From the Director’s Desk | May 2026

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Artist Cindy Michaud and her friends working on the mosaic butterfly bench.

VIDEO SUMMARY:

Home Base:At the Watauga Arts Council, we’re continuing to build momentum across several programs and initiatives. Krista is doing an incredible job as Operations Manager, especially with launching the Youth Makers Market and coordinating classes. We’re also encouraging artists to stay engaged through exhibitions, events, committees, and more. A large portion of my time right now is focused on grant applications and reporting, and I’m especially grateful for the continued support from the North Carolina Arts Council, Watauga County, and the Town of Boone, all of whom make this work possible.  

Travel: I’ve also been staying active in professional development and advocacy. Recently, I attended an Appalachian Regional Commission conference to learn how to win large grants for economic development. I was invited to attend a Creative Placemaking conference in Memphis, where I participated in a panel on our Art in the Outdoors initiative and the Watauga Truss Project as part of our effort to problem solve using public arts and encouraging the arts as a destination of the High Country, while also anchoring the arts as a cornerstone of our community's identity. This week, I’m attending a National Endowment for the Arts meeting in Asheville focused on disaster recovery in the arts sector. Next week, I will join fellow Arts Council Leaders for Arts NC Advocacy Days in Raleigh, where I’ll be meeting with legislators to discuss priorities like K-5 arts funding, ticketing practices, and equitable distribution of grassroots grants. Here is document that outlines the topics we will be covering with the legislators. These opportunities are helping to strengthen connections and bring new resources to our community.

WAC Executive Director, Amber Bateman, participating on a panel at the Creative Placemaking Conference in Memphis, TN.

This is a slide from the Creative Placemaking Conference presentation and a rendering of the Deep Gap mural.

Public Art Projects:On the public art front, several projects are moving forward. We are continuing to plan new murals in Downtown Boone and we’re excited to have received funding from the Appalachian Regional Commission for a Deep Gap mural, which is on track for completion in May. I have been attending meetings with the Deep Gap residents and the Ruritan Club over the past year to develop the final designs for this mural. It will be the first in a series of murals called the Rural Mural Trail, which will install murals in our rural communities that surround the two hub-towns of Boone and Blowing Rock. Each of these communities has a unique history and cultural identity that can be expressed and celebrated through public art.

The Watauga Truss project is also coming along smoothly; the historic structure, which survived both the 1940s flood and Hurricane Helene, has been relocated and is being restored as part of a larger public art installation. Our next community engagement for that project will be June 19th, so be on the lookout for more information!

Supporting local artists remains essential: Showing up to events, taking classes, purchasing work, and investing in the arts has a lasting impact on the entire community. Many galleries offer payment plans for your favorite pieces.

We will also follow-up in the near future, highlighting exciting developments related to the Town of Boone’s Boone Next initiative and efforts to further integrate art into long-term planning. 

Your Support Makes the Difference! This work would not be possible without the support of generous donors. We need you! If you own a business and are interested in sponsoring one of our programs, or if you’re an individual who values what we do, please reach out. Every contribution makes a difference.

Get Involved:We need strong board members who have diverse skillsets that will help us run a healthy and well-rounded organization. We need people who have experience in law, real estate, business development, fundraising, event planning, marketing, and more. We have volunteer opportunities for committees and events like Buskers Fest and Boonerang.