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The work of James Melvin is on display at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Outer Banks in Kill Devil Hills. Brian Tress photo

Sea Life by James Melvin

Brothers by James Melvin

Oystercatchers by James Melvin

Cottage by James Melvin

The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Outer Banks (UUCOB) is currently showing the work of James Melvin, well-known artist of the Outer Banks, with a reception to kick off the official opening on February 1.

An announcement of the exhibit noted the church is “proud to hold this exhibit at the beginning of Black History Month which this year, is a tribute to African American artists, spanning the many impacts Black Americans have had on visual arts, music, cultural movements, and more.”

Melvin was born in a small town in eastern North Carolina and aspired to be an artist at the age of 10. In 1980, he and his wife came to the Outer Banks to fish with some friends and fell in love with the beauty of nature and the pace of life here. In a bold move, they quit their jobs, sold their house and moved here, with Melvin becoming a full-time artist in no time, noted the announcement.

Melvin’s art reflects the beauty and peace that he finds here, and he works in oils, acrylics, pastels and colored pencils. His subjects include beach scenes, birds, cottages, people and everything in between. He is well known as the illustrator of Suzanne Tate’s Nature Series and his paintings are part of the Captain Richard Etheridge Pea Island Lifesavers exhibit at the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island and The Pea Island Cookhouse Museum in Manteo.

Melvin obtained a BS in art education and design from NC A&T State University and continues to take classes to this day to hone his techniques in areas where he wants to push his edge.

There will be an opening reception on Saturday, February 1 from 4-6 p.m. at the UUCOB meetinghouse located on the corner of Herbert Perry Rd. and Kitty Hawk Rd. Refreshments will be served and Melvin will give a talk about himself and his art at 4:15 p.m. This reception is free and open to the public

“The public is welcome to attend this event and the service on February 9^th  at 10:30 am which also honors Black History Month.  Author Tony Gentry will speak on ‘The Role of Race in Medical Advancement’ and discuss the life of Chris Baker, a once reviled man who proved essential to the medical field – a riveting, disturbing, but essential part of our history,” stated the UUCOB announcement.

To learn more about the UUCOB, go to uucob.org.

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