When you walk into a store and one of the first things you see is a ginormous copper jellyfish floating in the air, you just know you are in the right place. And that place is Bel Air Arts Center. This gem in the heart of Rocky Mount is a funeral home turned car dealership turned art gallery. The brainchild of Jessica Hicks, Bel Air Arts is 9,000 square feet of gallery space and where imagination meets "I have to have that!" She always dreamed of creating an artistic space that was unlike any other.
Mission accomplished.
Every wall, shelf and perfectly placed display is filled with something unique and a world of possibility. There's a trumpet that thinks it's a lamp. A giant cow painting with eyes that follow you around the room. Hand-blown glass vases, hammered metal earrings and pottery that will make your mind go into overdrive trying to think of all the things you can put in it. And that's just a few of the one-of-a-kind creations you'll find here.
Everywhere you look, there's something creative and handmade. Even the tables that showcase the art were crafted by a local woodworker who builds her reclaimed wood and salvaged metal masterpieces in an adjoining studio space. She's one of 70+ local and regional artists represented in the gallery and one of 12 who create their art on-site.
In addition to the art on display, there are also scheduled events that include theater performances and art classes for you to enjoy, as well as a yoga studio called Willow Tree, that offers practice for all levels and a healthy dose of zen several times a day.
You seriously can't help but be immediately inspired here. I felt like grabbing the nearest paintbrush and creating something but instead grabbed my credit card and bought some gifts for friends, family and a few things for myself (all in the name of research of course!).