HomeNewsNorth Charleston City Gallery to Exhibit Works by Natalie Daise and Linda D’Elia

North Charleston City Gallery to Exhibit Works by Natalie Daise and Linda D’Elia

The City of North Charleston’s Cultural Arts Department is pleased to announce that paintings by Pawley’s Island based artist, Natalie Daise, and local artist, Linda D’Elia, will be on exhibit at the North Charleston City Gallery from November 5-28, 2015. Daise will host a free public reception at the gallery from 5:00-7:00pm on Thursday, November 5.

After several years as a traditional storyteller and performance artist, Natalie Daise has returned to the visual arts, creating narratives through painted portraits. In Greens in My Garden: Family, Community & Culture, she presents her newest collection of paintings, The Collard Series, which she began in the winter of 2013. Executed mostly with acrylic and cut and painted paper, the works in the series explore African American and Gullah heritage and cultural traditions of family, community, and history. Her inspiration arose from her interest in the role of community on the creative process, with depictions of collard greens used as a means to connect to her family.  “The greens themselves are a connection to my father, who always grew them in our yard, no matter where we lived,” she explains. “They represent nurturing, endurance, and strength.” From the passion and fervor of the young men and women participating with the Freedom Riders during the 60’s, to the emerging confidence on the face of her 20-year-old son, each portrait is connected to her own experience in a visceral way.

Born in Rochester, NY, Natalie Daise moved to Beaufort, SC, in 1983 and now calls Pawley’s Island, SC, home.  She is an actor, singer, storyteller, and visual artist and is perhaps best known for bringing Gullah culture to national and international television audiences through Nick Jr’s Gullah Gullah Island. Her paintings have been featured in solo and group exhibitions throughout the state. Together with her husband, Ron, she was awarded South Carolina’s prestigious Order of the Palmetto in 1996 and the 1997 State of South Carolina Folk Heritage Award. To learn more about the artist, visit NatalieDaise.com.

Child’s Play – Oil Paintings by Linda D’Elia
Local artist Linda D’Elia will present Child’s Play, a series of oil paintings using vibrant, fresh color to explore the everyday wonderment of a child’s life. D’Elia’s works capture kids, big and little, playing, experimenting, and discovering, with the hope that viewers may recognize moments from their own lives or from those of their children. “I started out painting landscapes, but found that unsatisfying. I enjoy painting still life, but have found my true love is in exploring figurative art, specifically children,” she says.  “Luckily I have many willing subjects in my great nephews and nieces.”

D’Elia began painting in 2003 following a life-changing event. Although hesitant at first, encouragement from a friend pushed her to pursue this new passion. She studied at the Austin Museum of Art School, Williamson County Art Center and Scottsdale Artist’s School and her work has been juried in to various shows in Texas, where she previously resided. Her work can be seen locally at the Charleston Art Guild Gallery in Downtown Charleston. D’Elia currently lives and paints in North Charleston, SC. Learn more about her and her work at LindaDElia.com.

The North Charleston City Gallery is situated in the common areas of the Charleston Area Convention Center, located at 5001 Coliseum Drive in North Charleston. Parking and admission are free during regular Convention Center operating hours, 9:00am – 5:00pm daily.  The gallery is staffed on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday only.   Inquiries regarding the artists or purchase information may be directed to the North Charleston Cultural Arts Department at (843)740-5854. For information on additional exhibits, programs, and events, visit the Arts & Culture section of the City’s website.