Liza Roberts presents ART OF THE STATE, with Larry Wheeler at Flyleaf Books

The brightest lights in North Carolina’s art world
This beautiful and informative volume illustrates the vitality and importance of North Carolina’s contemporary art scene, showcasing the creation, collection, and celebration of art in all its richness and diversity. Featuring profiles of individual artists, compelling interviews, and beautiful full-color photography, this book tells the story of the state’s evolution through the lens of its art world and some of its most compelling figures. Liza Roberts introduces readers to painters, photographers, sculptors, and other artists who live and work in North Carolina and who contribute to its growing reputation in the visual arts. Roberts also provides fascinating historical context, such as the influence of Black Mountain College, the birth and growth of Penland School of Crafts, and short histories of North Carolina’s art museums, including Charlotte’s Mint Museum, Raleigh’s North Carolina Museum of Art, Winston-Salem’s Reynolda House, and those flourishing at universities. Artists featured include Stephen Hayes, Mel Chin, Cristina Cordova, Beverly McIver, and Scott Avett. The result is the most comprehensive, informative, and visually rich story of contemporary art in North Carolina.

Liza Roberts is a journalist and founder of Walter Magazine. She lives in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Larry Wheeler led the North Carolina Museum of Art as Director and CEO for nearly 25 years, retiring in 2018. Among his many achievements was the commissioning of the international architect Thomas Phifer to design the new West Building and developing the Ann and Jim Goodnight Museum Park. Wheeler currently is a consultant to institutions seeking to strengthen their arts programming and to collectors as an art advisor. Before coming to NCMA in 1994, he was an assistant director of the Cleveland Museum of Art and Deputy Secretary of the NC Department of Cultural Resources.