The colorful paintings of native North Carolinian Ivey Hayes now grace the walls of the once bland Azalea Coast room in the Fisher Student Union. The UNCW exhibit is the first of its kind in the UNC system. Hayes’ work is a semi-permanent exhibit that showcases some of his 4,000 pieces of work, according to Shane Fernando, assistant director of Campus Life Arts and Programs.

Fernando—who is also the curator of the Boseman Gallery—worked with Hayes to pick a place on campus that would “reach out to young people.” They chose the Azalea Coast room for a multitude of reasons, but Fernando said 24,000 people used the space through reservations last year. The exhibit is a way to make a home for Hayes’ work and brighten the oft-used space.

“This exhibition will give students intimate access to a variety of Mr. Hayes’ work; he’s native to our region, but is considered a national treasure,” Fernando said. “His work is colorful, vibrant and full of movement, light and life. The viewers can easily see themselves or people they know and love in his work.”

According to Fernando, the initial exhibit will run until 2012, at which time they will “have the opportunity to review, revise and hopefully continue this exhibition concept into the future.” With each new rotation of paintings there will be a new theme; the sheer number of Hayes’ paintings mean that there is a large amount of subject matter from which they can choose.

“I love how interesting and bright the Azalea Coast room is now,” said freshman Austin Hinton. “Hayes’ work is really wonderful, and I’m excited to see more paintings in the future.”

Rotations will take place every academic semester through June 2012. An opening reception for the artist was held on Feb. 9.