Wilson has welcomed Uzzle to the community. I attended a reception welcoming Uzzle to Wilson, and his photos are now on exhibit at Barton College's galleries. I have not been to see the exhibit, which also includes the work of other photographers, but I hope to make it this week.
And now the editor in Raleigh has taken notice and given Wilson a nice promotion.
Several months ago, Lindsey de Guehery, a Wilson physician, suggested in a letter to the editor that Wilson promote itself as The City of the Arts. (Don't bother looking for this letter in the Wilson Times online archive; I just did, and I couldn't find it.) As opinion editor at the time, I endorsed the idea, but Wilson's claim to such a lofty title seems endangered now. The last two theatrical productions in Wilson — Barton College's "Crucible" and Wilson Playhouse's "Christmas Belles" — were not reviewed by the local newspaper. The Edna Boykin Cultural Center, venue for most live performances in Wilson, is closed for ceiling and roof repairs. Unless the repairs are done quickly, the 2009 Theater of the American South festival could be jeopardized. Wilson has a plethora of visual artists, such as Oona Lewis, Keve Clayton, Vollis Simpson, Mark Gordon, J. Chris Wilson and dozens more, but these people who give this old tobacco and agriculture community a patina of beauty and sophistication get little recognition in their own town.
Wilson has a vibrant arts community that can set this town apart. Too bad that, like a biblical prophet in his own town, these artists don't get much local respect or recognition.
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7 comments:
Not only is Mr Clayton a talented artist, he is an accomplished surfer who has followed his dreams.
On his charter boat travels Mr Clayton would seek out the many great Caribbean and Pacific Coast surf breaks to further his adventuresome mentality. Mr Clayton is one of the better big wave surfers from the Wilson community.
In Wilson resides some of the best artist in the world.
Unfortunately the average citizen has no idea. Any city would be happy to have half of the artist in Wilson. It appears the local paper does not report or celebrate the art community in Wilson as well as it could.
When Wilson decides to stop playing the burgeoning elitist art snob role, (MD's and bankers and lawyers their spouses are not art impresarios) perhaps then it might become a City of Arts. Instead of the City of BS Artists.
If the arts are so elusive, then why does Wilson have an Arts Council? Perhaps they should change their name to the children's musical theater council.
If you want to know why Wilson will never be thought of as a city of arts, look to the fragmented, gimmicky and lofty goals of those in charge of marketing Wilson. Also look within: It always makes us laugh when the same names appear when talking about arts and artists in Wilson. As if these are THE only Artists in Wilson worthy of mention and inclusiveness. Of course there are exceptions, occasionally. With a welcome to Wilson reception if they're lucky.
The resistance to thinking outside the box, greed and a sort of social and economic xenophobia might also be a factor. Perhaps that is why Wilson's art scene is also thought of (out there in the real world) as MEDIOCRE.
hey anonymous #3
Jealous?
For sure. You should get out more and participate. Maybe your self-esteem would increase enough to be one of the included ones!
I agree that there is a private club mentality that keeps Wilson second rate.
Note to Editor. I see commentators are starting to attack other commentators posts, instead of giving opinions about your writings. I dont think you intended that.
"note to editor"
ha ha, but this is NOT the wilson times and there are NO rules or conditions that if one posts their so called 'opinion'
(what I want to know is when an opinion is considered an attack or JUST an opinion and the anonymous #3 is just an opinion and not an attack? come on now...typical hogwash slant)
......so if you and others w/ like 'opinions(or attacks)' cannot stand the heat then get out of the kitchen.
....or quit your whining!
Now if you want to offer constructive criticism instead of having the 'crybaby' mentality then by all means extol your virtues and make the downtown arts scene a more 'inclusive' place and better for the Wilson Community. No need to decry it from the outside. That my friend is called immaturity.
Burk Uzzle
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