Fall 2025 / Winter 2026

September 15, 2025 - February 28, 2026

 An exhibition celebrating the artistry and passion behind the automobile. 

OVERVIEW - Buckle up for The Spark That Drives Us—a high-octane art exhibition that celebrates the passion, design, and drama of the automobile. Opening this fall at Waterworks Visual Arts Center in Salisbury, NC, the show spotlights five world-class automotive artists whose work reimagines the car as a canvas for creativity. From racetrack adrenaline to sculptural elegance, this immersive experience will captivate art lovers, car enthusiasts, and everyone in between.

WHAT FUELS THIS EXHIBITION - At its heart, The Spark That Drives Us explores the fire that fuels each artist's love for cars. What lit their creative engines? Was it the curve of a fender, the gleam of chrome, the roar of a straightaway—or the stories tucked into every set of wheels? This is more than a showcase—it is a journey into the emotional and artistic power of the automobile.

FEATURED ARTISTS - Each artist will anchor a dedicated gallery, turning the museum into a full-throttle celebration of automotive art.

Stefan Johansson - The Flow State - Le Mans champion-turned-painter, Johansson translates the adrenaline of racing into bold, kinetic paintings.

Heidi Mraz – Driven By Narrative - A mixed media storyteller, Mraz layers historical context and personal narrative to capture the soul behind the machine.

Michael Furman – Rearview - A world-renowned automotive photographer, Furman highlights the sculptural beauty and precision of car design.

Dan McCrary – Beyond Realism - this North Carolina-based watercolorist specializes in capturing the finer details, celebrating the artistry    of automotive styling.

Richard Pietruska – Form Follows Fantasy - Through striking sculpture, Pietruska evokes the timeless allure and flowing form of the automobile.

In addition to the artwork, two rare collector cars will be on display. From three-time NASCAR Cup Champion Ray Evernham comes the 1957 Dawson Ferret, an H-Modified sport racer. Joining it is the quirky, wood-bodied 1950 Martin Stationette, on loan from the Lane Motor Museum.  Plus, a special exhibition of student works from the prestigious ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena, CA.

EVENTS THAT KEEP THINGS ROLLING - To keep the energy revving, Waterworks is inviting local/regional collectors to utilize this first ever exhibition as a centerpiece for their car clubs. 

In conjunction with The Spark that Drives Us exhibition, Waterworks has planned five unique automotive-related events.

Cool Cars & Coffee will be open to the public from 8:00 - 11:00 a.m. on the third Saturday of the months of September, October, November and December.  Guests will have the opportunity to view a unique display of vintage, classic and/or luxury cars and meet collectors from across the region.

On November 8, Waterworks will host its first Cool Cars & BBQ fundraiser.  Proceeds from this event will support Waterworks ongoing educational and outreach programs.

For more information about Cool Cars & Coffee and Cool Cars & BBQ events, click HERE.