TRAC and volunteers - everyone wins!

The Toe River Arts Council wouldn’t be the success it is today were it not for the folks who make it run, nearly all of them volunteers. In the 30 plus years it has been serving the Toe River Valley counties of Yancey and Mitchell, and even places beyond, the high-profile arts council has brought arts education to the schools, boosted the mountain economy, and supported hundreds of local artists and craftspersons in the making and marketing of their work. The payoff is considerable for the people who give freely of their time and talents to support TRAC in these endeavors. Consider some of the rewards awaiting those who assist the arts council in the spirit of service!

It is a maxim of spiritual wisdom that when we give, we receive. Voluntarism is the prescription commonly meted out by therapists, counselors, clergy, and, more and more frequently today, even employers, when faced with complaints ranging from boredom, loss of interest in life, loneliness, substance abuse, and self-pity. “Get involved somewhere; get outside yourself,” is the mantra being voiced throughout the self-help field. And for those who heed this advice, the rewards are most often both profound and unpredictable. For the women and men who love the arts, volunteering at one of TRAC’s two galleries has meant camaraderie, shared satisfaction at projects brought to successful completion, and an ongoing arts education in a variety of media. It has meant new friendships, an outlet for creativity, and expanded intellectual horizons. What, then, do TRAC’s volunteers do?

Throughout the year TRAC mounts exhibitions at both galleries. Wall surfaces have to be prepared, pedestals placed, art hung or mounted and identified by labels, and the whole show properly lit. Painting, minor carpentry, and lighting and electrical savvy come into play here. Shows usually have receptions, bringing the need for cooks, servers, and (as the present writer learned) even bottle-washers! Even more pressing is the need for volunteers with computer skills, retail sales experience, and clerical skills such as bulk mail preparation, though, as often as not, there are days when the pressing demand is simply for a friendly face to be a greeter at the front door. TRAC’s annual auction calls on a small army of volunteers to make smooth the way of an artwork from the stage to its new owner. Certain exhibitions, such as those of art produced in the local schools or for the bi-annual Studio Tours, call for folks with good sorting and organizing talents. Chances are, there’s a suitable niche for anyone interested in applying, anyone desirous of stimulating company and the ever-repeated thrill of watching the labors of hand and imagination from the most important studio art center on the East coast sail through the front door and into the volunteer’s caring hands.

In 2009 the US Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated the number of volunteers in the US at 61.8 million, or 26.4 of the population, with women leading the men. Further, there is scarcely a non-profit organization around today that doesn’t rely on volunteers. Interested in giving this potentially life-changing opportunity a try? Kathryn Andree at TRAC’s Spruce Pine Gallery located at 269 Oak Avenue would love to hear from you at (828) 765-0520. Discuss with her what you’re willing to do, how much time you can spare. If TRAC’s Burnsville Gallery is more to your liking please call Denise Cook at (828) 682-7215 and discuss ways in which you could be useful. Let’s say you’re wild about iron and the forge, for example. Well, consider helping out during the annual Fire on the Mountain blacksmith’s festival, which pairs an exhibition at TRAC with the clanging, smoky action on Spruce Pine’s Lower Street in the summer. There is a variety of ways to become involved. Both TRAC Galleries are open Monday through Saturday from the hours of 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Contact the Toe River Arts Council for more information at 828-765-0520 or 828-682-7215, or email us at trac@toeriverarts.org.