one hundred thirty-six

hangin' with elected peeps in raleigh

took a trip to raleigh for "arts day 2011."  in these drab economic times, many programs are on the chopping block as the north carolina state budget is considered.  folks from the randolph county area joined arts folks from all over the state to meet with elected officials and advocate for continued financial support of the arts. in the photo: me; executive director of the randolph arts guild, derrick sides; representative pat hurley; and everett james & potter alexa moderno who were both representing the nc pottery center.  not in the photo are potter bonnie burns, from the seagrove area potters association; and sid luck, a potter and nc living treasure.  we went three for three and spoke with all our representatives asking for a 10% cut to the arts funding portion of the budget.  it's my understanding as of this writing nc arts funding is facing a 23% cut.