Exploring Arts & Culture in Caswell County
A Familiarization Tour with Culture Queens & Uplift NC
A diverse group of guests stand at the HOOPLA skirt, looking up and engaging in discussion inside a public library.
A Creative Immersion Through Caswell County
On Friday, June 20, Culture Queens partnered with Uplift NC for a cultural familiarization tour through Caswell County, North Carolina—a powerful experience designed to highlight the region’s creative vibrancy, historical landmarks, and rural tourism potential.
We began with a warm welcome and breakfast at Caswell Arts, hosted by Director Karen Williamson, whose leadership set the tone for a day rooted in storytelling, collaboration, and community pride.
HOOPLA Skirt on display at the Library
HOOPLA Exhibit: Where Art Becomes a Voice
One of the tour’s most moving experiences was the opportunity to explore the HOOPLA exhibit by artist and photographer Perrin Marie. This multi-site art installation features 16 wearable sculptures, displayed throughout Caswell County and beyond, including stops in Durham, NC and Danville, VA.
Each piece is crafted from recycled and reclaimed materials—honoring identity, memory, and resistance. The exhibit encourages us all to take up space boldly—physically, politically, and artistically.
One standout piece, titled “197,” is a wearable sculpture made from 197 recycled cans—each printed with a term from a Forbes list of words flagged in federal grant applications (words like diversity, equity, and inclusion). For Perrin, this was deeply personal:
“These weren’t just flagged terms. They were a mirror. A love letter. They described people I care about,” she told the Caswell Messenger.”
Onlookers pause to take in the downtown storefront installation—a hoop skirt sculpture made from recycled materials and layered text, sparking quiet reflection and bold dialogue.
The result is a bold, clinking skirt that delivers protest and performance in equal measure.
Unexpected Stops and Historic Treasures
From there, we made an impromptu stop at the Yanceyville mural, where Karen provided the backstory of the town’s powerful tribute to Black community figures. This mural stop became one of the most talked-about moments of the day.
Bold, bright, and rooted in legacy—the “Before Us” mural in Yanceyville invites viewers to reclaim space, honor silence-breakers, and celebrate the power of creative resistance. A vibrant tribute to identity, environment, leadership, and community.
For lunch, we visited All in the Family Restaurant in Milton, a local Black-owned eatery known for its down-home hospitality and good food. The conversation flowed as richly as the sweet tea.
Later, we toured the Thomas Day House and Union Tavern, the historic home and workshop of one of North Carolina’s most celebrated Black furniture makers. Inside, we saw Day’s original tools, designs, and stories come to life.
Hats, Laughter, and Legacy
One of the surprises of the day came when guests were invited to try on whimsical handmade hats during the tour. There was laughter, posing, and a sense of lightness that matched the powerful themes of the exhibit—art can be both resistance and celebration.
📸 “You can’t ignore it. That skirt in the window demands your attention.”
– Tour Guest, Caswell Messenger
Making Noise, Reclaiming Space
As Perrin Marie shared in her interview with the Caswell Messenger, HOOPLA is about reclaiming identity, challenging silence, and refusing to shrink:
“When someone tells you to stay quiet, sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is make noise.”
After an immersive day exploring each installation site, the HOOPLA crew gathered for a shared meal before continuing thier day. They were reminded that storytelling, like art, is best experienced together.
Rooted in historical and environmental symbolism, the exhibit reclaims the 19th-century hoop skirt—a once-restrictive silhouette—and transforms it into a modern vehicle for voice and visibility.
“Whether you agree with the message or not, you can’t ignore it,” another viewer added.
“We HOOPLA,” says Perrin.”We take up space”
The exhibit will be on view across Caswell County through the end of June, with maps and site details available at www.hoopla.love and www.caswellarts.org.
Why Cultural Tourism Matters
This tour wasn’t just about seeing art—it was about reclaiming space for rural creatives, uplifting underrepresented stories, and connecting across generations and geographies. Caswell County offered us a full-circle cultural experience—one that blended art, history, and healing.
Guests were encouraged to interact with the work—and each other—through whimsical pieces like this flower crown hat, celebrating joy and creative freedom. Jesa with Uplift NC picture.
Special Thanks To:
Karen Williamson – Caswell Arts
Perrin Marie – Artist, HOOPLA Creator
All in the Family Restaurant – Milton, NC
Thomas Day House & Union Tavern – Historic Site
Every Culture Queens & Uplift guest who joined the journey
🎨 HOOPLA is on view through June. Don’t miss your chance to witness this bold celebration of identity, voice, and vision. View all the works of art at hoopla.love
From elders to youth, HOOPLA invites every generation into the conversation. These young art enthusiasts soaked in every detail of the installation.
