Artist-in-Residence
Nov/Dec 2021
Meet & Greet 11/26/21 @ noon
Visiting artist Charvis Harrell is a painter from Macon, Georgia. He is the Cultural Center’s artist-in-residence November – December 4, 2021. We are so pleased to welcome Charvis to New York Mills!
This photo shows Charvis at the far left, speaking to viewers at one of his art shows in Georgia. Charvis has been creating art for many years, and values connections in the communities that he visits. Being an artist is also a big part of his identity, as evidenced in this quote:
“If a tree falls in the middle of the woods and no one is there to hear it, does it make a sound? The answer is yes, because sound does not depend on one’s experience, it is a product of vibrations through the air. I say that because if I would’ve painted my whole life and nobody would’ve ever seen any of my art, I would still be an artist.”
ALL are invited to join us at the Cultural Center on Friday, November 26 from noon – 1pm to meet Charvis, hear about his work, engage in conversation, and help welcome him to our rural region.
Visitors can also come by the Cultural Center anytime during our Open Hours to see this large-scale painting he is working on featuring Olli Kinkkonen, a Finnish immigrant who was lynched in Duluth in 1918 for his “un-American” views, as he opposed compulsory military service and supported labor unions. You might even catch Charvis here working on this or other projects.
As a personal practice, Charvis researches little-known stories about regions that he visits to help connect with residents and provide information and context to the history of places and events. He then uses his artwork to help tell the story and develop relationships.
Charvis will speak about this painting and this story at the Cultural Center on Friday, November 26th at 12 – 1:00 p.m. This event is free to attend and open to ALL!
To learn more about our Arts Retreat artist residency program, visit kulcher.org/programs/artist-retreat/.
