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News Release: RISING Exhibit Grand Opening at NC State on March 28

Rising NC logo

Photo Credit: RISING NC

The Interdisciplinary Studies Program, NC State College of Humanities and Social Sciences, in partnership with the Southeast Climate Adaptation Science Center and the African American Cultural Center, will be hosting the RISING exhibit beginning on March 28th. The grand opening event will begin with a panel discussion, followed by a poster showcase and reception during the exhibit viewing.
RISING is a multi-media collection of artistic and oral history accounts that present how the North Carolina coastal region has transformed over time. Originally founded in February 2018, this showcase travels throughout the state to communities that it represents, helping North Carolinians better perceive the changes that are occurring along the coastline. You can learn more about the RISING exhibit and preview some of the artwork in this video.
The panel discussion will feature Baxter Miller, one of the RISING curators and artists, as well as Karen Amspacher, Director of the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum & Heritage Center, co-author of Living at the Water’s Edge, and member of the Rising team. Dr. Blair Kelley, Professor of History and Assistant Dean of Interdisciplinary Studies and International Programs, and Andre Taylor, graduate student in the Public History Program and SE CASC Global Change Fellow, will also be featured as panelists. The discussion will be moderated by Dr. Matthew Booker, Associate Professor in Environmental History at NC State.
This panel is the second of a three-part Global Change Seminar series implemented by the Southeast Climate Adaptation Science Center Global Change Fellows. Each seminar focuses on a different aspect of sea level rise with an overall goal of providing the audience with a more comprehensive understanding of the science behind sea level rise, its impacts, and adaptation strategies to reduce risk. This particular discussion aligns with the message of RISING and is entitled “Human Impacts of Sea Level Rise.” The panel discussion will be live streamed; please visit bit.ly/RISINGncsu for remote connection details.
“This exciting exhibit will help demonstrate all the ways that students and scholars across disciplines at NC State must respond to the topic of rising seas facing our state and the globe, and how the insights from culture and history can be in conversation with climate change adaptation,” says Kelley.
The student poster showcase will feature graduate and undergraduate students who are engaged in research focused on topics such as affected coastal peoples, the history of landscape change, coastal climate impacts, climate adaptation and coastal resiliency, and options for the future. Students from NC State and other colleges and universities are welcome to apply. This is an excellent opportunity for these scholars to share their research with other multi-disciplinary researchers and the broader community. Students may get more detail about the showcase and submit a poster abstract by March 20 at this website.
Photo Credit: RISING NC

RISING was developed by a diverse team of creators, scientists, and local community members. The exhibit was founded with an emphasis on collaboration across disciplines. Likewise, the panel discussion and research presentations that are part of the exhibit opening event also reflect a range of academic fields. Local chef Ricky Moore’s reception menu will feature North Carolina seafood. This event symbolizes the integration of diverse backgrounds, expertise, and interests joining together to address issues around sea level rise in North Carolina.

Schedule of events on March 28th:

3:30 – 4:30 pm | Panel Discussion | African American Cultural Center, 356 Witherspoon Student Center

4:30 – 5:30 pm | Student Poster Showcase | 201 Witherspoon Student Center

4:30 – 5:30 pm | Reception and Exhibit Viewing | 218 Witherspoon Student Center

The exhibit will be displayed from March 28 until May 31 and can be viewed at the African American Cultural Center Art Gallery from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. This event was made possible by a grant from the NC State College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Office of Research and Engagement. The initial technical support and funding to develop the exhibit was provided by the NC Sea Grant. Acknowledgement also goes to Baxter Miller and Ryan Stancil, the artists and curators of RISING, the NC State Office of Interdisciplinary Studies, the NC State History Department, Jess Whitehead of NC Sea Grant, and the NC State Program on Science, Technology, and Society.