Upcoming Exhibition in the
HAC Gallery

In addition to work from 70+ local artists, HAC's Gallery & Gift Shop exhibits art work from emerging and historically unrepresented local artists through its Gallery program. The Gallery & Gift Shop hosts pop-up events, demonstrations, receptions, and artist talks during Last Fridays & the Art Walk and beyond. Read on to learn about the exhibition soon-to-be in the HAC Gallery.

CONJURERS

John Claude Bemis

Artist Statement:

John Claude Bemis' masks are drawn from Southern folklore and woodland mythology to represent manifestations of forest spirits who conjure new ways of seeing ourselves, our lives, and our connections to the natural world.

Each mask is handmade using papier-mâché, foam clay, acrylic paint, and a variety of found objects such as mountain laurel twigs, buckeyes, acorns, brass keys, hemp cords, leather, and beads. No two masks are alike, and each has a life of its own to ignite stories in the imagination of those who view it.

Raccoon mask with pinecones on its head.

For some, the masks are meant to be worn for festivals—such as at Hillsborough’s Handmade Parade, which was the original impetus for his mask-making. For others, they are sculptural art to hang on the wall. Still for others, they are totemic objects to protect, guide, and draw on for mythic messages.

Starry owl mask with turquoise and yellow-orange decorations.

Rabbit mask with long ears fading from green, to yellow, to red.

Artist Biography:

John Claude Bemis is a sculptural mask-maker based in Hillsborough. He makes his home on the banks of the Eno River where the woods and the magic of the natural world are the portal for his imagination. In his other creative career, John writes novels, picture books, and graphic novels about magic and wonder.

Follow John on Social Media:

Instagram: @johnclaudebemis
Facebook: john.c.bemis