Culture

Halifax County Arts Council Turns the Spotlight on Artistic Diversity

The Halifax County Arts Council sponsors monthly Sip and See programs.

An exhibit of body art at a motorcycle shop might not be the most conventional way to raise cultural awareness.

But the well-attended event – part of the monthly Sip and See program – shows how determination and some creative thinking by the Halifax County Arts Council is turning the spotlight on artistic diversity throughout the Roanoke Valley region.

Sip and See events take place the fourth Monday of each month‚ usually from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

“People drop by after work and have something to nibble on while they enjoy the exhibit‚” says Kathy Dikeman‚ chairwoman of the nonprofit arts council.

The program was begun in 2005 by the newly reformed arts council as a way to generate interest in the arts “in an economically appropriate way‚” Dikeman says.

Basically‚ the council had no budget to work with but did have a strong desire to promote arts in the community.

“When we plan a Sip and See‚ we first look for a venue that will hold as many people as we want‚ and then we find an artist‚” Dikeman says. “We also look for a sponsor who can provide refreshments during the exhibit.”

Sip and See sites have included a hardware store‚ a furniture store‚ a nature preserve‚ a paint store and‚ yes‚ a Harley-Davidson dealership.

“At the Harley store‚ we had tattoo artists from the area display their work and also motorcycle artists‚” she adds.

At the Sylvan Heights Waterfowl Park & Eco-Center‚ guests were treated to a show of animal woodcarvings‚ and a Sip and See in a kitchen cabinetry shop featured welding and wrought-iron works.

While the free events don’t require council membership‚ the program has helped focus attention on the arts and led to growth of the organization.

“Two years ago‚ we had no members‚” Dikeman says. “By February 2007‚ we had more than 200.”

Programming has increased‚ as well‚ with the addition of an annual picnic‚ a crafts show‚ a grant program and a summer camp session sponsored jointly with area schools and parks departments.

“The October membership meeting is a picnic‚ a fun family event‚” Dikeman says. “Our first craft show‚ at the civic center‚ was incredibly successful. We’re going to a bigger facility next year.”

The council also has become the local conduit for the North Carolina Grassroots Grants program‚ which provides funds for art groups in communities throughout the state. Its weeklong Summer CAMP (Cultural Arts Meeting Place) invites students to learn and practice a variety of arts.

“We talk about the cultures that each of the techniques are associated with‚ such as American Indian weaving‚ African American watercolors and Japanese printmaking‚” Dikeman says.

The council’s goals for 2007 include finding a permanent headquarters. Of course‚ Dikeman says‚ not any old office building will do.

“We’d like to have something that is artistically or historically significant‚ where we can hold board meetings and teach small classes‚ maybe have a Sip and See. And we do want to have gallery space. We have a lot of criteria.”

While it might sound like a tall order‚ there’s little doubt that the Halifax County Arts Council ultimately will accomplish that goal using its signature mix of headstrong determination and some very creative thinking.

Story by Renee Elder

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