation as one of the top design schools in the nation. The most progressive school of architecture and allied arts in the South, it served as a hub of modernist creativity for the entire region and greatly influenced the landscape and architecture found throughout the Triangle Area today. Leading by Design celebrates the design school’s legacy by showcasing artworks from the Gregg Museum’s permanent collection created by professors and instructors associated with it in its formative years along with an audiovisual element that marks its ongoing impact in the 21st century. Leading by Design opens at the Gregg Museum on September 7, 2023.
BLOW UP II: Inflatable Contemporary Art
BLOW UP II: Inflatable Contemporary Art explores the imaginative ways that air is used as a medium to create large-scale sculptures. The artists in BLOW UP II translate everyday materials and imagery into larger-than-life, yet nearly lighter-than-air art that is rich with meaning, resulting in a wide array of works that are figurative, conceptual, or abstract. Inflatable works are often initially regarded as whimsical or humorous, yet they can convey serious critiques of pop-culture, social norms, or the politics of space. This exhibition explores the complex relationship between the familiarity of the material and serious commentary, encouraging dialogues that promote reinterpretation. BLOW UP II: Inflatable Contemporary Art was organized by Bedford Gallery at the Lesher Center for the Arts, Walnut Creek, CA.