New Cameron Art Museum to Debut April 21, Wilmington
At one time the largest city in the state, Wilmington has always been a magnet for arts, culture, and history along the North Carolina coast. That reputation will be enhanced beginning April 21, 2001, with the opening of the new Louise Wells Cameron Art Museum.

The Cameron is nearly three times as large as its predecessor, the St. John’s Museum of Art. The new 45,000 square foot state-of the-art facility features North Carolina and American art from the 18th century to the present, and will include a sculpture garden, café, and museum gift shop.

"The Louise Wells Cameron Art Museum represents an increase in our overall size but, more than that, a true broadening of the shoulders," said museum Director C. Reynolds Brown. "The greatly increased programming and exhibition capabilities of the new facility, plus continuing expansion of the permanent collection, allows the Cameron to become a visual arts resource for this entire region of the country."

Multiple Exhibitions Mark Opening
"North Carolina Clay: Past and Present," organized by the N.C. Pottery Center, pays homage to the place the ceramic arts have in the history, as well as the future, of North Carolina. April 21 – June 9, 2002.

"Donald Sultan: Paintings," organized by the Cameron Art Museum, features the work of native North Carolinian Donald Sultan, one of the most widely recognized artists working today. Sultan s known for his treatment of still-life subjects like lemons, tomatoes, dominos, buttons, and smoke rings on a gargantuan scale. April 21 – July 14, 2002

"Tejuola Turner: In Praise of Our Mothers," organized by the Cameron Art Museum, is the first solo museum exhibition for the North Carolina artist. Michelle Tejuola Turner carves and paints stories of people and ancient parable directly onto gourds sun-dried and harvested in Georgia and in Nigeria. April 21 – July 14, 2002

"Mark Hewitt: Outside," organized by the Cameron Art Museum, features the amazing large-scale planters and vessels of the Chatham County artist. Hewitt, whose work has received international acclaim, uses a manual wheel, and fires his work in a wood-fire groundhog kiln. April 21 – October 27, 2002

"When Wilmington Was Young: Eighteenth Century European Art from the N.C. Museum of Art" is comprised of 10 major 18th century paintings and sculptures from the NCMA European collection. The exhibition was organized by the N.C. Museum of Art. April 21, 2002 - March 30, 2003

The museum is also home to one of the world’s major holdings of romantic color prints by the renowned 19th century American artist Mary Cassatt, who worked with the French impressionists. For more information about the Louise Wells Cameron Art Museum, including cost and gallery hours, visit www.cameronartmuseum.com.