Haywood County Arts Council in Waynesville, NC, Calls for Entries for “Take A Walk in My Shoes” – Deadline Dec. 15, 2020

The Haywood County Arts Council in Waynesville, NC, is hosting an online digital exhibit entitled “Take A Walk in My Shoes” to be on view, online in January and February of 2021.

“Take A Walk in My Shoes” is an opportunity for artists of our racially diverse western NC community to speak to the historical and contemporary issues of racial justice. HCAC invites artists to use their various mediums to engage issues through their art form.

The deadline for submission is Dec. 15, 2020.

Eligibility: Haywood County Arts Council (HCAC) invites artists (18 years old and older) who reside in Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes, Yancey, or the Cherokee Qualla Boundary. All work must be original and created in the past two years.

Eligible media include: ceramics, stone, sculpture, fiber, glass, metal, mixed media, painting, and wood. Fine art media such as photography, and lithography are NOT ELIGIBLE unless incorporated into an otherwise eligible media. Diversity of Artists: Three fourths (3/4) of the show inventory must be produced by artists that are American Indian, Asian, Black/African American, or Hispanic/Latino. One fourth (¼) of the show inventory may be produced by artists that do not fall into the above-mentioned racial/ethnic designations. Race/Ethnicity information is required for reporting to the North Carolina Arts Council.

Submission instructions and contract can be found at (www.haywoodarts.org/call-for-artists/). Inquiries can be directed to Leigh Forrester, Executive Director by e-mail at (director@haywoodarts.org).

Application Process Open for Grants to Support the Work of Artists in Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, Polk, Rutherford, and Transylvania Counties in NC – deadline Sept. 30, 2020

Artists in all disciplines are eligible to apply for grants to support their professional and artistic development through a partnership of the North Carolina Arts Council and Asheville Area Arts Council, Haywood County Arts Council, Arts Council of Henderson County, Tryon Fine Arts Center, Rutherford County Recreation, Cultural, and Heritage Commission, and the Transylvania Community Arts Council.

Artist Support Grants will be distributed to eligible applicants by Haywood County Arts Council in the following North Carolina counties: Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, Polk, Rutherford, and Transylvania.

Applications for the grants are available at (www.HaywoodArts.org/grants-funding/).

The deadline is September 30, 2020.

Grants will range in awards from $500 to $1,000.

Emerging or established artists are encouraged to apply to support a range of professional and artistic development including the creation of work, improvement of business operations, or expanding capacity to bring work to new audiences. Artist fees are also allowable expenses.

“The Artist Support Grants program responds to the impact of the pandemic by ensuring that artists and the state’s arts infrastructure have the resources needed to help our state make a strong social and economic recovery,” said Wayne Martin, executive director of the North Carolina Arts Council.

For more information or questions please contact: Leigh Forrester, Haywood County Arts Council at (www.HaywoodArts.org) or call 828/452-0593

The Haywood County Arts Council is a non-profit agency that serves artists and arts organizations in Haywood County. As an affiliate of the North Carolina Arts Council, the Haywood County Arts Council seeks to fulfill its mission to build partnerships that promote artists, art education, innovation in art and explore new cultural opportunities, while preserving our mountain community’s artistic heritage. The Haywood County Arts Council and its Gallery & Gifts is located at 86 N. Main Street in Waynesville, North Carolina. For more information, visit (www.HaywoodArts.org).

The North Carolina Arts Council builds on our state’s longstanding love of the arts, leading the way to a more vibrant future. The Arts Council is an economic catalyst, fueling a thriving nonprofit creative sector that generates $2.12 billion in annual direct economic activity. The Arts Council also sustains diverse arts expression and traditions while investing in innovative approaches to art-making. The North Carolina Arts Council has proven to be a champion for youth by cultivating tomorrow’s creative citizens through arts education. For further info visit (www.NCArts.org).

Cedar Hill Gallery in Waynesville, NC, Holds “Auction for the Arts” from June 24 – July to Benefit the Haywood County Arts Council

The Haywood County Arts Council is holding its silent auction, “Auction for the Arts”, of original artwork from June 24 – July 11, 2020, at Cedar Hill Gallery. Bidding will begin at noon on Wednesday, June 24 and end on Saturday, July 11 at 4:30pm.

The auction items will each have a “Buy Now” price so that visitors to our fine town will be able to take home their purchase on the day they see it. Bidders do not need to be present at the end of bidding in order to win. Winners will be called Monday, July 13 and may pick up items on July 13 – 18 between noon and 4:30pm at Cedar Hill Gallery, 196 N. Main Street in Waynesville, NC.

100% of the proceeds from the auction will go toward HCAC’s Arts Now! Our Campaign for the Future. The goal of the campaign is to establish a fund for the eventual purchase of a building large enough to provide gallery space for over 100 artists, an emerging artist incubator with affordable studio space, creation space for youth arts educational programs, a dedicated music classroom, three additional classrooms, and an endowment.

Join us at the Auction for the Arts! There is a wonderful variety of handcrafted jewelry, painting, pottery, stained glass, sculpture and household treasures.

Artwork donated by: Mark Matheny, Barbara Brook, Remi Dawkins, Cayce Moyer, Jerry Stuart, Diannah Beauregard, Gretchen Clasby, Mary Decker, Dominick DePaolo, Janice Huse, Jan Kolenda, Gregg Livengood, Susan Livengood, Jude Lobe, Francoise Lynch, Jeremiah Maitri, John Nelson, Dee Noelle, and Debbie Skelly will be featured.

Artists interested in donating artwork for the auction may request a contract via e-mail at (Artist@HaywoodArts.org) or by calling 828/452-0593.

Haywood County Arts Council in Waynesville, NC, Offers Sale of 2020 “Seasons of Haywood County” calendar

The Haywood County Arts Council in Waynesville, NC, has announced the eight local photographers who have been selected for publication in the 2020 “Seasons of Haywood County” calendar. This 12-month calendar features 13 photos of beautiful Haywood County. The $15 calendar is available for purchase at the Haywood County Arts Council Gallery & Gifts beginning on Dec. 2, 2019.

The photographers that are included in our 2020 Calendar “The Seasons of Haywood County” include:
January-Peter Brown-“Winter in Haywood County”
February-Kelley Jakelis-“Winter Barn”
March-Russell Wyatt-“Elk at Cataloochee Valley”
April-Donald Raff-“Spring Thaw”
May-Denise Seay-“Dahlia”
June-Donald Raff-“Cairn”
July-Beverly Sloan-“Weeping Mountain”
August-Marnie Brooks-“Water Knob”
September-Journal Thomas-“Great Spangled Fritillary Butterfly”
October-Marnie Brooks-“Autumn Blue Ridge”
November-Peter Brown-“November in Haywood County”
December-Beverly Sloan-“Snowy Drive”

The cover photo “Fall at Fines Creek” by Kelley Jakelis is also attached.

For further info call 828/452-0593 or visit (www.Haywoodarts.org).

Haywood County Arts Council in Waynesville, NC, Calls for Participation for Haywood County Studio Artist Tour 2020 – Deadline Feb. 5, 2020

The Haywood County Arts Council in Waynesville, NC, invites all Haywood County Studio Artists to participate in the annual Haywood County Studio Tour scheduled for June 27 & 28, 2020. The Haywood County Studio Tour is a two-day, self-guided, free event in which Haywood County artists open their studios to the public.

To participate, the studio must be in Haywood County. Artists may choose to open their Haywood County studio or to join with another studio host. The HCAC will act as a liaison between artists needing a host site and studios that have space for additional artists. The artist/studio application and Policies for Participation may be found on the Haywood County Arts Council website or pick up from HCAC Gallery & Gifts at 86 N. Main Street in Waynesville. E-mail completed forms to (Artist@haywoodarts.org) or mail to P.O. Box 306, Waynesville, NC 28786.

The deadline for the completed studio tour application is Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020. The Haywood County Studio Tour Exhibit Opening Reception is on Friday, June 5, 2020.

For more information about HCAC programs and events, visit the Haywood County Arts Council website at (www.haywoodarts.org).

The Haywood County Arts Council is a non-profit agency that serves artists and arts organizations in Haywood County. As an affiliate of the North Carolina Arts Council, the Haywood County Arts Council seeks to fulfill its mission to promote artists, art education, and innovation in art. The Haywood County Arts Council and its Gallery & Gifts is located at 86 N. Main Street in Waynesville, North Carolina.

Haywood County Arts Council in Waynesville, NC, Announces the Winner of our Haywood County Open Studio Tour Logo Contest

The logo design was chosen by a panel of professional artists and the winning logo designer is Deb Parmele of Canton, NC. Deb Parmele is an HCAC artist member, art glass bead maker, and jewelry artist. The new Haywood County Studio Tour logo, designed by Deb, features a NC brown bear.

The 2020 Haywood County Artist Studio Tour is scheduled for June 27 and 28, 2020, from 10am to 5pm both days. The free, two-day self-guided tour will allow participants to visit approximately 30 working artist studios. Haywood County has a vibrant community of artists who have chosen to live and work in Western North Carolina, making it one of the premier destinations for visitors. During the studio tour, everyone will have a chance to explore Haywood County and experience the diverse artistic talent within our community. Participating artists work in diverse media, including clay, fiber, wood, jewelry, glass, mixed-media, sculpture, and two-dimensional applications.

The late June dates were chosen with the hope of ensuring good weather for the tour. Additional information regarding artist participants, locations where maps will be available and participating artist preview reception at the HCAC Gallery on Main Street will be forth coming. Please mark your calendar now for an interesting and enjoyable outing in Haywood County June 27th and 28th, 2020. Plan to pack a picnic for your adventure or stop by one of Haywood County’s wonderful restaurants.

For further info call 82/452-0593 or visit (Haywoodarts.org).

Haywood County Arts Council in Waynesville, NC, Offer Grants to Regional Artists – Deadline Sept. 30, 2019

The Haywood County Arts Council in Waynesville, NC, is now accepting applications for North Carolina Arts Council Regional Artists Project Grants (RAPG) through September 30, 2019. The RAPG workshop for interested artists will be held on Monday, Sept. 16 at 5:30pm at the Jackson County Library, 310 Keener Street in Sylva, NC.

The grants will fund artists in Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Jackson and Macon counties at any phase of their professional development. Grants may cover equipment purchases, professional development training, marketing, and more. Projects must occur between December 1, 2019 – June 5, 2020. The deadline for applications is September 30. Grantees will be notified by Oct. 31. Final Reports will be due Friday, June 5, 2020. For application information, visit (www.haywoodarts.org/regional-artist-project-grant). In the west, grant awards to artists generally range from $500 to $1,000 and follow a competitive application and review process.

The Haywood County Arts Council is supported in part by the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Cultural Resources. The Regional Artists Project program is managed through a partnership with the North Carolina Arts Council and local arts organizations throughout western North Carolina working as a consortium. Consortium partners include the Cherokee County Arts Council, Clay County Historical & Arts Council, Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center, Haywood County Arts Council, and Jackson County Arts Council. Since 1985, the North Carolina Arts Council has provided funds for the Regional Artists Project program to support professional artists. The regional consortium of western North Carolina arts partners matches the NC Arts Council to create a pool of funds for the artists.

For more information, contact Leigh Forrester, RAPG program administrator at 828/452-0593 or e-mail to (director@haywoodarts.org).

Haywood County Arts Council in Waynesville, NC, Calls for Artist Applications to Exhibit Works – Deadline Sept. 6, 2019

The Haywood County Arts Council in Waynesville, NC, invites interested artists to submit applications for inclusion in monthly gallery exhibits or retail spaces. Organizations may submit applications for monthly gallery exhibits as well. All materials are available at (www.HaywoodArts.org) under Artists: Call for Work, or paper copies may be picked up in the gallery at 86 N. Main Street, Waynesville, during business hours.

Applications are due Sept. 6, 2019, by 5pm. The jury will convene and make selections in October for several exhibits in 2020 as well as retail artists. Applicants will be notified of their status in late October.

“We felt that the jury process has helped enhance HCAC Gallery & Gifts and made the process for artists fairer,” said Leigh Forrester, Executive Director of the Haywood County Arts Council.

For an application materials or more information, visit (www.HaywoodArts.org). E-mail to (GalleryGifts@HaywoodArts.org) with complete applications or questions.

Haywood County Arts Council (HCAC) is expanding beyond Waynesville, NC’s City Limits to Include the Artists and Creative Workers in Haywood County, NC

As of July 1, 2019, the Waynesville Gallery Association became the Galleries of Haywood County (GHC) under the umbrella of HCAC. Leigh Forrester, the Director of HCAC, is very excited about this cooperative initiative for “it is county-wide and not restricted to Waynesville’s city limits and all the galleries in Haywood County are invited to be a part of this new and exciting endeavor. The participation of as many county–wide galleries as possible will serve to give greater voice to our talented artists and enrich our county.”

Colleen and Jim Davis, of the Jeweler’s Workbench, see that the Galleries of Haywood County will “pool resources because HCAC’s non-profit status will enable grant funding for the GHC.” According to Colleen, “our reputation and our market are national but our talent is local.”

Richard Baker of the Balsam Ridge Gallery sees great opportunity for cooperation in the GHC. “Artists are not always associated,” he reveals, “but we are all looking for community.” Baker is keenly aware of the need for “fellowship in creative work.” Like his wonderful landscapes, Richard sees the wonders of our county and knows how much artists contribute to the economy of the county.

The Galleries of Haywood County now include Balsam Ridge Gallery, Cedar Hill Studio, Haywood County Arts Council Gallery, Moose Crossing Burl Wood Gallery, The Jeweler’s Workbench, TPennington Art Gallery, and Twigs and Leaves Gallery. Membership is open to every gallery in the county and benefits include marketing promotions and web site visibility.

The arts are thriving in or area and making major contributions to our economy. The umbrella of the Haywood County Arts Council will help artists further their work and grow their business. What is very clear is that the Galleries of Haywood County offers mutual support, increased commerce, and expanded opportunities for all involved.

For further information call the Arts Council at 828/452-0593 or visit (www.Haywoodarts.org).

Haywood County Arts Council in Waynesville, NC, will Host the Pearson Sisters to Share the Secrets of Quilt Block Painting – Aug. 12 & 13, 2019

The Haywood County Arts Council (HCAC) is proud to help build on and continue the tradition of hand painted quilt blocks that you see on many self-driving tours of western North Carolina.

Haywood County is dotted with quilt blocks. You can spot them decorating the sides of barns, welcoming at restaurants, and even advertising dentists’ offices. They are a visual emblem of Appalachia and a true art form of the people of the mountains.

Before the days of cable news, the quilting bee was how the community shared news. The quilters not only created magnificent textile art but were the source of vital information. Marriages were negotiated around the quilting frame. Quilting bees were also a form of peace talks. Families could settle disagreements by “going to the quilt” before heading to the courthouse. Feuds could be ended when the women would clear the air. No sensible man would dare defy a woman armed with a needle. It has even been suggested that the quilters were early suffragists, for the cooperative effort of making the complicated patterns allowed women to bond in highly personal and effective ways.

One of the most dramatic uses of the quilt was as a map for slaves escaping through the Underground Railroad. The quilts they carried were festooned with symbols which led the way to freedom. The Drunkard’s Path pattern warned of slave catchers and dogs in the area, so you had to backtrack. Flying Geese, headed north was a sign to “follow the birds.” A shoofly pattern told you there were helpers in the area. The Crossroads pattern signaled you were in Cleveland, Ohio, and free. The Crossroads on a quilt was also a challenge to make a life decision as to where to go next.

Many of the current quilt blocks on display in Haywood, Yancey and Mitchell Counties were hand crafted in Burnsville, NC, by Carole and June Pearson and their volunteers. As of July 1, 2019, the Haywood County Arts Council is the new headquarters for the Quilt Trails of Western NC and the associated art studio now located at the Folkmoot building in Waynesville.

Carole & June Pearson will be traveling from Burnsville, NC, to Waynesville to train interested volunteers in the techniques of Quilt Block painting over the next few months. The Pearson sisters will be sharing the secrets of quilt block painting on Aug. 12 & 13, 2019.

To discover more of this fascinating aspect of our culture, please join the team of quilt block volunteer painters, and e-mail the Haywood County Arts Council at (director@haywoodarts.org) or call 828/452-0593.

If you are interested in ordering a handcrafted Quilt Block for your home, barn, or business, please visit our website at (www.QuiltTrailsWNC.org) or come by the HCAC Gallery at 86 N. Main Street in Waynesville.