This project was supported by the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts.

We are delighted to share some exciting news and express our heartfelt gratitude to the North Carolina Arts Council for their generous Spark the Arts grant program. This funding has been instrumental in sustaining the exceptional violin luthier program at the Foothills Arts Center. Additionally, it has provided the fortunate opportunity for two like-minded individuals to collaborate, leading to the creation of a new traditional woodworking program. We are incredibly grateful for this fortunate turn of events.

| violin luthier program: the legacy of joe thrift |

At the Foothills Arts Center, we are privileged to host the renowned master violin maker, Joe Thrift. Joe's journey in fiddle making began back in 1976 at the Newark School of Violin Making in England. Little did he know that this would be the start of an extraordinary career, marked by strong connections with skilled luthier instructors and an unwavering commitment to his craft.

Establishing his own violin making workshop in Winston Salem after graduating in 1979, Joe later relocated to Surry County. In 2009, he welcomed his first apprentice and initiated a program at a local college, sharing his passion for violin making with students of all levels of proficiency. Teaching has become an immensely gratifying aspect of Joe's life, allowing him to pass on his knowledge and expertise while continuing to craft exquisite instruments in his home workshop.

Thanks in part to the support of the N.C. Arts Council grant, the Foothills Arts Center has had the honor of collaborating with Joe Thrift and the Foothills School of Violin Making. Joe's remarkable ability to teach individuals of all experience levels, guiding them in crafting exquisite heirloom violins, is truly awe-inspiring. His dedication to the art of teaching and practicing traditional craftsmanship has enriched the lives of countless students, creating a legacy that will endure for generations.

(click any image to enlarge)

| image credit | Sydney Sieviec

Prospective students interested in enrolling in the fall 2023 semester of the violin program should click the product links below for more information and registration:

| traditional woodworking program: unleashing the craftsmanship of ben masterson |

We are thrilled to announce that this autumn, the Foothills Arts Center will be opening registration for the launch of a new traditional woodworking program, led by the immensely talented Ben Masterson, with classes scheduled to begin during the second week of January 2024. Ben, a devoted craftsman and educator, has a deep appreciation for the traditional art of woodworking and an unwavering commitment to passing on his knowledge to others.

Ben's journey as a woodworker has been profoundly influenced by his mentor, dear friend, and renowned violin craftsman, Joe Thrift. Over the past three years, Ben has had the privilege of studying under Joe and apprenticing with him, gaining invaluable knowledge and skills. Through his experiences, Ben has not only honed his craftsmanship but has also discovered his passion for teaching traditional woodworking.

Students of all experience levels will have the opportunity to learn from Ben's expertise, guidance, and dedication to the craft. The program will foster an environment where individuals can thrive and flourish, immersing themselves in the art of building and the joy of working with wood.

As we eagerly anticipate the opening of the woodworking program this autumn, we encourage all art enthusiasts and woodworking enthusiasts to join us in celebrating the rich tapestry of artistic expression at the Foothills Arts Center. Together, we can continue to ignite the spark of creativity and cultivate a thriving arts community.

We extend our deepest gratitude to the N.C. Arts Council for their invaluable support through the Spark the Arts grant. Their commitment to fostering the arts and preserving traditional crafts has allowed us to expand our offerings and provide exceptional educational opportunities to the community.

(click any image to enlarge)

| image credit | Sydney Sieviec

| about spark the arts |

The North Carolina Arts Council announced support for 130 nonprofit organizations through their new Spark The Arts grant category during the 2022-2023 fiscal year. In total, the Arts Council is investing $2,484,071 to support programming centered around audience re-engagement and inclusion. Grant amounts range from $3,000 to $30,000.

The arts spark vitality, healing, and fellowship. These qualities are what kept North Carolina’s arts sector resilient through the pandemic. The Spark the Arts grant category places a special emphasis on strategies to engage audiences and participants in this effort.

The Spark the Arts grant funding at the Foothills Arts Center will reactivate, expand, and deepen the quality of learning experienced by youth and adult students, with funds split evenly between four programs: ceramics, fiber arts, violin luthier, and youth art. We are so honored to be a recipient of a Spark the Arts grant!