Burgwin-Wright House is happy to welcome back Wilmington artist David A. Norris for his third show in our gallery!

The opening reception will take place on June 28 from 6-9pm.
Norris’ artworks will be on exhibit and for sale until July 20.
Admission is free. The gallery is open Monday-Saturday 10am-4pm.

About the Artist
Long settled in the Port City, he finds the historic atmosphere of Wilmington and the natural beauty of the Cape Fear River; our local creeks and ponds; and the Atlantic coast provide limitless sources of artistic inspiration. With David’s interest in art intersecting with a love for history, the colonial-era Burgwin-Wright House is a fine place for showing his images of Wilmington’s historic past and its enduring natural environment.

Most of David’s work reflects the landscapes of the places where he has lived or visited. Through his interest in art history, his work has absorbed influences such as English watercolors, 19th century engravings, Japanese woodblock prints, Dutch Baroque landscapes, and Van Gogh’s reed pen drawings. Among David’s works are prints, including monoprints or plexiglass drypoint prints. Both processes can be done at home with basic materials, while allowing considerable possibilities.

Much of his recent work features wildlife and landscapes seen in the artist’s daily walks, a tradition he began at the start of the pandemic in 2020. Many works originate with photographs taken on his walks, which inspire sketchbook drawings. Once a composition is worked out, many of the sketchbook drawings become the basis for larger drawings, watercolors, or oil paintings.

David has recently begun showing photographs of local scenes as well. Among them is a series of cyanotypes, or “sun pictures”, which are made by exposing treated photosensitive paper to sunlight. Cyanotype images can be made from negatives, but the process also captures shadows from objects such as antique bottles, Spanish moss, broom sedge, and other natural materials.