Information
Landmark: Southeastern Center for Contemporary ArtCity: Winston Salem
Country: USA North Carolina
Continent: North America
Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art, Winston Salem, USA North Carolina, North America
Overview
The Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art (SECCA), now part of the North Carolina Museum of Art in Winston-Salem, stands as a leading hub for showcasing and championing contemporary works, from bold installations to striking canvases still smelling faintly of fresh paint.At 750 Marguerite Drive in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, SECCA thrives as a lively cultural hub, sparking conversations between artists, audiences, and the community with art that’s fresh, daring, and designed to make you think-like a mural that stops you mid-step.SECCA began in 1956 as the Winston-Salem Gallery of Fine Arts, created to give local artists a place to show their work and spark interest in the visual arts throughout the community.Over the years, it opened its doors to contemporary artists from the Southeast and far beyond, mirroring the shifting art scene and the region’s rising cultural ambitions, like the buzz of a crowded gallery on opening night.In 2007, SECCA officially joined forces with the North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh, gaining access to more resources, richer programming, and an audience that stretched far beyond its old gallery walls.This partnership has solidified SECCA’s role as a key hub for contemporary art, opening the door to collaborations that link Winston-Salem’s vibrant arts scene with national and international movements-like a mural project that drew artists from across the globe.SECCA sits inside the historic James G., a place where polished wood floors still carry the echo of footsteps from decades past.Hanes House, a grand stone estate built in 1929, was left to the center in 1972.SECCA’s building stands out as part of its identity, blending the graceful lines of early 20th-century architecture with the modern technology a contemporary art museum needs.The estate got a major overhaul to handle the challenge of preserving and showcasing modern art, from fresh white walls to brighter, gallery-style lighting.They added cutting-edge climate control and lighting, opened up gallery spaces that can adapt to different exhibits, and restored the exterior so its brickwork still carries the estate’s historic charm.Blending modern museum technology into a centuries-old space sparks an atmosphere that stirs both visitors and artists, like the quiet hum of a digital display glowing against worn stone walls.At SECCA, the focus is on changing exhibitions, not a fixed collection-one month you might see bold abstract canvases, the next a quiet display of black‑and‑white photographs.By taking this approach, the museum can regularly showcase bold, up‑to‑the‑minute works-think a sculpture welded from street scrap-that capture the energy and variety of today’s creative scene.Exhibitions often bring together an eclectic mix-paintings with thick brushstrokes, towering sculptures, immersive installations, flickering video pieces, live performances, and cutting-edge new media art.The museum’s curators focus on artists whose work wrestles with the social, cultural, and political questions shaping life in the Southeast-and rippling through the wider world of contemporary art, from small-town murals to global gallery shows.Past shows have highlighted standout artists, including Beverly McIver, whose vivid brushwork delves into identity and family; Will Wilson, capturing Native American history through striking photographic portraits; Kara Walker, celebrated for stark silhouettes that confront race and history; and Lonnie Holley, the self-taught creator whose raw assemblages and impromptu performances push the limits of art itself.Alongside solo and group shows, SECCA hosts artist talks, lively panel discussions, and hands-on workshops that help visitors connect more deeply with contemporary art-sometimes while standing just inches from the canvas.SECCA connects with the Winston-Salem community through hands-on educational programs that open doors to contemporary art and spark creativity in people of every age and background, from curious school kids sketching in bright classrooms to adults exploring bold new ideas.These programs include school partnerships, where students dive into collaborative projects and take field trips that weave contemporary art into their classes-sometimes painting murals or sketching in a museum gallery.Workshops and classes give neighbors a chance to dive into painting techniques, fresh ideas, and hands‑on creative work, all guided by seasoned artists and teachers.Public events-whether it’s a lively lecture, a stirring performance, or a warm evening gathering-spark conversations between artists, audiences, and cultural leaders, adding fresh energy to the local arts scene.Outreach programs bring contemporary art and creative education to underserved groups in Winston-Salem, making sure everyone can join in - from the kids painting murals on a brick wall to neighbors exploring new ideas in a studio.SECCA welcomes everyone with free admission, offering residents and visitors a cultural space where sunlight spills across quiet galleries.The museum’s open hours run Wednesday, 1–5 p.m.; Thursday, 1–8 p.m.; Friday, 1–5 p.m.; and Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m., with doors closed Monday and Tuesday.It sits in a quiet neighborhood where you can park just steps from the entrance, an easy stop for anyone taking in Winston-Salem’s cultural scene.As one of the Southeast’s top contemporary art centers, SECCA brings fresh energy to Winston-Salem’s cultural scene, from bold gallery installations to lively community events.By showcasing bold, unconventional art and sparking genuine connections with locals, it helps the city stand out as a lively arts hub, the kind where murals spill bright color onto brick walls.The center’s lively exhibits, paired with hands-on classes and community events, draw in curious visitors, spark fresh ideas, and give bold artists the support they need to keep pushing creative limits.SECCA blends historical preservation with modern relevance, standing as a living bridge between past and present cultural stories, like the echo of old brick walls meeting fresh paint, and mirrors the region’s changing identity and its people.
