"Durham Dreams" is dedicated to the reality of the dreams that have already transformed the city of Durham, as well as the future dreamers that will take her still further.  View the Durham Dreams Portrait Gallery   Vision  This body of work will be a collection of portraits of the key visionaries, “dreamers”, who have transformed Durham over the last 20 years. The portraits will be unusual, however. They will be what the artist calls "dream portraits”, which are painted interpretations of an individual's visions, hopes and aspirations. Subjects will share their dream for Durham, and the artist will bring this dream to life on canvas. As part of the exhibit, photographs of each dreamer will accompany the paintings and printed interviews with the subject will be displayed alongside the art. There will also be film clips of the dreamers’ interviews as part of the exhibition.

Artist's Statement Every time I hear the beloved line of Martin Luther King Jr., "I have a dream", my heart skips a beat. I believe the human spirit was made to nobly dream as surely as the body was designed to breathe, and I've always been moved by stories of noble human dreams. It is my observation that surrounding oneself with other dreamers lends endurance and strength.   Since moving to Durham, I have been caught up in the winds of dreamers. Becoming a resident artist of Durham’s Goldenbelt Studios, I have become increasingly enamored with the incredible dedication of a town that has breathed life and hope into itself through the dedication of a collective group of dreamers. I have been so moved by the ever unfolding story of revitalization that it has become the inspiration for a new body of work called "Durham Dreams".   Outcomes The project's culmination will be a highly publicized exhibit of the collection to edify the people of Durham and continue to drive us to excellence. Exhibit pieces will be sold.  A percentage of proceeds will be used towards funding a "new dream" for Durham, by funding a local project. Prints of the collection will be available to buy.     The Dreamers Subjects have been chosen by of a committee of Durham residents. Individuals have been selected from a wide spectrum of community involvement, each having an extensive track record of beneficial efforts for Durham. The group represents diversity across gender, profession and race. Each lives and works in Durham.   Bill Shore of GlaxoSmithKline Sheriff Worth Hill MaryAnn Black of Duke University Health System Bill Kalkhof of Downtown Durham, Inc. Ivan Parra of Durham Can Taylor Mingos of Shoeboxed Dr. Evelyn Schmidt, CEO of Lincoln Community Health Center Rev. Ernie Mills of Durham Rescue Mission Hop hop artists Krystin and J. McCauley Historic preservationist and artist Pepper Fluke Kelly Bryant, civil rights champion and longtime employee of NC Mutual Life City Council Member Cora Cole-McFadden

Presenting Sponsor   Fill out the contact form below if you would like to become a sponsor of Durham Dreams.