Citizens wanting to make a last minute run for Christmas gifts should head over to City Hall. Located at 433 Hay St., the governmental building isn’t a department store but it is an art emporium, so to speak, thanks to the artwork on display and for sale in the Mayor’s Office and second floor waiting area. The rotating pieces were placed by the Arts Council of Fayetteville-Cumberland County as a request by Mayor Tony Chavonne to showcase the art of local college students and faculty members.

The art comes from participants at Methodist University, Fayetteville State University and Fayetteville Technical Community College and the prices range from $200 to $500. Any purchase of student work goes directly to the student and purchase of faculty work is donated to the school.The school chooses the artwork and submits it to the Arts Council, then Mayor Chavonne selects the art to display. Pieces include abstract, realism, photography and portrait work. The art is rotated every six months and the program began this year.

It’s the mayor’s way of featuring the quality education that is offered in the city.

“We have excellent schools and colleges in Fayetteville and this is a good way to let students and faculty know that their educational pursuits are respected and their art is appreciated,” Mayor Chavonne said. “Plus, people visiting City Hall can admire the work that is created in classrooms here.”

Calvin Mims, art services director at the Arts Council, said they will open the program up to some art agencies to feature local Fayetteville artists, as well.

There has been quite a bit of interest in the program, Mims said.

Anyone wanting to purchase the artwork can stop by City Hall and contact the artist by calling the telephone number on the back of the piece or contact Mims at 323-1776 or calvinm@theartscouncil.com.

For more information on the program, watch the City show Kaleidoscope every Tuesday in January at 8:30 p.m. on Time Warner Cable Community Channel 7 or online at http://www.ci.fayetteville.nc.us/video/kaleidoscope.aspx.