Listen to this story as it was recorded for WKNC’s Eye on the Triangle:
The bright light shining into the clean gallery of the Contemporary Art Museum of Raleigh may create an atmosphere that seems unfitting in an abandoned warehouse, but according to Kate Thompson Shafer, gallery and exhibitions manager, it museum works as an unexpected paradox
“The idea of putting an art museum in the warehouse flips the whole thing on its side,” Shafer said. “But the space works extremely well. The building has amazing architecture and we wanted to keep all the integral parts, the truss supporting the roof and the wide open space, so we kept that visible and highlighted on purpose by painting it white. Before, it was black. Now, we have natural light coming in from all around on the windows.”
The gallery is located on the corner of Martin Street and West Street in the warehouse district in downtown Raleigh and was converted from an old cold storage facility. According to Shafer, the museum demonstrates that art can be found in any setting and is not limited to any viewer.
“We really wanted to make art accessible here,” Shafer said. “We the large windows, you can basically see all the exhibited work in the gallery from the outside, so it speaks to how aren’t excluding it from anyone. But viewing the gallery itself is free to the public.”
Tonight is the reopening of CAM after the gallery closed four years ago, quickly after its relocation to the warehouse district. The formal reopening ceremony is closed to public, but tickets are available for $150. According to Shafer, the reopening will include a meet-and-greet with up-coming featured artists, Dan Steinhilber and Naoko Ito. The two approach the idea of recycling and use of industrial space in different ways, but Shafer said, “…they balance each other out in fun and unforeseen way.”
Shafer said that the museum is a new addition to a growing artistic district, with other specialty boutiques, restaurants and smaller galleries sprouting in the former railroad cargo storage buildings.
CAM Raleigh started in 1983 and was founded by the North Carolina Contemporary Art Foundation, but in 2006, the museum partnered with the N.C. State College of Design and has worked closely with university faculty and students to focus the museum not just on the art presented, but also the educational aspect of art. The museum puts on a summer design camp for prospective design students and has worked joined efforts with the University to search for and support local youth artistic talent.
Christine Fleming, senior in graphic design, worked as a counselor for design camp two years ago. According to Fleming, the museum and the University partnered five years ago for organize the camp.
“After I was a counselor, CAM accepted me as graphic design education intern,” Fleming said. “I’m in charge or organizing and planning activities for the camp.”
Fleming said she has been working more preparing for the reopening and she will attend opening night.
“I’m excited to go and get to mingle with the big-wigs and foundation supporters,” Fleming said. “I’ll be there all night. They invited me as a full-time staff member. Afterwards is a museum after party, which is a $50 admission, but then for the rest there is an after-after party over at Kings Barcade.”
Due to the admission fees for the reopening night, many students won’t be attending, but Emily Struthers, a senior in landscape architecture, said she will go to the “after-after party” and will see the museum once it become free to the public starting Saturday.
“I’m excited to see what’s new at CAM and I know they’ve put a lot of work into the reopening,” Struthers said.
