NCBLADEN-L Archives

From: "Blake Tyner" <>
Subject: Exhibit Opening
Date: Mon, 11 Jul 2005 09:31:25 -0400

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Contact:
Blake Tyner
Phone: 910-827-5504



Art and History Meet in Exhibit

Lumberton, NC July 11, 2005 ? Robeson County Artist Janette Hopper and
Historian Blake Tyner have joined forces to create a unique exhibit entitled
Secrets of the Swamps that is the summer exhibition at Wilmington?s Bellamy
House. The exhibit opening reception will be Sunday, July 17, 2005 from
6pm until 7:30pm at the Bellamy House, 503 Market Street, Wilmington, NC.


Janette K. Hopper is presently the Art Department Chair at the University
of North Carolina at Pembroke. She is known for her drawings, prints, sumi
ink, watercolor and oil paintings and performances. The works reflect her
love of nature and of humankind. Hopper?s painting of the Robeson County
swamps and waterways set the mood of the exhibit which focuses on the hidden
beauty. Hopper says of the swamps: The swamps of Robeson County are fascinating
because the Cyprus trees grow right out of the water forming wonderful verticals
and emotional forms of arms reaching for the heavens. The light of the dramatic
skies reflected in the waters and the heavy atmosphere make for a feeling
so strong that one cannot help but be compelled to try to capture on canvas
the varying moods one absorbs from the landscape and/or reflects onto the
landscape. The artist is inspired to create a variety of mood coming from
the mystical feeling when foggy to the dramatic color at dawn and dusk to
the rapidly developing storms that hit with a thunder and lightening that
sends the artist scurrying for cover. In North Carolina, I have found
an instant heartfelt affinity with the sky, water, and luxuriant growth
of Robeson County.

Blake Tyner comes by his love of history naturally. A descendant of some
of the earliest colonial settlers of North Carolina, he grew up with a love
of history that has propelled him to delve into the records and archives
of North Carolina from an early age. He is currently a history major at
UNCP, where his undergraduate historical research has led to the publication
of two books Images of America: Robeson County and Robeson County in Vintage
Postcards. He pursues his avocation as curator of the Robeson County History
Museum. Tyner has complied available research on Floral College, the first
college in North Carolina to confer degrees to women. The college charter
on January 11, 1841 continued until 1872 was an educational haven not only
for the young ladies of Robeson County but attracted a large amount of girls
from lower North Carolina and upper South Carolina. The exhibit documents
over 250 graduates of the school and includes letters from several of the
girls written while a student at the college. Letters included in the exhibit
are from sisters Julia and Martha Turner of Averysboro, Catherine McNeill,
and Elizabeth Ann Hamer of Little Rock, South Carolina.

The exhibit also highlights the time that the Bellamy family spent at the
college during the Civil War. Ellen Douglas Bellamy, the daughter of the
Bellamys wrote in 1937 a booklet entitled ?Back With the Tide? which gave
a wonderful insight into their life in Robeson County during the Civil War.


Do not miss this opportunity to experience the Robeson County and the secrets
of her swamps. For more information call 910-827-5504 or email me at .
For information:
Contact:
Phone: 910-827-5504

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