Crafting Community with Pocosin Arts

As I look back over the past two years, I am amazed by all the events that have unfolded as we emerge from the pandemic. As an artist, I know firsthand that all art disciplines suffered as in-person experiences were simply not a safe option. However, from the very beginning in 2020, to help the financial hardship artists were facing, one organization, Pocosin Arts School of Fine Craft quickly pivoted and adopted online workshop opportunities for teachers and their participants from all over the world. This programming helped artists like myself survive during some very tough financial times.

 

Simultaneously, Pocosin doubled down and invested in its studios and buildings to address recurring flooding and issues associated with aging buildings. These improvements will help Pocosin diversify what it can offer for future workshops, event spaces, and their gallery. However, building supplies and labor prices skyrocketed, creating a $400,000 shortfall in a 1.7 million dollar campus-wide renovation, exceeding resources from grants and fundraising. Recognizing the importance of the project, the Windgate Foundation stepped in with a dollar-for-dollar matching grant of $200,000 to assist with this shortfall. Currently, Pocosin has raised 80,000 of the Windgate matching grant needed to finish the work; however, they still need $120,000 to see the completion of the renovations and additions.

 

I write to you now with an appeal for your participation to help spread the word through your social media about our campaign to help Pocosin. Funds raised will be matched and will directly impact Pocosin and the future of an organization that has proven its commitment to artists, craft, and the future of what it is to belong to a community.

 

I hope you will join me and not only give what you can, remembering that Windgate will match your gift, and just as important, please help us spread the word! Click here to see work in progress!