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Winston-Salem, NC (December 15, 2022) Arts Council of Winston-Salem & Forsyth County has appointed three new officers to its Executive Committee, and seven new members to its Board of Trustees. The new officers of the executive committee include Howard Upchurch, vice president; Sue Henderson, at-large member; and Shannon Henry, at-large member, led by incoming chair, Chad Cheek. The seven new trustees are Stephan Dragisic, Robin Miller, Dr. Rosa Otero, Courtney Payne, Tracy Preston, Amy Reynolds, and Howard Upchurch. New officers will begin their role on January 1, 2023. “I am honored to serve as the incoming chair of Arts Council’s Board of Trustees,” said Chad Cheek, owner and Chief Creative Officer of Elephant in the Room. “I look forward to continuing to serve the local arts and cultural sector alongside the amazing Arts Council staff and board as well as at the state level with the NC Arts Council Board of Directors and the NC Arts Foundation Board of Directors.” Arts Council’s Board of Trustees is composed of a group of community members, stakeholders, and patrons who serve as the organization’s governance body, playing a critical role in fiduciary decisions affecting the local arts and cultural sector. As such, trustees have an active interest in growing the economic impact of the arts in Forsyth County which totals $156.8M and employs nearly 5,500 full-time equivalent roles annually according to a pre-pandemic study with Americans for the Arts. In the fiscal year ending September 30, 2022, Arts Council raised a total of $2.6M to support the Community Fund for the Arts. These funds go to support outgoing grants and award allocations for organizations and individual artists, the management of Arts Council’s Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts, as well as community programming. New trustees include the following: Stephan Dragisic is Director of Advancement of Reynolda House Museum of American Art and Reynolda Gardens. In his role, he oversees all revenue sources including fundraising, admissions, events, and retail. Prior to his time at Reynolda, Dragisic served Visit Winston-Salem leading the development and implementation of heritage and cultural tourism programs for the community. He is a working artist and potter since 2018, actively engaged in classes at Sawtooth School for Visual Art. Robin Miller is a private banker with First Citizens Bank and First Citizens Wealth Management. A native of Winston-Salem, Miller believes art is an “expression and communication of our inner self to others.” Rosa Otero, PhD is a full-time faculty member and the current Director of Visual and Performing Arts as well as the School of Music Administration at Salem College. She is the designer and curator of Salem College’s SIDE Chair Library, a one-of-a-kind facility that provides access to 20th century furniture icons. Otero is excited to return to Arts Council’s Board of Trustees and looks forward to sharing her expertise with the greater community. Courtney Payne Benfield is the Triad Market Executive of Bank of America serving Winston-Salem, Greensboro, High Point, and Burlington where she helps manage business integration, community engagement, and employee engagement and local volunteerism efforts. Recently, Payne was named an Outstanding Woman in Business and 40 Under 40 recipient by Triad Business Journal. Tracy Preston is Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer, Chief Compliance Officer, and Corporate Secretary of HanesBrands, Inc. She oversees a global team of 36 professionals and approximately $18+ million budget. In 2022, Preston was recognized as one of the Most Influential Black Lawyers by Savoy Magazine. Other professional accolades include being honored as the ACC Outstanding General Counsel of a Mid-Sized Legal Department, and Black Enterprise’s Most Powerful Women in Corporate America. Amy Reynolds is Senior Vice President of Marketing and Customer Engagement at Flow Automotive Companies. In this role, she leads Flow Marketing Services, an internal automotive marketing agency, and the Flow Customer Relationship Center, and automotive business development center focused on sales, service, and customer care. Reynolds also co-owns Bespoke Cyclery, a bicycle service and sales company in Lewisville, NC where she draws on retail sales experience to craft an inclusive experience for all cyclists. Howard Upchurch recently retired from HanesBrands, Inc., after 34 years of service, serving as group president of Innerwear in North and South America. As leader of the largest business segment generating over $3 billion in sales, he had broad general management responsibility with a focus on marketing, sales and operations. Upchurch is excited to return to the board and will serve as vice president of Arts Council’s Board of Trustees. “The incoming class of new members represent a distinguished selection of community leaders, patrons, and artists,” says Chase Law, President and CEO. “I look forward to continuing this work that is focused on the impact of the arts and cultural sector and driving it forward to the future.” Appointed Executive Committee members include Chad Cheek, Chair; Howard Upchurch, Vice Chair; Steve Berlin, Secretary; Mike Lancaster, Treasurer; Sue Henderson, at-large; Shannon Henry, at-large; and Chase Law, President & CEO of Arts Council. Current members of the Board of Trustees include Dr. Lynn Anthony, Todd Bankhead, Iris Cole, Clare Fader, Linda Gaskins, Rich Geiger, Drew Gerstmyer, Jason Kaplan, Jeff Lindsay, Kenneth Pettigrew, Peggy Reingold, Claire Tuttle, Jake Wharton, Jacinta White, and Talitha Vickers. Seven members of Arts Council’s Board of Trustees will complete their current term of service on December 31, 2022, and include Nigel Alston, Michael Kelley, Paula McCoy, Rick Moss, Christina Soriano, Michael Suggs, and Eric Swaim. Arts Council of Winston-Salem & Forsyth County is the chief advocate of the arts and cultural sector in Winston-Salem and Forsyth County. Arts Council’s goal is to serve as a leader in lifting up, creating awareness, and providing support to grow and sustain the arts and cultural offerings throughout our region, ultimately bringing our community together and making it a great place to live, work, and play. (END) For additional information, please contact: Katie Hall, Chief Marketing Officer khall@intothearts.org 336-747-1421 www.intothearts.org

Grants Awarded to Support the Work of Artists in a Five-County Triad Region Counties include Davidson, Davie, Forsyth, Guilford and Randolph Winston-Salem, N.C. (December 13, 2022) Arts Council of Winston-Salem & Forsyth County and ArtsGreensboro are proud to announce the 2023 Artist Support Grant awards totaling $77,000. Grants were awarded to 55 artists in Davidson, Davie, Forsyth, Guilford and Randolph counties to support professional and artistic development. The grants are funded annually by the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, as part of a statewide initiative to support artists. “Once again, Arts Council has worked closely with ArtsGreensboro to focus on supporting individual artists across Davidson, Davie, Forsyth, Guilford and Randolph counties,” said Chase Law, Arts Council President and CEO. “Through this process, 174 applicants submitted requests for the Artist Support Grant. Thanks to the North Carolina Arts Council, we are fortunate to be able to support 55 artists through this offering. By working with ArtsGreensboro, we are furthering our mission to serve artists across Winston-Salem and Forsyth County and beyond.” "What I love about the Artist Support Grant is that we can directly help artists achieve their creative goals and aspirations," says Laura Way, ArtsGreensboro President and CEO. "This grant is focused on helping artists develop their small businesses, take creative risks and learn new skills. The Artist Support Grant is a wonderful partnership with four other counties, where we get to know the artists in our communities on a deeper level. Whether it's a first-time applicant or a previous recipient, each grantee is committed to being the best artist possible—from the spoken word poet to the dancer." More than 170 applications were received, with awards ranging from $750 to $1,900 in the following disciplines: visual arts and crafts, literature, film, dance, music, performing arts, and spoken word. Grantees Sheridan Watkins and Vonii Bristow share their thoughts on this award. “In 2020, I began my journey with Arts Council by partnering on Artist Pop-Ups at ByGood Coffee, participating with Artists Thrive, and selling my work in Arts Council’s Community Arts Gift Shop,” said Sheridan Watkins, 2023 Artist Support Grantee of Forsyth County. “This grant will enable me to enroll in classes at Sawtooth School for Visual Art to help take my work to the next level. As a self-taught artist, I am eager and grateful for the opportunity of professional development as I continue to grow my business, Perennial Peaces.” "Firstly, I'd like to thank ArtsGreensboro for their support of my journey as a writer and director,” says Vonii Bristow, 2023 Artist Support Grantee of Guilford County. “Through the grant, I plan to promote the release of my 2-part, audio-drama offering, CODE OF HONOR, coming April 2023. ArtsGreensboro is important for the Greensboro artistic ecosystem. They not only encourage artistic expression but fully support those visions financially. I hope for a career-long partnership with ArtsGreensboro and the NC Arts Council." The lead arts councils, Arts Council of Winston-Salem & Forsyth County and ArtsGreensboro, administered the grant process and conducted a review panel to determine awardees. More information about these grant recipients can be found on Arts Council of Winston-Salem & Forsyth County and ArtsGreensboro’s websites. *** Arts Council of Winston-Salem & Forsyth County is the chief advocate of the arts and cultural sector in Winston-Salem and Forsyth County. Arts Council’s goal is to serve as a leader in lifting up, creating awareness, and providing support to grow and sustain the arts and cultural offerings throughout our region, ultimately bringing our community together and making it a great place to live, work, and play. www.IntoTheArts.org. ArtsGreensboro invests in programs that provide access to the arts for all citizens, supports arts integration in our schools, builds capacity for our arts community, and unifies the community through the power of the arts. www.ArtsGreensboro.org. The North Carolina Arts Council builds on our state's longstanding love of the arts, leading the way to a more vibrant future. The Arts Council is an economic catalyst, fueling a thriving nonprofit creative sector that generates $2.12 billion in annual direct economic activity. The Arts Council also sustains diverse arts expression and traditions while investing in innovative approaches to art-making. The North Carolina Arts Council has proven to be a champion for youth by cultivating tomorrow's creative citizens through arts education. www.NCArts.org (END) For additional information, please contact: Katie Hall, Chief Marketing Officer khall@intothearts.org 336-747-1421 www.intothearts.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Arts Council Announces Arts and Cultural Grants for the Community 54 award allocations total $769,434 for arts and cultural sector Winston-Salem, NC (December 2, 2022) – Arts Council of Winston-Salem & Forsyth County has announced its first wave of FY23 community grants totaling more than $769,934. These community grants include Organizational Support Grants to 13 arts partners, Arts Event Sponsorship Grants to 24 awardees, and Wells Fargo Arts-In-Education Grants to 17 awardees. This allocation does not include community grants such as Artist Support Grants and other services which will be announced over the coming months. “Thanks to the generosity of our community, we were able to surpass our annual fundraising goal by raising a total of $2.6M in FY22,” said Chase Law, president and CEO of Arts Council. “With these funds, we are able to make grants for the community, maintain our active campus which serve hundreds of organizations annually, and develop community programming.” Organizational Support Grants provide general operating support to arts and cultural organizations based in and servicing Forsyth County residents that meet high standards in their organizational management, artistic programming, and community engagement. Annually, these organizations reach over 800,000 people through their arts programs. This program is supported in part by the N.C. Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. FY23 Organizational Support Grant Awardees Organization Award Amount Authoring Action $20,000 Bookmarks $15,000 NC Black Repertory Company $74,000 Piedmont Craftsmen $30,000 Piedmont Opera $30,000 Piedmont Wind Symphony $15,000 RiverRun International Film Festival $35,000 Sawtooth School for Visual Art (facility subsidy) $93,934 Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art $45,000 The Little Theatre of Winston-Salem $74,000 Winston-Salem Delta Fine Arts $15,000 Winston-Salem Festival Ballet $15,000 Winston-Salem Symphony $74,000 Total Awards: $535,934 Arts Event Sponsorship Grants support and promote arts-focused events and programs that take place within Forsyth County for the community-at-large. Examples of events or programs may include concerts, exhibitions, festivals, parades, performances, celebrations of local artists, ethnic identity, social, or cultural specific traditions with clear arts connections such as music, spoken word, or visual arts and similar activities. The arts must be the central focus of the event or program. Projects must be accessible to the public and show community impact. FY23 Arts Event Sponsorship Grant Awardees Organization Award Amount 40+ Stage Theatre Company $2,000 a/perture cinema $10,000 Ardmore Art Walk $3,000 Associated Artists $2,500 Camel City Playhouse $10,000 Downtown Winston-Salem Partnership $7,500 The Enrichment Center $6,000 Heart of the Triad Choral Society $2,000 Kaleideum $2,000 Kernersville Little Theatre $5,000 Körner’s Folly $3,500 Moravian Music Foundation $3,000 MUSE Metal Mavens $5,000 Music Carolina $6,000 NC Brass Band $1,500 One Love Festival $8,500 Paul J. Giener Botanical Garden $2,000 Reynolda House Museum of American Art $25,000 Salem Band $500 Simon's Community Garden $3,000 Spring Theatre $2,000 Triad Cultural Arts $10,000 Triad Pride Performing Arts $3,500 Winston-Salem Theatre Alliance $10,000 Total Awards: $133,500 Wells Fargo Arts-In-Education Grants connect artists and arts organizations with elementary, middle and high school students, by funding programs designed to awaken their intellectual and creative curiosity. Some funding is available for artists to conduct programs in private and charter schools. Additional support is provided by Flow Automotive Companies, the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School System and the N.C. Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. Arts Council is the largest funder of arts education in the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School System. FY23 Wells Fargo Arts-In-Education Grant Awardees Artist/Organization Award Amount Angel Fant $2,212 Bookmarks $8,000 Carolina Music Ways $8,100 Diane Faison $3,600 Forrest Munden $5,000 Karl Kassner $5,000 Mark Donnell $4,500 Music Carolina $4,750 NC Brass Band $1,250 Piedmont Craftsmen $15,000 Shared Radiance $1,400 Spring Theatre $1,500 Tam Tam Mandigue $10,000 UNCSA Foundation $2,000 Winston-Salem Symphony $9,000 Winston-Salem Festival Ballet $5,000 WS/FCS Professional Development $13,688 Total Awards: $100,000 Arts Council of Winston-Salem & Forsyth County is the chief advocate of the arts and cultural sector in Winston-Salem and Forsyth County. Arts Council’s goal is to serve as a leader in lifting up, creating awareness, and providing support to grow and sustain the arts and cultural offerings throughout our region, ultimately bringing our community together and making it a great place to live, work, and play. (END) For additional information, please contact: Katie Hall, Chief Marketing Officer khall@intothearts.org 336-747-1421 www.intothearts.org

Arts Council launches “Amplify”, a monthly local music series Spencer Aubrey to curate monthly concert series showcasing local musicians at Arts Council Winston-Salem, NC (November 9, 2022) – Arts Council of Winston-Salem & Forsyth County announces their next phase of programming that puts community artists in the spotlight: Amplify, a monthly local music series. This concert series, curated by guest artist Spencer Aubrey (known onstage as p.s. edekot), provides a professional platform for musicians to share their work with new audiences. Each installment in the monthly series will feature a unique line-up of emerging and established musicians and performance artists of various genres. The concert series commenced with a “soft launch” last month, and kicks off publicly on Thursday, November 17 at 7:00pm in Reynolds Place Theatre, located in the Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts. Performers in this month’s line-up include distinguished jazz saxophonist Michael Kinchen, emerging folk duo Discount Rothko (Not Your Average Folk Contest finalist, NC Folk Festival 2022), and spoken word poet Tamika Wells. “As a City of Arts and Innovation, Winston-Salem has surprisingly few venues for emerging musicians to play professional shows,” says Corinne Bass, Arts Council’s Director of Theatre Operations and Programming. “Beloved former venues like The Garage, The Werehouse/PS211, Ziggy’s, and Elliot’s Revue that laid the foundation for Winston’s prolific music scene are no longer around. Current venues do a wonderful job of bringing in national and regional talent, and we see an opportunity to help bridge the gap for local acts. With Amplify, Arts Council provides a signal boost for community musicians – helping them reach new ears and professional opportunities and bringing audiences more frequent and accessible ways to experience the diverse flavors of our local music scene.” Amplify’s guest curator, Spencer Aubrey, is a creative connector. Born in Arizona, he earned his Bachelor of General Studies degree from Arizona State University and his Master of Arts in Poetry from Wilkes University. He moved to North Carolina in 2019, and currently resides with his wife Emily in the historic Boston neighborhood of Winston-Salem. Spencer spends his waking hours as a DJ, freelance poet, and vocalist, pursuing depth and authenticity in his faith, and with his friends and family. He is a creative storyteller and poet for the Happy Hill Gardens’ Open-Documentary Project (Renew Forsyth), has been featured as a poet and interviewee in a Wake Forest University documentary about the Boston neighborhood, and has published poetry (North Carolina Bards) and articles (North Carolina News Daily, Barista Magazine). “We are providing a platform for local musicians and artists they wouldn't otherwise have, giving rise to the emergence of new music”, Aubrey says. “Some of these bands are recently formed or young, some artists have projects they are taking in new directions, and some are sharing things that have never been played for live audiences before. By creating a paid opportunity for them to play in a setting with professional sound and lighting, to develop their skill sets, explore new projects, and reach new audiences, we're giving artists room to rise to the occasion and keep pace with the way our city is growing.” Date: Thursday, November 17, 2022 Time: 7:00pm Location: Reynolds Place Theatre, Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts 251 N Spruce Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101 Pricing: $15 general admission Tickets: Buy online at intothearts.org/amplify or in-person before the event Arts Council of Winston-Salem & Forsyth County is the chief advocate of the arts and cultural sector in Winston-Salem and Forsyth County. Arts Council’s goal is to serve as a leader in lifting up, creating awareness, and providing support to grow and sustain the arts and cultural offerings throughout our region, ultimately bringing our community together and making it a great place to live, work, and play. (END) For additional information, please contact: Katie Hall, Chief Marketing Officer khall@intothearts.org 336-747-1421 www.intothearts.org

Winston-Salem, NC (November 3, 2022) – Arts Council of Winston-Salem & Forsyth County will host Associated Artists of Winston-Salem ARTIST SPOTLIGHT 2022 at Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts. The exhibition will be on view in the Main Gallery November 4, 2022 – January 7, 2023. An opening reception is scheduled for Friday, November 4, 5 – 7 PM. Associated Artists of Winston Salem is pleased to shine a spotlight on members who will display a body of their work in the ARTIST SPOTLIGHT 2022 exhibit. ARTIST SPOTLIGHT 2022 is a competitive exhibition showcasing accomplished artists. The jurors for the exhibition have selected the work of 13 out of 20 members, who will display 4 to 6 artworks each as space permits: Pat Altic, Ginny Campbell, Tünde Darvay, Louis Guidetti, Sean Kammerlohr, Kelly Kotowski, Harry Respess, Jo Robinson, Judi Russell, Vicki Schober, Adam Sensel, Ben Stinson, and Antwan Whitlock. ARTIST SPOTLIGHT 2022 shows a wide range of artistic expressions in 2-D and 3-D art, ranging from classic realism to imaginative undertakings, whimsy to reality, new and old techniques, art for art’s sake to thought provoking. This interesting exhibit displays the varied talents of Associated Artists’ members and is free and open to the public. Arts Council of Winston-Salem & Forsyth County is the chief advocate of the arts and cultural sector in Winston-Salem and Forsyth County. Arts Council’s goal is to serve as a leader in lifting up, creating awareness and providing support to grow and sustain the arts and cultural offerings throughout our region, ultimately bringing our community together and making it a great place to live, work and play. (END) For additional information, please contact: Katie Hall Chief Advancement Officer khall@intothearts.org 336-747-1421 www: intothearts.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Arts Council launches “The Lab” - An Experimental Space for Underground Art DOSE Artist Collective to curate monthly underground art series at Milton Rhodes Center Winston-Salem, NC (November 1, 2022) – Arts Council of Winston-Salem & Forsyth County announces a new initiative to serve underground and emerging artists: The Lab. This monthly series, curated by DOSE Artist Collective, will provide a safe and experimental space for local creatives to showcase their work and connect with other artists in the community. The first event in the series will take place Monday, November 7, 2022, at 7:30pm in the parking garage at Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts. This unconventional setting provides a unique space for artists to perform outside of traditional theatre venues, inviting creative risk-taking and experimentation in a safe and controlled environment. Artists in the inaugural event’s line-up include spoken-word performer Lové Skylar, dancer Amaya Burnett, musician Sam Salmeron, and more. DOSE Artist Collective is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization based in Winston-Salem, NC. Their mission is to provide opportunities for artists to experiment, collaborate, and share work with the community - in the form of affordable housing, studio, and gallery space. Their vision is to support creative endeavors in the community. DOSE was formed by a dream and a concept by Founder and President, Taja Seafus. As Founder and President of DOSE Artist Collective, Taja Seafus leads the Collective team with care and integrity. She is an alumna of The University of North Carolina School of the Arts (Class of 2019) with a BFA in Design and Production. During her time at school, Taja created outside-the-box designs and challenged traditional ways of experiencing theatre through abstract and immersive design. Now, as a creative entrepreneur, she strives to provide safe spaces for LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC creatives and support local artists. Taja's dream for the DOSE Collective is to provide gallery, exhibition, and creative spaces to facilitate the ongoing cycle of meeting new people and connecting with the community, and to provide affordable housing for artists in the Winston-Salem area. In her free time, she enjoys experimenting with her hair and finding new crafts to hyper-fixate on. “It’s important for people who are starting their creative careers to have an outlet to experiment and try something new, without the pressure of it having to be perfect”, Seafus says. “As a recent graduate, I realized that many of the spaces for meeting new people and creating freely no longer exist outside of the confines of university. With The Lab’s monthly events, we can bridge the gap between creatives in the community by working collaboratively with Arts Council to make this space affordable and accessible to local creatives.” Date: Monday, November 7, 2022 at 7:30pm Location: Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts (enter through front doors) Pricing: Pay-what-you-can, pre-registration requested Tickets: Registration at intothearts.org/the-lab Arts Council of Winston-Salem & Forsyth County is the chief advocate of the arts and cultural sector in Winston-Salem and Forsyth County. Arts Council’s goal is to serve as a leader in lifting up, creating awareness, and providing support to grow and sustain the arts and cultural offerings throughout our region, ultimately bringing our community together and making it a great place to live, work, and play. (END) For additional information, please contact: Katie Hall, Chief Marketing Officer khall@intothearts.org 336-747-1421 www.intothearts.org

Arts Council of Winston-Salem & Forsyth County invites exhibition proposals for the 2023 – 2024 Main Gallery season at Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts (251 N Spruce Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101). All exhibitions run approximately 6 – 8 weeks long and include an opening night community reception and artist talk. Shorter exhibitions to be considered with enough notice. Artists and artist collectives at all levels are encouraged to submit proposals. There is no fee for submissions. Proposal Details Artworks of all media are eligible; including but not limited to painting, sculpture, printmaking, mixed media, fiber, photography, graphic design, installations, and short films. Proposals should be specific regarding presentation and installation plans of the artwork. In addition to work samples, proposals should include artist statements, resume, and list any specific gallery needs for the exhibition. Proposals will be reviewed by Arts Council staff and a panel of content knowledge experts in the arts community. We look forward to artists pushing the boundaries of our walls. Submission Guidelines: What we need from you Artist statement - statements should explain your artistic vision, including the subject matter or medium in which you work in and the message you hope to convey as an artist (1 page maximum) A curriculum vitae or artist resumé; include name, address, phone number and email address An exhibition proposal, not to exceed 175 words, that describes the scope of your proposed exhibition. Answers to the following questions, not to exceed 1 page How complete is your proposed exhibition? What one to three ideas, concepts, or experiences does this body of work/exhibition communicate? What inspirations or traditions guided or influenced this body of work/exhibition? How are the methods or techniques used important to this body of work/exhibition? Does your proposal require any special installation needs? 5 images of visual art works Artists seeking a solo exhibition may also include: 2 additional detail images of two-dimensional work or 3 additional alternate views of three-dimensional works Important Details Submission Deadline: November 13, 2022, 11:59 PM EST Email proposal submissions to gallery@intothearts.org Questions, contact Shannon Stokes at 336-747-1416 or sstokes@intothearts.org Main Gallery Information Session: October 18, 2022, 5:30 PM EST Watch the session here: Main Gallery at Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts What’s available in the Main Gallery? Pedestals Electrical Outlets Gallery Wall Space Main Gallery Specs

Bunker Dogs to Present Special Halloween Improv Show Spooky and fun comedy show to take place October 15 Winston-Salem, NC (October 13, 2022) Bunker Dogs of Winston Salem will host a special Halloween Improv Comedy Show on Saturday, October 15 at 8:00pm at Arts Council’s Reynolds Place Theatre located at 251 N. Spruce Street. Tickets are available online at intothearts.org or by calling the Box Office at (336) 747-1414. Founded in 2016, Bunker Dogs is Winston-Salem’s only improv comedy troupe. Over the years, Bunker Dogs has grown from a small troupe practicing in a living room to a group of misfits supported by a myriad of community organizations including Arts Council. You can learn more about Bunker Dogs Improv online at bunkerdogsimprov.com. Bunker Dogs specializes in Chicago style short form comedy which is characterized by “all those ridiculous games that audiences love” in an interactive and improvised performance. All the content that takes place on stage is made up on the spot and inspired by the audience’s cues. As this is an improv show, the recommended audience age is PG-13 (ages 15+). Arts Council of Winston-Salem & Forsyth County is the chief advocate of the arts and cultural sector in Winston-Salem and Forsyth County. Arts Council’s goal is to serve as a leader in lifting up, creating awareness and providing support to grow and sustain the arts and cultural offerings throughout our region, ultimately bringing our community together and making it a great place to live, work and play. (END) For additional information, please contact: Katie Hall, Chief Marketing Officer khall@intothearts.org 336-749-0720 www: intothearts.org

Arts Council Announces October Fall Classes at the Mary Alice Warren Community Center in Lewisville, NC September 29, 2022 (Winston-Salem, NC) Arts Council Winston-Salem & Forsyth County with the support of the Shallow Ford Foundation are offering four classes during the month of October at the Mary Alice Warren Community Center in Lewisville (440 Lewisville Clemmons Rd, Lewisville, NC 27023). Register for the classes online at intothearts.org/Lewisville. Arts Council of Winston-Salem & Forsyth County received a $2,500 grant from the Shallow Ford Foundation for arts programming in the newly built Mary Alice Warren Community Center in Lewisville. Throughout the year, Arts Council has been providing free and affordable arts classes for youth, adults, and families, including free Family Art Drop-In Classes with Seann Vicente every fourth Saturday. For the month of October, professional art instructor, Marlene Kuser, will host a series of fall art classes. Come move and have fun with the Beginner Belly Dance class every Tuesday in October from 11am to 12pm. Individual Beginner Belly Dance classes are $10 per class or $32 for all four classes. Create a fun design with felt in the easy and fun Felted Soap class on October 14th from 3-4pm for $15. Be surprised by color with the Silk Scarf Dyeing class on October 21st from 3-4pm for $15 and on October 28th, come create something special and beautiful in the Gemstone Bonsai Trees class, from 3-5pm for $22. Register today as space is limited.

Arts Council and WS/FCS Are Proud Advocates of Arts Education Winston-Salem, NC (September 12, 2022) This year, we celebrate North Carolina Arts in Education Week September 11-17, 2022. Congress passed House Resolution 275 in 2010 designating the week beginning with the second Sunday in September as National Arts in Education Week. During this week, the field of arts education joins together in communities across the country to advocate, educate, and celebrate the impact and transformative power of the arts in education. “The arts have the power to change lives at every age, and Arts Council is proud to play a role in advocating for arts education in each of our schools across Forsyth County,” said Chase Law, president and CEO of Arts Council of Winston-Salem & Forsyth County. Arts Council of Winston-Salem & Forsyth County and Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools (WS/FCS) have a longstanding relationship and are committed to providing opportunities for arts education across the public school system. As the largest funder of arts education in WS/FCS, Arts Council is proud to support arts educators through the Wells Fargo Arts-In-Education grant program made possible by Wells Fargo with additional support from Flow Automotive Companies. “The opportunities provided by Arts Council enrich and enhance the educational experience for our students,” said Tricia McManus, Superintendent of Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools. “I am grateful for this partnership as it directly impacts student success.” The arts are an essential part of education for youth ages K-12. Benefits include increased concentration, self-expression, and critical thinking skills. The arts in conjunction with core curriculum makes for a well-rounded education. Arts Council’s Wells Fargo Arts-In-Education grants connect artists and arts organizations with elementary, middle, and high school students ensuring that youth are exposed to professional arts programs, master classes, exhibitions, and performances that reinforce N.C. Standard Course of Study and WS/FCS’s goals. 69% of K-12 students are enrolled in a class of visual or performing arts in WS/FCS. The application deadline for this year’s Wells Fargo Arts-in-Education grant is Monday, September 19 by 5pm. Interested applicants can find more information at https://www.intothearts.org/arts-in-education-grant.

Arts Council to host Hispanic League 30th Anniversary Exhibition Celebrating Our Legacy, Igniting Our Future Winston-Salem, NC (August 25, 2022) -- Arts Council of Winston-Salem & Forsyth County will host the Hispanic League 30th Anniversary Exhibition: Celebrating Our Legacy, Igniting Our Future. This exhibition is free and open to the public, and it will be on view in the Main Gallery at Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts September 2 – October 29. An opening reception is scheduled for Thursday, September 8, 5-7 PM. Additionally, the exhibition will be open during Hispanic League’s FIESTA! on Saturday, September 10. This exhibition commemorates Hispanic League’s 30 years of service in the Piedmont Triad and across North Carolina, kicks-off National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 – October 15), and showcases the talent and inspiration of local artists of Latin American and Hispanic heritage. In collaboration with Arts Council of Winston-Salem & Forsyth County, this exhibition highlights and celebrates Hispanic/Latino arts and culture, and Hispanic/Latino artists from the Piedmont Triad Region. Seventeen artists are featured in the exhibition: Yosimar Alvarez, Angel Alberto, Carolina Corona, Gabriela Costas, Angel Fant, Alejandro Gálvez-Cruz, Laura Gardea, Pat Gardea, Karolina Gomez, Alberto González, Iván González, Issis Kelly, Elaine Lamson, Angela Méndez, Victoria Morales, Mariana Rodriguez-Pardy, and Karen Salinas. “We are thrilled to present this Hispanic /Latino Art Exhibition as part of our 30th Anniversary celebration,” shared Mari Jo Turner, Executive Director of Hispanic League. “These artists share a sample of the diverse culture of the 22 heritages represented in our community and is an educational opportunity for all who visit.” Hispanic League was founded in 1992 to foster diversity and raise awareness by serving as a liaison between the Hispanic and non-Hispanic communities. Their mission is to improve the quality of life of Hispanic/Latinos through “promoting community inclusion, education, health, and multicultural understanding.” Signature initiatives include Education, Culture and Community. Information about all programs can be found at www.HispanicLeague.org.

A North Carolina Arts Council Supported Grant Program Deadline to Apply: September 30, 2022 Arts Council of Winston-Salem & Forsyth County and ArtsGreensboro is seeking panelists with content knowledge expertise in the following creative fields to review 2022 – 2023 Artist Support Grant applications: Dance, Visual Arts and Crafts, Writing/Literature, Music, Film, and Performing Arts. Content knowledge experts include: Artists who receive 50% or more of their income from their creative practice Arts administrators, arts educators, arts entrepreneurs Professional individuals with expertise in an artistic discipline but not recouping full time income from working artists Requirements Panelists must reside in one of the following North Carolina counties: Davie, Davidson, Forsyth, Guilford, and Randolph Panelist must commit to the panel schedule: How to Enter: Apply here, or scan the QR Code below. For questions, please contact Shannon Stokes at sstokes@intothearts.org or 336-747-1416.