Painter Eric McRay created “Cary Collection” especially for the town’s 41st Annual Lazy Daze Arts and Crafts Festival.
The series of four paintings appears on the festival poster and features recognizable festival-centric themes bounded by brightly colored hearts.
“My hearts series of paintings delivers the quick communication of an icon; a universal symbol of passion, love and zeal,” said McRay, the festival’s featured artist. “That thought combined with iconic symbols from Cary inspired the Cary Collection.”
Eric McRay is the featured artist for Cary’s 41st Annual Lazy Daze Arts and Crafts Festival.
The themes include:
The Page-Walker Arts and History Center: The historic museum and former hotel was built in 1868 by the town’s founder, Allison Francis Page.
The Cary Town Crier: A native of sister city Markham, Canada, John Webster has welcomed festival-goers since the early ‘80s. He and his wife, Mary, greet all with “Oyez! Oyez!”
The Little Jerry Doll: The handmade doll created and named for festival creator, Jerry Miller, a Cary documentary artist.
The Downtown Clock: The signature downtown Cary clock was erected in 1986 by Cary Rotary clubs.
McRay’s vibrant art overflows with bright colors, expressive styles and energized designs. The Raleigh artist has been collected by the SAS Institute, Duke University and the American Tobacco Campus, among many others.
“We are excited to have Eric McRay as our feature artist this year,” said Adam Bell, Festival and Events Supervisor with the Town of Cary and Lazy Daze coordinator. “His work in the Cary community with the Cary Arts Center has made Eric recognizable among Cary residents and a perfect fit for our feature artist designation this year.”
McRay has a BFA from the Maryland Institute College of Art and has been exhibiting his work since 1987. In 1998, he open a studio at Artspace in downtown Raleigh. He has partnered with the Cary Arts Center where he regularly offers art classes and has a philanthropic relationship with several local organizations including Cary Art Loop and the town of Cary.
Also look for artist Michael Layne’s exhibit “Solar Wings,” an enlarged winged creature featuring the use of renewable materials. The piece will be installed on Saturday morning, and throughout the festival, visitors will be able to make small wing pairs to add to the ground beneath the sculpture.
For more information about McRay, visit www.EricMcRay.com.
