Fertilizing the Root of Our Community
When there is a natural symbiosis and synergy occurs, success is sure to follow.
2008: Haywood County is recognized as America’s first Certified Entrepreneurial
Community.
1965 - present: Haywood Community College provides the workforce of Haywood County.
This puts the students of HCC at the root of our community.
2008: Art O’Neil is recognized and awarded, “Entrepreneur of the Year”.
2007: Studio Thirty Three owner, Diannah Beauregard is winner of “Small Business Start- Up Competition.” (Diannah is an HCC Professional Crafts, alumni)
2009: A survey update by Handmade in America, partnering with Blue Ridge National Heritage Area, Haywood Community College, Penland School of Crafts, UNC- Asheville, and the UNC Center for Craft, Creativity and Design reports that Professional Craft is a $206.5 Million Industry in Western NC.
If you were to ask me, "What do the above mentioned facts look like when pieced together strategically?" I would say they would look like a Fine Art and Craft Show that resembles a fountain sustaining our community with a sweet and colorful elixir.
I would say that the show would be held in the Grand Ballroom of The Gateway Club, in Waynesville North Carolina.
I would say that it would be driven by the force of two kindred spirits who have combined the passion in their hearts with their unique businesses to design and create a “Gateway to the Arts’ Fine Art and Craft Show.”
I would also say that the purpose behind it would be to nurture the very root of our community, the students of Haywood Community College, with a healthy fertilizer, Fine Art and Craft.
Seasoned artists have been hand selected to bring to you the finest of Art and Craft in our community in an elegant setting that is in itself, rich with history. The artists are a mix of different mediums, some of which are alumni from Haywood Community College. Many participating artists are award winning, nationally and internationally recognized. They include Diannah Beauregard of Studio Thirty Three, designer jeweler; Jenny Buckner, oil paintings; Kathleen Doyle and Tom Reardon with Portfolio Metalworks; Dianne Lee, stained glass; Jo, Keri Anna, and Ed Kelley from Ridge Runner Naturals; Teresa Pennington, Artist of the Blue Ridge; Joel Queen, traditional Cherokee potter and sculptor; Sarah Rolland of Rolland Pottery; Josef Stejskal, blown glass; Karren Stoner, ceramics; Bob Travers, landscape and wildlife paintings; and Andrea Williams, weaver.
The first annual “Gateway to the Arts, Fine Art and Craft Show” will be held at the Gateway Club on 37 Church Street in Waynesville, NC on May 30 from 10 AM to 7 PM.
Tickets to the event are $5.00 and free to HCC students and faculty. The proceeds from ticket sales will assist in creating scholarships for students currently enrolled at HCC in the Professional Crafts Department.