Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art (SECCA)

01/09/2024

Hello new followers! 👋 As we enter a new year, we wanted to reintroduce ourselves.

🖼️ We offer a front row seat to the art of our time through exhibitions, experiences, and education programs with a focus on regional working artists.

🕚 Galleries are open Wednesday through Sunday from 11am to 4pm, and open until 8pm on Thursdays.

💸 Exhibition admission is always free.

🎸 In addition to world-class exhibitions, we offer concerts, workshops, talks, dinners, and other programs exploring the intersections of art and culture.

📖 We were founded in 1956 as the “Winston-Salem Gallery of Fine Arts” in a small space on Trade Street. We moved to the historic estate of James G. Hanes and reopened as the “Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art” in 1977. In 2023, the NC state legislature allocated $15m in capital funds for the renovation of our buildings and grounds. The future is bright! 🌟

🔜 Plan your visit! We hope to see you soon.

01/05/2024

01/04/2024

Global meets Local at SECCA 🌎 “The Threads We Follow” features artists from as far away as the Philippines and Vietnam, alongside talent from… Winston-Salem!

Born and raised in , Lakea Shepard has been visiting SECCA since the days of her youth. “My very first time walking into SECCA was almost 15 years ago. I went to an opening for an exhibition that became THE initial seed that planted the possibility that I will one day be able to show at a museum as a professional artist,” said Shepard. “Since that day, one of my highest goals was to have an exhibition at SECCA. On November 16, 2023, I finally reached that pivotal point in my career where I was now walking into The Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art, not as a visitor, but as an exhibiting artist and native of Winston-Salem.”

Shepard’s intricate works draw from traditional African techniques like weaving, beading, and basketry. On view through March 10, the pieces explore trauma and the complex internal and external journey of healing and recovery.

Plan your visit! Exhibition admission is always free.

01/03/2024

12/27/2023

𝟚𝟘𝟚𝟛: The year the historic Hanes House came back to life with artist talks, concerts, chef’s table dinners, book discussions, and more.

🥂 What do you want to see at the Hanes House in 2024?

12/27/2023

12/22/2023

End your year with a trip to SECCA! 🎊 Escape the busyness of the holidays with a calm-inducing visit to your favorite contemporary art center, where exhibition admission is always free.

⏱️ Please note our holiday hours:

December 20 – 23: Open 11am – 4pm
December 24 – 27: CLOSED
December 28 – 31: Open 11am – 4pm
January 1 & 2: CLOSED

On view in the Main Gallery, “The Threads We Follow” features fiber-based works by leading global artists like Basil Kincaid, Amalia Galdona Broche, and April Bey, seen above. The exhibition celebrates the exploratory nature of fiber arts that has continuously allowed space for community-focused experimentation and reflection.

12/20/2023

Last minute shopping? 🛍️ From apparel and books to hand-made pieces by local artists, all items are 25% OFF through December 31 at SECCA’s new gift shop! Come explore fascinating exhibitions, and pick up a few holiday gifts along the way.

Please note our special hours as you plan your visit:
December 20 – 23: Open 11am – 4pm
December 24 – 27: CLOSED
December 28 – 31: Open 11am – 4pm
January 1 & 2: CLOSED

12/14/2023

Time is running out! ⏳

December 31 is the last day to explore site-specific mural installations by Neka King, William Downs and Raj Bunnag in SECCA’s Potter Gallery. Exhibition admission is always free, plan your visit!

“If These Walls Could Talk” upholds the relationship between mural art and public institutions. Each of the three artists engages graphic techniques that range from line drawing to printmaking, paralleling traditional mural applications that require affixing materials directly onto a wall. Ultimately, their stylized depictions of people and landscapes envelop viewers in an illustrative social analysis of present and sometimes future concepts.

12/12/2023

There’s something for everyone ✨ On view in SECCA’s Main Gallery, “The Threads We Follow” explores new perspectives on traditional artmaking with a group exhibition of fiber-based works by leading global artists.

In the Potter Gallery, “If These Walls Could Talk” imagines possibilities for community healing and futurisms with site-specific mural installations by William Downs, Neka King, and Raj Bunnag. The exhibition is only on view through December 31, see it before it’s gone!

Exhibition admission is always free. What are you waiting for?

12/08/2023

Raj Bunnag is a Thai American artist living and working in Durham, North Carolina. His overarching art practice examines systematic racism inherent in American institutions and public policies. His work has been exhibited nationally and internationally at the SAC Gallery Bangkok, American University Dubai, CAM Raleigh, the Jewett Art Gallery at Wellesley College, The University of Wisconsin Parkside, and the Kai Lin Art Gallery.

Explore site-specific mural installations by Raj Bunnag with “If These Walls Could Talk,” at SECCA through December 31! Exhibition admission is always free. Learn more:
https://secca.org/exhibition-detail.php?LinkId=117487793

12/06/2023

What a group! 👏 “The Threads We Follow” brings together 11 fiber artists from across the globe to explore new perspectives on traditional forms. The exhibition is through March 10, 2024, and admission is always free.

Over several centuries, artists and craftspeople have used fiber to challenge identity-based oppression throughout various global cultures. Many of these artists specifically contemplate the historic devaluation of textiles based upon their association with domestic labor and craft making, where women and communities of color have long interpreted social politics.

“The Threads We Follow” acknowledges the foundations of fiber arts rooted in explicit gender and cultural expression while demonstrating contemporary understandings of the malleability of identity. The exhibition includes works by Aliyah Bonnette, Amalia Galdona Broche, Ambrose Rhapsody Murray, April Bey, Basil Kincaid, Cynthia Alberto, Ebony G. Patterson, John Paul Morabito, Lakea Shepard, Lien Truong, and Pia Camil.

Plan your visit!

12/05/2023

This weekend marks the final installment of 2nd Saturday: Family Art Activities for 2023! 🖍️ Join us from 10am–1pm this Saturday for free, family-friendly art activities inspired by current exhibitions.

SECCA’s monthly Second Saturdays program is always free and open to the public. Art lovers of all ages and skill sets are welcome! See you this weekend.

12/04/2023

Attention holiday shoppers! 🎁 All items are 25% off in SECCA's new gift shop for the month of December! Come explore new apparel, art, books, and more...

12/04/2023

❄️ This December, escape the busyness of the holidays and explore the art of our time at SECCA. On view in the Main Gallery, “The Threads We Follow” features fiber-based works by leading global artists, like Basil Kincaid (Basil Kincaid Studio), seen below.

The exhibition celebrates the exploratory nature of fiber arts that has continuously allowed space for community-focused experimentation and reflection. Featuring works by 11 artists, each with their own approach to form and structure, “The Threads We Follow” acknowledges the foundations of fiber arts rooted in explicit gender and cultural expression while demonstrating contemporary understandings of the malleability of identity.

Plan your visit, exhibition admission is always free!

Pictured: Installation view of Basil Kincaid, “Our Cumulative Lives,” 2023. Photo by Abby Keeler.

Next Generation of Fiber Artists Brings New Perspectives to Traditional Forms

11/30/2023

The artistic practice of William Downs varies from drawing, painting, and printmaking to experimenting with installation and three-dimensional studies. The line is his current notable element, which he considers paradoxically fundamental and surreal based on its infinite capabilities.

Explore site-specific mural installations by William Downs with "If These Walls Could Talk," at SECCA through December 31! Learn more: https://secca.org/exhibition-detail.php?LinkId=117487793

11/29/2023

Friday just got even better 🤠 We’re pleased to announce that Taylor AP Williams has been added to this Friday’s Crossroads concert, opening up the show for Anjimile! Native Root will be on-site serving a special pop-up dinner menu starting at 6pm.

Get your tickets: https://visit.ncartmuseum.org/10857/13498

Greensboro’s Taylor AP Williams arrives at SECCA on the heels of an electrifying performance at Raleigh’s Hopscotch Music Festival. The songwriter is known for producing addictive earworms that blur the lines between soul, R&B, and synthpop. Friday’s performance is not to be missed!

Launched in 2011, SECCA's Crossroads concert series explores the hidden backstreets, lost highways, and unexpected intersections of Folk, Americana, and Rock. Crossroads is generously supported by Foothills Brewing and 88.5 WFDD.

11/28/2023

2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣3️⃣: What a time! This year at SECCA saw cutting edge visual art exhibitions and renewed energy in the historic spaces of the Hanes House … not to mention $15 million in approved capital funds for the renovation of our buildings and grounds, thanks to the NC State Legislature.

The winter season encourages us to reflect on the past, to be mindful in the present, and to plan for a sustainable future. In that spirit, check out an end-of-year letter from SECCA director Bill Carpenter: https://secca.org/news-detail.php?ArticleId=328724620

We hope you’ll consider gifting a SECCA membership to a friend or loved one as the year comes to a close!

11/27/2023

Did we make a wrong turn? 🛣️ SECCA's Crossroads concert series returns this Friday, December 1 with a performance by indie folk songwriter Anjimile!

Read more and get your tickets: https://visit.ncartmuseum.org/10857/13498

“Crossroads” returns to the SECCA auditorium in Winston-Salem next Friday, December 1, marking the 27th installment of the concert series. Launched in 2011 thanks to the vision of the Ramkat’s

11/24/2023

The weekend is here, and SECCA galleries are open! 🪡 Explore "The Threads We Follow," the freshly installed group exhibition of fiber-based works by leading global artists. Admission is free!

Over several centuries, artists and craftspeople have used fiber to challenge identity-based oppression throughout various global cultures. Many of these artists specifically contemplate the historic devaluation of textiles based upon their association with domestic labor and craft making, where women and communities of color have long interpreted social politics.

"The Threads We Follow" acknowledges the foundations of fiber arts rooted in explicit gender and cultural expression while demonstrating contemporary understandings of the malleability of identity. The artists throughout this show experiment with structure and form to translate their experiences to materials like thread, fabric, and even hair, creating nontraditional designs including busts, sculptures, and suspended pieces. Ultimately, each of these artists emphasizes the exploratory nature of fiber arts that has continuously allowed space for community-focused experimentation and reflection.

"The Threads We Follow" is curated by Maya Brooks and includes works by Aliyah Bonnette, Amalia Galdona Broche, Ambrose Rhapsody Murray, April Bey, Basil Kincaid, Cynthia Alberto, Ebony G Patterson, John Paul Morabito, Lakea Shepard, Lien Truong, and Pia Camil.

📸 Photo by Abby Keeler

11/22/2023

Indie-folk songwriter Anjimile brings a full-band performance to Crossroads @ SECCA on Friday, December 1, with a special pre-show pop-up dinner with Native Root! 🎸

Tickets: https://visit.ncartmuseum.org/10857/13498

"The inventive nature of Anjimile is really fascinating ... and this is another level.” – NPR Music

11/21/2023

Neka King is an illustrator and muralist who contrasts minimalism with bold patterns to create energetic compositions across digital platforms, print-based media, and physical sites. King's installations often relate to her experiences across intersecting identities, which guide her creative practices and installation projects.

Explore site-specific mural installations by Neka King with "If These Walls Could Talk," at SECCA through December 31! Learn more: https://secca.org/exhibition-detail.php?LinkId=117487793

11/18/2023

Gutterbox is back! 🚮🖼️ Conceived and built by artist Louis Watts, Gutter Box is a sculptural object and contemporary art gallery made from a retrofitted newspaper box, stationed in front of SECCA’s main entrance.

🍒 The latest iteration of Gutterbox features “Sounds Fruity,” a 14”x11” piece by artist Will Hutnick. Hutnick is an artist based in Wassaic. NY and Sharon, СТ. He received his M.F.A. from Pratt Institute in 2011 and his B.A. from Providence College in 2007. He is a 2021 NYSCA/NYA Artist Fellow in Painting. His work has been featured in The New York Times, New American Paintings, and Hyperallergic, among others.

Once used to disseminate information via newspaper, Gutterbox has been repurposed as an unexpected white cube gallery space. The project offers artists of all disciplines, interests, and locations an opportunity to bend their ideas into this funky little white box. It also provides the passer-by with a brief and surprising encounter with a contemporary gallery space.

11/17/2023

🌀THE THREADS WE FOLLOW 🌀

I am beyond excited to share my first collaboration and signature scent for the Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art (SECCA) located in Winston-Salem, NC!

🌀This candle, named for the newest exhibition, “The Threads We Follow”, uplifts the complexities, identities, and importance of textiles across cultures, which aligns with the pieces on view. The scent notes of Black Currant, Saffron, Tonka Bean, and Lemon weave together a rooted yet airy blend that both soothes and intrigues.

One of the reasons I was all in on working on this project was because of a quote from the exhibition curator, Maya Brooks:

"When I think about fiber and its historic devaluation as a "fine art" tool, I wanted to create an exhibition that showcased contemporary artists' innovations of the medium."

Working with scent design & candle making is a new concept and medium that pairs more directly with the Art world than we’ve ever thought before and Threads represents a similar feeling.

🌀If you’re in or near Winston-Salem, stop by the exhibition, pick up a candle, and let me know what you think!

11/16/2023

We're ! SECCA is looking for two part-time Community Arts Organizers to create public engagement initiatives and build meaningful relationships with the diverse communities and audiences in our region.

Learn more and apply:

The North Carolina Museum of Art, Winston-Salem, is seeking two part-time community arts organizers to create public engagement initiatives and build meaningful relationships with the diverse communities and audiences in our region. Under the supervision of the director of programs and audience...

11/14/2023

It’s almost here! 🧵 Join us this Thursday for Opening Reception: "The Threads We Follow" from 5-8pm.

SECCA is proud to present this group exhibition of fiber-based works by leading global artists, on view November 16, 2023 through March 10, 2024. Exhibition admission is free and open to the public.

"When I think about fiber and its historic devaluation as a 'fine art' tool, I wanted to create an exhibition that showcased contemporary artists' innovations of the medium," said curator Maya Brooks. "Fiber is having a moment, where artists connect their personal histories with social commentaries.”

“The Threads We Follow” includes works by Aliyah Bonnette, Amalia Galdona Broche (seen above), Ambrose Rhapsody Murray, April Bey, Basil Kincaid, Cynthia Alberto, Ebony G Patterson, John Paul Morabito, Lakea Shepard, Lien Truong, and Pia Camil. Ultimately, each of these artists emphasizes the exploratory nature of fiber arts that has continuously allowed space for community-focused experimentation and reflection.

Pictured: Amalia Galdona Broche, “Glorieta,” 2023. Photo courtesy of the artist and Patricia Sweetow Gallery.

Next Generation of Fiber Artists Brings New Perspectives to Traditional Forms

11/13/2023