Early Christmas Present

Ok, so its not really a Christmas present, but I was notified late last week that I am being awarded a Regional Artist Project Grant from the United Arts Council of Raleigh and Wake County.

From a pool of 36 artists residing in Wake, Johnston, Franklin and Warren counties, 15 were selected to receive funding. Grant amounts range from $1000 to $1,500, and artistic fields represented include drama, literature, film/video, and both 2- and 3-dimensional visual art. The grant funds will be used for professional development initiatives in the 2010 calendar year.

I am being awarded the maximum amount to cover material and travel costs associated with my eight week stay at Penland this spring. Hopefully, I’ll be able to use this grant towards a summer workshop at Haystack or Penland as well. I should be able to stretch the awarded amount since my room, board, and tuition are already covered as a studio assistant for Tom Spleth’s concentration. Either way, its going to be a big help, especially considering I probably will have to resign my position at the NC Museum of History in March. So far the Department of Cultural Resources has denied my request for a two month leave of absence. Perhaps they will have a change of heart, but I’m more than willing to move along otherwise. I don’t know whether moving along means plugging along here in Raleigh or moving to an area more abundant in ceramics. Time will tell. Happy Holidays!