how art makes life richer

life rich! Art makes

An exploration of the impact the arts has on

everyday enthusiasts, fine artists,

and collectors of all kinds

Organized by

Welcome!

This booklet is an extension of the first annual Holly Springs Community

Arts Festival, being co-organized by The Holly Springs Arts Council

(HSAC) and the Holly Springs Cultural Center. The event, running

February 5-9, 2013, got us all thinking about how rich our lives are with

art—a richness we wanted to explore with our neighbors!

The result is this fascinating initial collection of stories that demonstrate

many paths to one common result: a firm belief that art plays an essential

role in furthering our enjoyment of life, and also in expanding our ability

to see, imagine and interact with the world around us.

For those involved in the arts in any way, it’s not just a nice-to-have past-

time, its as fundamental to life as breathing.

We plan to continue to add to the collection as time goes on. Meanwhile,

we hope you’ll enjoy the stories, get inspired, and create your own!

About The Holly Springs Arts Council

The Holly Springs Arts Council (HSAC) is a progressive stimulus to

create an arts presence in Holly Springs for the cultural advancement of

artists and the community.

The Mission of the HSAC is to enrich the community’s quality of life by

providing venues to support the fostering and economic development of

artistic expression in our community for the cultural, educational, social,

and ethnic vitality of artists and Holly Springs.

How art makes life rich for…

Robin Milne Polymer Clay Artist, Instructor, Demonstrator

Where are you from, and how did you get interested in the arts?

I live in New Jersey with my husband, and two children. I have been an artist and crafter all my life and received a B.S. in Visual Arts. I have worked in display design, computer graphics

and was a model maker for Walt Disney Imagineering. My photography of artists art work

has been published in Lark books and I currently create prototypes for a chocolate/soap mold

company.

For 5 years I was Arts and Crafts Director for a day camp; I enjoyed working with chil-

dren to help them discover the many creative possibilities of different materials and techniques. Brought up with much encouragement to be creative and think outside the box, I was raised in a

family of active learners and researchers and I was provided with materials and support for all

of my interests and questions. My husband and I are raising our two children the same way through homeschooling, encouraging them to find the answers to their questions by providing a

large library, use of the internet and providing new challenges and experiences.

I have been working with polymer clay for 10 years. I read, research, take classes, learn

all different techniques and demonstrate around the country. I began by teaching children’s

classes and that’s when my skills really flourished. In front of the children I was able to try techniques I had only read about and the results were always satisfactory. I learned to play

more and save less, I learned many happy accidents can create new techniques. Most of all I

learned not to be scared. I have been President of the New Jersey Polymer Clay Guild for 7

years. I am an active member of the Philadelphia Polymer Clay Guild and Bead Society of NJ. I also enjoy beading, quilling and other paper crafts.

Tell us a little about your first experience in the arts.

I’m not sure I can remember a first experience in the arts as it has always been a part of my life.

My parents were always the ones making the booths and banners for the fun fair at school, the floats for the parade, the enrichment programs and the stage sets for the play. As an adult I

found groups to belong to like the Polymer Clay Guilds, the Collective Art Tank and the Bead

Society to share my interests with others. I have brought many art and craft classes to the

homeschool community and 4H programs.

In what ways has art made your life richer?

I can’t imagine my life without art. I am constantly being inspired by the world around me but

I also regularly attend art shows, crafts shows and studio tours. Pinterest and other online eye

candy sites give me inspiration and perspective. I enjoy seeing all that is being created and keep journals of ideas, information and processes. I make it a regular part of my life to teach

people (kids and adults) new crafts. I believe sharing what I do gives me the most satisfaction.

Help support community arts. Become a friend at HollySpringsArtsCouncil.org 1

View more of Robin’s work at:

flickr.com/photos/68rpm

clayingaround.etsy.com

http://flickr.com/photos/68rpm

http://clayingaround.etsy.com


I was born/raised in Pittsburgh, PA. My parents were medical professionals, but their avocation was the theater. My father was involved in theater activities (acting, directing, producing)

from local church productions to eventually owning a summer stock theater. My brothers, sister

and I all took piano lessons, and were introduced to the music of Broadway, Sinatra, Bennett, Holiday, and many unknown jazz musicians at an early age. I was fortunate to have a great aunt

who “adopted” me as her pet project, with a priority of teaching me about all things cultural.

My education included regular trips to the Pittsburgh Symphony, the art and sculpture wings of the Carnegie Museum, and world-famous art galleries with names like Frick, Mellon, and

Heinz. (Despite her noble efforts, my most vivid recollection of my aunt is of her trying to an-

swer my question about why the nude Greek statues all had fig leaves.) I showed some artistic promise in elementary school, and was selected to take lessons at the Carnegie Institute with

other ‘talented’ students. I quickly realized that although I had the eye/hand coordination to

draw objects accurately, I was not an artist. Regardless, my interest in -- and appreciation for --

the arts was imprinted for life.

Tell us a little about your first experience as a collector of the arts.

As poor college students working part-time jobs, my wife and I couldn’t afford to purchase art, but we enjoyed window shopping in trendy galleries. One gallery had a piece on display that

caught our eye: “Unspoken Passion” by Wong Shue. We checked the price and it was twice our

combined monthly incomes. We’d “visit” our piece regularly, pretending that one day we’d own it. Two years later, my grandmother died and left each of my siblings a small inheritance.

Ironically, the amount was the same as the purchase price of “Unspoken Passion.” It’s still our

favorite piece of art, and hangs in the hallway of our house in Holly Springs.


Working in the non-profit arts community has provided personal satisfaction that I never found

as a successful account executive in the computer industry. Teaching art to elementary school children is a pleasure, based on their pure and obvious enjoyment. Advocating an arts curricu-

lum to parents who only want the “3 R’s” is an exciting challenge. The study of art history is an

educational process without limits. Visiting world-class museums and local art studios is a unique and inexpensive form of entertainment. Providing business support to artists who care

only about the purity of their work vs. economic survival is mutually rewarding. And the invest-

ment in quality pieces of art can literally make your life richer.


Mark Kelly Holly Springs Arts Council


Unspoken Passion, by Wong Shue


Sandra A. Wills Kiln-Formed Warm Glass Artist


I'm a North Carolina native, originally from Farmville, NC, and have been involved in some

form of art since childhood. I took dance classes and private art lessons for many, many years after school, thanks to my mom's encouragement and support.

While at UNC-CH, I studied graphic design with an outside concentration in children's fiction writing (with lofty dreams of being a children's book writer and illustrator one day),

but my degree only barely prepared me for the world of open source technical writing that I

stumbled into right after graduation.

After six years at one of the best career experiences I could ever have imagined, I left

my writing and management job, and, hardest of all, my team of writers at Red Hat to figure out what else I might be when I finally grow up.

Two of my close friends were just beginning to make and sell jewelry, so I invited

myself along. Over the years we grew in talents, grew apart in moves, and decided to go in our

own directions. My direction happened to be moving toward glass at that time. In 2007, I met a

wonderful glass crafter and she taught me the very basics of cutting glass for pendants and fusing them. Since then, working with glass has captured my imagination, and I can't wait to

see what I make as I continue learning new techniques and processes over the years.


While working at Red Hat, we had an art wrangler who decorated the walls every few months

with works by local artists. I bought my first large piece of original art right there at Red Hat. It was one of those pieces that just spoke to me and I still love it. It's hanging in the guest room

at this time.


I love making people happy and there's no better feeling than seeing someone fall in love with

something you've made and take it home with them. These are the buyers I often hug and some-times I even get a little teary as they leave. I strive to make each item unique in design, color,

pattern, and shape. I want each item I make to be a treasure for someone to enjoy. And, every

once in a while, I receive a compliment that just renders me speechless—I try to remember these words whenever I'm feeling without a muse:

I bought a piece, which I don't know how to describe, except that it reminds me of a small Chihuly. It's beautiful and looks great under light in my display cabinet.


View more of Sandra’s work at:

sandraawills.com

http://sandraawills.com


Brenda Priest Pen & Ink Artist


My Connecticut childhood was filled with crafts, artsy projects and creativity—out of necessity. The record player was on constantly, with classical music, opera and modern music. We sang

the oldies and used our imaginations to have fun. Mom was a dabbling painter and Dad was a

plant engineer. Interior Design was a combination of the color and materials along with struc-ture and construction this was the perfect blend for a career. A four-year college education al-

lowed to exploration of a wide variety of mediums.

A summer internship placed me in the drafting room. I learned the dying art of pen and

ink drafting. After graduation, pen and pencil was being put aside for the newer computer-aided

design or AutoCAD. I moved to NC and met my husband in 1991 while working for an engi-neering firm. I followed the money, worked on computers doing drafting, instead of hand-

drawn pen and ink. I never lost my skills. While on maternity leave, I found freelance work to

be convenient. In the long run…turned out to be 7 years of freelance work.

After the birth of another child, I summoned the courage to begin Your Door & More. A

struggle of lessons learned and mistakes, through the support of her family, friends and network associates, I have skills to be an artist and effectively run a small home-based business.

I have reinvigorated the Holly Springs Arts Council, a Non-Profit organization. With the

support of the town and business leaders, the arts scene in Holly Springs has been revitalized.

I’m teaching my daughters: Don’t follow money to be happy; follow your creativity.


In college I was aware there were so many other art mediums out there. My major was paral-

leled with Industrial Design. We took many of the same classes; sculpture, model making, graphic design and figure drawing. These helped me look at the art world as an ever expanding

venue. Frequent trips into New York City were common place; Guggenheim, Museum of

Modern Art, Metropolitan Museum of Art, SOHO galleries, and The New Museum of Contemporary Art. I saw the masters of the past and the new emerging artists. I not only loved

the art but the story of the artist, just as much.


I am commissioned to illustrate homes. My work is very intimate, to my clients. These homes

carry sentimental value to homeowner, as they are often home of their childhood, their first home or somewhere special they have lived. Several comments have remained in my mind,

over the past few years:

A client brought an old snapshot of the home where she raised her children. Susan recalled,

“see that sidewalk, where my children rode bikes and sold lemonade...”


View more of Brenda’s work at:

yourdoorandmore.com

In what ways has art made your life richer? (continued)

“Please include the US flag on the porch, as my Uncle was a Veteran and every Sunday he

would come to dinner and we had a moment of silence to remember those who did not come

back.”

“Be sure to add that large tree in the back, my Great-Grandfather planted it the day my Aunt was born.”

I preserve the memories associated to those buildings. Houses are not just brick and mortar;

they are built with love and moments. Those documented images are important to my clients

and heart-warming.

http://yourdoorandmore.com


Tamara Ward Author



I’ve lived in Holly Springs ever since I’ve been married—almost a dozen years. And I’ve lived in North Carolina for most of my life. But I was born in Oregon, and I’ve also lived in Illinois,

New Mexico, and Virginia.

I’ve always loved writing and music, and I think much of my inspiration comes from

my mother. She used to play piano—which is why I begged for lessons. And she’s constantly reading, which probably got me interested in reading and writing, also.

I remember, in high school, struggling to figure out what I wanted to study in college—writing or music. I’d been awarded a piano scholarship, but I also loved writing. I just couldn’t

decide. So I asked my father, who always had offered sensible advice, what he thought I should

study— writing or music.

His answer? “Math. Math or computers.”

Then I went to my mother, who told me to follow my heart. I did.


Since childhood, I’ve been a book collector. From Christopher Pike and Gary Paulson in my

adolescence, to Steinbeck and Hemingway in my young adulthood, to John Irving and Janet

Evanovich and Charles Martin and countless others now, my bookshelves are groaning. And so is my back!


Art has the power to give perspective, to shape beliefs, to bring joy and sadness—greater meaning, broader understanding, entertainment, and even escape and sanity. I know for me

reading has done all that—and more.

Read more about Tamara’s

“cozy mystery” novels at:

authortamaraward.blogspot.com/


Breck Smith Painter


I have been drawing as long as I can remember. I was an only child and I’m sure letting me draw as much as I wanted was a good way for my parents to keep me out of their “hair”. My

father would bring home paper from work for me to use and they took me to museums from a

very early age. We lived in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia (Natural Bridge) and they fre-quently took me to the National Gallery and the Virginia Museum.


My first experiences as an art “booster” probably occurred in elementary school. Whenever

any of my teachers were in charge of a bulletin board for the month, they would ask me to do it for them. It was nice in a way because I got out of class, but sometimes I would miss lessons

and have to review the material I missed.


Art has given me a way of expressing myself. The work of which I am most proud is usually

the work that has gotten the most notice. That is really rewarding – when you’ve produced something that you feel is your best work and other people end up liking it, too! I also use it as

a form of therapy.

Seeing art in museums is also an extremely rich experience for me. You can see good

works of art anywhere, but I feel that since museums collect the crème de la crème you get to

see a lot of really good work (or work that really appeals to you) quickly and easily. Going to a museum is almost a spiritual experience for me.

View more of Breck’s

work at:

brecksmithart.com

http://authortamaraward.blogspot.com/

http://www.brecksmithart.com/


Ginger Gehres Visual Bard



I have to admit that I was surrounded by art and creativity the minute I came into the world. I was born in Orange County, California. My Mother was a dancer and my Father a carpenter.

My Grandmother, a recognized, fine artist in her own right, taught me everything she knew and

I was eager to learn. To this day, I am always learning something new. Art is not a choice, it’s part of my DNA.

I have a past background in commercial and fine arts with employment in newspaper, television and ad agencies. Today, I design, paint and enjoy photography for pleasure, and sometimes,

profit.


We are the caretakers of quite a few pieces that were crafted by other 2 and 3-D artisans. If not

for their creativity and inspirational spirit, my artistic well would certainly run dry. I find the

works of others most rewarding to me and I appreciate their efforts.


I think one of the most life-enriching parts of art is the way my Mother and Grandmother taught

me how to “see.” We looked at the sun shining on flowers, trees and our surroundings. We

studied how a glass vase of water reflects shapes and colors. We marveled at storms and were awed at Nature’s power. We enjoyed the smallest, and biggest, of things and noticed how they

looked in different light.

What color is in our world? It’s all there for us to see, if we only look. I try to share the

notion of being a “noticer” and pass it on to those who will take the time to try it. My husband

and family are quite aware of what is around them every day. It makes life so much more enjoy-able.

I call myself a “Visual Bard” because the stories that my art tells the viewer is the one that speaks to each individuals’ soul.

Pictured:

“Follow Me” 18”x24”, Acrylic; “Yawn” 12”x12”, Scratchboard

View more of Ginger’s work at:

imageads.com

http://www.imageads.com


Kim Bolick Graphic Design, Art & Illustration


I’d like to say I was born an artist and that I’ve lived my whole life creatively, but that’s not entirely true. Growing up in West Virginia, I had always loved music, dancing and writing, but

I never considered myself an artist. The truth is, I really didn’t enjoy art classes in school as a

child. Since that was my only exposure to art, I never aspired to become an “artist” as an adult. I struggled with drawing as it didn’t come naturally to me. After moving to Raleigh, NC, my

high school art teacher must have seen some sort of talent in me because he encouraged me to

major in art in college. Fine art didn’t seem the right fit for me, but when I visited Appalachian State University, I found their graphic design program. I was hooked from my very firstclass!

After graduating with a degree in Commercial Art/Graphic Design, my first job was layout and ad design for a weekly newspaper as well as various freelance projects. In 2002, I

founded Kim Bolick Design, specializing in logo design, corporate identity design, illustration,

animation and print design including letterhead, business cards, brochures, newsletters, posters, CD covers, book covers, magazines/ezines, etc. In addition to commercial design, I create fine

art and gifts using pastel, mixed media and digital illustration, specializing in home paintings

(popular with realtors) and personalized gifts including sports posters and tee shirts which are created from photos.


The first time I felt excited about art was in college, but it was years later that I found myself “needing” art in my life. I won a gold key for an art project in high school, but my most

memorable moment was selling my very first design to Crazy Shirts, a tee shirt company based

out of Hawaii. We had just moved to Raleigh, and I had re-started my freelance career after several years of being a full-time mom (the best job in the whole world!). I can still remember

the feeling after receiving the email confirming that my design had made it through the final

review after almost two months of work and revisions. This was a defining moment for me. After experiencing some small successes and many rejections, I finally felt that I could make

my art a real career.


Growing up, I couldn’t imaging drawing or painting every single day. But art is so much more

than that. Now, I can’t imagine a day without some sort of art or creative outlet. Thanks to tech-nology, along with an abundant variety of materials, I can create art anywhere and everywhere I

go. I can even draw and paint on my cell phone! If I’m not creating art, I’m reading an art book

or researching online. Art is part of everything – the way I cook (when I feel like cooking), the way I decorate my home, the way I dress. My creativity (which is ever-growing and changing)

expresses my style and personality. It affects the way I see the world and my appreciation of

nature. Art is my heart, my soul, a perfect gift from my creator.


View more of Kim’s work at:

kimbolickdesign.com

http://www.kimbolickdesign.com


I have resided in Holly Springs for about seven years now. Prior to that, I spent a few years in California by way of New Jersey; where I worked in Corporate America. While the salary was

great and the learning experience invaluable, I felt as though something was missing from my

life during my corporate career.

Fortunately, my husband received a great job opportunity around the time of my discon-tentment and we moved to Northern California. I was able to continue to work remotely for my

division. It was not until I received word about an early employee buyout that was being offered

that I jumped at the opportunity to follow my passion for design.

While in California, I immediately enrolled in an Interior Design degree program at a

local college. Ultimately, we relocated here to North Carolina where I received my BS in Inte-rior Design with a minor in Art from Meredith College. I practiced interior design for many

years but found my true passion was for art.

It was not until SAS Institute purchased a large painting of mine that I received a vote of

confidence to pursue my artwork. This was critical for me since I am self-taught and had no

prior art experience; other than a couple of required art classes toward my design degree. I am fortunate to have both corporate and residential collectors as well as be a resource for interior

designers and corporate facility managers for commissioned works that bring their visions to

life.


I have always supported artists and the community-at-large with my time and art. Whether that

means giving a free painting demo during a worthy fundraiser event, donating a painting for a live auction by organizations such as the Alliance of AIDS Services, which provides direct care,

housing and prevention to thousands of individuals living with HIV/AIDS across the Triangle,

or Habitat for Humanity International's relief efforts to Haiti. I have also worked directly with interior designers who use my work in their Designer Showhouses that benefits organizations

like the Leukemia Foundation. Also, closer to home I supported the Holly Springs Chamber of

Commerce in their fundraiser efforts.


My vision statement is “Lifting The Human Spirit Through Art.” I get excited and a sparkle

comes to my eyes every time a collector or admirer of my work shares how my paintings in-spire and enriches their lives.



Willie Green-Aldridge Visual Artist

Fantasy Fish I, at right.

Serene I, below.

View more of Willie’s work at:

williegreenaldridge.com

http://www.williegreenaldridge.com


Art is something you cannot ignore as a New Orleans born citizen. Art permeates the cultural essence of The Crescent City and every child is born to the sounds of jazz, R&B, Zydeco,

parade bands, and the Mississippi River rhythm that snakes around city heading to the Gulf of

Mexico.

Walking through Jackson Square and the French Quarter reminds you of the rich art history and architecture that is almost 400 years in the making. Street artists and musicians

entertain and shape the ambiance that continues to awe it's citizens and visitors.

Just when you think you have heard or seen it all, you are overwhelmed with the visual

beauty and art of Mardi Gras season provides and its many sounds, music, floats, carnival balls,

and costumes.

Growing up in New Orleans helped me understand the importance of a healthy arts

community in shaping a diverse future for its citizens and particularly the children. Art enables us to dream of a future not yet realized. It opens our minds to beauty, science, and creativity!


My first experience with being an arts collector began when I was living in Naples, Italy, in the

early 70s. Living in Europe you are surrounded by art on the street, museums, buildings,

churches, and galleries. I remember buying my first Italian oil painting by paying a dollar a

week to a local gallery until it was paid for.

That piece stills hangs in my dining room. Everyday I still enjoy looking at its beauty.


Although my talents are not in the arts, I have enjoyed art in its many forms. My husband Pat and I have bought several art pieces and plan to buy more. (See second attachment) We have

savored the art pieces in our home and enjoyed discussing their significance with our friends

and family. We consistently place museums first on our list when vacationing and galleries

second. We have also enjoyed the symphony, opera, and theater in our communities. Watching our granddaughter the first time she saw Cinderella live on stage is a memory we cherish.

Lastly, having a spouse as an architect, who is also a New Orleans native, has opened so much

art to my life. I still wonder what it would be like to take vacation pictures where more than half of them are not photos of buildings.

Has art enriched my life? Absolutely and continues to do so.



Linda Hunt-Williams Town of Holly Springs, Councilwoman


Art has enriched my life in more ways than I ever imagined. Expressing myself through various

mediums such as acrylic, plaster, wood, glass, mosaic, rock and most recently vinyl, gives me the freedom to explore new materials and techniques. Art has enabled me to have confidence in

my abilities and believe in myself. It provides me with an outlet that always results in pure joy.

My motto… “Creating is doing what you must” says it all.

The photo of a recent art installation is entitled “Tribute to Angels”. It depicts luminar-

ies placed in a heart shape featuring the 26 victims from the Newtown, CT school tragedy. A childhood friend of mine lost her 6 year old son Benjamin that day. I really wanted to do some-

thing as an artist to honor everyone and let the families know that the innocent victims would

not be forgotten, especially during the holidays. I watched the news every day and learned about each individual child, the principal, psychologist and teachers.

I decided to make long-lasting luminaries out of vinyl siding material. I had never used a drill gun before, but that didn’t stop me. For 12 hours, I drilled the names of each victim into

the luminaries as I thought about who they were. I lit the luminaries for the first time on Christ-

mas Eve and they have been lit every night since. Art has changed my life and hopefully it will change the lives of all those involved in this senseless tragedy.


Thank you for reading! 10

Michelle M. McElroy Fine Artist

View more of Michelle’s work at:

mmmartistry.com

Help promote the arts in Holly Springs! If you support the goals and work of the Holly Springs Arts Council, please donate today to

show your support! You could even make a tax-deductible annual donation as an official

Friend of the HSAC.

Voluntary donations allow us to support a variety of programs, projects, publications, and

events. When you become a Friend of the Council, you will be directly supporting the

important work we are doing toward creating an environment where the arts can flourish for independent artists, writers, and performers; arts and cultural groups; and the community at

large.

FRIENDSHIP LEVELS: $25 Student $50 Artist

$100 Supporter

$250 Sponsor

Or, visit HollySpringsArtsCouncil.org

and click on Donate to the HSAC

Click to

donate today!

Love for and appreciation of the arts is a gift, a door to

wonder, a pathway for exploration, a magic thread

through humanity. We hope the stories shared here will

inspire you to grow your own experience of the arts.

Please share your story with us at:

facebook.com/HSACNC

mmmartistry.com

https://www.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_flow&SESSION=zaUxTdoUep0qVEW_Q0rfItrYsFwkvxC4kSfk9uArlQPvgmMQFLktxuzR55y&dispatch=50a222a57771920b6a3d7b606239e4d529b525e0b7e69bf0224adecfb0124e9b61f737ba21b0819882a9058c69cf92dcdac469a145272506

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