History of the Welborn Gallery
The Welborn Gallery was named after Marion and Jewell Welborn of Boonville for the generous lead gift they made to the Center’s capital campaign.
The Welborns gifted the final funds needed to close the campaign and make it possible for the Yadkin Arts Council to open the Yadkin Cultural Arts Center.
Birth of the Cool
Works by Owens O. Daniels
I use photography as a means to communicate and express my interpretation of the world around me, for as an artist I want my work to be a voice that can be free to speak to the issues of the day their reflections, impact as well as influences on our culture and communities.
On that note the goal of my camera is to open unexplored spaces between the subject matter and myself, a world of interesting people, relationships, opportunities, experiences and life’s little stories that the viewer, subject and I can share. Over time I have found this objective can best be obtained with a focus on certain issue symbols which keeps us all in the present for they stop us from fretting about the future or regretting the past.
My choice of subject matter (People) comes from a place of intuition and is fueled by an impetuous desire to partake in the stories of interesting people and how their lives have unfolded, for photographs embodied with symbolism have the power to evoke memories and suggest a sense of place & time.
Drawing on my love of jazz/blues music, the areas concert photography scene and a host of iconic, local and talented musicians which are independent, creative, and passionate and trend-setters in their music, craft & personification they were and are the very essence of “Birth of the Cool”.
I created this photographic body of work which celebrates, salutes and commemorates the rich legacy of some of our most iconic local jazz and blues figures of the bebop, cool and blues era. Also this work serves to highlight their contributions and influences on the culture and art of jazz and blues music.
I believe this body of work lends me a unique perspective which gives me a voice to articulate and reflect the issue through the faces of the people in the project with creativity, passion, vision and diversity.
Upcoming Exhibit at Welborn Gallery:
Birth of the Cool
Works by Owens O. Daniels
Coming April 6th, 2018
About The Artist
Owens O. Daniels
Hello, my name is Owens Daniels I am a communicator, visual artist and photographer. My work tells stories about life for I believe everyone has a story to tell, one that is innovative, creative and larger than life!.
As a visual artist, I get most of my inspirations from life’s day-to-day challenges and experiences. Starting out as the youngest son among five children an artistic family made up of creatives, storytellers, painters, musicians, and writers to traveling around the world as a young soldier, and living abroad on my own for over a two decades with all the issues and challenges of life.
Drawing from these experiences and others one lesson has stuck with me, “Everyone has a story” and with a photojournalist style and vision, I want to communicate your’s, a story that will express your life, look, and style.
When was I first introduced to the power of visual arts? It was in the presence of my mother. I drew a picture from a book and showed it to her, she was pleased and pinned my first artwork on the refrigerator for all to see and when my father came home, she pointed it out and said to him, “Look at what our boy has done.” My father looked at me with pride.
Later in life, my father gave me this piece of advice which guides my work till this day, “Everybody has a story to tell” boy tell what you see and from this experience among many others lead me to become a visual artist/photographer for we are all little people with a big story to tell and with passion, vision I will tell yours, making it look larger than life.
Thank you,
Owens O. Daniels
About The Gallery
Our Welborn Gallery warmly greets every visitor to the Yadkin Cultural Arts Center as soon as you walk in the building. Our Welborn Gallery is designed to expose residents and visitors to continual and varied 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional pieces of art. You can always find something to inspire and challenge you with every visit.
Guidelines For The Welborn Gallery
We are accepting portfolio submissions to consider for exhibition during 2018/2019 exhibit years. Proposals will only be accepted via email to curator@yadkinarts.org. Visit our Welborn Gallery today for a transformative and insightful experience every time.