The Carrack's Final Community Show

The Carrack Modern Art’s annual community show is usually one of the most joyful times of the year in the Durham visual-art scene. But this year, it’s bittersweet, as it’s the final exhibit at the eight-year-old downtown-art lightning rod before it closes amid financial struggles in a city of skyrocketing expenses. The Carrack, always a welcoming home for local artists of all stripes and accomplishment levels, never feels more like a living room for Durham than during the community shows, which feature contributions from as many local artists as possible. Imagine the walls of the gallery all but completely covered by works that speak to our city as it sees itself. Imagine each of those many artists, from diverse social worlds, bringing their friends and family to congregate, particularly at the opening reception on September 6 and the closing reception on September 20. Then, imagine all that gone—but not yet. Now is a time to celebrate The Carrack’s ineradicable contribution to Durham before we all try to figure out what comes next.