Visit Rockingham County NC Press Release • February 27, 2025 • Tara Martin, Marketing Manager, Rockingham County Economic Development & Tourism
Visit RoCo and Partners Honor the Legacy of Mary Cardwell Dawson –
(Rockingham County, NC) – The unveiling of a mural in honor of N.C. Music Hall of Fame inductee, Mary Cardwell Dawson, was presented in Dawson’s hometown of Madison, North Carolina, on February 27, 2025, at 11:30 AM. The mural is proudly displayed on the side of Serenity Massage and Bodywork Therapy located at 111 W. Murphy Street, Madison, NC. The event celebrated 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, the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, 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 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. “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. 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.
The unveiling ceremony was 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. Many members of the community, including art and music students from Dillard Academy and Western Rockingham Middle School, were in attendance where they witnessed not only the mural unveiling, but learned about Mary Cardwell Dawson’s lasting influence on the opera world, and heard remarks from state and local officials.
About 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.
www.visitroconc.com
About Visit RoCo
Rockingham County, located in North Carolina, is known for its picturesque landscapes, outdoor adventures, and rich cultural heritage. The county is committed to promoting sustainable tourism that benefits both visitors and the local community.
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.
About the Partner Organizations:
- NationalOperaHouse.org
- BlackLeadershipArtsCollective.org
- NC Music Hall of Fame
- RCArts.org
- UNCG Opera Theatre
- NC Musicians Mural Trails, ComeHearNC & Scott Nurkin
- NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
- North Carolina Arts Council
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