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Pocosin Arts Folk
School Recovers from Hurricane Irene
On August 27, 2011 Hurricane Irene passed over Pocosin Arts Folk School
depositing 14 inches of rain. The Scuppernong River flooded the
town of Columbia and inundated the first floor of Pocosin Arts with 24
inches of contaminated river water.
This was a historic flood event in Columbia. Mr. Bobby Mitchell
operates the barbershop (pictured above) across the street from Pocosin
Arts. He has lived here all his 94 years and has never seen such
flooding and destruction.
 
Pocosin Arts' flood preparation plan was based on past flood levels of
3-6 inches. Fortunately our flood insurance will cover the cost
of damage to the building.
However, the
insurance does not cover the loss of equipment, furnishings and
supplies.
Because of the heroic efforts of staff and volunteers, we were able to
clear out the first floor, creating a huge pile of flood damaged
refuse. We sorted, cleaned, oiled and stored all that could be
saved. We engaged a professional cleaning and mitigation company
to clean and dry the first floor. Using high powered extractors,
fans and dehumidifiers - 390 gallons of remaining river water and an
additional 380 gallons of water vapor were removed from the building.
Federal disaster relief for non-profit organizations requires that the
organization apply for a Small Business Administration (SBA) loan. The
SBA acts as a filter for the FEMA grant program. This process
takes time with no guarantee of assistance.
Our
first floor studio programming is suspended until further notice.
Recovery
Efforts and How You Can Help
Pocosin Arts Folk School makes these promises:
- We
will pursue every possible avenue to find the resources to rebuild
our studio
facility better than ever.
- We
will move through this process as quickly as possible.
- We
will host Cabin Fever Reliever XII, February 16-19, 2012.
- We
will continue to develop our campus expansion plan.
We want to
say thank you for being a supporter of Pocosin Arts and helping us
through this time. We have been tested before - by nature, by
the economy, by doubters. Pocosin Arts is still here, and with
your
help, we will be here continuing our education mission: connecting culture to the environment
through the arts.
How
you can help:
If you would like to make a much
needed contribution you may send it to:
Pocosin Arts Folk School
PO Box 690
Columbia,
NC 27925
If you
would like to volunteer you may contact us at 252-796-2787 or info@pocosinarts.org.
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The Imperial Center for the Arts & Sciences in Rocky Mount, NC
presents the art exhibition
Pocosin Arts Folk
School: Cabin Fever Quenched
January 28 - May 20, 2012
"Each spring Pocosin Arts Folk School offers a unique workshop series
at the 4H Center in Columbia, NC called “Cabin Fever
Reliever”. A professional lineup of instructors in
clay, metals, wood, photography, painting, bookmaking, fiber
arts, and mixed media lead students of all skill levels in the creation
of art objects and break the tension of long cold winters.
As a co-sponsor of Cabin Fever Reliever, the Arts Center has invited
past instructors of Cabin Fever to exhibit and increase
awareness of this opportunity for learning and expression in our area."
Find out more about this exhibit and others happening at the Maria V.
Howard Art Center by visiting their website at:
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Other Events and Happenings
Carving
Club
The Carving Club meets at Pocosin Arts' studio every Tuesday night
from 6:00 pm until 9:00 pm. This is a great opportunity to gather with
friends or make new ones, and all levels of carvers are welcome! Anyone
wishing to meet with the carvers may call Pocosin Arts at 252-796-2787
or join the group at the Tuesday night meetings.
Pocosin Arts Metals
Guild
Pocosin
Arts Metals Guild is an organization of artists interested in
working in metals. The goal is to have a dynamic and vital community of
artists who are interested in supporting one another while expanding
our ideas and skills. Meetings are held periodically and anyone is
welcome to join. Please see their blog at http://www.pocosinartsmetalsguild.blogspot.com
for more information.
- For
details about our current classes and workshops, please visit The
Studio page.
- For information about our annual
creative arts retreat, Cabin Fever
Reliever, visit the Retreat page.
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