EMMETT MAGAZINE is an Arts and Entertainment magazine created by Modern Artist and Designer Emmett Ardie Williams. The powerhouse publication offers professional photography by experienced globetrotting photogs, and is read from DC to Dubai. The truly international magazine is unique in a sea of media that offer pedestrian fashion coverage EM offers Fashion Designers, Models, Make Up and Hair Stylist Interviews, philosophies, and experiences. The Artists from Painters and Musicians, Famous and up and coming can have their voices heard here from a creative who has been there as a Street Artist/Muralist, Studio Artists, Gallery, and Museum Exhibitor, and Writer with more publications on the way! Click on the famous Logo to visit EMMETT MAGAZINE on Instagram!
J A M E S B A R N H I L L
THE ETERNAL FIGURE
The Artist is currently exhibiting at The Continental Club Gallery, in Greensboro located at 816 S. Elm Street, in Greensboro, North Carolina through June 5, 2026.
I caught up with James at his extremely well attended Opening Reception on Friday May 8th. 2026.
Notable Artists in and around the Greensboro, NC area attended including friends Sculptor Jim Gallucci, and Painter and Writer Jack Stone, also Musician Michael Roberto. The exhibition’s Curator was Preston Wiles.
Barnhill’s Exhibition features Sculpture as well as Paintings throughout the Continental Club, a spacious venue with a layed back vibe, coupled with Art make it an ideal setting to meet with friends and colleagues.
I previously met James years ago and this is one of the first times I’ve ventured out to this venue in a year or so and it seemed a great opportunity to spend a few moments with one of the areas great Artists and interview him about his life and works with details behind the scenes for my magazine. Most do not realize the historical significance of Artists in their own communities, and the thought processes behind them. If those opportunities to learn from their experiences is lost or key questions not asked at the right time, those following will repeat unnecessary repetition of problems already solved, in my view. As a creative I ask questions I want to know, and hopefully when those questions are asked and answered the public and specifically Artists with the ambition to follow after great ones, remain on the path to new heights in Generation Next.
This area is packed with Artists in need of outlets and opportunities, and I can tell you from experience, that opportunities don’t just happen, people have to prepare the venue, and accommodations etc. and local press, should be made aware in a timely fashion. The Artist is the number one salesman. They have to be there, and meet greet guest and literally be their own Hosts when need be.
As an observer, it was obvious this Artist is loved, by this community, and I hope our Interview provides inspiration to some in the area to continue and support the Arts as a whole in Greensboro, North Carolina.
EMMETT MAGAZINE
An Interview with Artist
JAMES BARNHILL
Hello James,
Thank you for agreeing to interview with EM!
Please introduce yourself to our audience and tell folks where you’re from originally.
My name is James Ernest Barnhill. I was born in Asheville, NC and grew up in Fairfax, VA, Bad Homburg, Germany, Falls Church, VA and Raleigh, NC, moving with my family, as my Dad was transferred with IBM.
Tell us please when you knew you wanted to become an Artist and what initially inspired you to pursue it.
“I knew at age 5 that I wanted to become an Artist. I had an innate desire to create, and didn’t need an inspiration.“
What should people know about your experiences as an Artist working/living in Greensboro, North Carolina?
“After graduating from UNC-CH with a degree in Art Education, I Entered the MFA Program at UNC-G, graduating with a Masters in Fine Arts degree in sculpture. After working independently for several years, as well as teaching Art to students in kindergarten through 2nd, I became a Professor at NC A&T. Thereafter I taught drawing, sculpture and painting to undergraduate Art Majors. During my time in Greensboro I sculpted The Minerva Statue at UNC-G, The Monument to Nathanael Greene in Greensboro, as well as the February 1 Monument at NC A&T, commemorating The Woolworth Counter Sit-In in Greensboro during the early civil rights movement. in addition, I have created sculptures that reside in liturgical, private, and public collections throughout the country.“
Please share your motivation for creating the Sculpture depicting the A & T Students.
“James Renick, who was the Chancellor at NC A&T in 2002, commissioned me to create a monument to the four A&T students who staged the 1st sit-in at the Woolworth’s Lunch Counter in Greensboro on February 1, 1960. I found a photograph of the four students leaving Woolworth’s, and used that as the basis for my sculpture.
My desire was to depict the four men in motion, which is reflected in the finished monument. Working alone in the basement of the Dudley Building at A&T, I worked for five months to create the plaster molds from which the monument was produced.“
Are there any behind the scenes moments that stand out in preparing for exhibitions to placing Public Works.
“To prepare for the monuments to be displayed, the initial step is to pour a concrete base which contained metal rods to support the statue.
Next, granite slabs with holes drilled in them for metal supporting rods to go through are placed on top of the base.
Finally, the statue itself is lifted by a crane and placed on a granite slab.
The entire process takes two days, requiring heavy equipment and great attention to detail.
After the initial plaster cast for the General Greene Monument was finished, the cast collapsed because an armature that held the statue up was not strong enough.
The statue had to be rebuilt, which required four weeks of arduous work. However, the second iteration of General Greene was much better than the first.“
What would you say to aspiring Artists as far as any insight you learned throughout life?
“To quote Winston Churchill, “Never Give In, Never Give In, Never, Never, Never, Never, In Nothing Great or Small….” Believe in yourself, and your abilities.“
Feel free to name any early inspirational figures.
“When I saw the statue of “Perseus holding the Head of Medusa,” by Benvenuto Cellini, in Florence, Italy at age seven, a feeling enveloped me which is difficult to describe, but reinforced my belief in myself as an Artist.“
Are there any goals you would still like to achieve?
“I have a sculpture in clay, “Mother and Child”, which I would like to be cast in bronze.“
Please visit the Artist’s Website: www.jamesbarnhill.com
Continental Club Gallery
Curator Preston Wiles
“A massive thank you to James Barnhill for letting us host The Eternal Figure at the CCG. Putting this retrospective together has been an absolute privilege. We’re incredibly grateful to Jim for collaborating with us, and sharing his incredible sculptures with the community. Thank you, James—it’s been an honor to celebrate your work!“
EMMETT MAGAZINE MARCH ISSUE 2026 CARNIVAL PICTORIAL
is by Sean A. Fletcher, EM’s new contributor to the Carnival Series.
EMMETT MAGAZINE FEBRUARY ISSUE 2026. This month features a Fashion & Fitness theme with David Ndokuro on the cover, who is a professional body-building champion. Actor and Model Ron West interviews with EM. We have Junda Morris, who is an international publicist, representing musicians and athletes, including Ndokuro. Morris recently held an event in Ghana, “Food Meets Fashion” this past December 2025, we feature a Pictorial from the event, with stunning by Arrow Creative Media, and Candi Williams Photography
Our December Issue 2025 wraps with DJ Greg H JAMZ Podcast Mix, in the Interviewers chair. We interviewed the New Jersey DJ earlier this year. We will answer a few of his Questions this time out. We have a Special Preview of a soon to be World Famous young hero! we have some fantastic images of this guy, and his Origin Story. Next we have Mari Spears founder of Second Date Society, a new social event/mixer for ages forties to sixties Professionals in the DMV area. Last but not least, another opportunity to read our New Heroine Sugar Brown as well as her supporting characters.
The Premier Issue of SUGAR BROWN MAGAZINE features tremendous photos by @IPUSHPIX so check them out on INSTAGRAM! What we enjoy is classic Pin-Up Photography, and this one delivers with the Fabulous Model “@KittyTheShowgirl” striking great poses during the shoot. The dual nature of this publication is to also feature ongoing pulp-heroine “Sugar Brown” and her hilarious as well as lethal sidekick Cyn, who is also her Mother. Story One tells the tale of the heroine, as she is born to Cyn, Her background is told as readers are introduced to her after Cyn’s story of a young girl forced to grow up fast in Detroit. High Drama and Action Packed moments throughout the story tell the tale and will surely leave readers awaiting the next chapter!
This character takes a licking, and keeps on ticking towards her goal of becoming a Private Eye. Her family thinks she’s crazy, but nothing will slow her roll as she just forges ahead like a ‘force of nature’! Detroit may not be ready for Cyn, but she’s armed and ready for it! Join us now, as our vision for modern cinema begins!