FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Mural Unveiling Scheduled for

February 27, 2025

NC Music Hall of Fame and Partners honor the legacy of Mary Cardwell Dawson

The unveiling of a mural in honor of N.C. Music Hall of Fame inductee, Mary Cardwell Dawson, will be presented in Dawson’s hometown of Madison, North Carolina, on February 27, 2025, at 11:30 AM at 111 West Murphy Street, Madison, NC. This event celebrates Dawson’s extraordinary contributions to American music and her pioneering legacy, marking her place among the legends of North Carolina’s musical heritage.

The mural is a collaboration between N.C. Music Hall of Fame, mural artist Scott Nurkin, the National Opera House in Pittsburgh, Rockingham County Tourism Development Authority, Rockingham County Arts Council, the Town of Madison, The Black Leadership Arts Collective (B.L.A.C.), and the North Carolina Arts Council. Nurkin, a talented artist known for his large-scale murals in the hometowns of famous North Carolina based musicians, is honored to immortalize Dawson’s legacy in her hometown. His murals are now featured as the North Carolina Musicians Mural Trail which is made possible by the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

“I am excited and honored to be asked to memorialize Ms. Dawson in Madison and add her to the ever-growing NC Musicians Mural Trail,” says Nurkin.

The unveiling ceremony will be a vibrant community event, featuring performances by UNCG Opera Theatre students and renowned Opera stars and members of B.L.A.C., Alyson Cambridge and Kenneth Overton. The public is invited to attend the free event, where they will witness the mural unveiling, learn about Mary Cardwell Dawson’s lasting influence on the opera world, and hear remarks from state and local officials.

About Mary Cardwell Dawson:

Mary Cardwell Dawson

Mary Cardwell Dawson was born in Madison, North Carolina in 1894. She founded the National Negro Opera Company (NNOC) in 1941, which was the first commercially successful African American opera company in the United States. The NNOC was the first opera company to be fully run by a woman and very few were run by a person of color. As an educator, she trained generations of opera singers and brought the art form to African American audiences across the country. Dawson established guilds in cities such as Baltimore, Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, D.C., Newark, and New York. In recognition of her achievements, she was appointed by President John F. Kennedy to the National Music Committee in 1961. Dawson’s vision and dedication paved the way for the future of African American artists in the world of opera. Recently, efforts to preserve Dawson’s legacy have been increasing, particularly through the work of the National Opera House in Pittsburgh, PA. This organization is focused on restoring the historic home where Dawson headquartered the NNOC and taught multitudes of students, further solidifying her lasting influence on the arts and education.

About the NC Music Hall of Fame:

The North Carolina Music Hall of Fame works to recognize, promote and commemorate the musical heritage of the State of North Carolina. Through exhibits and events, the Hall of Fame promotes the state’s vibrant musical legacy, celebrating its influential figures and industry professionals across all music genres.

About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources:

The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina – its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. Through its programs, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency.
The department manages over 100 locations across the state, including 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, five science museums, four aquariums, 35 state parks, four recreation areas, dozens of state trails and natural areas, the N.C. Zoo, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, the American Indian Heritage Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Office of State Archaeology, the Highway Historical Markers program, the N.C. Land and Water Fund, and the Natural Heritage Program. For more information, please visit www.dncr.nc.gov.