Nov. 8, 2012. In 2011 the Watauga County Arts Council began sponsoring the Arts in Agriculture Award at the annual Watauga County Farm-City Banquet. This award recognizes a local artist or arts organization that captures the spirit of agriculture in Watauga County.
This year is the 57th annual event which provides an occasion for residents from both the rural and urban areas of Watauga County to gather together to celebrate and recognize the interdependence of these two vital elements of the community and the individuals who strive to make Watauga County special and unique.
“The purpose is to bring the farm folks and the city folks together and to give recognition to folks in the urban community and in the rural community who would not normally get recognized for a lot of their hard work and efforts,” said Jim Hamilton, director of the Watauga County Center of the N.C. Cooperative Extension.
This year’s theme is “Local Farms Feed Local Families.”
Each year the Arts Council seeks a unique way to celebrate the impact of the arts on our agricultural community. This year’s competition was an opportunity for local photographers to share their photographic images of local scenery which exemplify the theme of the Watauga County Farm-City Banquet. Over 15 entries were received and, after a lengthy deliberation, the Watauga County Arts Council’s Gallery Committee was able to select a photograph by Leda Winebarger as this year’s winner.
The image was printed twice and then framed by Mike Hill of Purveyors of Art and Design of Foscoe. One framed image will become the property of the artist and will be given to the winner, Leda Winebarger, at the Farm-City Banquet where she will be officially recognized. This year’s banquet will take place at the Boone United Methodist Church on Thursday, Nov. 8 at 6 p.m. The second framed image is being raffled by the Watauga County Arts Council with proceeds benefiting Arts Council programming. Raffle tickets are $3 each or four for $10 and are available in advance at the Arts Council Gallery at 783 West King Street, online, and through WCAC board members and volunteers. They will also be available at the Farm-City Banquet. You do not have to be present to win.
For information, contact the Arts Council at 828-264-1789 or check their website at www.watauga-arts.org.
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