Sertoma Arts Center Public Art

Scratch Block Workshops

Image of melted iron being poured into carved plates — Image of Gallucci Studio iron pour

Join artist, Jim Gallucci, for a scratch block workshop at Sertoma Arts Center. Participants will carve their own design into a sand mold that will be cast with molten iron during an iron pour event later this year. Jim will incorporate the completed iron blocks into his design for new art that will be a part of the Sertoma expansion. All materials will be provided. The activity involves scratching into sand, so be prepared to get a little sandy.

Register for the Workshops online or call Sertoma Art Center at 919-996-2329.
5/12 at 5:30-7:30 p.m.
5/31 at 11-1 p.m.
6/16 at 11-1 p.m.

Greensboro-based artist Jim Gallucci was selected in 2024 to create public artwork at Sertoma Arts Center as part of the upcoming renovation and expansion of the existing center. This project is part of the 2022 Parks Bond.

Artwork can be integrated into the renovation of the community studio building or incorporated into the site. Gallucci will have a $73,000 budget to design and fabricate.

About the Artist

Rugged white man in a grey knit hat and white bushy heard standing in a workship with hands in his pockets.

Jim Gallucci is a graduate of LeMoyne College (BA, English 1973) and Syracuse University (BFA, Art 1974 and MFA, Sculpture 1976) and has been a sculptor for over 30 years. He has worked as an art instructor at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and the University of Alabama at Huntsville. He was also an Exhibit Designer for the North Carolina Zoological Park in Asheboro, NC.

Presently, Jim works full-time designing and fabricating sculptures in his Greensboro studio, assisted by his staff. Most of the works are commissions for public, corporate, and residential spaces nationwide. For six years (1997-2002) he showed sculpture at the Pier Walk Sculpture Show in Chicago, IL. This annual show took place on the Navy Pier and was the world’s largest outdoor sculpture show. Over 8.2 million people walked through the venue. Jim has also been selected for such international shows as the World Expo 88 in Brisbane, Australia, and the 7th Henry Moore Grand Prize Exhibition at the Utsukushi-ga-hara Open-Air Museum, Hakone, Japan, and Ube, Japan.

With each project, Jim brings a unique sense of self-expression while captivating the viewer. “Art is the physical manifestation of an idea or event that calls forth an emotional response from the viewer. It speaks to us and evokes a chord deep within us. Good art challenges us, can make us feel righteous, move us, soothe us, heal us and bring us peace.”

Project Summary

Create public artwork at Sertoma Arts Center as part of the upcoming renovation and expansion of the existing center. This project is part of the 2022 Parks Bond.
Artwork can be integrated into the renovation of the community studio building or incorporated into the site.
Find information about upcoming community engagement events and surveys on the engagement portal.
The project timeline for planning, design, and construction of these improvements runs from 2024-2028.

Shelley Lake with a grassy area and vegetation at the shore and 6 geese flying over the water

About Sertoma Arts Center

Sertoma Arts Center has served as a hub of creativity and community arts education in Raleigh since 1979. One of two City facilities dedicated to visual arts, it is a vibrant, creative destination for artists of all ages, levels, and abilities.

Sertoma has five studios with professional art making equipment to support a wide range of visual, craft, and performing arts mediums including painting, drawing, ceramics, metalworking, printmaking, glass, and sewing. The Center offers year-round classes, workshops and open studios as well providing exhibition space for local artists. After completing a qualifying program at Sertoma, many artists continue working in Sertoma’s ceramic, metalworking, or painting studios as studio members or in artist groups. Sertoma is working to make the arts accessible to people with disabilities, offering accommodations and programs to ensure all artists can participate. The large Raleigh Room is Sertoma’s movement and performing arts programming including dance, yoga, and music.

Sertoma Arts Center is located in the heart of Shelley Lake Park, a 144-acre park in mid-town Raleigh, an area of town that is growing rapidly. The park features a two-mile paved scenic greenway trail around 53-acre Shelley Lake and trails leading to scenic overlooks, green spaces, and a playground. The Arts Center was built into the park’s wooded area to take advantage of the beautiful natural setting.

The 2022 City of Raleigh Parks Bond will fund the renovation and expansion of the Sertoma Arts Center. Improvements will include renovating the existing art center building, upgrading building and site accessibility, and expanding the building to add additional studio and gallery space.

Learn more about Sertoma Arts Center studios, exhibitions and programs online here.