Opening Celebration of Grounded by Maya Freelon

About this event

Join us for a fun-filled afternoon at the Gregg Museum of Art & Design to celebrate the opening of Grounded by acclaimed artist Maya Freelon .

Drawing on her signature use of delicate tissue paper, Freelon transforms the galleries into an immersive environment that honors both fragility and resilience. In Grounded, the red clay and soil of North Carolina become central materials and metaphors, asking us to consider what it means to create sanctuary in uncertain times and how the land itself holds memory, pain, and possibility.

The community celebration will include local organizations highlighting African American heritage and wellness, along with special performances by Tre. Charles , Johnny Lee Chapman III , and NC State’s Panoramic Dance Project .

You are invited to Connect . Celebrate . Get Grounded . Please read more about the timed activities below.

Celebration Program Schedule

1 p.m. | Celebration Begins

Ongoing Activities 1–5 p.m.

Discover everything happening across the lawn, garden, and museum! Create your own contribution to our Community Tissue Paper Quilt in the Grounded exhibition, meet local partners, and enjoy food from the Empanadas and More Food Truck . Complimentary non-alcoholic drinks are available while supplies last, plus FREE Howling Cow ice cream for our first 200 visitors!

1:15–1:45 p.m. | Panoramic Dance Performance

Adams Gallery

Enjoy a performance inspired by Grounded choreographed by Christa Oliver and performed by NC State students in the Department of Performing Arts & Technology and featuring Atiba Rorie and Khalid Saleem. Standing room viewing only; seating available upon accommodation request.

1:50-2:10 p.m. | Opening Remarks

Main Lobby

Hear remarks from artist-in-residence Maya Freelon, Museum Director Sara Segerlin and special guests. Standing room viewing only; seating available upon accommodation request.

2:15–3:45 p.m. | Tre. Charles & Band

Museum Lawn

Bring a lawn chair or a blanket and sit on the lawn to enjoy live music by Durham-based artist Tre. Charles and his guest band.

2:45–3 p.m. and 3:30–3:45 p.m. | Spoken Word with Johnny Lee Chapman III

Black-Sanderson Gallery

Meet Raleigh Poet Laureate Johnny Lee Chapman III in the Crafting Sanctuaries exhibition. Limited seating; extra seating available upon accommodation request.

3:45–4:15 p.m. | Panoramic Dance Performance

Adams Galleryand Woodson Galleries

Enjoy a second performance by Christa Oliver and NC State students (details above)..

4–5 p.m. | Ask Me! Guide

Historic Chancellor’s Residence

Meet Khadija McNair, manager of NC Freedom Park, near the fireplace and ask about Community Stories: Sustaining North Carolina Black Heritage .

5 p.m. | Celebration Concludes

Parking: The Gregg Museum parking lot will be closed for the celebration. Visitors may park in the Ferndell public parking lot or at Pullen Arts Center, where parking is free on Saturdays. These alternate parking locations are approximately 2–4 blocks from the museum. Please visit the Gregg Museum website for additional parking information: https://gregg.arts.ncsu.edu/about/visit/alternate-parking-locations-for-the-gregg-museum/

Free and open to the public. Please register for the general event, and feel free to drop in anytime between 1 and 5 p.m.