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January 23, 2019

Dorrie Casey’s Pop-Up He(art) Event Spreads Love (and Hearts!) All Around

Do you He(art) hearts and Valentine’s? If you do, you’re in for a treat. Pop in to the Chatham Arts Council’s pop-up show featuring new He(art) works by local artist, Dorrie Casey. The event is taking place Saturday, February 9 from 1-4pm at the Chatham Arts Council gallery space (118 West Street, Pittsboro) to celebrate that age-old combination: art and love.

“Heart Breaking Through” made with birch bark, feathers, willow and netting

Because of her huge He(art) for art, Dorrie is very generously donating 100% of the proceeds of the sale to the Chatham Arts Council to support our mission of investing in artists and educating kids through the arts.

Dorrie, who was known as a writer, musician, and actor before exploring her talents as a visual artist, creates art out of materials such as bark, feathers, fur, cowhide, and shells. She explains, “Out of nowhere, I started making things out of the kinds of materials I found or which began to show up at my doorstep through family and friends. Immediately through this work, I fell into a deep sense of belonging, of belonging to myself.”

Dorrie Casey
“Heart in Formation” made with fleece and feathers

On Feb. 9, come celebrate Dorrie’s latest series of visual art, enjoy seasonal refreshments, and take a moment to create art of your own. The CAC will have supplies on hand to create valentines, with the help of Girl Scouts from Troop 1006, AND you can enter to win a piece from Dorrie’s “sketch” series, “Gestures of the Heart” – all in time for the season of love.

“Teddy’s Heart” made with deer hair, dubbing, and feathers

While you’re in downtown Pittsboro, pop by Deep River Mercantile to peruse their latest merchandise and continue making valentines for your loved ones. Deep River Mercantile will generously be donating a percentage of their sales that day to the Chatham Arts Council. Love for the arts is in the air in Chatham County.

Chatham County: join us to He(art) art! We hope to see you on February 9.

P.S. The Chatham Arts Council Gallery space is open every Tuesday from 11 am – 1 pm. For a private appointment, email catherine@chathamartscouncil.org or dorriecasey@gmail.com.

 

 

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By April Starling | Filed Under: Arts in Education, ChathamArts News, County Happenings, Slideshow Featured | Tagged With: Arts education, Arts in Education, Chatham County, Collaboration, Creative Process

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AIS Stories from the 2023/24 Season

Sparking Creativity: Blackspace’s Beat Making Lab at Chatham Middle featuring Grammy-nominee Pierce Freelon
Photo of Black man with dreads showing 3 middle school students the mixing board

Movement Matters: Silk Hope School and Gaspard&Dancers
Students play a game of making different shapes with their bodies through dance with the help of professional instructors inside a school multipurpose room.

Poetic Pursuits: Phillip Shabazz at Perry Harrison Elementary

Igniting the Flame of Flamenco: Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana at Moncure School

Mike Wiley’s Masterful Residency: Teaching through Theatre at Bennett and Bonlee School

Black Box Dancers Delight Fourth Graders at Pittsboro Elementary
Black Box dancers lead fourth graders in dance at Pittsboro Elementary.

Poet Phillip Shabazz Supports Fifth Graders at North Chatham Elementary
Poet Phillip Shabazz instructs a class of fifth grade students on poetry writing.

Black Box Residency Bursts with Creativity and Collaboration at J.S. Waters School

Diali Cissokho Dives Into Drumming with Siler City Elementary Fifth-Graders
Photo of three smiling boys, two brown and one black, sitting playing drums

Chatham Grove Elementary Students’ Sensational Safari with The Magic of African Rhythm
A young Black boy and a young white girl printmaking in classroom

Diali Cissokho Drums and Dances alongside Fifth-Graders at Virginia Cross Elementary

From the Horse’s Mouth…

Don’t take it from us! See what Chatham County students, teachers and administrators are saying about their Artists-in-Schools experiences.

  • “Children were so excited to write and to share. They all came away talking about writing and wanting to talk about poetry. They looked forward to his [Phillip Shabazz] visits each day.” –Classroom Teacher
  • Photo of black man in sweater vest, seated, assisting a female student.
  • “It felt relieving and comforting to express myself during the workshop.” –6th grade student
  • “I really liked showing my feelings in my work.” –4th grade student
  • “This is my 4th time in this school division participating with an artist residency. They have all been wonderful. It is a great opportunity for students to learn in different ways. My hope is for this to be available to us every year.” –Classroom teacher
  • Photo of Black Box Dance Theatre's Stephen leading Virginia Cross students
  • “It made me feel happy because I got to use my imagination.” –5th grade student
  • “It felt good for me to release all my emotions.” –5th grade student
  • Photo of boy with ponytail, with head thrown back in laughter
  • “The students talked about the experience for a week after.” –Classroom teacher
  • “Watching the kids put their plan into action for the performance and actually dance, all while doing so in front of their peers is the reason we do this…The experience was amazing!” –Elementary Assistant Principal
  • “I have a student that is a newcomer to our school, as well as to our country. She found great comfort in being able to communicate with instructors in her native language and showed such enthusiasm in her willingness to participate. It was beautiful. We would welcome the opportunity again in the future!”  –K-8 Principal
  • Photo of Flamenco performer raising her hand in a choreographed movement, with students following behind her
  • “It felt good to be myself in school.” –6th grade student
  • “I personally saw students who, in my experience, have never been willing to speak in a group, let alone dance, do both without fear or hesitation.  Students who participated have asked to join band – they want to have more opportunities to participate in music.  Students in subsequent meetings have asked to learn more about Senegalese cultures.” –K-8 Music teacher
  • “It felt like the best days ever.” –5th grade student
  • Aya Shabu, in front, leads a group of students in an African dance

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