Renowned photographer and Visual Arts alumnus David LaChapelle returns to UNCSA to inspire next generation of artists

Acclaimed photographer and director David LaChapelle, a graduate of the High School Visual Arts Program at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA), is returning to Winston-Salem to connect with students as part of his upcoming exhibition, “David LaChapelle: Dear Sonja (opens in new tab).”

Opening on Feb. 27 at the N.C. Museum of Art (opens in new tab) (NCMA) Winston-Salem (formerly SECCA), the exhibition features over 80 works spanning 40 years of his career, which has influenced contemporary photography and visual culture. LaChapelle, who was hired by Andy Warhol to work at Interview magazine early in his career and has worked with internationally recognized figures such as Elton John, Britney Spears, Tupac and Madonna, will also meet with current High School Visual Arts students to learn about their projects, offer insights into his creative process and discuss the exhibition.

“David LaChapelle’s return to UNCSA is an incredible opportunity for our students to learn from one of the most influential visual artists of our time,” said Visual Arts Program Director Will Taylor. “His journey from our classrooms to the global stage is a testament to the power of artistic vision and perseverance. Having him share his insights, experiences and creative process with our students not only inspires them but also reinforces the idea that their own artistic dreams are within reach.”

LaChapelle initially enrolled at UNCSA as a student focusing on painting and later developed a distinctive approach to photography that merges fine art traditions with bold and cutting-edge compositions through his editing techniques.

“There’s no guidebook on how to be an artist,” LaChapelle has said. “I was drawing and painting before picking up a camera and I didn’t realize how intuitive photography was. I took to it really well. I loved it and never finished a drawing after that.”

Since his time at UNCSA, LaChapelle’s work has appeared in Vanity Fair, Rolling Stone, Vogue, i-D, The New York Times Magazine and other publications. He has credited his time in the Visual Arts Program as a formative experience that helped lay the foundation for his career.

“My big break was getting accepted in School of the Arts — that was my big break,” he said. “Everything else was cumulative. You work for this magazine or you get this job, even working for Interview — that was built on other things. But there was no big break. The big break was getting accepted to School of the Arts.”

LaChapelle returned to UNCSA to deliver the keynote address at UNCSA’s 2015 commencement, where he received an honorary doctorate. The recognition celebrated his influential career and his ongoing connection to the school where his artistic journey began.

As part of the programming for “David LaChapelle: Dear Sonja,” LaChapelle will participate in an artist talk (opens in new tab) on Feb. 28 at 6 p.m. in the McChesney Scott Dunn Auditorium at NCMA Winston-Salem, providing audiences with a rare opportunity to hear directly from him about his artistic journey.

Additional exhibition programs include:

• Study Hall: The Photographer's Mirror"– March 5, 12, 19, 26 | 6–8 p.m.
  Four-part seminar with C. Stephen Hurst exploring photography’s role in the digital age.
• "Curator Tour – David LaChapelle: Dear Sonja"– April 10 | 6–7 p.m.
  Special tour of the exhibition led by curator Maya Brooks.
• "Film Screening: RIZE (2005)"– April 26 | 1 p.m.
  Documentary by LaChapelle on the dance movement emerging from South Central Los Angeles.
• "Pop Visions: The Music Videos of David LaChapelle"– May 8 | 6:30–8 p.m.
  Screening of iconic music videos directed by LaChapelle at NCMA Winston-Salem.

The exhibition, which is on view through July 20, is co-curated by David LaChapelle Studio and Maya Brooks and is organized by the North Carolina Museum of Art (opens in new tab) (NCMA) Winston-Salem, located at 750 Marguerite Dr. For more information on the “David LaChapelle: Dear Sonja” exhibition and exhibition programming, visit the NCMA website (opens in new tab).

About the UNCSA Visual Arts Program 

The UNCSA Visual Arts Program enrolls high school juniors and seniors who commit to a rigorous course of study in design, drawing, sculpture and art history. Graduates of the program have continued to pursue their interest in the fine arts at universities such as Virginia Commonwealth, Kansas City Art Institute, Maryland Institute College of Art, Rhode Island School of Design, School of Art Institute of Chicago, Ringling College of Art and Design, School of the Museum of Fine Art - Boston and College for Creative Studies. Visual Arts alumni have enjoyed successful careers in photography, graphic design, painting, animation, sculpture, installation art, makeup artistry and arts education.

About NCMA Winston-Salem

NCMA Winston-Salem (formerly SECCA), an affiliate of the North Carolina Museum of Art and division of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources since 2007, offers a front row seat to the art of our time through exhibitions, experiences and education programs with a focus on regional working artists. Founded in 1956 and located on the scenic James G. Hanes estate in Winston-Salem, NCMA Winston-Salem offers unique large-scale indoor and outdoor settings for exploring the intersections of contemporary art and culture.

NCMA Winston-Salem is located at 750 Marguerite Dr., Winston-Salem, NC 27106. Recent exhibiting artists include Jordan Nassar, John Brooks, Tyler Mitchell, Allana Clarke, David Gilbert, Basil Kincaid, Neka King, William Downs, Raj Bunnag and Beverly McIver. Learn more at www.ncmawinstonsalem.gov (opens in new tab).

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