Throughout history, public art has fulfilled many functions that differ from the purpose it can serve in today’s culture. Contemporary public art has the potential to foster a sense of community, enhance shared spaces, and contribute to a rich aesthetic experience for residents and visitors to Fayetteville.

With more than 30 years of experience as an artist, FSU art professor, and champion of public art, I have dedicated my career to advancing the visual arts through education, community partnerships, and public engagement. This work has afforded me the opportunity to develop and bring to life numerous public art projects and cultural initiatives throughout Fayetteville.

Some initiatives include:

• Facilitating the “Casting of 500 Hands” for NC Veterans Park in Fayetteville, NC
• Co-facilitating the mural on Ramsey Street and the I-295 overpass
• Curating national competitions for FSU Rosenthal Gallery
• Twelve years of curating exhibits and writing art editorials for Gallery 208
• Serving on the Board of the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County
• Serving on the Fayetteville Public Art Commission

A thriving arts environment depends on continued investment from both the city and local organizations. As Fayetteville continues to grow, investment in public art can help attract new residents, businesses, and visitors by creating vibrant public spaces that reflect the city’s commitment to culture, creativity, and community.

Up next is a project in partnership with Cape Fear Valley Health System. 

What began as an informal meeting turned into a two-year public art project. In fall 2025, I was invited to meet Mike Nagowski, past CEO of Cape Fear Valley Health System, at the Owen Drive location. Mr. Nagowski was interested in a collaboration with the FSU art students to paint a mural on part of the exterior wall of an enclosed area on the third floor so patients could see the artwork outside their windows. 

After meeting Mr. Nagowski and seeing the area, I believed the space needed sculpture. During the second meeting with Mr. Nagowski and Brian Pearce (vice president of operations and development during this period), we negotiated a public art installation on the 6,800-square-foot enclosed area consisting of a lily pad pond, with all parts cast in concrete and painted. The mural on many panels of the four sides surrounding the space will be sky image printed on vinyl and installed. 

What began as a simple decorative request grew into a public art installation. During fall 2025, meetings took place to review the cost and the logistics. Cape Fear Valley Health provided all project supplies and tools and is making a significant donation to the Area of Visual Arts at FSU. 

In Spring 2026, I was fortunate to start working with Bruce Dantzler, who serves as the Cape Fear Valley project manager for the initiative. During the same semester, students became actively involved in the project and gained hands-on experience with the creative and technical processes behind large-scale public artworks. Students were engaged in the first phase of the casting process by creating sculpted leaf forms in clay, learned mold-making techniques, and began the casting process. 

I worked on the specialty molds during the month of July to keep the project moving until FSU students returned this fall. The project continues with phase two of the casting and the finishes on each object. The completed installation will take place in April 2027. 

As the Cape Fear Valley installation moves toward completion in 2027, it stands as an example of what can be achieved when educational institutions, community organizations, and local leaders invest in a shared vision. Not only will patients and their families enjoy a public art environment that promotes beauty and calm, but the project also leaves a lasting legacy by providing students with professional experience while demonstrating the transformative impact of public art on the community.