The Carrack Modern Art

Upstairs Gallery on top of a Bakery! My expectations were HIGH so it is my fault that I did NOT enjoy this Gallery… Had I been expecting less I guess I would have enjoyed it more! The Exhibit was about a Mans Struggle and Pain (my interpretation)…The Artwork was Cool
Participants of Durhams Third Friday Art Walk

Not sure if I went at the right time, but honestly, when an establishment is open to the public, they should always have their «game face on». I visited The Carrack Modern Art gallery after reading the (two) rave reviews for Durham’s Third Friday. This was our last gallery stop of the evening because it’s opened the latest of all the galleries that participate (until 10:30pm). Located directly next to Loaf, patrons must walk down a hallway, up a flight of stairs and choose between two rooms to enter. The room on the right is smaller and on the night of my visit was trashed. Empty wine bottles, what looked to be a cheese and meat plate demolished and trash accumulating.
The left room was much larger and had a lot more of the art displayed on our visit. They also had a musician entertaining and a live sketch artist (although she was sketching a little girl who looked to be about ten years old around 9:30pm at night in a room full of drunk people). Which brings me to my next point, I’m not sure if it was the free wine/​beer that had been offered earlier in the night (only the evidence remained) or if this is the hopping spot to be on Third Friday, but there were more then a few wasted people, and it was early in the evening still. And nothing against all the hipsters that make up Durham, but where did they all come from? I felt like I was walking into a museum and it was the patrons that were on exhibit?! And the art itself was not appealing to me, a lot of sculpture and mixed media to create «statement pieces» displaying everything from what I’d call grunge art to talking private parts, etc. I will definitely give The Carrack another shot, although I will arrive MUCH earlier and leave before things get crazy.

This is such an awesome events venue and arts space – right in downtown Durham. And it’s free! The Carrack is an art gallery in downtown Durham with rotating shows. The space is small, but they host (mainly local) artists who work in a variety of media. It’s definitely worth a visit if you’re in the area.
Definitely a hidden gem – and I do mean hidden. It’s on the second floor of the building above Loaf, and it’s more-​or-​less unmarked, except a sign is put up when it’s open. It’s only open on Thursdays and Fridays from noon to 6 and on Saturday afternoons. They also have events some evenings – exhibitions with artists and the likes.