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January 16, 2007 |
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 JEAN
McLAUGHLINPenland School of Crafts By Henry Bostic Charlotte Rotarians on Tuesday took an electronic visit about 100 miles west to what some have called an "incredible treasure for North Carolina." We were treated to a sumptuous video tour of the now 80-year-old Penland School of Crafts, a national center for craft education. It was hard to fight off the urge to throw a pot, blow some glass or make paper after seeing the idyllic setting designed to energize the creative spirit. Located in Mitchell County near Spruce Pine, Penland is about halfway between Asheville and Boone, but the views are pristine - and inspiring - from this mountain retreat. Rotarian Bob Culbertson introduced the program and speaker, Charlotte native Jean W. McLaughlin, center director, with homage to Penland's special gifts. Bob said he began looking for a creative outlet several years ago when he decided to learn to throw pots. He started a class at Spirit Square, but wanted more. Shortly afterwards, he heard about Penland's classes and talked his way into a pottery class as a rank beginner. There had just been a cancellation. He described Penland as a creative oasis: two weeks without TV, radio, or newspapers. Good food, exciting people and a "wonderful setting" in which to learn a craft. Bob has been 13 straight years. UNC alumna McLaughlin, center director since 1998, said the idea for the "community" is to bring people together from all the world. It's "totally emersion is a beautiful environment." The idea is "to make something, to be totally focused with a creative and stimulating staff, to push your self to grow - individual growth as well as artistic growth." It's also about becoming "connected with a network that can become a lifelong experience," the East Mecklenburg graduate said. The non-profit was founded in 1929 by Lucy Morgan, a teacher, as the outgrowth of a craft-based economic development project. Today, Penland encompasses about 400 acres and 47 structures with more than 1,200 people who come each year seeking instruction. Said McLaughlin, people are "invited to be apart of the experience, to take risks and try things they have never done. It will strengthen the imagination." The programs are open to adults from 19 to 90 plus, she said. The center hosts one-, two- and eight-week workshops in books and paper, clay, drawing and painting, glass, iron, metals, photography, printmaking, textiles, and wood. It also sponsors artists' residencies, communication education and a craft gallery. The resident artist program provides low-cost studios and housing to working crafts people for a period of three years. McLaughlin invited everyone to visit Penland during the annual community open house March 3 when all the studios and building will be open to the public - between 400 and 500 came last year. The Penland Gallery is open to the public between March and December. The center's major fundraiser, an auction weekend, will be August 10 and ll. Said McLaughlin, there are three Penland qualities. It's isolated physically and we take care of every need. "We encourage personal craziness. We want you to take risks, to leave your personal comfort zone without fear of failure." Penland "is not far away," she concluded. "We'd love for you to feel as much a part of it as we do." Head Table: John Greer, Jessica Brasington, Luther Moore, Bob Culbertson, Biff Virkler, Greg Etheridge; Invocation: Ed Driggs Visitors & Guests: Warren Kean; Piano: Thomas Moore
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