The campus where Frank Creech spent some two decades teaching painting, drawing, sculpture and photography is now home to an art gallery in his memory.

In December, the Frank Creech Art Gallery debuted in the Arts Building at Johnston Community College in Smithfield. The opening marked the culmination of a community effort to recognize the late artist's contributions to arts programs at the college, in Johnston County and beyond.

"Frank always embraced the community college mission of service and education, and that's exactly what he wanted to do with the visual arts for Johnston County," said John Byrd, a former student of Creech's and the current director of art programs at JCC. "For him, the college was the perfect place to have a gallery, because it could be used as teaching and cultural-outreach tools for students and the community."

The 1,500-square-foot gallery was a collaborative project among the JCC Foundation, the Johnston County Arts Council and faculty in the college's Department of Fine Arts and Graphic Design.

The gallery contains state-of-the-art exhibition space and a 750-foot reception area that will eventually be used for the public sale of art. The gallery interior is equipped with museum-quality lighting, climate-control, hanging and security systems. Its gray, hand-finished concrete floors, contemporary white walls and distinct crown molding are designed to balance a modern feel with traditional Southern architecture.

Susan Lassiter, first vice president of the Johnston County Arts Council and friend to Creech, described Creech as a visionary leader who guided the growth of the local arts group through example and hard work. "Frank's idea for a community art center was sown long ago," Lassiter said. "Our dear farsighted friend now has his dream fulfilled. It is our duty to see that the facility is well used and enjoyed by many."

The inaugural exhibit, "Frank & Friends," showcased handpicked acrylic, mixed-media and watercolor paintings from Creech's personal collection, plus oil paintings, photography, pottery and jewelry of fellow artists, including art from his 10- year-old granddaughter, Emma.

Franklin Creech, Creech's son, said his family is very proud of the gallery, which he said will serve an important role in continuing development of the arts in the community.

"To have a gallery of this caliber in our community is quite amazing," Franklin Creech said. "The Frank Creech Art Gallery is a place for our community to celebrate and enjoy the work of artists, young and old, beginner and professional, local and international. This work was very important to Dad. We are looking forward to many great events at the Frank Creech Art Gallery."

A graduate of Duke and Florida State universities, Frank Creech was admired for his distinct collection of sculptures and paintings that reflected his passion for visual expression. His artwork is in private and public collections and in museums throughout the United States. His cast bronze and aluminum sculptures are displayed on the campuses of Duke, Yale, Delaware, Penn State and Francis Marion universities. Other public commissioned works include "The Story Teller" at the Gaston County Public Library and "The Reader" at the Public Library of Johnston County and Smithfield. Creech's "The Rescue" is at the entrance of the Paul A. Johnson Auditorium on the JCC campus.

In 2005, Creech was named to the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the state's highest civilian honor.