Since the beginning, art has been an important element of the atmosphere at Crook’s Corner.
The dining room is a gallery that features local artists with a six week exhibition time — upcoming and well-known alike. We’re fortunate to have a very talented community of local artists and artisans to choose from. With every exhibit the dining room and bar take on a new look and feel. Price lists for each art exhibit can be found at the bar, and Crook’s does not charge a commission.
Current Artist: Mike Benson
Mike Benson is a native of Chapel Hill (CHHS ’85) and a graduate of Savannah College of Art and Design (BFA ’93). He has ridden a motorcycle from Washington D.C. to Guatemala and back, was beaten up in a street brawl in Bangkok, sang lead vocals for his band in Iceland and has owned a couple of bars. His passion is still photography and he shoots both with film and digitally. He currently resides in Carrboro. His installation at Crook’s Corner features stars both local and national.
Pictured: Dexter Romweber, Carrboro 2012 by Mike Benson
2021 SCHEDULE
Louis St. Lewis
John Bare
Mike Benson
Jake Bower
John Harrison
Jason Wozniak
Bob Goldstein
Hannah Jewel
Elaine O’Neil
About the pig and other sculptures
Bob Gaston’s life size Pink Pig hovers over the entrance and marks your entry or exit to Chapel Hill on Franklin Street depending on which direction you’re driving. Fortunately, no one has stolen the Pig in some time.
On the patio, the water fountain sculpted by Bob Gaston drowns away the sounds of a bustling Franklin Street. Originally, a herd of wooden critters by local folk artist Clyde Jones convened upon the rooftop, but with the years they decomposed and are gone. A few of Clyde’s critters still hide among the bamboo, as well as a multicolored dog near the front door. One critter, Pink Elephant, is a permanent resident at the end of the bar and was given to Gene by Clyde’s Mother.
