Building Bridges Through ART

Waterworks Visual Arts Center is proud to present, in partnership with Rowan Helping Ministries’ New Tomorrows program, Building Bridges Through ART. This important outreach program uses art and creative expression to help participants overcome the personal challenges that have led to their homelessness. Through the positive act of creating art, these emerging artists have discovered new worlds and have come together in a place that is non-threatening and where they are free to explore and express themselves.

This exhibit showcases the unique talents of twenty-three individuals who have shown self-exploration and creative expression can bring about powerful and positive changes in their lives.

By attending and supporting this exhibition, you are encouraging these individuals to use art to promote life changes, as well as enriching their lives and empowering them to break the cycle of crisis.

2024 YSUP Rowan

Anti-Vaping Poster Contest

To address the rising concerns surrounding vaping among young individuals, YSUP Rowan, Healthy Rowan,

Rowan County Health Department, Center for Prevention Services in partnership with Waterworks Visual Arts Center launched

an anti-vaping art contest. This innovative initiative aims to raise awareness about the dangers of vaping while providing a

creative outlet for students to express themselves.

A reception for the students, and their families and friends was held on January 18, 2024.

1st Place Winners: Lizzie Brilliant (L) and Charlie Ward (R)

3rd Place Winner: Giovanni Lopez

CONGRATULATIONS!

Please enjoy the works submitted for exhibition, below…

BRITNEY MENDOZA PEREZ
Vaping Side Effects
Salisbury High School
2023

CHARLIE WARD
Is The Buzz Worth It?
Jesse C. Carson High School
2023

GIOVANNI LOPEZ
Anti-Vape
Salisbury High School
2023

JAMES JONES
Stay Safe and Don’t Vape
Salisbury High School
2023

LIZZIE BRILLANT
Vaping Kills
Rowan Cabarrus Community College
(CCP)
2023

MATTHEW RAY NERSINGER
It’s Cool Without Vapes
Henderson Independent High School
2023

RYLEE RITCHIE
Smokers Anxiety
Salisbury High School
2023

Let’s Put an A in ART

Waterworks Visual Arts Center is proud to partner with Essie Academy to provide rotating art sessions to their kindergarten through sixth grade students. Let’s Put an A in the ARTS , a grassroots program, funded in part by an Arts & Cultural Development grant from the Rowan Arts Council, began in February and concluded May 2023. The program was designed to fulfill the school’s mission to offer an academic environment, which includes the arts for collegiate and workforce preparation.

Students explored a variety of art media including drawing, painting, collage, and mixed media sculpture with Art Educator, Jackie Black. Students also participated in a guided tour of Waterworks Visual Arts Center and a hands-on art experience in the art center’s Weisiger Studio.

Let’s Put an A in the ARTS concluded with an exhibition of selected works created during the sessions at Essie Academy. The school hosted a public reception in conjunction with their 2023 Kindergarten Graduation and Student Awards Ceremony on May 23. The work is now exhibited in the Fisher Hall Gallery at Waterworks Visual Arts Center through June 30 with an artists’ reception on June 15, 2023, 5:00-6:30pm.

Principal Dr. Latisha Feamster has expressed her appreciation for the partnership with Waterworks and a desire to continue the collaboration for her students.