Art in the Atrium Exhibition: Lost and Found A Discussion on Innocence and Consciousness by Sabrina Tillman McGowens

About this event

What is lost, and what is found, as childhood innocence gives way to an awareness of how the world sees us?

Through compelling portraits of young African American girls and poignant still-life paintings of once-cherished dolls, Lost and Found explores the delicate transition from childhood innocence to self-awareness and identity. The exhibition's title reflects both the innocence and freedom that can be lost as young girls encounter societal expectations, racial stereotypes, and cultural pressures, and the confidence, self-love, and sense of identity they can discover and reclaim along the way.

Both tender and thought-provoking, Sabrina Tillman McGowens ' exhibition invites viewers to reflect on the powerful influence of representation, family, and cultural identity in shaping young Black girls' perceptions of themselves and their possibilities. Ultimately, Lost and Found is a celebration of resilience, self-discovery, and the importance of empowering the next generation to embrace who they are and all they can become.

Meet the Artist: Sabrina Tillman McGowens

A native of High Point, North Carolina, Sabrina Tillman McGowens discovered her passion for art at an early age. Although she initially pursued a career in orthodontics, an elective art class at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill inspired her to follow her creative calling. She graduated in 1998 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in printmaking and later earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in painting from the Academy of Art University in 2020.

After more than 20 years working in computer graphics, packaging design, and print production management, Sabrina transitioned into a professional art career. In 2012, she established her art business, Brtyche , and began exhibiting her work at galleries, festivals, and community events. She opened her first art boutique, The House of Brtyche, in downtown High Point in 2018, later relocating and renaming it Sabrina's in 2020.

Today, Sabrina's artwork is featured in galleries and private collections throughout North Carolina. Through her boutique, she continues to showcase her original artwork while supporting fellow artists and entrepreneurs through exhibitions, creative events, classes, and community engagement opportunities.

Art in the Atrium is an opportunity for local artists to show and sell their work at Centennial Station Arts Center. The High Point Arts Council provides exhibit space in our gallery atrium for visual artists, and artists participate during our monthly Art on Tap networking events. No commission is charged, so artists receive the full retail price of their work to reinvest in building and growing their creative practice.

This HPAC program also highlights the importance of providing local and regional artists with equitable access to a professional exhibition venue where they can share their work with the High Point community. By activating the atrium gallery as a visible and welcoming space, Art in the Atrium connects artists to the Arts Council’s network of creatives, supporters, and community partners, fostering meaningful relationships, increasing exposure, and strengthening the regional arts ecosystem.

The Centennial Station Arts Center Atrium Gallery is open to the public Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM, excluding HPAC office holiday closures.