by Patty Smyers –
The Arts Council of Henderson County, in collaboration with the Transylvania Community Arts Council, and the Tryon Fine Arts Center in Polk County, announces the Regional Artist Project Grantees for 2015-16.
These grants are for artists who wish to further develop their professional careers through such things as purchase of equipment and materials, professional development workshops, etc.
The Arts Council of Henderson County administers the grants as a Designated County Partner with the NC Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural & Cultural Resources. Funds from the North Carolina Arts Council are matched by the three participating counties.
A total of $4,000 in RAPG funds were awarded to the following seven artists:
Bonnie Joy Bardos, a Polk County painter and sculptor, received funds for supplies for two painting series, one is entitled “Esto Perpetua,” and the other is called “Songs of the Earth.”
Joan Berner, a Henderson County fiber artist, is receiving funds to purchase a projector to aid in showing teaching videos.
Douala Dennis, a Polk County luthier, will be travelling for further study with Brian Derber at the New World School of Violin Making in Wisconsin.
Stuart Howe, a Transylvania County potter, received funds toward the purchase of a pug mill.
Catherine Langsdorf, a calligrapher residing in Henderson County, is receiving funds toward the purchase of a portable projector and portable camera to aid in teaching calligraphy.
Ashley Lowe, a Transylvania County mixed media artist, will receive support for the purchase of materials to create and photograph six geometrical Mandala designs using locally grown produce.
Sandee Setliff, a Henderson County mixed media artist, is receiving support to become a certified papermaker through the Arnold Grummer Certification Program, with additional funds to use toward purchase of a paper press.
Eleven applications were received from across the three counties, and the seven artists were awarded grants ranging from $350 to $1,000, by a panel of professional artists representing the disciplines applied for.
“Applications were evaluated on overall excellence of the applicant’s artwork, feasibility of the proposed project, and on how well the proposed project would contribute to the advancement of the applicant’s professional artistic development,” said Patty Smyers, Managing Director of the Arts Council of Henderson County, and administrator for the Regional Artist Project Grants.
The Arts Council of Henderson County is a community organization that promotes, advocates for, and nurtures the arts in Henderson County and Western North Carolina. Its office is located at 401 North Main St., Ste. 302, Hendersonville, NC 28792. For more information please contact the Arts Council at acofhc@bellsouth.net or (828) 693-8504.