COMMUNITY RESEARCH - click here for PDF
Arts in Sampson County, North Carolina:
An Executive Summary (April 7, 2013)
A Bit of the Past - The Victor R. Small House
Dr. Victor R. Small moved from Ohio to live in Clinton, North Carolina in 1923. He and his wife purchased the large classic revival-style home at 709 College Street from Mrs. Bettie S. Matthews; here, he set up residence and later added a smaller building on the west end to serve as his medical office. Dr. Small had a creative mind, loved the arts, and enjoyed literature (click here FMI Dr. Small). He penned and had published several books, four of them of poems. He wrote "I Knew Three Thousand Lunatics" as a novel that reflected his medical work while at Galiopolis State Mental Hospital; the later stage play adaptation was entitled "All the Living."
Given the declining interest in art, Dr. Small decided to will his College Street residence to Sampson County with the stipulation that it maintain memorabilia and function for the "purpose of promoting and furthering an interest in music, literature, and the fine arts in general" (Dr. Small). In 1971, the Victor R. Small House was deeded to Sampson County, with a subsequent transfer of deed to SAC in 2006.
A Sampling of the Present - The Sampson Arts Council
The Sampson Arts Council (SAC) is a non-profit organization, with its office, museum, and gallery operations situated at the Victor R. Small House. It earned its 501-c-3 status in 1973 and incorporated an operating Board of Directors. Today's Board consists of nine local citizens who work with Executive Director, Kara Donatelli. SAC provides cultural enrichment to its citizens through programs and activities in visual, literary, and performing arts. The following is a sampling of its present endeavors:
(1) Promotion of local artists and their work through exhibitions and events:
Annual Juried Show, Featured Artist Exhibitions, Sunday Happenings (e.g. book signings), Art for Lunch,
and more.
(2) Support of local art teachers, students, and participants through programming:
Student Art Club, Adult Art Classes, Summer Art Camps, Student Art Shows, Sunday Happenings
(e.g. musical performances, cultural events, book readings, etc.), and more.
(3) Encouragement of citizens in pursuit of art education with provisions to relieve financial hardships:
10 to 15 need-based scholarships for annual summer art camps, Lois Weaver Art Scholarship,
Grassroots sub-grants through the North Carolina Arts Council (NCAC), and more.
(4) Collaboration with Clinton City, Sampson County, and community groups to extend cultural awareness and
education:
Alive After Five (summer concert series - with City and County), Christmas in the City (with City), Court
Square Street Fair (with City), Class Acts (with Sampson Center Stage for Students), Craft Demonstration
Day (with Sampson County History Museum), and more.
A Vision for the Future - Continued Commitment to Community Arts and Services
Prior to its recent renovation (2007-2008), the Victor R. Small House stood in need of much repair. Today, the Council relies on the caring hearts and hands of a generous community to contribute time, efforts, and funds in sustaining the day-to-day operations, services, materials and supplies, and participant scholarships.
Two annual fundraisers, "Dinner Theatre" and "Celebrity Golf Tournament," along with support from the Stewards Fund, membership fees, and grants from NCAC, help keep Sampson Arts Council viable and vibrant. In addition, the Small House is available as a rental venue for receptions, meetings, banquets, and other functions.
New on the horizon are ways in which SAC may better connect its local efforts with global perspectives. One proposed project, "Learn andShare" (click here) has been presented to the Board and received approval for preliminary ground work to begin Summer, 2013. This community-based project aims to link high school students with service learning to, not only provide more art programming to the community, but also to engage participants in education and experiences that will benefit future endeavors.
In consultation with SAC, this Executive Summary was respectfully submitted by Grace W. Ho
SAC member and volunteer (2008-present)
Celebrity Golf Tournament Committee member (2012 & 2013)
Program Committee Chair (2008-2009)
Ho Yang Fine Art-Owner: Artist and Art Educator (2010-present)
University of Florida, Master of Arts in Art Education (January 2013-present)
For more information, please contact the Sampson Arts Council
Kara Donatelli - Executive Director
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: (910)596-2533
Address: 709 College Street, Clinton, NC 28328
Web: http://sampsonarts.net
Arts in Sampson County, North Carolina:
An Executive Summary (April 7, 2013)
A Bit of the Past - The Victor R. Small House
Dr. Victor R. Small moved from Ohio to live in Clinton, North Carolina in 1923. He and his wife purchased the large classic revival-style home at 709 College Street from Mrs. Bettie S. Matthews; here, he set up residence and later added a smaller building on the west end to serve as his medical office. Dr. Small had a creative mind, loved the arts, and enjoyed literature (click here FMI Dr. Small). He penned and had published several books, four of them of poems. He wrote "I Knew Three Thousand Lunatics" as a novel that reflected his medical work while at Galiopolis State Mental Hospital; the later stage play adaptation was entitled "All the Living."
Given the declining interest in art, Dr. Small decided to will his College Street residence to Sampson County with the stipulation that it maintain memorabilia and function for the "purpose of promoting and furthering an interest in music, literature, and the fine arts in general" (Dr. Small). In 1971, the Victor R. Small House was deeded to Sampson County, with a subsequent transfer of deed to SAC in 2006.
A Sampling of the Present - The Sampson Arts Council
The Sampson Arts Council (SAC) is a non-profit organization, with its office, museum, and gallery operations situated at the Victor R. Small House. It earned its 501-c-3 status in 1973 and incorporated an operating Board of Directors. Today's Board consists of nine local citizens who work with Executive Director, Kara Donatelli. SAC provides cultural enrichment to its citizens through programs and activities in visual, literary, and performing arts. The following is a sampling of its present endeavors:
(1) Promotion of local artists and their work through exhibitions and events:
Annual Juried Show, Featured Artist Exhibitions, Sunday Happenings (e.g. book signings), Art for Lunch,
and more.
(2) Support of local art teachers, students, and participants through programming:
Student Art Club, Adult Art Classes, Summer Art Camps, Student Art Shows, Sunday Happenings
(e.g. musical performances, cultural events, book readings, etc.), and more.
(3) Encouragement of citizens in pursuit of art education with provisions to relieve financial hardships:
10 to 15 need-based scholarships for annual summer art camps, Lois Weaver Art Scholarship,
Grassroots sub-grants through the North Carolina Arts Council (NCAC), and more.
(4) Collaboration with Clinton City, Sampson County, and community groups to extend cultural awareness and
education:
Alive After Five (summer concert series - with City and County), Christmas in the City (with City), Court
Square Street Fair (with City), Class Acts (with Sampson Center Stage for Students), Craft Demonstration
Day (with Sampson County History Museum), and more.
A Vision for the Future - Continued Commitment to Community Arts and Services
Prior to its recent renovation (2007-2008), the Victor R. Small House stood in need of much repair. Today, the Council relies on the caring hearts and hands of a generous community to contribute time, efforts, and funds in sustaining the day-to-day operations, services, materials and supplies, and participant scholarships.
Two annual fundraisers, "Dinner Theatre" and "Celebrity Golf Tournament," along with support from the Stewards Fund, membership fees, and grants from NCAC, help keep Sampson Arts Council viable and vibrant. In addition, the Small House is available as a rental venue for receptions, meetings, banquets, and other functions.
New on the horizon are ways in which SAC may better connect its local efforts with global perspectives. One proposed project, "Learn andShare" (click here) has been presented to the Board and received approval for preliminary ground work to begin Summer, 2013. This community-based project aims to link high school students with service learning to, not only provide more art programming to the community, but also to engage participants in education and experiences that will benefit future endeavors.
In consultation with SAC, this Executive Summary was respectfully submitted by Grace W. Ho
SAC member and volunteer (2008-present)
Celebrity Golf Tournament Committee member (2012 & 2013)
Program Committee Chair (2008-2009)
Ho Yang Fine Art-Owner: Artist and Art Educator (2010-present)
University of Florida, Master of Arts in Art Education (January 2013-present)
For more information, please contact the Sampson Arts Council
Kara Donatelli - Executive Director
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: (910)596-2533
Address: 709 College Street, Clinton, NC 28328
Web: http://sampsonarts.net