The Waterworks Visual Art Center in Salisbury, North Carolina, has opened a new exhibition titled "The Spark That Drives Us," which explores the intersection of visual art and automotive design. Featuring works by five internationally-acclaimed automobile artists—Heidi Mraz, Stefan Johansson, Michael Furman, Dan McCrery, and Richard Pietruska—the show includes watercolor paintings, mixed-media pieces, and sculptures, alongside two rare cars: a 1957 Dawson Ferret from Ray Evernham's collection and a 1954 Martin Stationette from the Lane Motor Museum. The exhibition runs through February 28, 2026.
This exhibition matters because it reframes automobiles as works of art, encouraging viewers to see everyday vehicles as products of creativity and craftsmanship. Housed in the former McCanless Motor Company building, the show also highlights the cultural and emotional significance of cars, connecting local history with contemporary artistic practice. It represents a unique collaboration between the art world and automotive enthusiasts, potentially attracting new audiences to the visual arts.