The Stokes County Arts Council is pleased to announce the opening of “Faces of Stokes Arts,” an exhibit of original paintings by Sharon Grubbs in the Apple Gallery. A reception is scheduled for Sunday, March 8 from 3-5 p.m. at the Stokes County Arts Council 500 Main Street Danbury, N.C.
The individuals featured in this portrait project were chosen by the Stokes County Arts Council for the lasting contributions they have made to the cultural life of the county as Stokes Arts recently celebrated their 50th Anniversary. Each subject represents a different way the arts have been nurtured here—through education, performance, leadership, volunteerism, and steadfast advocacy. Together, they reflect a shared commitment to creativity, community, and opportunity.
Grubbs shared: “Meeting each of them, listening to their stories, and spending time in conversation was a genuine joy. As they spoke about the Arts Council, there was an unmistakable emotion—passion, gratitude, pride, and love—that surfaced again and again. It was my hope, as I painted them, to capture not only a likeness, but that spirit: the warmth, the dedication, and the deep appreciation they carried for what the Arts Council has meant in their lives and in the lives of others.”
Seen together, these portraits are more than individual representations. They are a collective expression of belief—proof that when people care deeply about the arts, their influence can ripple outward for generations.
As subjects reflected on the history of theater, music, and arts education in Stokes County, they consistently pointed to different people and programs that shaped distinct eras of growth—each building on what came before.
Sharon Grubbs said her passion for painting began early, but it was during her first year at commercial art school that she realized her true path lay beyond structured guidelines. After discovering her love for portraiture, she apprenticed with a portrait artist, where she not only honed her skills but also learned the intricacies of running a studio and the business side of it. Learning under a master portrait artist, followed by years of workshops and intensive study with various individual artists, has allowed her to develop a unique style that reflects both her technical foundation and personal creative vision. As an award-winning artist, she has had the privilege of participating in numerous invitational, juried, and group exhibitions on both national and local levels, along with several solo shows that showcase her evolving body of work. When she is not painting, she finds joy in cooking, hiking, spending time with her grandchildren, and exploring new places with her husband, all of which inspire and enrich her artistic practice.
This exhibit will be on display February 19-March 31, in the Apple Gallery. The Stokes County Arts Council is open to the public Monday through Friday, 9:00am-5:00pm, Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday 12-5 p.m. For additional information about the exhibit, call the Stokes County Arts Council at (336) 593-8159 or visit www.stokesarts.org.
