Newton, NC – The Catawba County Library is pleased to present a new art exhibit, Francis Simeni: Examining Self-Image and Identity, opening February 15 at the Main Library in Newton.
Born in Nigeria, raised in Poland, and settling in America, Francis Simeni has had to examine who he was in relation to his environment and culture. His works are about finding truth, beauty, self-love, defiance, complexity, and all the things that make us human, through the lens of portraiture.
Join us on Thursday, February 15 from 5:30 – 7 pm at the Main Library in Newton for the opening night of a month-long exhibit showcasing his illustrations and paintings. This will include a meet and greet with Francis Simeni, time for him to share his process and inspiration for his work, refreshments, and a curated collection of his work on display.
This new exhibit is part of the library’s Arts @ the Library initiative, which seeks to make art more prominent in local libraries and to provide wider access to the community’s rich arts and culture scene. The program introduces people to different styles of art and was designed to offer rotating art exhibits, artist receptions, and hands-on workshops for all ages. The exhibit also aligns with this year’s Black History Month theme of “African Americans and the Arts”, which encompasses the many impacts Black Americans have had on visual arts, music, cultural movements, and more.
The exhibit will be on display at the Main Library in Newton, 115 West C Street, from February 15 through March 15. The exhibit is available to the public for free and can be enjoyed during normal business hours of Monday through Thursday from 9 am to 8 pm and Friday through Saturday from 9 am to 6 pm.
For more information about the Catawba County Library’s services and programs, please visit www.catawbacountync.gov/library, call 828.465.8665, email [email protected], or visit www.facebook.com/catcolibrary.
