“A Personal Look at Nature” to debut at the Nature Art Gallery May 6

For immediate release ‐ April 27, 2016

Contact: Emelia Cowans, 919.707.9837. Images available upon request

RALEIGH — The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences’ Nature Art Gallery presents “A Personal Look at Nature” by Nancy Nieves, First Friday, May 6 through Monday, May 30. Nieves will attend a Gallery reception in her honor opening night.

A native of New York, Nieves attended the High School of Music and Art in New York City, and holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Parsons School of Design and a Master of Fine Arts from Hunter College, both in New York. She has devoted much of her life’s work to studying the Masters, the Impressionists, the Post-Impressionists and the Cubists. “So many artists and art movements made me the artist I am today,” says Nieves. “My paintings are personal, bold and filled with energy and color. They range from small (11” x 14”) to oversize (109” x 75”).” The paintings are acrylic on stretched canvas. She describes them as spiritual and soulful.

An avid traveler, Nieves spent two months in Europe exploring museums and historic sites. She went to Spain, Portugal, France, Germany, Italy, Greece and Switzerland and found inspiration for her work everywhere. “Those countries are filled with colorful images and natural beauty,” she says, “but the scenery in North Carolina is simply beautiful.”

The Nature Art Gallery is located on the top floor of the Museum Store, (1st floor, main building). Hours are Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 4:45 p.m.; and open until 9 p.m. on First Fridays. All exhibited art is for sale.  For more information about the Nature Art Gallery, call 919.707.9854.


First Friday is a free, family-friendly social event held the first Friday of each month in downtown Raleigh.  This is the final time the Museum will stay open late on First Friday. Visitors can enjoy exhibits, shopping, food and spirits until 9 p.m. An A/V Geeks clip show will begin at 7 p.m. We will also have First Friday trivia, silly costumes, and more. Arrive early for live music from Toynbee. For information, call 919.707.9800.

The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences (11 W. Jones St. and 121 W. Jones St.) in downtown Raleigh, is the state’s most visited cultural attraction. It is an active research institution that engages visitors of every age and stage of learning in the wonders of science and the natural world, drawing them into the intriguing fields of study that are critical to the future of North Carolina. Hours: Mon.- Sat., 9 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sun., noon-5 p.m. Admission is free. Visit the Museum on the Web at www.naturalsciences.org. Emlyn Koster, PhD, Director; Susan Kluttz, Secretary, N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources; Pat McCrory, Governor.

About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (NCDNCR) is the state agency with a vision to be the leader in using the state’s natural and cultural resources to build the social, cultural, educational and economic future of North Carolina. Led by Secretary Susan Kluttz, NCDNCR’s mission is to improve the quality of life in our state by creating opportunities to experience excellence in the arts, history, libraries and nature in North Carolina by stimulating learning, inspiring creativity, preserving the state’s history, conserving the state’s natural heritage, encouraging recreation and cultural tourism, and promoting economic development.

NCDNCR includes 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, two science museums, three aquariums and Jennette’s Pier, 39 state parks and recreation areas, the N.C. Zoo, the nation’s first state-supported Symphony Orchestra, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, State Preservation Office and the Office of State Archaeology, along with the Division of Land and Water Stewardship. For more information, please call (919) 807-7300 or visit www.ncdcr.gov.

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