Arts Agenda 

In light of recent events, focus has been shifted to the strength of American society, American unity as a people, and American resolve as a collective of communities. Ironically enough, the newest exhibit at the North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh addresses just that, a look into what makes communities work, what ties them together, what makes them unique cohesive entities.

The show will feature a look into local life in 12 different regions and will highlight the works of nationally renowned photographers as they use their talents to highlight the character of each place and the challenges they face. The exhibit combines the sheer power captured in each image with first-person narratives which will be heard by each viewer on audio handsets -- to illustrate how local heroes are helping to reshape the American landscape. The communities featured include several in Western North Carolina, the Eau Claire-North Columbia area of South Carolina, a volunteer police unit in Florida, a fishing community in Alaska, an alternative federal credit union in New York, and a housing/community movement in Texas. The exhibit features more than 150 photographs by Dawoud Bey, Bill Burke, Lucy Capehart, Lynn Davis, Terry Evans, Debbie Fleming Caffrey, Lauren Greenfield, Joan Liftin, Reagan Louie, Danny Lyon, Sylvia Plachy and Eli Reed. The exhibit is narrated by Ray Suarez, senior correspondent for The News Hour With Jim Lehrer on PBS.

Indivisible: Stories of American Community runs at the NC Museum of Art, 2110 Blue Ridge Road in Raleigh, from October 21-January 6 2002. The exhibit is free and open to the public. Museum hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 9am-5pm, 9am-9pm on Friday, and 11am-6pm on Sunday. The museum is closed Monday. For more information, call 919-839-6262 or visit online at www.ncartmuseum.org or www.indivisible.org.

ARTS/RELATED

AFRO-AMERICAN CULTURAL CENTER 401 N. Myers St. Ongoing through December 9: HBCU Football: North Carolina Legacies. Returning for an indefinite run: Juke Joint, Willie Little's exhibition of childhood memories. For more information, call 704-374-1565.

APPLEWOOD GALLERY 3920 Park Rd. On display October 5-November 30: the works of Terry Thirlon, mixed media paintings; the works of Toni Corrogan in glass; the works of Sharon Augustyniak in photography and selected works by Mary Kelly and Cama Tadlock. The reception for the artists will be Oct 5 from 6-9pm. Regular gallery hours are Monday-Friday from 10am-7pm and Saturday from 10am-5pm. For more information call 704-525-6162.

ART GALLERY UNLIMITED 507 E. 36th St. On exhibit through October 27: Strange World exhibition of paintings by Clark Hawgood. October 5-November 24: For You And Me - cartoons by Kulka. Hrs: Tues-Fri noon-6pm. For more info call 704-618-6568 or 704-347-0067.

BLUE PONY GALLERY 3202-A N. Davidson St. October 5-27: Sent Messages - recent work by Margret Kuehni - Monotypes and encaustic paintings. Gallery crawls are October 5 and 19. Reception for the artist October 5 from 6-9pm. Regular gallery hours are Tuesday - Saturday from 11am-5pm. For more information contact the gallery at 704-334-9390.

BOUDREAUX'S LOUISIANA KITCHEN GALLERY Corner of E. 36th & N. Davidson Sts. Ongoing exhibit of works by artists from NoDa. Hours: Sun-Thurs, 11:30am-10pm; Fri & Sat, 11:30am-11pm. Call 704-331-9898 or visit www.boudreauxs.com

CAFE BISOUS 1509 Central Ave. Ongoing through October 10 - Politically Correct? - a selection of new, mixed media paintings by Sherry Beatty. For more information call 704-371-7071.

CENTER OF THE EARTH GALLERY 3204 N. Davidson St. October Exhibit: The Great Landscape with the works of Jacob Cooley and Thomas Paquette. The exhibit will run through October 27. Openings first & third Fridays from 6-9:30pm. Hrs: 11am-5pm Tues-Fri, 12noon-5pm Sat & by appt. Details: 704-375-5756 or www.centeroftheearth.com.

CPCC ART GALLERY on the campus of CPCC. October 8-29: Keystone Magazine Award Winners drawings, mixed media, paintings, photography, poetry, prose and sculpture. Gallery hours are Monday-Thursday 11am-3pm and Friday 11am-1pm. The reception for the artists is October 11 from 4-6pm. For more information call 704-330-2722.

CHARLOTTE ART LEAGUE 1517 Camden Rd. October 4-27: Abstract Expressions - contemporary abstract art by CAL artists. Opening reception will be on October 5 during the Gallery Crawl from 6-9pm. Gallery hours are Thursday through Saturday 11am-3pm. All events are free and open to the public. Call 704-376-2787 or visit on the web at calart@bellsouth.net.

CHARLOTTE MUSEUM OF HISTORY 3500 Shamrock Dr. Community of Faiths: The Spiritual and Religious Heritage of the Carolinas Piedmont runs through April 2002. Hours: Tues-Sat, 10am-5pm; Sunday 1-5pm. Admission is $6/adults, $2/children, $4/students & seniors. For directions or other info, call

704-568-1774.

CHEZ ARLAINE BED & BREAKFAST 425 Pecan Ave. October 5-31: Personality - paintings by Mark Durham. Opening for the artist will be October 5 from 6:30-9pm. Meet the artist, enjoy the Gallery Crawl for jazz, art, and refreshments. Regular gallery hours are: Tuesday and Thursday 12-2pm, Wednesday 5-7pm and otherwise by appointment. For more information call 704-643-1211 or visit www.arlaineinc.com.