After Dark on the Outer Banks - February 8th to March 1st 2025

At All Saints

Many artists today aim to create art that can change the world or at least influence people's perspectives on important issues. In this two-hour workshop, two Outer Banks artists and former professors will discuss the possibilities and limitations of socially engaged art.

Art transcends mere illustration of issues or ideas; it serves as a visual way of thinking, exploring possibilities, and stepping beyond our usual conceptual boundaries to discover potentially fruitful new paths.

We will begin with a brief overview of how artists responded to a significant social crisis in the 1980s—the AIDS epidemic. We will then examine and discuss contemporary artworks that address three specific issues: race, climate change, and war. Together, we will look at and discuss meaningful, challenging, and unforgettable works of art.