The Art Department at Johnston Community College will host an exhibition of graphic design and fine art from 11 a.m. till 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 30, in the Art Building on the JCC campus.

During the open house, art students will display their graphic design digital portfolios as well as paintings, drawings, prints, ceramics, photography, sculpture and jewelry, according to a news release.

John Byrd, head of the fine arts and graphic design programs at JCC, said the open house is a way to share the students' work with the college and larger community as plans to renovate the art gallery move forward.

“Our goal is to bring a higher level of visual art culture to the community,” Byrd said. “We want this to be our calling card. When people talk about the art department at JCC, we want them to think about our gallery.”

The College Foundation, along with the Johnston County Arts Council and the college's Art Department, have collaborated to raise private monies to renovate the art gallery on campus and name it in memory of Frank Creech, a Smithfield artist and sculptor and longtime instructor and chair of the art department at JCC.

Byrd envisions the gallery serving as a community-based gathering place for the arts. The gallery makeover will enable the college to showcase student art exhibits as well as a variety of work of major artists across the country.

To date, the campaign has generated more than half of the $100,000 goal. For more information on how to contribute to the art gallery renovation, call 209-2115.