The Arts Council and Fayetteville Public Works Commission will open the 16th annual Public Works Exhibition from May 28 to July 17 displaying work in a variety of mediums from artists across the state. 

“We’ve been doing this since 2005,” said Carolyn Justice-Hinson, the communications and community outreach officer for PWC. That year, PWC celebrated its centennial. “During the year, we were looking for different ways to celebrate a hundred years of service … At the time, the Arts Council had their annual public exhibit. … The event fit and since the exhibit is open to everyone, artists of all ages, it just made a good match.”

Eligible artists from Bladen, Cumberland, Harnett, Hoke, Lee, Montgomery, Moore, Richmond, Robeson, Sampson and Scotland counties, Fort Bragg and Pope Field were invited to enter to have their pieces exhibited. 

The exhibit is one of the biggest that the Arts Council offers each year, not to mention one of the most popular. 

This year, like other years, was a huge success. “We had 70-plus  artists submit for Public Works,” said Antonio Renteria, the director of operations at the Arts Council. “We have 100-plus  pieces hanging in our gallery.”

In addition to the display that is open for public viewing, the regional works have been put up for sale unless noted otherwise by the artist. The Arts Council retains a 30 percent commission. 

Through June 26, in-person visitors or viewers on the website can vote on their favorite pieces of art for the “People’s Choice.” 

The highest-voted piece will be featured on the Arts Council’s Facebook page in addition to recognition from PWC. 

Winners will also receive a gift basket from local vendors in Downtown Fayetteville. 

While Justice-Hinson notes the importance of PWC’s services, she believes that serving the community in other aspects is just as important. 

“Prior to COVID, we probably participated in 40-50 events a year. We supported over 400 different organizations through bottled water contributions,” she said. “With our educational outreach through career days, speakers, tours of our facility — over probably a hundred a year.  

“Our tagline is Fayetteville’s Hometown Utility, and it is not just a tagline,” said Justice-Hinson. “We believe fully in supporting the community that we live and work in…. We are invested in the community and we care about this community in all aspects of it.”

Renteria sees firsthand how the Public Works exhibition empowers and encourages people throughout the region. “I think it's important to have a community show like Public Works because it not only shows the level of talent we have in Fayetteville across the community, but it also at least once a year any artist of any age in Cumberland County and surrounding counties have a chance to exhibit artwork in a professional gallery,” he said. 

Hinson said PWC values the arts and sees how supporting organizations that fuel artistry in the community benefits the region. 

“We realize that the arts play such an important role in our community and economic development and just the quality of life,” Justice-Hinson said. “This exhibit introduces art or makes it available to even the youngest of artists and gets them interested early on. It gives them the chance to showcase what they do. Even refrigerator art makes people feel special and important.”