https://www.newtonart.org/projects-forte daily 1.0 2024-04-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a834ff2a9db0966aa18fb15/1711820351949-V3AU628CMY4WKMFAW9Y3/finished+mural2.jpg Murals - Woven Within Our Lives Textile History Mural, North Newton Located: 1100 N. Main Ave, Newton NC 28658 The recently completed mural in North Newton serves as a vibrant homage to the often-overlooked history of the diverse individuals who contributed to the success of the textile mills. It is a dynamic depiction that seamlessly weaves together various eras and narratives. At its heart, the mural pays tribute to the laborers who toiled in the mills across different eras. One section features children, emblematic of the use of child labor in the early 1900’s, while another portrays a man operating a weaving machine, capturing the essence of 1925 industrial life. Additionally, photographs depict a black man and woman engaged in mill work during the 1960s and '70s, underscoring the importance of racial diversity in the industry's workforce. The mural's palette bursts with vibrant hues, drawing attention to the intricate details of its design. Among these details are representations of local flora, such as the dogwoods, the state flower of North Carolina, and the Catawba rhododendron named after the Catawba river. Notably, the inclusion of cotton and periwinkle flowers carries profound symbolism; cotton evokes the agricultural roots of the textile industry, while the periwinkle embodies the endurance and legacy of African Americans. Embedded within the mural are elements that speak to the craftsmanship and artistry intrinsic to textile production. A hand manipulating yarns and a cotton quilt fabric adorned with a cotton motif serve as potent reminders of the skill and creativity required in the trade. Beyond its historical narrative, the mural aspires to catalyze economic development in North Newton while fostering a sense of community pride. Through its rich colors and collage of imagery, it serves as a visual testament to the resilience and contributions of diverse individuals, ensuring their stories are not forgotten. This masterpiece stands not only as a work of art but also as a beacon of unity and empowerment for the local community. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a834ff2a9db0966aa18fb15/1681316862388-P9QG14NE9BTSZTURBBJ9/Welcome%2Bto%2BNewton.jpg Murals - GREETINGS FROM NEWTON Location: 101 E. A St, Newton, NC 28658 The “Greetings from Newton” Mural installed at the intersection of A Street and College Ave on the side of the Callahan;s building is the first Public Art Commission mural. It was painted by Eron Hare in 2022. The quintessential postcard mural highlights the city’s location in the foothills and features call outs to Newton’s parks, historic locations, foundational industries and rich culture. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a834ff2a9db0966aa18fb15/1712769769170-SHTS99SVIXE13XYU7JXK/Completed%252BMural.jpg Murals - DREAM OF THE ARBOREAL URSINE Completed in 2023, “Dream of the Arboreal Ursine” is a mural by Osiris Rain that contains many levels of symbolism that relate to Newton and Catawba County. Location: 1 S. College Ave, Newton, NC 28658 Link to WCNC News video Barn Quilts The history of the American Barn Quilt can be traced back almost 300 years, to the arrival of immigrants from the central regions of Europe; Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands. Paint was very expensive in those days and painting a decorative yet distinctive quilt pattern on their barns was a wonderful way of allowing for decoration. It also became an excellent way for travelers to find particular families or cross roads. Decorating barns with colorful designs and quilt squares peaked by the beginning of the 20th century and slowly gave way to advertisement. Barn quilts have regained their popularity and offer a nod to folk art. Quilt trails have been developed in many states, including the Western part of North Carolina. Bears Black bears are an important part of the state’s natural history and are found in the Mountains, Foothills, and Coastal Plain of North Carolina. There are between 4,000 to 6,000 bears in the western part of North Carolina. Black Bears enjoy a variety of foods such as berries, fruits, carrion, insects, nuts, and plants. To learn more about black bears in NC, visit: www.ncwildlife.org Bears are culturally important to the City of Newton thanks to the enchanting chainsaw artistry of Brad Tompkins. Brad is an employee of the city who carves bears (along with owls and eagles) out of tree stumps. Make sure to look for them as you drive through the city. Cardinals The Northern Cardinal is the North Carolina State bird, designated in 1943. The medium-sized songbird known for its vibrant crimson red feathers propagates in the state of North Carolina’s woodlands, swamps, urban residential areas, and city parks. The cardinal holds an endearing role in Carolina lore as a representative of a loved one who has passed. When you see one, it means they are visiting you. Carolina Salamander You may have heard that Southern Appalachia or the Great Smoky Mountains are the salamander capital of the world but the whole state of North Carolina is a haven for salamanders. North Carolina has an amazing abundance of salamanders because of its diverse geography from mountains to coastal swamps, and that includes the City of Newton! Even though they’re slimy and move fast enough to make even the bravest adult squeal, salamanders are a really vital part of the ecosystem. They control pests by eating insects like mosquitoes, and sometimes become food themselves. They are exceptional indicators of ecosystem health and serve as an early warning system to scientists studying environmental impacts. To learn more about NC’s state salamander, visit: wwww.ncwildlife.org Wheat Stalks Founded in 1935 by G.D. Drum, Renwood Mills quickly became a titan in the US milling industry. Formerly known to many in the Southeast as Midstate Mills, Renwood Mills sources locally grown whole wheat and corn to mill a variety of dry mixes, consistently milling roughly 800 million pounds of flour every week for the past four generations. Renwood Mills has relationships with about 500 farmers in and around North Carolina and has a daily flour milling capacity of more than 750,000 pounds. Renwood Mills’ products, which are all made in Newton, are available in grocery stores and restaurants in all 50 states. Renwood also sponsors the annual Biscuit Day event, serving freshly made Southern biscuits with sausage, sausage gravy, and Cheerwine soft drinks. The event is free for all members of the community and is one of the ways Renwood Mills enjoys giving back to their friends and neighbors. Butterflies, Carolina Lilies, and Hummingbirds North Carolina is home to a variety of flora and fauna, including the state’s wildflower Carolina Lily. The Carolina Lily grows throughout the state and is an important part of the ecosystem, providing nourishment for pollinators that help with plant/food production. Roughly 177 species call North Carolina home, including the Eastern tiger swallowtail and Monarch butterflies. While many hummingbirds spend their winters in Mexico or Central America, they return every spring to backyards across North Carolina looking for warm weather, rest, and food. Riverbend Park hosts an annual hummingbird banding demonstration that allows the park to identify each individual bird and to collect data about its migration patterns, biometrics, and environmental health. To learn more about the process (and start your plans to attend in August), visit: www.catawbacountync.gov Corn Corn is an important crop in North Carolina covering over 900,000 acres and providing over 120 million bushels of corn for the livestock industry in the state. Average corn yield in North Carolina is 144 bushels per acre but on the more productive soils corn yields of 250 bushels per acre or more are common. Farming was a way of life in early Catawba County and corn played an historical role in crop and livestock production for Newton, Catawba County, and the state. The county’s early farmers grew what they and their livestock consumed. Corn was the main vegetable grown due to the favorable climate and soil conditions, and was also used to make a popular Carolina staple, grits and cornmeal. American flag in barn quilt style The U.S. flag honors the memory of a service member or veteran's service to our country. The ceremonial folding and presentation of the flag is a tribute of lasting importance to our service members, veterans and their families. The imagery of the folded American flag pays homage to our veterans. https://www.newtonart.org/calls-to-artists daily 0.75 2025-01-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a834ff2a9db0966aa18fb15/1691073440551-H1595N5BCH363MGI0H38/concept.jpg Calls to Artists https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a834ff2a9db0966aa18fb15/1691073440577-5NXRCEKJVDZ573KJXVU6/Location.jpg Calls to Artists https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a834ff2a9db0966aa18fb15/1733597811741-IC27Z8ABMK4KMD1XDVOM/2024-12-04_10-38-59.jpg Calls to Artists https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a834ff2a9db0966aa18fb15/1733326826005-3GV4JNK25ITA0QVD1RK4/2024-12-04_10-39-54.jpg Calls to Artists https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a834ff2a9db0966aa18fb15/1733326871820-8389F6FQSFYYLCCEQAH5/Train+150+%283%29.jpg Calls to Artists https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a834ff2a9db0966aa18fb15/1733597931704-HTLRKLTBS3WE5OHHCP12/NewtonDepot051.jpg Calls to Artists https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a834ff2a9db0966aa18fb15/1733326867319-ETVC6HSUX00WN5TQXVK2/Train150+%282%29.jpg Calls to Artists https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a834ff2a9db0966aa18fb15/1733326872357-KVCVKE1BDXRI4DV3GHM2/Train150.jpg Calls to Artists https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a834ff2a9db0966aa18fb15/1733326873201-7SZ5KRJEP1DT51W77K5V/train206+%282%29.jpg Calls to Artists https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a834ff2a9db0966aa18fb15/1733326873181-6Z5MYR72ROC75PS8P7AS/train206.jpg Calls to Artists https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a834ff2a9db0966aa18fb15/1733326873912-GQ0CA4EONR67EICCUQ6Y/Train273.jpg Calls to Artists https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a834ff2a9db0966aa18fb15/1733326874064-XDP6U401Q72P153ZBQ3F/Train544+%282%29.jpg Calls to Artists https://www.newtonart.org/contact daily 0.75 2025-01-22 https://www.newtonart.org/home daily 0.75 2023-01-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a834ff2a9db0966aa18fb15/1518560091758-190HZWDYERHAP8J038W3/IMG_6514.JPG Public Art https://www.newtonart.org/sculptures daily 0.75 2022-02-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a834ff2a9db0966aa18fb15/1528809324333-WWZ39SNRPLFH9F07DRRX/Steampunk.jpg Sculptures - Steampunk Kingfisher Ray Giddens' "Steampunk Kingfisher," a brass and steel bird in a whimsical steampunk style, is installed at Newton City Hall, 401 North Main Ave. For purchase information, contact Alex Frick at africk@newtonnc.gov. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a834ff2a9db0966aa18fb15/1532093276735-W7XTZ7F4WI4QQNK7AM1O/IMG_8844.JPG Sculptures - Go Hornets! John Ross' "Go Hornets!," a multicolored, abstract kinetic sculpture, is installed at Central Recreation Center, 301 South Ervin Ave. For purchase information, contact Alex Frick at africk@newtonnc.gov. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a834ff2a9db0966aa18fb15/1528809362955-RJ6IQAGSR3B7ABBNQW36/Ray+Giddens.jpg Sculptures - Blue Tree of Paradise Ray Giddens' "Blue Tree of Paradise," a blue metal tree with large flower blossoms, is installed at First Citizens Bank, 11 South College Ave. For purchase information, contact Alex Frick at africk@newtonnc.gov. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a834ff2a9db0966aa18fb15/1532024752374-MQX05IMK2C5SJPKV6Q9Z/Steve+Z.jpg Sculptures - The Dancer Stephen Zawistowski's "The Dancer," a metal ballet sculpture, is installed outside the Old Post Office Playhouse, 10 South Main Ave. For purchase information, contact Alex Frick at africk@newtonnc.gov. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a834ff2a9db0966aa18fb15/1538077300003-WNOR5PY1Q7Z7C8WKR4T3/Back+Bone.jpg Sculptures - Back Bone John Ross' "Back Bone," a metal sculpture made of railroad rails, is installed at the Historic Newton Depot, 1123 North Main Ave. For purchase information, contact Alex Frick at africk@newtonnc.gov. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a834ff2a9db0966aa18fb15/1532093357034-NOK4L31W1SH4IU0RXH3B/IMG_8846.JPG Sculptures - Orbiting Dots John Ross' "Orbiting Dots," a multicolored, abstract kinetic sculpture, is installed at the Heritage Trail Greenway trailhead on West 7th Street. For purchase information, contact Alex Frick at africk@newtonnc.gov. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a834ff2a9db0966aa18fb15/1528809277597-BVLVGI173WRKOZTMN6D0/IMG_8269.JPG Sculptures - Outside the Box Ray Giddens' "Outside the Box," a a metal sculpture consisting of a hollow cube and butterflies painted a copper color, is installed at the Main Library, 115 West C St. For purchase information, contact Alex Frick at africk@newtonnc.gov. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a834ff2a9db0966aa18fb15/1528809904453-V94C68U84R0FK51VB0LR/Raymond+Giddens.jpg Sculptures - Caged Spinner Ray Giddens' "Caged Spinner," a multicolored, wind-driven kinetic sculpture with a butterfly in a cage, is installed at the Newton Recreation Center, 23 South Brady Ave. For purchase information, contact Alex Frick at africk@newtonnc.gov. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a834ff2a9db0966aa18fb15/1528810140957-3TG33BGVUXRMI24AA0RY/John+Ross+-+Red+Fish.JPG Sculptures - Red Fish John Ross' "Red Fish," a multicolored, abstract kinetic sculpture, is installed at the Catawba County Justice Center, 100 Government Drive. For purchase information, contact Alex Frick at africk@newtonnc.gov. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a834ff2a9db0966aa18fb15/1532024582312-V02DNETKVPRWDNF5T153/Sam+Steffey.jpg Sculptures - A Touch of Color Sam Steffey's "A Touch of Color, " a metal bouquet of flowers, is installed outside the Catawba County Cooperative Extension, 1175 South Brady Ave. For purchase information, contact Alex Frick at africk@newtonnc.gov. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a834ff2a9db0966aa18fb15/1528809781811-I87C7WTRTU724KDC0BIX/Jim+Gallucci+-+Symphonic+Gate.jpg Sculptures - Symphonic Gate Jim Gallucci's "Symphonic Gate," a gate of galvanized and powder coated steel pipe, is installed at Newton-Conover Auditorium, 60 West 6th St. For purchase information, contact Alex Frick at africk@newtonnc.gov. https://www.newtonart.org/about-forte daily 0.75 2023-04-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a834ff2a9db0966aa18fb15/bdec194c-e785-46a2-bfde-a8fae1d55254/Welcome+to+Newton.jpg About old https://www.newtonart.org/about1 daily 0.75 2023-10-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a834ff2a9db0966aa18fb15/ee0c3bc5-be7b-4d79-83c8-9278bf03b1b1/2023-10-02_18-55-07.jpg About - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a834ff2a9db0966aa18fb15/468fde1d-3777-4dbd-9a3a-2faa5a41a408/44109+%281%29+3x4.png About - Casey Rodefeld Casey Rodefeld https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a834ff2a9db0966aa18fb15/7a28c258-45bd-4202-8128-340fd2fb4f5a/jody.jpg About - Jody Dixon City Council https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a834ff2a9db0966aa18fb15/0336dd75-299d-4a33-8c4f-3a21099614ff/HARE_NEWTON_MURAL_OVERALL_web6_1000.jpg About https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a834ff2a9db0966aa18fb15/e9074ca9-e812-4085-980c-320c5664d4e8/Dominique.jpeg About - Dominique Pettis Member since Mar 2023 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a834ff2a9db0966aa18fb15/dd071111-d4eb-4019-98ca-b8a3f4013509/Mary.jpg About - Mary Yount DNDA Liaison Non-Voting Member https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a834ff2a9db0966aa18fb15/67919c9b-a603-468c-89af-72224beb4b11/Anne2.jpg About - Anne Wepner Member since Mar 2022 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a834ff2a9db0966aa18fb15/530122eb-8aec-4e96-ac5e-0e4cd877f46c/buffy.jpg About - Buffy Smith Member since Mar 2023 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a834ff2a9db0966aa18fb15/f50387b0-faf4-4a5e-b623-efc5047890e1/missy.jpg About - Missy Cleveland Vice Chair Member since Mar 2022 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a834ff2a9db0966aa18fb15/2ef95b80-6b3b-4af0-8a83-f5a4909583dc/Lindsay+Head+Shot.jpg About - Lindsay Robins Member since Mar 2022 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a834ff2a9db0966aa18fb15/386bbfae-a803-44df-8dcb-b4a346d16627/makayla.jpg About - Makayla Lampton Student Liaison Member since Mar 2022 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a834ff2a9db0966aa18fb15/1b8cf75e-44f4-4b26-997f-2f369cd28b8c/samson.jpg About - Jennifer Samson Member since Oct 2018 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a834ff2a9db0966aa18fb15/bdf2ac22-9b83-414f-8488-d22bde859c55/Alex.jpg About - Alex Frick City Liaison Non-Voting member https://www.newtonart.org/callforartiststemplate daily 0.75 2023-08-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a834ff2a9db0966aa18fb15/1691073440551-H1595N5BCH363MGI0H38/concept.jpg Call for Artists Template (RFQ) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a834ff2a9db0966aa18fb15/1691073440577-5NXRCEKJVDZ573KJXVU6/Location.jpg Call for Artists Template (RFQ) https://www.newtonart.org/callforwalls daily 0.75 2024-02-02 https://www.newtonart.org/artist-call-expired daily 0.75 2025-01-07 https://www.newtonart.org/read-me-forte daily 0.75 2025-05-09