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Arts Council to Host "Homegrown: Celebrating the Legacy of Artists James Funches,
Curtis Hairston, and Shirley Hairston-Holloway ‘The Barefoot Storyteller’"
The exhibition will take place July 18-August 31 and features paintings, sculptures, and stories
Winston-Salem, NC (July 11, 2024) -- Arts Council of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County is pleased to announce its upcoming exhibition, "Homegrown." This exhibition will showcase the remarkable works of artists James Funches, Curtis Hairston, and Shirley Hairston-Holloway, known as "The Barefoot Storyteller." Held at the Main Gallery of the Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts, the show will run from July 18 to August 31, starting with a public opening reception on Thursday, July 18, from 5-7pm.
"Homegrown" highlights three distinguished Winston-Salem artists honored by the City of Winston-Salem on the Arts, Cultural, and Entertainment Memorial Walk of Fame at the Benton Convention Center in 2023. James Funches, a gifted musician, excelled in playing the saxophone and flute and had a passion for creating wire sculptures. Curtis Hairston, an acclaimed R&B singer, was known for his soulful voice and several hit records. His mother, Shirley Hairston-Holloway, was a dynamic storyteller and puppeteer, and she was known as “The Barefoot Storyteller.”
These artists attended local schools, founded organizations at the Forsyth County Public Library, served as educators, composed music for local performances, and much more. The families of these artists have shared intimate insights into their lives and art, presenting previously unseen photos, memories, and artwork. This exhibition also explores the influence these artists had on the next generation of creative entrepreneurs within their families. The show is a collaborative effort with Everette Funches, son of James Funches, and Dana Johnson, the granddaughter of Shirley Hairston-Holloway and niece of Curtis Hairston.
Winston-Salem boasts a rich history of nurturing individuals who have significantly contributed to the arts and entertainment industry. To honor these beloved artists, the City of Winston-Salem established the “Arts, Cultural, and Entertainment Memorial Walk of Fame” at the Benton Convention Center in 2016. Honorees are recognized with bronze stars embedded in the sidewalk along Cherry Street in Downtown Winston-Salem. The unveiling of 2024 honorees and their stars will take place on July 26, leading up to the International Black Theatre Festival.
Arts Council of Winston-Salem & Forsyth County is the leading advocate of arts in our region and seeks to enhance and support the local artistic and cultural landscape. Established in 1949 as the first arts council in the nation, the pioneering organization is celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2024. Arts Council owns and operates a campus which includes the Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts. In 2023, it hosted 670 on-campus events with 60,000 attendees and distributed over $1.2 million in grants, benefiting over 800,000 people.
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For more information, please contact:
Katie Hall
Chief Marketing Officer and Vice President of Development
Arts Council of Winston-Salem & Forsyth County
336-747-1421
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