Columbia gears up to become the heart of the Innerbanks Art movement.

 Once in Columbia's history, the town was entitled "Hearts Delight" - now Columbia stands at the forefront of an arts movement that is taking the Innerbanks by storm and it is no surprise. The facilty and staff of Pocosin Arts Folk School has incubated the dream that the Arts can change a community in a positive way, and in doing so, Columbia now has two commercial Galleries, and has been a source of inspiration for the region as the innerbanks strives for a artistic economy. 2009 will prove to be a year of rallying positive forces together to move forward into the next decade as Pocosin Arts Folk School empowers another generation to fulfill the vision and become the pride of this small soundside hamlet - more at www.pocosinarts.org

Infamous Mural seen near Completion at Riverfest!
Ben Franklin Dept. Store has a new wardrobe adorned to the outside wall like no other. Locally celebrated Artist, Barbara Fleming, had completed the majority of the Mural just in time for the Annual Scuppernong RiverFest in Columbia NC. The much debate mural had been delayed until Columbia was able to establish ordinances to pose as guidelines for future murals

Tyrrell Artist featured in New York PublicationA Hampton, New York publication has featured Tyrrell County Artist, Barbara Carol Roughton Fleming as Dream Artist of the Month in their October edition. Barbara's painting of a Blue Heron on a discarded glass door panel is shown in their publications website.  Recently the door panel fetched a incredible price of $2750 at the Pocosin benefit auction.  The Montauk Sun dubbed "Montauks favorite publication" is found at over 45 locations throughout the Hamptons of NY. The area has a reputation as an artist colony, boasting the residence of painter Thomas Moran, Jackson Pollock  Lee Krasner and  Willem de Kooning.  Shown above is  a  "BF Goodbrush" work in progress, the Columbia NC Mural that had recently received clearance from the Town and County.  click image for enlarged view

Columbia's Mural Mayhem,... A house Divided? not really...   Tuesday September 2nd, the town of Columbia's Alderman had paused to consider a Mural proposal for the side of a merchant  building in the downtown historic district of Columbia.  Native Artist, Barbara Fleming, has been commissioned by the local owner of one of America's oldest Ben Franklin Dept. Store to design and paint a 7 foot by 20 foot mural depicting the local area to enhance the store, as well as provide a cultural setting  on Main Street. The proposal has already passed the Historical guidelines,  open debate and inquiries and has won the approval of the County and Main Street merchants it was then sent to the town for their expected head nod.  So why the hold up? , Ordinance,... since Columbia has not encountered such a proposal, perhaps they want to dot their "i"s and cross their "T's. 

On March 20, 2008, The Foundation of Renewal for Eastern North Carolina had held a workshop on Art and Economy, entitled "Crafting a culture for the Arts" - Guest speaker Becky Anderson, of Western NC had spoke on several Murals that have revitalized North Carolina towns and have helped establish identity .Rhett White, Columbia's Town Manager had said of the workshop " We were impressed and Challenged by Ms. Anderson's presentation on Western NC towns and their arts efforts. We are always looking for ideas that we can try." " The Paducah KY. ( arts/crafts) recruitment experience may hold promise, on a smaller scale."- source FoRENC document  (Paducah KY had used their floodwalls as a canvas to record their history shown above not unlike the proposed mural  LINK

 WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING: post comments to this link

( the Mural) appears to be a lovely piece of art and I wish you the best of luck in your efforts to convince the community of its value.
 - Mike Lay
Michael Lay Design,  Manteo, NC mlaydesign.com

 I have lived in Tyrrell County all my life.  I totally agree with the decision to let the mural be placed on the Ben Franklin buliding.  I think it is a beautiful design and would bring great riches to the downtown area.   Ms. Barbara Fleming is such a talented artist, and her contribution of this mural would be a wonderful addition to our already beautiful downtown Columbia. 

-Fran Brickhouse,

 "...this is really difficult to understand. Columbia is about Art, says even Town Manager, Rhett White. this is one of the finest mural I have come across, and portrays Tyrrell County in the most tasteful, appropriate and artful way. GO MURAL, GO UP!"
-Ingrid Lemme, Publisher, www.ColumbiaNC.com,
 

-Art among our community stimulate the right side of the brain, whether we view it or "make" Art. The "brain benefits' of art aids us in higher productivity, lower crime, higher self worth and community bond, and a better sense of well being. The current tide of America could use all of the above. Tyrrell county has benefited greatly by such Arts programs within the public school, Pocosin Arts Folk School and commercially from Scuppernong Millhouse Gallery, and Southern Dreams Gallery. Public art celebrates the community and solidifies our identity. IBXarts.org website represents independent artist from Camden County to New Hanover County and is privileged to have it's identity rooted in Tyrrell County. I can state unequivocally that our Great State of North Carolina recognizes Columbia as a haven of culture and continually conceptualizes Columbia as a benchmark for the Arts. The town of Columbia and Tyrrell County have had wonderful presence among state functions to stimulate economy through the arts and key leaders in the town of Columbia are well versed in the benefits both economically and culturally that a Arts program and environment provide. Therefore, IBXarts.org trust that the Alderman of Columbia with unite with key people they have sent to such functions and take consideration of the benefits of the proposed mural. IBXarts will provide venue to press agents should such a determination be reached. - Kilian, publisher IBXarts


visit IBXarts sponsor KilianStudio.com