Almost immediately after the Harnett County Arts Council opened in the old refurbished Lillington Hardware and Furniture building in September, the walls filled up with art.”It was as if local artists were hungry for a place to display their works,” said Director Claudia Cole, who reported over 400 works by approximately 40 local artists are on display.”It shows overwhelmingly that the interest is here,” said Cape Fear Friends of the Fine Arts (CFFA) President Ester Howard.On Tuesday, Oct. 23, members of CFFA held the Executive Committee meeting at the Arts Council and toured the 4,320 square-foot facility originally constructed in 1920. The building features the original tin ceiling, a walled garden and a studio apartment for visiting artists, but most importantly, ample space for local artists to display their work. Works on exhibit are for sale and include paintings, drawings, pottery, sculpture and folk art produced by artists ranging from self-taught to highly-trained.”Everyone is encouraged to exhibit,” said Cole, who reported a total of $2,000 in sales since Sept. “The Arts Council receives only 20 percent of the profits from sales. That is a really good deal for the artist because most art galleries claim 50 percent of the profits.”The council also held a juried art show from Sept. 14-Oct. 25. The next juried show is set for January 2008. In addition, the council will hold a December sale that features 500 pieces of art for under $50.00. The Harnett County Arts Council not only acts as a venue for artists’ work, but partners with organizations like CFFA to promote the arts in Harnett County, funding nonprofit arts organizations with financial support from the North Carolina Arts Council Grassroots Arts Funds, local government and members. Gail Neville, a member of the Harnett County Arts Council Board of Directors who also sits on the Executive Committee of CFFA, reported a total of $51,000 in grants distributed by the Arts Council during 2006-2007. Recipients included the Harnett County, Coats, Erwin, Anderson Creek, Dunn and Angier public libraries, Harnett Regional Theatre and Campbell University C3 and C4 youth choirs.”This is just an amazing facility for Harnett County,” said Dr. David Steegar, chairman of the Foreign Language Department at Campbell and member of the Cape Fear Friends. “It’s a wonderful resource for the arts in our region. That’s what it’s all about.”The Harnett County Arts Council is located at 816 South Main Street in Lillington. Hours of operation are Tuesday-Thursday from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. and 9 a.m. until 12 on Friday. The council is also opened the first Friday evening of the month from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. and the first Saturday of the month from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.Photo Copy: Executive Committee members of the Cape Fear Friends of the Fine Arts visited the Harnett County Arts Council Office on Tuesday, Oct. 23. Front row, from left: Betty Hrush, Kathy Crenshaw, Ester Howard, and Gail Neville. Second row, from left: Claudia Cole (Arts Council director), Dr. David Steegar, Dr. Bruce Blackmon and Dr. Colon Jackson.
Cape Fear Friends, Harnett County Arts Council: There’s really an interest here