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The first renovation phase of the upper level expo vestibule is nearing completion with electric and gas installed.
The NC Pottery Center and the Town of Seagrove shared the cost of a new 32 x 12 stage, 24 inches high. Construction is high strength aluminum with non-slip decking. A stairstep with railing is included. Rental is available.
We are very thankful to Bobby and Ann Thompson for their financial donation and valued involvement in the renovation of Historic Lucks Cannery. A new outdoor sign has been designed and installed by Carolina Bronze in recognition of their contributions. Several extra donations in recognition of Thompson were provided by others to cover the cost and Carolina Bronze donated the installation.
The annual fund raiser for Rhinoleap Productions raised over $50,000 with live and silent auctions at the event on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at 6PM. Chairman Tom Osteen, Executive Director Jeremy Skidmore and Artistic Director Patrick Osteen created with their team the most interesting, elegant and world class experience inside and out at the Historic Lucks Cannery. A plethora of special production light fixtures projected patterns on the floor, walls and ceiling enhanced by fogger machines while 3 digital projectors displayed a 10' x 40' array of images, videos and program on the wall. Singer/songwriters Cashavelley Morrison and Jamie Trout each entertained during the evening. Tom Osteen even got into the act accompanying on the guitar. Artistic works were on auction from Tucker Bailey, Sarah Band, Cori Cagle, David Fernandez, Paul Frehe, Lee Gavin, Joe Grant, Sarah Helser, Daniel Johnston, Ben Owen, Rich Powell, Takuro Shibata and Kate Waltman. Wine from The General Wine and Brew and beer from Four Saints Brewing started the evenings fellowship. Board members Dusty Gregson and Joel Leonard addressed the audience. The event was catered by Giannos of High Point with dessert ice cream by Minkology and coffee by Bold Coffee Company.
We are pleased to welcome Terry Burrow with LA Cabinets who is renting space for work in process storage.
Lauren describes her concept for the mural to be painted at the entrance of the upper level renovation. Special thanks to The Jandy Ammons Foundation for a grant to enhance the architectural entrance with this artistic installation in the community of Seagrove. This is just the start of more to come. Uwharrie Builders is coming along quickly on plumbing, flooring, masonry and structural work. Doorways, Mechanical and Electrical will be happening in August to wrap up this next phase. Unfortunately, until sewer service is rerouted to reduce the load in Seagrove, or we get a better handle on infiltration of storm water, we won't be able to occupy this space. We are also hoping to get an additional $1 Million or more to complete the large Hall A and Hall B spaces.
We recently scrapped some old stuff from Hall B thanks to John Scofield and volunteers from the JDRC took the task of sweeping up! Thanks gentlemen.
Well over 100 attended the summer concert in Seagrove in the Thompson Arts and Event Hall on Saturday night, June 10th, 2023. The concert was preceded by a reception at Walker Art Studios for the "Horsing Around" display complimented by art in the Carey and Billie Durham Artwalk by Melissa Walker. Shelly LaCosse provided dance instructions for new comers to swing dancing while several guest from around the piedmont displayed great skill in "cleaning the floor" as the emcee Miss Randolph County, Tori Gross humorously put it. Door prizes were awarded including a bucket of specialty popcorn from local Asheboro Popcorn Co. in Seagrove and bucket scrubber kits from Sapona Plastics. The Randolph Jazz Band under direction of Kenny Butler lived up to the billing with jazz, latin and even pop rock tunes that delighted everyone. The hall has a really full sound that was easy on the musicians as well as the crowd. Soloist demonstrated their virtuosity on trumpet, sax, trombone and piano. The 16 piece band backed up guest vocalist Ashley Hutton on two numbers and Justin Hutton stepped in on drums for several tunes. Girl Scout troop 30008 volunteered in concessions with homemade goodies and drinks. They shared plans to create a pollinator garden from donations received by the Town for the renovation project. Thanks to everyone who participated and attended.
Carolina Bronze Works and Walker Art Studio are hosting this week classes on horse art in several media including sculpture. The Horsing Around Art Show begins this Friday, 5/26/23 with a reception from 5PM - 8PM. A real horse visited Lucks Cannery to model for the students.
Eastern Steel works is employing up to 9 people, receiving steel shipments and fabricating supports for bridges and other structures. They recently repurposed a crane removed from the new event center lobby area to handle materials in their shop located in the former maintenance building on site.
Call Summary The Advisory Committee of the Historic Lucks Cannery is seeking artists to create 2D designs to be used on steel panels in the renovated Cannery Space. The selected designs will help demonstrate the Cannery identity and beautify exterior public spaces. Open to all artists living in Randolph, Moore, Montgomery, Davidson, and Chatham counties. Down load this file for more info:
Call Summary The Advisory Committee of the Historic Lucks Cannery is seeking artists to create a one or more murals to be used on an exterior wall of the renovated Cannery Space. The selected murals will help demonstrate the Cannery identity and beautify exterior public spaces. Open to all artists living in North Carolina. Download this file for more info.
One of the largest events held at the Lucks Cannery thus far raised well over $45,000 for the Partnership for Children in Randolph County. The theme was based on Pete the Cat children's books. The event included a photo booth, silent auction, live auction, food from Black Powder Smokehouse, drinks, dessert cakes/pies and live music by Tyler Millard Band. Attendance was around 250, including dignitaries such as Neal Jackson, Hope Haywood, David Allen and others. Dr. Jonathan Thill with Venture Asheboro was the emcee and auctioneer. Art by children lined the walls throughout Thompson Arts and Event Hall. Pottery items by Ben Owen, Phil Morgan and Joseph Sand were just some of the items on the auction. It was an outstanding event that ended with the band continuing the party on the patio. The primary sponsor was Acme-McCrary Sapona Foundation.
by Amy McCrary Lail
SEAGROVE – Some 240 people attended a Saturday, April 1, reception and dinner celebrating Randolph County businessman, entrepreneur and community leader Jack C. Lail’s 90th birthday. The afternoon event was held at the Luck Comer Lail Center, part of the historic Luck’s Beans Cannery on Highway 705 in Seagrove. It was fitting location. The longtime business leader bought the former cannery in 2017 and began to renovate the vacant, vandalized building and revitalize its use. Lail invested more than $500,000 to help upgrade Luck’s upper building, replacing its roof, heating and air conditioning, sprinklers and lighting. That building is leased to Seagrove-based Sapona Plastics for manufacturing and distribution. Lail was Sapona Plastics’ CEO from 2004 to 2022. Lail donated Lucks’ lower building to the Town of Seagrove. In addition to a large room designed for community events, that building includes town and police department offices. The project is the latest example of a business and civic acumen that earned Lail the U.S. Small Business Administration’s 1980 NC Small Business Person of the Year and the Randolph County Chamber of Commerce’s 1989 Citizen of the Year. This party was also a community event emphasizing leadership, inclusiveness, teamwork and gratitude. Lail recognized former employees of Mid-State Plastics, the firm he began on a shoestring in 1971. One of those employees, Elizabeth Cox of Asheboro, was given a special recognition. Cox began working at Mid-State as office clerk, eventually becoming vice president of sales. Lail presented her with a silver bowl whose engraving proclaimed her “a grand champion” in faith, character, and courage. Lail asked administrators from Randolph County Community College and Wingate University to speak on advances at their institutions. Lail served on each school’s trustee board. “The people you meet with those institutions will raise you up,” he said. While retired RCC President Bob Shackleford and current Wingate President Rhett Brown talked about their schools’ core values and physical growth, they incorporated Lail’s influence in those advancements. Lail supported Shackleford in his efforts to include the practice of radical hospitality as an RCC core value and so help change the school’s culture. “You have been a wonderful mentor to me. You have helped me be a better man and a better president,” Shackleford told Lail. Brown and Wingate Vice President of Capital Investments Scott Hunsucker classified Lail as the “E.F. Hutton” of Randolph County. They recalled when Lail spoke at Wingate board meetings, other trustees listened – and agreed. Brown said he learned to “never underestimate Jack Lail.” Noting Lail’s community influence and civic support in many different areas, Brown said Lail also reminded him of the fictional hero George Bailey from the film “It’s a Wonderful Life.” “Tonight so many people would not be where they are without Jack Lail,” he said. Lail was surprised at the event’s conclusion with a certificate from the N.C. Senate honoring his milestone birthday. Sen. David Craven presented Lail the certificate, calling him a good corporate and community citizen who “treats everyone like family.” Born in Alexander County, Lail was raised on a dairy farm. He and his wife, Betty, moved to Randolph County in 1959 and he worked for the former General Electric plant in Asheboro. The U.S. Navy veteran earned an economics degree from Guilford College in 1967, driving to and from classes in Greensboro three nights a week for seven years. In 1971, Lail began Mid-States Plastics in Seagrove with little more than a business plan, some investments from friends and a determination to succeed. “I went to see my friends in Asheboro and asked if they wanted to invest. When they asked ‘Who is going to control this business,’ I said, ‘I am.’ “ But some potential investors wanted company control. Lail politely turned down their investment. “Here I was, with a family, starting a business with no money, payrolls to meet,” he recalled. “But I thought it was fun. It all worked out I guess.” In 23 years, the full-service injection molder Mid-State grew to supply plastic components for the medical, computer and automotive industries. Its customers included 3-M and IBM. Lail sold the company in 1994 to Anchor Advanced Plastics and retired from there in 1997. But he continued to help support and develop the area’s economic, educational and civic opportunities. His work ranged from helping establish the Seagrove branch of the Randolph County library to serving as president of the United Way of Randolph County. He has been a director and president of the Asheboro-Randolph Chamber of Commerce. He helped form the Randolph County Economic Development Corporation and served as its chair in 1987 and 1988. Scrapbooks about Mid-State and awards received by Lail were displayed during the party. In addition to the small business person and citizen of the year honors, Lail received a Guilford College 1991 alumni excellence award. In 2005 he received the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, issued by the governor’s office and North Carolina’s highest civilian award. Wingate presented him a doctor of humane letters in 2012. Lail and his wife, the former Betty Edwards of Hickory, have been married 68 years and live in southern Randolph County. They have three sons and four grandchildren, all who attended the birthday celebration Photos by HM Film Company/Justin Hutton We have a grant from the Jandy Ammons foundation to build and beautify the entrance to the upper level according to concepts developed by the architect, Darian Walker. Let us know if you have ideas.
Walker Art Studios is reopening its doors after additional renovations and a name change. Formerly Carolina Bronze East, Walker Art Studios is the studio space for sculptor Ed Walker and painter, Melissa Walker. With close to 10,500 Sq ft, it includes the Walker’s personal studio spaces, a fine art and antiques gallery and workshop/classroom space. The studio is located in the Historic Luck's Cannery Complex in Seagrove, NC, 365 Fernandez Loop, Suite 205, Seagrove, NC.
The Walkers thought that the name change better reflected the intended use. As part of the Historic Lucks Cannery Complex they are committed to promoting the economic and cultural development of the Town of Seagrove though a range of art events. They plan on hosting art exhibitions every 3 months with a variety of themes and media. The Walkers plan on offering workshops in both 2D and 3D media throughout the year. They have future plans to develop additional space as rental artist studio spaces. Our web presence is still on the Carolina Bronze Sculpture site and Facebook page, but should migrate to our own web site in the next few months. If you are interested in participating in our upcoming exhibitions or would like to offer or take a workshop, please email [email protected] for more information. Raleigh, NC – February 2023 – The Jandy Ammons Foundation announced the recipients of their annual round of grant-giving including Historic Lucks Cannery.
Communities statewide will strengthen ties to nature, history, art, and literacy thanks to support from The Jandy Ammons Foundation (TJAF). The local family foundation is giving $406,259 to 12 nonprofits from the Piedmont to the Coast; the groups have plans for educational signage, habitat restoration, creative community gathering spaces, and more. This annual grant announcement marks the foundation’s tenth year of giving and bring its total grant dollars to almost $2.75 million. “We’re thrilled about the diversity of projects this year,” says Jan Ammons, TJAF co-founder and president. “The 12 grant recipients hit every aspect of our mission, ranging from educational settings to environmental improvements and community gathering to mission-inspired work. It’s an especially good year when our grant money can cast a wide net of positive impact.” Jan is a lifelong community volunteer who spent years working on behalf of the public school system, public parks and trails efforts, and church missions. She and her husband, Andy Ammons, created The Jandy Ammons Foundation to support the kinds of initiatives they’ve given time to as community volunteers, parents, and church members — projects that blend learning with the arts, the environment, and faith-based perspectives to create powerful impact. This year’s grants will fund: Artspace (Raleigh), education room upfit Book Harvest (Durham), community book boxes Ducks Unlimited (Beaufort County), impoundment embankment repair Historic Lucks Cannery (Seagrove), community center entrance Learning Together (Raleigh), “super-inclusive” classroom supplies NC State Engineering Foundation (Raleigh), in continued support of Fitts-Woolard Hall NC Wildlife Federation (Raleigh), habitat restoration throughout the Triangle Note in the Pocket (Raleigh), reception mural and entrance landscaping Poe Center for Health Education (Raleigh), PlayWELL Park labyrinth and edible landscaping Triangle Land Conservancy (Raleigh), Agriculture Pavilion at the Bailey and Sarah Williamson Preserve Town of Wake Forest + Wake Forest Historic Preservation Commission (Wake Forest), educational signage at Alston-Massenburg Center and Taylor Street Park Wake Forest College Birthplace Society (Wake Forest), interpretive signage at Friendship Chapel Cemetery “Our goal is to help nonprofits with specific projects get out of the planning phase and into implementation,” says Andy. “We're excited to see these ideas come to life. Some of them will inspire us to get outside, others to learn more about local history, and others to connect with our neighbors. We hope the grants support a better community for everyone.” The Jandy Ammons Foundation issues grants annually and Letters of Inquiry for 2024 funds are being accepted through March 6, 2023. For more information on the grant proposal process, please visit thejandyammonsfoundation.org The Seagrove Area Potters Association held a show and studio tour on the weekend of 11/19/22 at the Thompson Arts and Event Hall. One of the primary goals for the HIstoric Lucks Cannery project has been to provide a place for potters to have their annual celebration show and sale. We are glad to see this finally happen and anticipate even larger numbers of exhibitors and guests when the phase II renovation is completed. Phase II will more than double the size of the exhibit space in the future. There were many volunteers that helped make the event happen. The town of Seagrove purchased pipe and drapes that can be used at subsequent events. There were food trucks on site with an outdoor eating area. There was a silent auction of some amazing pieces of pottery made by various potters collaborating together. Parking almost entirely filled up on Saturday morning and was managed by the Boy Scouts. Demonstrations were provided by well known potters. Visitors could also visit many of the studios that were open on the same day as well. Early bird attendees were able to avoid the line and get in early. Unofficial attendance was estimated at about 4000 over the two day event.
DBM Construction is the lead contractor working on construction of the new parking at the East end of the cannery. There will be approximately 65 spaces plus a new road entrance to connect Fernandez Loop back to 705 allowing free flow around the property, so if this lot fills up, it will be easy to follow the loop around back to additional parking at Sapona, Carolina Bronze, Ground Lion and Eastern Steel. Also included in the project is a handicap ramp to the second level, main entrance stairway and second level decks connecting to the Davis Portico. This work is made possible by recent grants from the NC Legislature and Randolph County.
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