Cherokee County Arts Council

Last minute change! Frank Lee will be playing inside our building on 33 valley River Avenue. See you there! It's going to be fun!

Some exciting times this evening at the Arts Council on Valley River Avenue downtown. The incredible clawhammer banjo guru, Frank Lee, will hold forth in the Fain Alley Park from 6:00 to 8:00, and our October exhibit of Gary Jones abstracts kicks off with a reception for the artist from 5:00 to 8:00.
After tours of North America and Europe with the Freight Hoppers, Frank Lee is here in Murphy!
Gary Jones' stunning work "Blue Moon Forest" is being offered on silent auction. The bidding is already up to $2000.
High quality art experiences for the public is a big part of our work as an Art Council - and we love our job!

The end of this early week in October is an exciting and delightful time for the Arts Council. We will present some demonstrations during Art Walk on Friday, and we'll be busy having fun with Kids Art at the Fall Festival on Saturday and Sunday, but also we get to open another special exhibit of fine art in our center gallery on Valley River Avenue. "The Journey Continues" builds on the March exhibit of abstract paintings by Gary D. Jones. Gary is renowned from California to New York City and we are pleased to be able to present new works from his "Journey" series.
Come in and meet the artist during the reception on Friday (October 6th) from 5:00 to 8:00 here at the Arts Council's historic home, 33 Valley River Avenue, in downtown Murphy, NC.
For this exhibit only, there will be both a silent auction of one of Gary's paintings and a raffle for yet another!
Now here's some samples to pique your interest.

Exciting News from Murphy Middle School!
N.C. Museum of Art Launches Artist Innovation Mentorship Program
We are thrilled to announce the launch of the North Carolina Museum of Art's (NCMA) Artist Innovation Mentorship (NCMA AIM) program at Murphy Middle School. Thanks to funding from the Anonymous Trust and the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, this program will connect local artists with middle-school students in rural Western North Carolina.
In structured six-week programs, artist mentors and students will explore new materials, art forms, exhibition curation, and innovative thinking. This initiative aims to foster creativity and artistic expression beyond the museum's walls, empowering students to use art as a tool for personal expression and change.
The NCMA partnered with local organizations such as Cherokee County Innovation Theatre, Murphy Middle School, John C. Campbell Folk School, The Cherokee County Arts Council, the Cherokee County School Board and Murphy Middle School to make this program possible.
Angela Lombardi, Director of Outreach and Audience Engagement, highlighted, “We know that smaller rural communities are full of talent and creativity, and this program is one way for the Museum to fulfill its mission of reaching beyond the Triangle to support and encourage creative expression statewide.”
The participating artists, carefully selected through collaborations with local arts councils and communities, include Angela Eastman Artist in Residence at John C Campbell Folk School’s Olive’s Porch. This program seeks to provide young people with role models while supporting diverse community-based artists at different stages of their careers.
Program Details
- Each partnership offers a six-week artist residency in local afterschool programs.
- The program will connect students and artists to the larger arts community through public art, exhibitions, and student-directed projects.
- Angela Eastman is one of the talented teaching artists involved in this initiative. She holds an MFA in Sculpture from Cranbrook Academy of Art and completed the Core Fellowship program at Penland School of Crafts, and has participated in residencies at MASS MoCA (MA), Vermont Studio Center (VT), the Woodstock Byrdcliffe Guild (NY), Sitka Center for Art and Ecology (OR), Talking Dolls (MI), the Ragdale Foundation (IL), and SIM and Nes residencies in Iceland. Learn more about her at https://www.flagmountain.studio/.
Calling All Creative Kids!
Introducing "3-D Art - Sculpture, Textiles, and Surface Design" for your kids! Explore various artistic mediums, including drawing, sculpting, sewing, weaving, and construction.
Class Schedule
- Tuesdays and Thursdays
- 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM
- Class size: limited to 12 students (waitlist available for the next 6-week class)
Start Date: Tuesday, Oct. 3
End Date: Thursday, Nov. 16
Why Choose Our Class?
- Fun and Educational
- Develop Lifelong Skills
- Encourage Creativity and Innovation
For more information and to register, contact Wendy Alexander at [email protected]. Limited spots available!
Let's inspire the next generation of artists together!

A fine interview in the Voyage ATL Magazine with Misty Kelischek, the Art Council's board President. We are proud of our professional leadership!
https://voyageatl.com/interview/daily-inspiration-meet-misty-kelischek/?fbclid=IwAR1z4VWuIn374Cgjf7u3BqWiY88UbLq6pmSTLgnjlsuvMM1hEMAJnL5dBq8

Daily Inspiration: Meet Misty Kelischek - Voyage ATL Magazine | ATL City Guide Today we’d like to introduce you to Misty Kelischek. Misty Kelischek Hi Misty, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today? I first became interested [...

All through this month of September in our big center gallery we’re showing off the work of the professional artists that are the Art Council family - members, Studio artists, and our Board members. Here’s a few samples to pull you in the door at 33 Valley River Avenue.

First Saturday in October is the Bollywood Dance class again with Anita Rosas. It's great exercise - and it's fun! In the classroom of the Arts Council, 33 Valley River Avenue.

Don't miss my next Bollywood dance class at the Cherokee County Arts Council💃🏻

October 7 (10-11am)
Admission ($10)

We would like to hold a day of art project preparation on Thursday, September 28, pretty much all day from (10 to 5). Please let me know if you can come in and work in the classroom to prepare several different artsy/crafty projects for us to use in the Kids Art tents during the Fall Festival at the Folk School.

And, of course, I need volunteers to work shifts of 2 to 3 hours, some on Saturday Oct 7 and some on Sunday Oct 8th. Volunteers for setup is also helpful. Let me know who can do what. Shifts to work with the kids should be somewhat overlapping, but roughly 9:30 to noon, 11:30 to 2:00 and 2:00 to 5:00. any hours you might help out are appreciated, even to allow others to have a lunch break.
Volunteers get free admission wristbands and a lunch ticket for whatever day you’re going to be there.

Applications now open for the NCAC Artist Support Grant. Click on the link here and scroll down to the Cherokee County contact info. This wonderful small grant is administered in our region by the good folks at the Cowee School in Franklin NC. (They serve as the NCAC Partner for Macon County. You can also contact David (828-835-0550) at the Cherokee County Arts Council for assistance, including a supporting letter for your project.

North Carolina has one of the oldest and most established networks of local arts councils in the country! At the North Carolina Arts Council, we are proud to partner with these amazing local agencies in a number of ways, one of which is through the Artist Support Grant program.

Many local arts councils are now accepting Artist Support Grant applications. Check out the following link to get more details, and submit your application to your local arts council today!

https://www.ncarts.org/grants-resources/grants/grants-artists/artist-support-grants

Congratulations to Bethany Chaney, named Executive Director for the John C. Campbell Folk School.

Exciting news! The Board of Directors of the John C. Campbell Folk School is pleased to announce that Interim Director Bethany Chaney has been named Executive Director, effective immediately.

Chaney joined the Folk School in 2022 as Deputy Director with more than 25 years of experience in non-profit management, including seasoned skills in organizational development, planning, and fundraising. In April, Chaney was named Interim Executive Director. As Executive Director, Chaney will be the first woman to lead the organization in more than 40 years.

“Bethany has a deep understanding of our mission, vision, and values and has earned the respect and trust of our board, staff, and many in our local and extended communities,” says Dina Norris, Chair of the Board of Directors. “She has demonstrated the leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills that the permanent role demands.”

Read more on our website: https://www.folkschool.org/2023/09/06/we-have-appointed-our-new-executive-director/

A new public exhibit for September at the Arts Council, 33 Valley River Avenue, downtown Murphy. Featured are the artists of the Arts Council family, Board members, Studio Artists and more. Opens Friday - stop in and see!

Brown Bag Lunch for artists tomorrow at the Arts Council. From 11 to 3 come on in with whatever creative project you want to work on. Painting, knitting, scrapbooking, writing another poem. All are welcome. Bring your lunch too if you like.

The Arts Council is closed Monday, September 1st, in observance of Labor Day.

The Arts Council is ready for this evening’s Art Walk, with Mike and Mark and John demonstrating pottery, wood turning, and black smithing. Anita and Pamela will demonstrate Bollywood and Middle Eastern dances, and Zach Kilmer will make hoppin’ good music in Fain Alley. And….. Nathan Baerreis’s “Cutting Edge” exhibit presents a Finale Reception in the Art Council center gallery. And… the WCU River Cane Exhibit is on view in the big classroom! Drop in for a visit and some refreshments at 33 Valley River Avenue.

Meet the artist who created the stunning exhibit “The Cutting Edge” during the First Friday Art Walk September 1st. Hosted by the Cherokee County Arts Council at 33 Valley River Avenue, it’s open to the public with no admission charge.

Oh yes! We are delighted to have Anita join the demonstrations at the Arts Council during Art Walk on September 1st.

Murphy Art Walk is back on September 1st. We will be performing at the Cherokee County Arts Council, starting at 5pm! Come and enjoy an evening of dancing!

This is an exciting and welcome development in performing arts education for our students!

🎭 Are you ready to embark on an incredible journey filled with creativity, self-expression, and unforgettable moments? Look no further than our fantastic Theatre Class! 🌟✨ By joining, you'll have the chance to explore the magical world of acting, develop your stage presence, and build confidence that will last a lifetime. 🎉 Whether you're a seasoned performer or a complete beginner, this class is designed to cater to all skill levels and provide a nurturing environment for growth. 🎭🌟 So, why wait? Take a leap of faith, step into the spotlight, and let your talents shine on our stage! Sign up now and get ready to unleash your inner superstar! 🎟️🎬



Did you know?
Students involved in drama performance coursework “scored an average of 65.5 points higher on the verbal component and 35.5 points higher in the math component of the SAT.

A series of studies on the arts and education revealed a consistent causal link between performing texts in the classroom and the improvement of a variety of verbal skills, including especially significant increases in story recall and understanding of written material.

Performance of Shakespeare texts helps to improve students’ understanding of other complex texts including science and math material.

Drama can improve reading skills and comprehension better than other activities, including discussion.

High school students who are highly involved in drama demonstrate an elevated self-concept over those who are not involved.

Playwriting original works and dramatic presentation of existing works can help to build the self-esteem and communication skills of high school students.
The act of performing can help students and youth recognize their potential for success and improve their confidence.”

is important all year long! Theatre education has the power to shape students' lives for the better 💕🎭

1. 95% of school administrators believe that theatre experiences improve students' overall academic skills. -2012 EdTA-Utah State University Survey of Theatre Education Programs in U.S. High Schools

2. As of 2020, the last comprehensive national arts education report by the U.S. Department of Education is over 10 years old. -Americans for the Arts

3. Audience-based participation in the arts and personal participation in creative art are both linked to higher levels of civic engagement and social tolerance. -Journal of Civil Society, Leroux and Bernadska, 2019

4. Arts education helps to increase students' ability to manage behavior, make decisions, and cultivate a positive concept of the self. -William Penn Foundation, Holochwost, Palmer Wolf, Fisher, & O'Grady, 2016

5. 44 states require districts or schools to offer arts instruction at the elementary, middle, and high school level, but only 32 states define the arts in statute or code as a core or academic subject. -National Center for Education Statistics, 2020

6. “I have found that using theatre exercises to develop skills in listening, trust, improvisation, imagination, and role-play can help scientists become better able to collaborate and communicate their work." -Patricia Raun, 2017 EdTA Conference

7. At-risk middle school students engaged in an after-school musical theatre program demonstrate improved confidence, creativity, resiliency, responsibility, collaboration, and sense of community. -Capturing Student and Teacher Creative Growth through the After-School JumpStart Theatre Program, Year Two Report, 2017

8. In 2015, students who took four years of arts classes in high school scored an average of 92 points higher on their SATs than students who took only one half year or less. -The College Board 2016

9. Middle school teachers invested in an after-school musical theatre program gain creativity and problem-solving skills, sense of community, resilience, and theatre expertise. -Capturing Student and Teacher Creative Growth through the After-School JumpStart Theatre Program, Year Two Report, 2017

10. High school students who earn multiple arts credits are five times more likely to graduate than students with low involvement in the arts. -National Endowment for the Arts: The Arts and Achievement in At-Risk Youth, 2012

11. Students attending live performances of theater (i.e., field trips and school performances) demonstrated higher levels of social emotional skills, and stronger command of the plot and vocabulary of the play they attended, versus viewing movie adaptations of the same plays. -Educational Researcher, 2018

13. "We must not fail to create career pathwavs for students of the arts. Career pathways that provide even more reason to stay In school for students confidently moving toward a bright future." -Dr. Kimberly Brown, The Arts and Dropout Prevention: The Power of Art to Engage,

14. “An arts education has been shown to raise students' ability to critique themselves, their willingness to experiment, their ability to reflect, and also to learn from mistakes" -Arts Education Policy Review; Robinson, 2013

15. High school students engaged in actor training develop a higher level of empathy, heightened understanding of what others are thinking and feeling, and are better able to control their own positive and negative emotions. -Mind, Brain and Education, 2011

16. "Arts integration leads to deeper learning, including making connections between new learning and previously learned concepts, stronger analytical skills, and enhanced ability to synthesize information into global conceptual thinking." Mobile Brain-Body Imaging and the Neuroscience of Art, Innovation and Creativity, MM Hardiman, 2019

17. A 2018 academic outcomes report revealed that "white students earned more credits in fine arts (2.0 credits) than Asian students (1.8 credits), and both groups earned more credits than Hispanic students (1.6 credits) and Black students (1.5 credits)." US Department of Education 2019

18. Arts students whose teachers receive professional development in balanced arts assessment demonstrate signiticantlv greater achievement than students" whose teachers do not. Journal for Learning through the Arts, 2014

19. "Only 15% of job success comes from technical skills and knowledge. The other 85% comes from well developed soft-skills, things like the ability to listen, artistic sense, nonverbal communication, enthusiasm, and storytelling. Isn't this the focus of our work in theatre?" -Patricia Raun, 2017 EdTA Conference

20. Looking at the top 10 most-produced plays and musicals performed in high schools during the 2019-2020 season, 5 of the 35 playwrights/music teams identify as female (14%), and 30 as male (86%). -EdTA Play Survey, 2020

21. Dramatic enactments of scientific concepts allow elementary students to connect to science learning through movement, language, social interaction, and collaboration. -Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 2010

22. Fourth-grade students whose language arts and social studies curricula integrated theatre into their classes are almost 100% more likely to pass a state-based language arts test. -Youth Theatre Journal, 2011

23. 89% of surveyed business executives participated in the arts during their school careers. -Unmasking Business Success, 2015

24. Arts students were 20% less likely to have an out-of-school suspension for each ear of arts studied. -Based on findings from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health. Kenneth Elpus, University of Maryland, 2013.

25. Participation in the arts Is connected to reducing the proportion or students in a school receiving disciplinary infractions in K-8 schools. -Kinder Institute's Houston Education Researct Consortium and the Brookings Institution, 2018

26. Out of 3,297 schools surveyed by EdTA during the 2019-2020 season, 85% reported canceling performances, and 28% said they canceled five or more performances due to COVID-19. -EdTA Play Survey, 2020

27. This year, survey respondents reported a total audience of 3.6 million for their school theatre programs with an estimated 2.6 million additional audience members lost to COVID-19 cancellations. -EdlA Play Survey, 2020

28. Most high school theatre programs rely entirely on box office revenue to support their activities. -2012 EdTA-Utah State University Survey of Theatre Education Programs in U.S. High Schools

29. Applied Theater techniques in the classroom increase students' self-esteem and develop their ability to empathize with others. -Creativity Research Journal, 2020

30. Arts education promotes academic self-efficacy and engagement in school, both predictors of persistence to graduation. -Arts Education Review; Beveridge, 2010.

31. Disadvantaged students in grades 8-12 who receive an arts education are three times more likely to earn a Bachelor's degree than students who lack those experiences. -National Endowment tor the Arts. 2016

32. Students with high levels of arts involvement are less likely to drop out of school. - The Arts and Achievement in At-Risk Youth: Findings from Four Longitudinal Studies, 2012

Benefits of Theatre Ed: https://www.aate.com/benefits-of-theatre-ed

The fantastic works of Nathan Baerreis will continue on exhibit for another two weeks here in the Arts Council center gallery, downtown Murphy on Valley River Avenue.

Slow Jam Workshop is back this September!
If you (or someone you know) has ever felt shy or overwhelmed by the idea of joining in on a jam session…or don’t know where to start when it comes to breaking down tunes and learning by ear, this is the workshop for you.
___________________________________________
When: 5:30-7pm / Four Mondays: Sept. 11, 18, 25 & Oct. 2
Where: Cherokee County Arts Council / 33 Valley River Ave. / Downtown, Murphy NC (across the street from Urban Salon and Blue Moon Elise).
_________________________________________
-Welcoming a range of ability levels and instruments. (We’ll have extra instruments for you to try too). The style of music we will be covering will be traditional, old-time music. What you will learn within these old-time tunes can also be applied to bluegrass, country and singer songwriter jamming.
-We will be there to support each player where they are.
-A fun and welcoming space to give things a try and have some solid guidance from not one, but two instructors!
- Expect handouts, follow up emails with sound samples & lots of active playing time.
Email at [email protected] to learn more and to save your spot.
Best,
Annie Fain & Géraud

Back in May of this year Kristin Cooper, First Lady of North Carolina, visited us and was fascinated by the laser cut artwork of our Board member, Nathan Baerreis. Our central gallery is currently devoted to an exhibit of this unique art style, and it will be on display throughout the month of August. Stop in a 33 Valley River Avenue in downtown Murphy NC and see these special examples of creative work. We're open 10 to 5 Monday - Saturday. Kristin Cooper, First Lady of North Carolina

A sampling of the art doings at the Cherokee County Art Council during this wonderful Art Walk evening.

Opening this evening with the First Friday Art Walk, from 5:00 to 8:00 in our center gallery - “The Cutting Edge” - fantastic laser cut designs by Nathan Baerreis. Come and meet the artist. The public is cordially invited. There is no admission charge and refreshments will be available.

Art Walk Friday coming up and we're pleased to have Heidi Holton, the Queen of Delta Blues, performing for our Fain Alley Music Series from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. We'll have some great demos on the sidewalk to show you as well - pottery, woodturning, and blacksmithing, and I do believe Jonah Graves will be making music just inside the Arts Council, at 33 Valley River Avenue. A new exhibit in our main gallery opens as well - the stunning artworks of Nathan Baerreis. Art Walk is that wonderful community event founded and organized by the Valley River Arts Guild. Come on down to downtown Murphy NC and enjoy a great evening out for the whole family.

Chess for Kids tomorrow- Monday July 31 from 3:30 to 5:00. This will be the last meeting for this summer. Chess for Kids will resume in by September after the new school year is underway.

Qigong for Longevity in the morning (and every Saturday) at the Arts Council. Come and join us at 9:00 a.m. for some low impact exercise and good breathing, inside the beautiful central gallery at 3 Valley River Avenue, downtown Murphy NC. There is no charge for this class.

Thursday is Brown Bag Lunch day for artists at the Arts Council. Come and sit around the tables with friends who like to work on their creative projects together. It's 11:00 to 3:00 every Thursday. We're located at 33 Valley River Avenue in downtown Murphy, across from Black and While Market. No charge. Just drop in with whatever artwork or craft you've got going. Bring your lunch or order out. Beat the heat and have a bit of delight with fellow artists.

Chess for Kids tomorrow as usual (Monday 2:30 to 5:00). Ages 6 to 16 welcome. A short lesson or two, some good chess play, and maybe more! Call 828 835 0550 for more info.

One more week of this stunning exhibit, “Proof of Presence” - works by Pam Strawn. Many are sold but several still are available. Check out the exhibit in our central gallery at 33 Valley River Avenue in downtown Murphy NC. Open 10 to 5 Mon-Sat.

Tomorrow evening, Tuesday, July 18th, the Arts Council hosts a superb poetry reading with "Times of Observation." Readings and discussion about their new works will be presented by Mary Ricketson and Brenda Kay Ledford. The program starts at 5:30, the public is invited, and there is no admission charge. Come and have a seat and some refreshments, at 33 Valley River Avenue in downtown Murphy , NC/

Come and have some fun dancing with Anita tomorrow morning July 15 at the Arts Council, 33 Valley River Avenue. !0:00 a.m for kids and 11:00 a.m. for adults.

See you tomorrow to have fun dancing!😊💃🏻