In honor of the 75th anniversary of the Fayetteville Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, they are bringing something special to the Fayetteville community on Saturday, March 28, at Embassy Suites, 4760 Lake Valley Drive.
The Curated Collection, a collaboration with the WaterKolours Fine Art Gallery, is a one-day-only Fine Art Gallery Exhibition curated by Danny Jenkins, featuring contemporary paintings, mixed media pieces, limited-edition prints, and sculptures, many highlighting themes of family, culture, history, faith, and storytelling.
Doors open at 10 a.m., allowing attendees ample time to view the collection. Art pieces will be available for sale at a range of prices, catering to collectors looking to add to their collections or for those interested in purchasing their first piece.
Nationally acclaimed artists Woodrow Nash and Charly Palmer will be on site for a Fireside Chat starting at 2 p.m. to discuss their journeys, careers, and inspirations. Woodrow Nash will be unveiling his new series from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are $50 and include a glass of wine, a raffle ticket, and hors d’oeuvres and can be purchased online at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fayetteville-fine-art-exhibition-meet-woodrow-nash-charly-palmer-tickets-1982112136758?aff=ebdssbdestsearch. Advanced ticket purchase isn’t required, but it is encouraged.
Woodrow Nash is a sculptor originally from Akron, Ohio. His artistic journey is varied. In the 1970s, he was illustrating jazz album covers. He worked as a technical illustrator for the Goodyear Aerospace Corporation, and then was an illustrator for the American Greetings Corporation. In 1991, he began working as a graphic artist, which used to lean heavily in clay works.
“I’m looking for that expression that cuts across a cultural grain,” Nash said.
His sculptures reflect what he has found in his journey, “the foundation of mankind,” Africa and the world tribal culture.
Charly Palmer has been an artist for over 30 years. He calls his paintbrush a “Griot,” a West African storyteller, historian and culture keeper. In his work, he focuses on “African ancestry and contemporary experiences,” leaning on visual and rhythmic stories. His greatest desire as an artist is “To be used as a vessel and expression of something higher than himself.”
In 2024, Palmer was commissioned by the USPS to create the Black Heritage stamp series honoring the late Judge Constance Baker Motley. About being an artist, Palmer says there’s nothing else he could imagine himself doing.
The Fayetteville Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, is one of the country’s oldest and largest volunteer service organizations. Its mission is to “enrich, sustain, and ensure the culture and economic survival of African Americans and other persons of African ancestry through friendship, service, and leadership.”
The Fayetteville Chapter locally advances the mission by developing programs and partnerships that address important community needs in Cumberland County and surrounding areas.
Over the past 75 years, they have successfully provided educational mentorships, awarded scholarships, helped with health initiatives, and provided cultural enrichment opportunities. Some of the organization's most significant and impactful programs include its support for Fayetteville Technical Community College’s YES mentoring program, scholarships through the Fayetteville State University Endowment, and health outreach initiatives with Black Family Wellness.
The Curated Collection will raise money for the YES mentorship program, which provides resources for students who are experiencing academic and financial struggles. The organization is proud to support YES through events like these.
“The event also supports the service work of the Fayetteville (NC) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, and The Links Foundation, Incorporated, so attending is a way to help support programs that benefit our community. We hope people will make plans to attend, enjoy the experience, and share in what we believe will be a very special day in Fayetteville,” organizers say.
The Fayetteville (NC) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, would like to thank everyone who made this event possible.
“We are grateful for the support of both sponsors and collaborators who have helped make The Curated Collection possible. Our exhibition partner, WaterKolours Fine Art Gallery, has been instrumental in helping us bring this collection to Fayetteville. We also appreciate the support of sponsors, including Piedmont Natural Gas, Cape Fear Valley Health System, Lumbee River EMC, Sigma Pi Phi, Brick Capital Video, Fred Webb Law Firm, and the Broadwell College of Business and Economics. Their support is helping us bring something special to Fayetteville and make this event possible.”

(Photo: The Fayetteville (NC) Links Chapter poses for a photograph. The organization is celebrating their 75th anniversary, and will be holding a one day fine art curated event at the Embassy Suites. Photo courtesy of Pamela Jackson)