Special programs and exhibitions available

This month, Wake County Public Libraries will present two unique series that celebrate creativity, culture and community through visual art and documentary film. These programs offer opportunities to engage with art and language in innovative and educational ways.

“Whether you're exploring the powerful narratives of folk art or diving into the history and impact of African American language, these events provide opportunities for education and inspiration,” said Wake County Commissioner Cheryl Stallings. “I encourage residents to attend one or more of these enriching programs.”

Roots & Rhythms: A Solo Exhibition by Corliss R. Owen
Southeast Regional Library
Sept. 1–30 | Open daily

Wake County Public Libraries, in partnership with Drinking Gourd Gallery, is proud to host "Corliss R. Owen: Roots & Rhythms," a captivating solo exhibition of folk art. The exhibition highlights the work of Corliss R. Owen, an artist whose creations have spanned over 60 years, celebrating life and heritage through vibrant, expressive paintings.

Featured programs include:

• Opening Reception & Artist Talk
  Thursday, Sept. 12 | 6:30–8:30 p.m.
  Owen will discuss her creative process, inspirations and the themes that run through her work. The event will feature guest vocalist Dr. Joy Bryant and pianist Martha Abernethy.
• Southern Fried Wisdom: Oral Recipe Sharing
  Sunday, Sept. 15 | 2–4 p.m.
  Participants share memories associated with their favorite recipes at this celebration of culinary traditions. Attendees can also learn to stencil a flour sack dish towel and create recipe cards.
• Book Discussion
  Saturday, Sept. 21 | 2–4 p.m.
  Engage in a discussion of the novel "Ours" by Phillip B. Williams, exploring themes related to community and heritage.
• Tracing Roots: Genealogy Workshop
  Sunday, Sept. 22 | 2–4 p.m.
  Discover tools and resources for tracing ancestry in this beginner-friendly workshop led by Mr. Desi L. Campbell.
   

Talking Black in America: Documentary Screening Series
Oberlin Regional Library
Sundays in September | 2 p.m.

Oberlin Regional Library is excited to present "Talking Black in America," an Emmy Award-winning documentary series that explores African American language. The series, created by NC State’s “The Language and Life Project,” delves into the history, cultural significance and impact of African American language through the perspectives of everyday people, historians, linguists and educators.

Featured programs include:

• Documenting the Community: Beyond the Screen
  Sunday, Sept. 8 | 2 p.m.
  Discover the power of documentaries as a medium for storytelling and community engagement. This discussion will explore the role of documentaries in education and activism.
• Talking Black in America: Roots
  Sunday, Sept. 15 | 2 p.m.
  This episode celebrates African American resilience, creativity and ingenuity, exploring the connections between African American language and culture and their formative influence on the United States.
• Signing Black in America
  Sunday, Sept. 22 | 2 p.m.
  Experience the first documentary about Black ASL, a unique dialect of American Sign Language that developed within historically segregated African American Deaf communities.
• Talking Black in America: Performance Traditions
  Sunday, Sept. 29 | 2 p.m.
  This episode explores the significance of Black language in forms of expression such as blues, spirituals, spoken word, preaching, comedy, and hip hop, tracing the orality traditions that have shaped contemporary African American performance art.
   

Join Us
All events are free and open to the public, but registration is required. For more information and to sign up, visit the Wake County Public Libraries website at wake.gov/Libraries or contact the Southeast Regional Library at 919-627-4994 and Oberlin Regional Library at 919-856-6725.

Explore Wake County Public Libraries’ complete calendar of events at wake.gov/library-programs.