Truth to Power

If you value the Durham visual art scene, then Pleiades Arts’ annual Truth to Power exhibit is already established on your calendar. But you’ll want to circle this one in red, as it will be the last. As we reported Monday, the nonprofit, member-run gallery will become a “virtual entity” in August, still dedicated to creating art experiences with community partners but with no display space of its own—though, happily, it will be immediately replaced by 5 Points Gallery, run by many of the Pleiades artists and likewise dedicated to being an inclusive downtown space for local art. Still, the demise of the gallery Renee Leverty and Kim Wheaton founded on Chapel Hill Street in 2013 feels like a turning point, especially following news of The Carrack’s impending closure. This last Truth to Power showcase, dedicated to exploring issues of social justice and featuring dozens of regional artists, is the perfect time to say goodbye to what the friendly neon-fronted gallery has been, and get ready for whatever’s next.