About Us
The purpose of the Pender Arts Council shall be to recognize the rich cultural heritage of Pender County, sustain the cultural harmony of the entire area and in so doing, enhance the quality of life and ensure increased development and diversity within the cultural community.
Pender Arts Council is committed to the encouragement of emerging artists by operating as a countywide resource for cultural organizations and by supporting an increase in collaboration among other culturally driven non-profits. PAC is equally committed to creating programs geared to our diverse population by sponsoring events and fostering education that will advance the artistic, cultural, and economic future of the area.
Our Mission
The mission of the Pender Arts Council is to develop and support cultural experiences and facilitate access to the arts for all Pender County communities.
To recognize and preserve the rich cultural heritage of Pender County, sustain the cultural harmony of the entire area, and in so doing, enhance the quality of life and ensure increased development and diversity within the cultural community.
The Pender Arts Council will operate as a county-wide resource for cultural organizations by supporting an increase in collaboration among non-profits, creating programs geared to our diverse population, sponsoring events and fostering education that will advance the cultural economic future of the area through the education and encouragement of the emerging artist.
More About Us
The PENDER ARTS COUNCIL, a nonprofit, community arts organization was first put in motion in 1976 to celebrate the diverse cultures within our county through education and hands-on involvement in the arts.
Offering workshops, classes, and programs from Painting (oil, acrylic, watercolor, and pastels), Drawing, Illustration, and Sign Painting to Puppetry (hand, shadow, and flatso), Photography, Stilt Walking, Quilting, Dance (ballroom and line), Zumba and Yoga.
Community programs span the county with Community and High School Theater, Community Band, Open Mic and Jam Sessions, Poetry Performances, Arts in the Schools Programming, Arts and Theater Camps, Festivals, Parades, and an assortment of Seasonal Art Shows, Open Houses, and Arts and Craft Sales.
PAC wants to offer an array of educational experiences and entertainment events that promote the array of arts and creativity for the whole family.
Since 1976, we’ve celebrated the diverse cultures within our county through education and hands-on involvement in the arts.
Pender Arts Council Announces New Officers and Board of Directors
2023-2024 Officers
Austin Gaskins, President; Rochelle Whiteside, Vice-President;
Beth Lewis, Secretary; and Cheryl Holt, treasurer, and Past President.
Board of Directors
Eden Mills, Local Artist & Past Vice President
Olivia Dawson, Jacob Bolin,
The Board of Directors are elected annually for a three-year term. New officers serve for one year but may be reelected.
Pender Arts Council’s goal is to foster a love of art and culture within our county and to encourage the emerging artist.
“Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.”
— Edgar Degas