August marks 50 years of The ArtsCenter operating in Carrboro, as the nonprofit continues its work teaching students and providing resources to help spark artistic creativity. As part of a half-century celebration ceremony held last week, the ArtsCenter also saw a return of an old symbol associated with the organization: its angel atop the building.
A few dozen supporters and staff for The ArtsCenter gathered outside the building Thursday night to raise a glass and celebrate their angel statuette, which was installed for the first time at the business’ newer Roberson Street location. The angel, called “The Creative Spirit,” had been absent as it both stayed on the ceiling of its prior home – 300 East Main Street – and then underwent a “spa retreat” with local artist Mike Roig to prepare it for the move.
Now, the angel is perched on the corner of the building, lit up by lights once again and welcoming visitors for classes, galleries, performances and more.
Executive Director of the ArtsCenter Wendy Smith described to Chapelboro what the angel means to her when she sees it.
“She’s our Creative Spirit – but I also feel like she’s our guardian angel,” said Smith on Thursday. “And the more I’ve thought about it, the more I feel like she represents our community that through the years have been our guardian angels who made sure we were [sustained] and stayed vital. I think she represents all of us – which is sweet. Everybody wants a guardian angel, everyone needs a guardian angel to make sure they’re safe, secure, provided for.”
From left to right: Wendy Smith, NC Rep. Renee Price, Jacques Menache, and Carrboro Mayor Barbara Foushee pose for a photo in front of The ArtsCenter and its angel statue.
The angel’s addition is almost the final piece of the puzzle for The ArtsCenter at Roberson Street, which held a grand opening for the renovated space about one year ago. While the nonprofit has called several Carrboro spaces home over the years, this building is the biggest and is allowing the organization to do more than ever before, according to Smith.
The 50th anniversary and unveiling of the angel statue aligned with the general celebration of the newer location and vision for The ArtsCenter writ large. And one of the most critical figures in its history, founder Jacques Menache, was on hand to witness it. His painting is a central part of a 50th anniversary gallery set to be unveiled this week, featuring pieces from ArtsCenter leaders past and present.
During the ceremony, Smith gave credit to Menache for starting the work that’s blossomed into the organization’s present efforts.
“He had a vision back in 1974 to make Carrboro a more artsy and funky town,” Smith said. “He saw a need for painting classes, art classes – and he opened a one-room classroom that quickly grew and now we’re an 18,000 square feet facility offering all sorts of art experiences.”
The “Creative Spirit” angel was not there at the genesis of The ArtsCenter, but Menache said it came at an important time in its history over at 300 East Main Street. He said sculptor Bob Gaston created the piece for a Playmakers Reparatory production of “Look Homeward, Angel” before adding the theatrical masks and flagpole staff for nonprofit.
Menache told Chapelboro he remembers the day the angel was installed – a rainy day amid uncertain financial period for the organization.
“It was very interesting,” he recalled, “because it was a turning point of the ArtsCenter, we needed to raise the funds [to keep going] – and there was the angel. That’s what I remember that day, and wondering what was going to happen at that moment. And now, I know what’s happening and I’m wondering what’s going to happen next, and I’m looking forward to the next [stage].”
Wendy Smith, the executive director of The ArtsCenter, welcomes attendees to a celebration for its 50th anniversary and reinstallation of the angel on August 15, 2024.
Jacques Menache, who founded the initial iteration of The ArtsCenter in 1974, speaks outside its current building for its 50th anniversary celebration.
Similar to Menache’s inclusion at Thursday’s party, Smith said the last few months preparing and celebrating the 50th anniversary have led to several of The ArtsCenter’s past staff or alumni reaching out.
“It’s been wonderful. We’ve had a lot of old supporters, performers, teachers, board members come out of the woodworks and share their stories with us. It’s just been this moment that’s filled me with gratitude – realizing how many community [members] were involved in making this happen and helping to sustain it. Because people come and go, but there’s always been people in the community who wanted to be part of Carrboro and keep it vital, and I’m just so grateful for that.”
Menache is still working to further the town’s art culture, saying he has visions of creating an arts corridor stretching from Cat’s Cradle to the new 203 South Greensboro Street building – with The ArtsCenter in the center. The artist said while he recognizes he gave the scene an initial push in 1974, he believes the credit should go to everyone else for embracing it.
“There was a need in this community for classes in arts, and performances, and definitely music,” said Menache. “So, it’s the community, really, that’s called for this and attended all the events, and gave the money to make it happen. They’re driving this movement.”
According to Smith, the celebration is only just getting started. She said many more events and programming are in the works around The ArtsCenter’s 50th anniversary that will be announced in the coming months.
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