Pocosin Arts

I LOVE going to my hometown, in fact, you can usually find me there just about every weekend. I love the feel of the small town as well as being able to see my wonderful family often! I moved to Raleigh after graduating high school to go to college and I just can't seen to get completely comfortable to the "city" life.

Columbia has a wonderful organization, Pocosin Arts, within the community. "Pocosin Arts takes seriously its relationship with the pocosin, the predominant wetland ecology of the region, and has made connecting culture to environment through the arts its mission." (noted from their website) Last year, I had the opportunity to take part in two of Pocosin Arts' events, one which was a Pin Hole Photography workshop. Mr. Allen Lee led the workshop where I, among others, spent two days making our own pin hole cameras, photographing scenes of downtown Columbia, then developing our own prints! Now, some of our prints from this workshop are being showcased in an architecture exhibit this weekend.

Pocosin Arts Folk School has just restored the front of their building and a ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating the newly restored facade will be held Friday, May 9th from 5pm - 7pm. In conjunction with the ribbon cutting they will also have an Architecture Exhibit that will feature Pin Hole Photography by yours truly, as well as the others that were able to participate in this workshop. The exhibit will also include paintings inspired by Columbia Area African American Homes entitled "Spirits in Space" by Tunde Afolayan, and original drawings of Columbia homes by Linda Crasson (Linda's work will be featured in the celebrated book "Historic Houses and the Stories They Tell" by Marimar McNaughton and published by Fiona King Finch of Sweet Bay Tree Books).


Here is one of my images that is in the exhibit.

This image was taken with my "Oatmeal Can" Pin Hole Camera, which is why the image has a curved look to it. This home is known as the "McClees House" and is one of Columbia's historic homes and is now the place of business for Southern Insurance.

Along with this event the town of Columbia his hosting an event called: "Public Spaces, Private Places". Public Spaces, Private Places is a self guided walking tour of residences and public buildings at the heart of Columbia's Historic District. These homes demonstrate styles dating from the late 1800's to 1946, most never before open to the public. Tickets in advance are available or for more about this event click here.

Other festivities during this event include "happenings" at:
Southern Dreams Gallery
Columbia Theater
Tyrrell County Library
Scuppernong Mill House Cafe
Partnership for the Sounds: River Roaming

Here's another Pin Hole shot that I took using my Oatmeal Can camera. This is a view of the downtown docks.


If you've never been to Columbia, I would highly suggest it! :)