Arts and Lifestyle

Ascension Gallery opens in downtown Raleigh

Published by Alex Bass from Triangle Tribune

Wednesday, August 6, 2025

RALEIGH – Paul Baker can explain the bright gold wall in the new art gallery at 416 S. McDowell Street. The long-sought wealth of the African diaspora, present in music, fashion, cuisine and so much more, offers a fertile foundation for growing educational opportunities.

“That is why we call it Ascension Gallery - to ascend these artists of color,” Baker said.

Baker facilitated securing and developing the new downtown creative space, which opened with several events during August’s first weekend. The opening exhibition, “Conscious and Culture: Reframing Art and Thought,” will run through Oct. 26. Five artists, including artist-in-residence Christopher Evans, have work displayed. Evans, an Apex native, is joined by Shawn Etheridge, Renee Neptune, Jermaine Powell and Delayna Robbins. The quintet engaged some of the gallery’s earliest patrons in an artists’ talk Aug. 2.

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Left to right: Jermaine Powell, Renee Neptune, Shawn Etheridge, Delayna Robbins and Christopher Evans.