Craven Arts Council & Gallery
As Executive Director of Craven Arts Council & Gallery in New Bern, NC, artist J Burger works with his local community community to create new creative placemaking projects that embody the needs and desires of the residents and creating unique artworks the enrich the neighborhoods.
Selected projects headed by J Burger are outlined below. These projects were undertaken as part of CACG’s Art in Public Places initiative, adopted after Burger became Executive Director in 2020.
All projects involve design work, fundraising, budgeting, project management, community involvement, and other aspects. All projects are undertaken in adherence to Craven Arts Council’s Conflict of Interest Policy, and are the property of Craven Arts Council and Gallery, and shared with permission.
Photo courtesy of Ben Lindemann Photography.
New Bern Strong
Mike Rogers CPA, New Bern, NC. Completed 2024.
60’x30’
This mural was created for Mike Rogers CPA, a local accounting firm that was affected by Hurricane Florence. J Burger worked with the client to create the design, fundraise for the project, and organize community paint days for local residents and visitors. Over 300 people contributed to the final project, painting the figures in the lower half of the image. J Burger and Cevin Bryant painted the upper and middle portions
For more information, click here.
Greetings from New Bern
Cowell Cleaners, New Bern, NC. 2023
24’x16’
This project was Craven Arts Council’s first community painted mural. The image is inspired by vintage postcards, and features prominent New Bern sites and history. More than 75 members of the public helped with the creation of this mural.
Peace by Piece
Steel, Tyvek
35’x25’x25’
S.L. Revival Company, 900 Broad St
This project was installed on a 35’ former billboard pole in Uptown New Bern. The piece features origami cranes made from Tyvek, folded and dedicated by local community groups, youth groups, and others.
J Burger designed the piece, coordinated and taught groups how to fold the cranes, and handled fabrication, welding, and installation of the frame.
Find out more about this project at Craven Art’s website here.
Unity
2020
Modified Paper Mache, Steel, Paint
12’x16’x8’
Broad St Christian Church, 802 Broad St, New Bern, NC
This piece was made during the COVID-19 pandemic, and was the first in Craven Art’s Art in Public Places program. J Burger created the welded subframe and supervised community groups that applied the modified paper mache and paint.
