The purpose of The Jackson County Arts Council (The Council) is to promote the general betterment
of the community by developing a multi-faceted arts program in Jackson County and for that purpose to
coordinate the available arts programs; to schedule new events for wider dissemination of arts activities,
exhibitions and opportunities; to make the arts available to diverse populations; to encourage the
development of local talent; and to assist groups in crafts, visual arts, music, drama, dance, literary
arts, photography, archaeology and other related areas. Funded in part by the National Endowment for
the Arts, The North Carolina Arts Council, Jackson County Board of Commissioners, memberships and patrons.
Membership in The Council provides opportunities for participation in a wide range of programs, concerts
and exhibitions as well as research and information in the arts.
GRANT AWARDS: The Council welcomes proposals and applications for arts program grant funds from artists, organizations, and any citizen at any time. Grant applications are reviewed each July and the Council's fiscal year is July 1-June 30. Call 828-293-5458 to share your ideas.
The Council is administered by an all-volunteer Board of Directors and officers. The officers for 2008-2009 are: Ray Menze, President; Victoria McDonald, Vice-President; Elizabeth Mainwaring, Secretary; Henry Mainwaring, Treasurer; and Perry Kelly, President Emeritus.
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(Jackson County
Courthouse photo courtesy IMAGES OF JACKSON COUNTY magazine
www.mountainlovers.com
jctta@nc-mountains.com)
Jackson County, North Carolina has extensive resources in the arts. Its natural mountain beauty is an attractive locale for artists. Besides the resources available in the County, residents are in easy access to major art resources in Atlanta, Georgia; Asheville, Brevard and Charlotte, North Carolina; and Greenville, South Carolina. These centers offer outstanding symphonies, operas, theater, ballet, and museums. The County is a thriving crafts center within easy access to Arrowmont School of Crafts, Penland School of Crafts, John C. Campbell Folk School, Haywood Community College crafts center, and Brevard Music Center. The major arts resources within the County are described here.
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Western Carolina University is one of the sixteen campuses of the University
of North Carolina. The University offers undergraduate and graduate degree
programs in a broad range of studies in art, music and theater. The University
provides a variety of facilities in different sizes for music and theater
productions as well as three exhibition galleries.
SCHOOL OF ART AND DESIGN
Richard Tichich, Director
Phone: 828-227-7210
SCHOOL OF MUSIC
Will Peebles, Director
Phone: 828-227-7242
DEPARTMENT OF STAGE AND SCREEN
Susan Brown-Strauss, Head
828-227-7491
FINE AND PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
Paul Lormand, Director
Phone: 828-227-2479
FINE ART MUSEUM
Martin De Witt, Director/Curator
Phone: 828-227-3591
THE MOUNTAIN HERITAGE DAY (828-227-7740)
This annual celebration is held the last Saturday in September with over 200 vendors exhibiting traditional crafts
and foods for about forty thousand visitors. The events of the day also include
continuous performances on three outdoor stages, one of which is dedicated to
Shaped Note singing.
THE LECTURES, CONCERTS AND EXHIBITIONS COMMITTEE (828-227-7147)
This campus wide committee provides a wide range of arts programs annually ranging from intimate poetry readings,
lectures, demonstrations, and concerts to large audience performances and exhibitions.
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(Bronze life size sculpture by William Eleazer. Photo by Bob Schatz.)
The first statewide program of its kind in the nation, the NCCAT was established in 1985 as part of the University Of North Carolina to provide a year-round series of interdisciplinary seminars and programs that emphasize intellectual and creative renewal. It now serves over 3500 educators each year from all 100 counties. NCCAT has served as a model for like institutions in twenty other states.
The NCCAT Art Collection of 275 items serves as an integral part of the environment and learning activities. This is one of the larger collections of art by North Carolina artists and it is the largest collection of art by North Carolina educators. These works are enhanced by works of such notable names as Edward Weston (photograph), Andre Kertesz (photograph), Alex Katz (serigraph), and Tarleton Blackwell (painting). These art works hang in each of the dormitory rooms, public rooms, hallways and meeting rooms as well as throughout the grounds. To celebrate the tenth anniversary NCCAT installed a bronze cast sculpture of a teacher, two children and a globe created by students at Tuscola High School under the direction of artist/teacher William Eleazer. The estimated value of this collection is well over $400,000. The exhibition is open to the public during business hours. Back to contents
The purposes of The Jackson County Visual Arts Association (JCVAA) are to present visual arts to the community; to encourage creativity in all forms of the visual arts; to promote and disseminate art at all levels and all ages through exhibitions, instruction, speakers and demonstrations; and to support arts education for all of the citizens. The JCVAA is supported by memberships, sales commissions, patrons and The Jackson County Arts Council . (Photographs and painting of magnolia by Perry Kelly) Back to contents
Established in 1981 these events offer Music and Literature Performances at Webster, North Carolina at Five-thirty pm Each Sunday in July and the first Sunday in August.
The program is sponsored by the Webster Historical Society, and the Jackson County Arts Council.
Performances are held in the United Methodist Church that was built in 1881 and is listed on the
National Register of Historical Places. Food and conviviality after each performance.
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The town of Dillsboro, former county seat at the intersection of US-441 and US-19A has become a center of crafts productions and sales as well as the eastern terminal of the Great Smoky Mountain Railway. Miss Lucy Morgan who originated the Penland School of Crafts made Dillsboro her home. Her brother Dr. Ralph Morgan and his wife Ruth established the “pewter shop” in this quiet town. Dr. Morgan and Ruth taught local crafts persons to hammer the pewter and thus began the well known Riverwood Pewter Shop from which grew:
The RIVERWOOD SHOPS Since 1957
P O Box 310 Dillsboro NC 28725 (828-586-6542) The Riverwood Shops are
clustered in and around the original home of Dr. & Mrs. Ralph Morgan
overlooking the Tuckasegee River and the town of Dillsboro and shaded by a
four-hundred year old oak. It also houses the quaint Well House
Restaurant serving a wide variety of fine deli sandwiches, soups and deserts.
RIVERWOOD PEWTER , (828-586-6996), P O Box 73, Dillsboro, NC 28725. Email: sales@riverwoodpewter.com
OAKS GALLERY , Susan Leveille (828-586-6542),
P O Box 310, Dillsboro, NC 28725.
RIVERWOOD MENAGERIE, Leon Pace, (828-586-9083), P O Box 400, Dillsboro, NC 28725.
RIVERWOOD POTTERY (828-586-3601), P O Box 801, Dillsboro, NC 28725. Email: riverwoodpottery@verizon.net
KMR HANDWOVEN, Kathie Raig, (828-399-1713), P O Box 1118, Dillsboro, NC 28725.
(Photo: Barnes pottery by Perry Kelly)
Other Major Shops in Dillsboro Area
DOGWOOD CRAFTERS COOPERATIVE (A vast array of quality handmade
traditional mountain crafts, 828-586-2248)
TREE HOUSE POTTERY (828-631-5100), P O Box 253, Dillsboro, NC 28725 Town of Dillsboro
BO COVE POTTERY(The studios of Joan Byrd and George Rector, finely
crafted porcelain and stoneware with Japanese influenced design, 828-293-9784)
GOLDEN CARP
(828-586-5477) P P Box 609, Dillsboro, NC 28725.
GREEN ENERGY PARK (828-631-0271) 100 Green Energy Park Road, Dillsboro, NC 28725.
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(Pottery by Perry Kelly; tallest 32".)
The Western Carolina Civic Orchestra members range from advanced Suzuki
students to retired musicians living in Jackson, Haywood, Macon, Graham and
Swain counties of western North Carolina. The Civic Orchestra offers two
concerts annually. One concert includes solo performances by winners of an
annual competition of area high school and Western Carolina University students
sponsored by the Jackson County Arts Council. For information on the Orchestra,
the concerts or the competition contact the manager or men8r@aol.com
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The Western Carolina Community Chorus, established in 1970, is composed of singers from the Western most counties of North Carolina. It is the oldest continuously active community chorus in western North Carolina with a distinguished reputation as a volunteer musical force in the region, providing amateur and professional singers exceptional opportunities for study and performance of significant choral music. Concerts by the Chorus have provided opportunities for audiences throughout western North Carolina to hear performances of masterworks not normally presented outside metropolitan areas.
Since its initial performance with the Western Carolina University choruses in 1970, the Chorus has frequently performed with other outstanding choirs and choruses in the region. These have included the Asheville Choral Society, the Mars Hill College choirs, the University of North Carolina at Asheville Community Chorus, the Chancel Choir of the First United Methodist Church of Waynesville and combined church choirs of Haywood County, special choruses at Lake Junaluska, the Asheville Symphony Orchestra, and the Cullowhee Music Festival. These and other concerts have been given at many locations in Jackson, Macon, Swain, Haywood, and Buncombe counties.
In addition to some twenty-five major compositions included in regular
fall and spring concerts, the Chorus has complemented its repertory by
programming diverse Christmas carols and choruses, selections from major
oratorios, and a wide variety of folk music. Typically The Chorus performs
representative masterworks from the Baroque through contemporary styles in
complete form with orchestra or instrumental ensemble composed of professional
and amateur players from the region.. Membership is open without audition to
all interested and experienced singers. The Chorus is sponsored by
Western Carolina University,
The Jackson County Arts Council, and
The North Carolina Arts Council. Back to contents
The Kudzu Players, a community theater group,
is most active during the summer season with three to five
productions plus one children's production. Persons in the area
who have interest in any aspects of community theater productions are welcome to participate.
Newcomers and summer visitors are welcomed. Call for information on dates and performances.
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The town of Cherokee is located on US-441 at the eastern entry to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Cherokee Indian Reservation.
Native American arts of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Nation are integral parts of the arts of Jackson County.
Musicians, dancers, artists and crafts persons regularly participate in and contribute to the diversity of the arts in Jackson County.
North Carolina Arts Council, Raleigh NC, (919-733-2111),
www.ncarts.org
North Carolina Museum of Art, Raleigh NC, (919-839-6262),
www.ncartmuseum.org
North Carolina Symphony Orchestra, (919-733-2750)
www.ncsymphony.org
North Carolina State Theater (Flat Rock Play House), (828-693-0731)
www.flatrockplayhouse.org
Asheville Art Museum, Asheville NC, (828-253-3227)
www.ashevilleart.org
Asheville Lyric Opera, Asheville NC, (828-236-0670)
www.ashevillelyric.org
Asheville Symphony, Asheville NC, (828-254-7046)
www.ashevillesymphony.org
Brevard Music Center, Brevard NC, (828-884-2011)
www.brevardmusic.org
Biltmore Estate, Asheville NC (828-274-6333)
www.biltmore.com
Handmade in America, (828-252-0121)
www.wnccrafts.org
Folkmoot USA, Waynesville NC, (828-452-2997)
www.folkmoot.com
Penland School of Crafts, Penland NC,
828-765-2359)
www.penland.org
John C. Campbell Folk School, Brasstown NC, (828-837-2775)
www.folkschool.org
Southern Highlands Crafts Guild, Asheville NC, (828-298-7928)
www.southernhighlandguild.org
Craft Heritage Trails of Western North Carolina, (828-252-0121)
www.handmadeinamerica.org
Jackson County Historical Association, Webster NC, (828-586-0921)
Webster Historical Society, Webster NC, (828-586-0921)
Swain County Center for the Arts,
Bryson City NC, (828-488-7843)
eugenia@dnet.net
Jackson County Chamber of Commerce, Sylva, NC, (828-586-2155)
jctta@nc-mountains.com web site:
www.mountainlovers.com
Cashiers Chamber of Commerce, Cashiers, NC, (828-743-5191)
info@cashiers-nc.com web site:
www.cashiers-nc.com
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Further information on arts resources, artists and crafts persons in Jackson County may be obtained from dipk2@earthlink.net. This web page is brought to you by The Arts Council for the purpose of publicizing the arts in the region. Design and content by Perry Kelly, with Andrey Evsukov, technical assistant, and Al Bouchard, web site advisor. Your questions, suggestions and comments would be appreciated. Updated: May 2008.