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As part of the year-long 50th Anniversary celebration, the Stanly County Arts Council installed a free commemorative exhibit at the Stanly County History Center showcasing the variety of arts in Stanly County. This exhibit, titled “50 Years of Cultivating Creativity,” will close on Aug. 30.
“The beauty of this exhibit is the visual reminder of how fortunate we are in Stanly County to see how many opportunities are available for us in the arts, whether we want to be an active participant or a devoted arts supporter and audience member. It’s hard to have a favorite section, but I enjoy reading the success stories of artists and their journeys that began right here in Stanly County as well as admiring the vibrant costumes used in the past performances of the Uwharrie Players, The Talent Company and the City Youth Ballet’s ‘The Nutcracker,’ ” said Renee VanHorn, executive director of the Stanly County Arts Council.
A focal point of the display is the history of the Arts Council, its executive directors and charter board members. Also featured are panels including information on major program areas of the Council’s work including its Cultural Education Programs in the schools, Grassroot and Artist support grants, and past award winners of Arts Person and Arts Educator of the Year designations.
The exhibit hall is surrounded by individual displays focusing on arts nonprofits who receive funding and support from the Arts Council. Those included are The Uwharrie Players, The Stanly Arts Guild, The Stanly County Concert Association, The Stanly County Concert Band, The Talent Company, The Stanly County Chorale and Uwharrie Youth Arts’ City Youth Ballet. Each colorful section includes artifacts, articles and information from the individual organizations.
In conjunction with the NC Music Hall of Fame, the Arts Council is honored to include a special exhibit case filled with items from Stanly County’s own inductees, Lou Donaldson and Kellie Pickler. Special thanks to the Badin Museum for additional Donaldson treasures.
In addition, those touring will learn about Stanly County artist success stories by reading their personal profiles, see posters and paintings from past Arts Council special events and camps, experience a Concert Band performance, and view a sampling of Uwharrie Player performances.
Displayed throughout the museum are also banners with the winning artwork created by Stanly County Public School K – High School students for the 50th Anniversary Bookmark Contest.

“Lots of time and energy went into this exhibit. This exhibit would not have been possible without the arts organizations that went into their archives and storage units, basements, attics, etc. to find the perfect items to tell their story and held special events throughout the spring and summer; and all the students who entered the 50th Anniversary bookmark contest, expressing so well what the arts mean to them,” VanHorn said.
“Special thanks to: the previous executive eirectors and the successful artists who took the time to let us interview them and share their art and stories; Veronica Cordle from the NC Music Hall of Fame for sharing their exhibit of Lou Donaldson and Kellie Pickler with us; Walter Printing and Albemarle Printers for taking our vision and making it a reality; Megan Sullivan and Paul Morrison from the History Center and Lewis Bramlett for assisting us in the research of all the arts organizations with past newspaper articles and allowing us the space and time to share our story; and all the guests that came to view and learn more about the arts in Stanly County. And a special thanks to the formidable Museum Committee of Kent Harkey, Edna Lipe-Harkey and Bradley Eudy, who spent hours, days and weeks ensuring that each display was as perfect as it could be. It will be a bittersweet day when the cases are once again empty for the next exhibit.”
The History Center, at 157 N. Second St., Albemarle, is open to the public 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday. The exhibit runs through Aug. 30. Groups interested in touring may contact Megan Sullivan, museum director, to schedule. Call 704-986-3777.
The Stanly County Arts Council was founded in 1974. It continues to promote and support all art forms in the community. Its mission is to encourage and promote broad-based cultural and educational activities in the arts throughout Stanly County. The Stanly County Arts Council is supported by private donations and by the NC Arts Council, a division of the Department of Cultural Resources, with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts.