NC Public Art specializes in public art for municipal, educational, hospitality, and corporate applications, as well as fine art for private commission. We are located in central North Carolina, and serve the region with our unique brand of visual public relations: combining community-focused artwork with turnkey project management, and expert installation to establish brand recognition for the most important message out there—yours.
MAX DOWDLE
Max Dowdle is the director of NC Public Art as well as the primary muralist. After studying a variety of media in undergraduate studies at the College of Charleston, he eventually settled on painting as his main focus. Afterward he attended and taught in the classical vein at Charles H. Cecil Studios in Florence, Italy. This gave Max vital insight into the practices of traditional atelier work, which served as a useful seedbed for his creative journey afterward. While continuing to hone his skills as an artist Max has also grown as a storyteller, endeavoring to imbue his compositions with the narrative pathos of community as well as dynamic command of the brush. Max considers the function of artist as communicator timeless; and the ability to artfully represent what resides in the mind is an incredibly powerful, and necessary role.
Beyond Max’s own broad-stroke ideas of where to begin when approaching a new project, his absolute favorite part of the process is the design phase, where NC Public Art collects feedback offered from those community members and stakeholders that are intimately involved in the project, and begins to synthesize those needs into a lasting work of art. Max has no trouble shepherding NC Public Art to go the distance, and to create that desired, lasting visual impact.
MARK BUMP
Mark Bump attended Brooklyn College, after which he taught, and took on a wealth of highly skilled projects. A man of extremely sought-after mechanical talent, Mark is equally able to tackle all manner of lighting design, mechanical fabrication, functional, kinetic sculptures, as well as finely-organized electronic components. From the macro the micro level his keen talent embraces the physical world to create transformative experiences for the viewer. From his well-equipped shop Mark is able to fabricate anything needed for the job, meaning we do not need to farm out necessary elements. Less links in the supply chain mean a greater facility for success on projects of scale. As Shop Foreman for the Spoleto festival in Charleston, SC, Mark was in charge of the creation of every element of theatrical productions, from lighting to stage dressing. During his tenure as Head Fabricator for Aurora Lampworks in New York, he shepherded delicate assignments with seven figure budgets incorporating updated LED lighting into venerable antique fixtures.
Mark’s prime interest in art-making is the confluence of informational data and kinetic/interactive sculpture. Weaving dense information into the work in a way that is accessible to the lay person is an especial talent of Mark’s. Of his work Mark says, “Political and social issues are important inspirations for each of my sculptures. I aim to construct an image that is compelling on the aesthetic, conceptual, and tactile levels, allowing the viewer’s experience to be determined by the level of interaction they have with the piece. By participating in the work, the audience examines all facets of the concept, promoting better understanding of the art’s purpose.”