By Donna Campbell Smith, FCAC
This winter news update by the Franklin County Arts Council (FCAC) includes board changes, gala rescheduling, events, and more.
New Slate of Officers
Franklin County Arts Council board of directors elected their 2017 officers at a meeting Wednesday night, January 11. Chairperson is Ellen Queen, Vice Chairperson Lea Anne Hahnel, Secretary Danney Dailey, Treasurer Linda Carlisle.
Date Change for Fundraiser Gala
After reviewing our several close encounters with unpredictable weather in February, we have decided to move our fundraiser gala to May 20, 2017. 6-10pm. Hosted by Dudley and Barbara Whitaker, donations for the gala auction will be gathered in the coming months.
Artists of the Year Reception
On Thursday, February 9, 2017, 6:30-8pm, enjoy this special reception at FCAC Headquarters, 22 S Main Street, in Franklinton NC.
Recipients of this year’s award are Craig Kassan and Joy Ayscue.
Craig Kassan gives a great deal of credit to his grandfather for getting him involved in art. He always helped with his projects and had a meticulous attention to detail that he passed along. Kassan says, “At the age of eight, we built a working toy wooden sailboat together. Granddad always made sure I got to the art store if needed, and encouraged and supported me with all my projects.” Kassan has worked with pen and ink and other mediums including oils, acrylics, and pastels, but found his true passion in wood. The idea for his wall sculptures came about from a trip to Salt Lake City. During the flight he became intrigued with the patterns created by the plots of land as well as the crop circles from the farms below.
Joy Ayscue says her voice isn’t all that melodic so she uses the medium of acrylic painting to sing her joy to the world. It is her passion to literally inject the powerful energies that she experiences in her own life such as hope, faith, peace, motivation, inspiration and especially the energy of love into each of her creations to share them with others.
Open Mic
The FCAC Diversity Team will observe Black History Month with an Open Mic on February 25, 2017, starting at 3pm. The location is One Man’s Treasure Auction House, 200 E Nash Street, Louisburg NC. The theme is Freedom. All genres are welcome including poetry, prose, and song. There will be a seven-minute time limit for each performance.
The public is invited to attend and participate. This is a free event, including refreshments.
Raffle Tickets
Artist Everett Mayo donated two paintings to Franklin County Arts Council and raffle tickets are being sold. The lucky winners each receive one of two 21”x29” watercolor paintings: one titled “Carving a Duck” and the other prize “Carving a Horse.” Both paintings are matted and framed, and valued at $1,200 each. The watercolors are currently on display at the FCAC Gallery in downtown Franklinton NC. Ticket sales continue until May 20, 2017.
