LUMBERTON — Melvin Morris, a mixed media artist in Lumberton, recently gave art lovers a sneak peek at his new Inner Peace gallery.

A preview event was held Thursday at the 3,000-square-foot facility, which is set to officially launch in June with an exhibition of work collected from The University of North Carolina at Pembroke. Morris received his bachelors degree in Art from UNCP last year.

“This exhibition is my way of showing my gratitude for what they taught me,” he said. “This is an opportunity for the local community to see the wide range of visual arts that are produced and taught by UNCP’s art faculty.”

The exhibition features an eclectic mix of paintings, prints and sculptures. Although some of Morris’ pieces can be seen hanging from the gallery’s walls, the artist cedes the spotlight to students and teachers from the university.

“This gallery is not about me,” said Morris, a former U.S. marine from Peoria, Illinois. “There’s so many artists here who don’t have the opportunity to have their work displayed. It’s important for me to see all of the artists, and there are so many talented artists in Robeson County.”

Teachers featured in the exhibition include Joseph Begnaud, Brandon Sanderson, Scott Zeigler, Adam Walls, Carla Rokes, Margie Labadie, John Labadie, Nancy Palm and Richard Gray. Students with work on display include Joan Blackwell, Jai Woods, Jessica Wyre, Christian Happel and Angel Crespo. The exhibition also features art by Brandon Tate.

Morris says the exhibition, which will be on display through August, comprises “between 30 and 40 pieces.”

In addition to art, the gallery boasts a kitchen area that Morris plans to use as a showcase for culinary students. He says the spacious building will also serve as a venue for live music.

“I’m pleased with where we’re going so far and I’m looking forward to the future,” he said.

The Inner Peace Art Center is located at 700 Roberts Ave. It is part of the Belle Plaza between East Seventh and Oak streets. For information, email [email protected] or call 910-733-1046.

Jaymie Baxley • The Robesonian • Melvin Morris, a mixed media artist from Illinois, uses his work to explore social issues. Morris is the director of a new art gallery in Lumberton.
https://www.robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/web1__IMG1724-1.jpgJaymie Baxley • The Robesonian • Melvin Morris, a mixed media artist from Illinois, uses his work to explore social issues. Morris is the director of a new art gallery in Lumberton.

Jaymie Baxley • The Robesonian • A new exhibition features paintings, prints and sculptures culled from The University of North Carolina at Pembroke.
https://www.robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/web1__IMG1733-1.jpgJaymie Baxley • The Robesonian • A new exhibition features paintings, prints and sculptures culled from The University of North Carolina at Pembroke.

Jaymie Baxley • The Robesonian • Melvin Morris and his wife Sonya Morris.
https://www.robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/web1__IMG1759-1.jpgJaymie Baxley • The Robesonian • Melvin Morris and his wife Sonya Morris.

Jaymie Baxley • The Robesonian • Art lovers turned out for a sneak preview of Melvin Morris’s Inner Piece gallery in Lumberton on Thursday.
https://www.robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/web1_Preview-1.jpgJaymie Baxley • The Robesonian • Art lovers turned out for a sneak preview of Melvin Morris’s Inner Piece gallery in Lumberton on Thursday.

By Jaymie Baxley • [email protected]

Features editor Jaymie Baxley can be reached at 910-416-5771 or by email at [email protected].