From Mooresville to the World: Selma Burke

Trailblazer for Women in the Arts

Tuesday, March 4, 2025

6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. (EST)

Statesville Library Meeting Room

Statesville Branch of the Iredell County Library

Statesville, North Carolina

Click Here to Register

Join us for an exploration of Selma Burke, a pioneering Black American sculptor who broke barriers for women in the arts. Author L. Melissa Smith will provide a brief introduction to the life of Selma Burke and read selected passages from “Graven Images, An In-Depth Chronicle of the Life of Prolific Artist Selma Hortense Burke”, which highlights key moments in Burke’s career. Afterward, attendees will be invited to share their thoughts and reflections on her work.

The session will include a narrative of Burke’s journey from her childhood in Mooresville, North Carolina, to becoming an internationally recognized artist. Selma Burke was one of the first Black American women to receive commissions for public monuments, and she paved the way for future generations of women artists.

Smith will also share some lesser-known facts about Burke, offering an intimate look at the woman behind her iconic sculptures.