Our Mission
The mission of the Bertie County Arts Council is to promote and encourage the development and advancement of the arts in Bertie County; to cultivate an appreciation of the arts; to promote and encourage education of the arts; to promote funding and coordination of arts activities county-wide; and to cooperate with neighboring arts councils and local organizations in the advancement of the arts.
Our History
The Bertie County Arts Council (BCAC) was incorporated in April 1987 and began as the dream of a small group of residents who were dedicated to bringing the arts to Bertie County at their first meeting in June 1988. Their hope was to encourage, not only the appreciation of arts in this rural area, but also to provide a public facility where artists would have a venue to showcase their artistry. Various meeting places were used over a ten-year period before the town of Windsor offered to help bring their goal to fruition.
The building at 124 South King Street was abandoned by the occupant after the flood of 1999 as too expensive to renovate. However, as one of the oldest buildings in Windsor, still complete with original tin ceilings and hardwood floors, the town officials decided it was too valuable to remain vacant without restoration. The town acquired the building from the previous owner and negotiated a long term lease with the BCAC. It then became the responsibility of Board Members, artists, and membership to help raise the funds needed for the interior renovation. The building was aptly named to honor a prominent town leader who worked tirelessly on the renovation project. The dream became a reality when the Bertie County Arts Gallery opened its doors in 2003 in the David Overton Building.
2025-2026 Board of Directors
Ben Castellow, President
Tina Mancher, Vice President, Marketing & Event Coordinator
Currently open, Secretary
Jeri Oltman, Treasurer
Mary Castellow, Marketing & Volunteer Coordinator
Laura Goguet
Lois Gobbi
Nayland Collier
Lucy Daniels
Sylvia Walton
TYPES OF PROGRAMS OFFERED BY BCAC
art classes for adults
The Bertie County Arts Council offers a diverse array of art classes for adults. The cost to members usually ranges between $0-$50 per class. (Non-Members may also participate for a small additional fee of $5-$10 per class.) Our recent curriculum has included courses teaching painting, the art of silk scarf decorating, basket making, drawing, and making holiday ornaments. You can call the gallery at 252-794-9402 to inquire about upcoming classes or to register.
ART CLASSES FOR CHILDREN
The Bertie County Arts Council also offers classes for young artists! The cost for children and grandchildren of members usually ranges between $5-$15 per class. (Children and grandchildren of Non-Members may also participate for a small additional fee of $5-$10 per class.) Our recent curriculum has included courses teaching children about famous artists while imparting skill sets in the areas of weaving, painting, decoupage, paper cutout art, and gingerbread house construction. You can call the gallery at 252-794-9402 or send email to rsusie@aol.com to inquire about upcoming classes or to register.
art exhibitions and juried competitions
Have you been working on something special you want to share with the community? The Bertie County Arts Council offers many opportunities to do so. Member artists have the option of consigning their work for sale in our gallery. We also host a regular schedule of various art exhibitions that are accompanied by a gallery reception. Last, but certainly not least, members are also encouraged to participate in our two annual juried art competitions, the Members Art Show and the Photography Show.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH Programs
The Bertie County Arts Council loves to work with local organizations in an effort to help better our community. Here are a few past examples:
Improving the health and wellness of seniors through introduction of adaptive dance and movement programs taught by ComMotion: Community in Motion dance troupe.
Fundraising for Good Shepherd Food Pantry of Bertie, assisting with execution of their annual Spectacular 5k, and sponsoring their 2018 Logo Contest
Coordinating efforts with the local YMCA to supplement their summer day camp, Camp Happy, with a week of arts education.
Bringing visual arts, crafts, music, and theater experiences to children who attend schools in Bertie County.
BCAC PARTNERS
NC ARTS COUNCIL
The North Carolina Arts Council is an organization in the U.S. state of North Carolina that provides grants to artists, musicians and arts organizations. The group's mission is "To Make North Carolina a Better State Through the Arts".
TOWN OF WINDSOR
Entered in the National Register of Historic Places in 1991 and listed in the Civil War Discovery Trail, Windsor encompasses the same 100 acres of the original town. King Street is the heart of the Historic District, which includes many fine examples of 18th and 19th Century architecture.
WINDSOR-BERTIE COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
The Windsor-Bertie County Chamber of Commerce is committed to representing and advocating business interests, promoting economic growth, providing leadership in community affairs, enhancing the quality of life for the people of Bertie County and providing services and programs for its members.
HISTORIC HOPE FOUNDATION
The story of the Historic Hope Foundation, Inc., is one of true grassroots participation. The Foundation was established in 1965 by Bertie County citizens concerned about the fate of the decaying Hope Mansion. Its mission is to provide educational, cultural and recreational benefits for the public by the preservation, maintenance and the administration of Historic Hope Plantation (home of former North Carolina Governor David Stone 1770-1818) as an element of the heritage of the Roanoke-Chowan Region and as an illustration and interpretation of agrarian life in Eastern North Carolina from 1760 to 1840.
bertie county YMCA
From early learning to job training, the Y offers programs and services to meet the needs of communities across the U.S.
nc cooperative extension - bertie county center
North Carolina Cooperative Extension partners with communities to deliver education and technology that enrich the lives, land and economy of North Carolinians.
WATERCOLOR SOCIETY OF NORTH CAROLINA
The Watercolor Society of North Carolina, Inc. (WSNC) is a non-profit art organization founded to encourage and recognize professional and artistic excellence through competitions and by elevating standards in watermedia to increase the visibility and stature of watercolor as an artistic medium. WSNC strives to strengthen and promote watercolor throughout the state by hosting workshops featuring nationally recognized artists, by sponsoring juried exhibitions, and by educating artists, collectors, art enthusiasts, and the people of North Carolina through informational programs. Programs and activities provide stimulating interaction and technical information to watercolor artists from the novice to the professional.
neighboring arts organizations
Arts of the Albemarle (Pasquotank & Camden Counties)
Arts of the Pamlico (Beaufort Council Arts Council)
Inner Banks Arts Council (Bertie, Chowan, Pasquotank & Perquimans)
BERTIE COUNTY, NC
Bertie County is one of the largest counties in North Carolina, spanning 741 square miles. It was originally part of Albemarle County, established in 1660. In 1670, Chowan County, including Bertie Precinct, was cut from Albemarle County. Bertie Precinct was finally given status of county in 1722 when it separated from Chowan County. Initially, Bertie County was comprised of present Bertie County, Tyrrell County, Edgecombe County, Northampton County and Hertford County. By 1780, Bertie County had been divided to resemble its current shape.
Agriculture plays a key role in the lives of Bertie County citizens. The primary crops for Bertie County are cotton, tobacco, peanuts, corn and soybeans. Bertie County is comprised of fertile uplands and lowlands, with some large swamps called pocosins, making Bertie County ideal for agriculture. In addition, the timber industry is key to the area. Livestock and the growing poultry industry, which focuses on broiler production, are major contributors to Bertie County’s agriculture base.
bertie county schools
Guided by innovative, effective leaders in partnership with parents and community members, Bertie County Schools will provide high quality, rigorous, student-centered learning opportunities that will prepare our students for life in our ever-changing world.
ROANOKE CASHIE RIVER CENTER
Located on the Cashie River in Windsor, NC, the RCRC has exhibits and programs about the natural and cultural heritage of Windsor and the surrounding area. They place special emphasis on migratory songbirds and how important the forests of this area are to their survival. The RCRC offers free pontoon boat trips from May through September.
bertie county public library
The Bertie County branch of the Albemarle Regional Library system is located at 102 Lancaster Avenue, Windsor NC 27983.
CHOWAN UNIVERSITY
Chowan University is a Christian educational institution founded in 1848 by Baptist families and named Chowan – which means “people of the south” – to honor the Native American Algonquin Chowanook tribe. For over 170 years, Chowan has enjoyed a long and distinguished tradition of faith and education in Northeastern NC.
EAST CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
East Carolina University is a public research university in Greenville, North Carolina It is the fourth largest university in North Carolina. Founded on March 8, 1907 as a teacher training school, East Carolina has grown from 43 acres to almost 1,600 acres today.
GOOD SHEPHERD FOOD PANTRY OF BERTIE
The mission of the Good Shepherd Food Pantry is to increase self reliance, relieve hunger and improve the quality of life for Bertie County families. They do everything they can to ensure that Bertie County's 9 towns are continuously served and work with between 500-600 different individual households per month.
BERTIE COUNTY SMALL BUSINESS NETWORK
The BCSBN serves as a space for resources, collaboration, and training for local small business owners---specifically those in Bertie, but that also supports entrepreneurs in surrounding communities.
BCAC COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT PAST PROJECTS
Artisan’s Alley
ABOUT THE ARTISAN’S ALLEY PROJECT:
Artisan’s Alley is an outdoor art space designed to explore the love of art outside of the gallery walls. We plan to host events that will embrace many genres of art. Our board is thrilled to work as a team and realize this vision with the leadership of community trailblazer (and fellow BCAC director) Ms. Nicole Outlaw.
Our inaugural event on June 21, 2024, will be Make Music Bertie County, during which people from all over Bertie and nearby counties will come out to make music in any way, shape, and form. Bertie County is part of the global Make Music Day event and the only county east of Raleigh to be offering host venues. Learn more about this fantastic, all-inclusive event at the website for Make Music Bertie County: makemusicday.org/bertiecounty.
From performing arts to culinary micro-excursions, our desire is to become a tourist attraction for regional visitors and a second home for the locals. This creative placemaking project will be a value-added experience contributing to the increasing vibrancy of downtown Windsor. Artisan’s Alley on King Street will serve alongside the Granville Street mural area as a second central location for exciting future downtown events such as First Fridays. First Fridays will be an interactive art appreciation event which will occur on the first Friday of every month.
Our overall mission is to ignite the spark for social change through art and to improve the physical environment of the designated space.
Artisan’s Alley is adjacent to 122 S King Street, in Windsor. If you would like to contribute to this placemaking project, send your donations to BCAC by clicking HERE, calling 252-794-9402, emailing bertiearts@gmail.com, or visiting our gallery.
Roanoke Cashie River Center Mural
ABOUT THE ROANOKE CASHIE RIVER CENTER MURAL PROJECT
In 2023, Bertie County Arts Council contributed over $2500 to help fund a mural project at the Roanoke Cashie River Center at 112 Water Street in Windsor. The steering committee selected renowned local artist Mike Bennett to paint this mural, which is still in progress. If you’d like to see more of Mike’s body of work please click here to visit his website.
2022 Windsor Mural Project
Photo credit: Carolyn Marie Howerton
about the windsor mural project:
In 2022 the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, in partnership with the N.C. Arts Council, Hello NC, Hometown Strong and the North Carolina Museum of Art invested in significant, community-based public art projects which contributed to the vibrancy and spirit of rural communities across the state. We were thrilled to find out Bertie County was selected as a beneficiary of this program. A steering committee of Bertie community leaders and NC Arts representatives was formed in early 2022 to determine what community-involved artistic capital improvement project might best benefit Bertie County. Together they chose to spend the funds to hire professional muralists to complete a large format outdoor artwork in our county seat to freshen the aesthetic of the town, provide hands-on arts opportunities to the community, and encourage tourism. The mural job opportunity was announced in April, and in June the contract was awarded to Andrew & Sarah McWilson of Hand in Hand Creative.
Phase I of the project centered around installation of the selected mural in an underutilized area of downtown Windsor on East Granville Street which consisted of a parking area and vacant lot with an adjacent huge blank wall. The ultimate goal is to continue improving this space for the entire community to enjoy as an outdoor venue for pop up events and gatherings of all kinds.
Our Windsor Mural Project kickoff event was held October 8th. Attendees enjoyed refreshments with their neighbors while getting better acquainted with the McWilsons and playing parachute games together. The photos taken during the community parachute games served as a basis for Andrew & Sarah’s design. This event really set a positive tone for the project and offered the perfect glimpse into what a tremendous asset this outdoor gathering space will eventually become for Bertie County.
Hand in Hand Creative soon after officially broke ground on the mural and held a series of community doodle and painting days, one of which coincided with Bertie County tricentennial celebration events being held in Windsor on November 5th. These community paint days provided collaborative hands-on art creating opportunities to anyone who wished to participate and felt much like free art classes.
Andrew and Sarah were diligent in their delivery of the mural throughout the entire process. Their professional attention to detail and sensitivity to the feelings of our community were commendable. For example, their design includes imagery from the mural that was originally there an homage to the Bertie County High School class of 1993. There is a cream-colored border which beautifully defines the image and makes it really pop. Several attendees of our October kickoff party were thrilled to see their own likeness represented in the mural as the image developed.
The completed mural design feels simultaneously energetic yet cozy - a good representation of the McWilson’s dyadic partnership and lifestyle. Their fearlessness with color directly stimulates the senses the moment one first sees the wall, followed by a warming of the heart as the viewer receives the wholesome imagery. The third layer of impression comes as the viewer looks more deeply into the mural and appreciates that subtle understated effect which accompanies Hand in Hand Creative’s expert application of shading and detail. The final layer of impact comes from one of Andrew & Sarah’s other finishing touches, the addition of verbiage which distills the theme and energy of the entire piece into these eleven words: “more hands than my own to lift a story of home.”
Phase I concluded right on schedule before the December 3rd Windsor Christmas Parade. Our final event to celebrate its conclusion was held at the mural site on December 17th, 2022. We gathered together once again to play parachute games, enjoy refreshments (which included boiled peanuts provided by Bertie County Peanuts), to participate in a community question & answer session with Andrew and Sarah, and to generally bask in the surge of hometown pride.
The goal of Phase II of the Windsor Mural Project is to install a series of nearby smaller-scale painted “vignettes,” which were not included with the original contract but would be a generous gift in kind which Hand in Hand offered to us during fall 2022. These vignettes will feature specific local subject matter (once again determined by the steering committee, Hand in Hand Creative, and our contact at NC Arts) and will be staggered around downtown, perfect for a walking tour. Hand in Hand would furthermore like to include students in the installation process and has already connected with Bertie County Schools to arrange for this when the time is right. Phase II is currently on hold while the Town of Windsor and the steering committee members seek approval for vignette installation from downtown property owners with available blank walls. All involved parties made official plans to circle back to Phase II after a bit of much needed winter downtime and will reconvene in spring of 2023.
Check out the photos immediately below this text to see photo documentation of the ongoing process. If you’re interested in seeing more content, please keep scrolling downward to see our mural “blog” and stay current on all the latest news and activities associated with this exciting community arts project!
a message from andrew & sarah mcwilson
LIFT
Windsor, NC
[Bertie County]
“More hands than my own to lift a story of home.”
It’s important to us to tell the human story in our work. Though our own existence may be singular, it’s shaped by our shared humanity. We find that most when we come together, when we circle up and really see each other. We see this as how any change happens, how good is grown. It’s the meaning of all of this and yet it can be missing too often by default.
It started with a parachute — a kinetic, vibrant symbol of support andunity. A metaphor for sure, because the parachute only lifts off the ground with others in the circle. Still, it was never about the
parachute, but rather, the intentional act of coming together. It’s a collective story of home, of community, of connection. People walk up to us frequently, point and say, “hey, that looks like me!” To us, that’s the very hope of everything we’re after with our work. That anyone can find themselves in the story — in the visual, in the words, and through the marriage of the two.
Every single conversation we had with individuals along the way helped shape the meaning and the message of this work. Again and again we come home to the truth that it’s the people who make the place what it is. And this place is no exception. Thank you for letting us call Windsor home for the last two and a half months. You welcomed us warmly, and you continue to share your love each and every day.
-s & a
QUICK LINKS TO OUR WINDSOR MURAL PROJECT SPONSORS & PARTNERS:
@handinhandcreative
@ncartscouncil
@ncartmuseum
NEXT COMMUNITY PAINTING DAY 11/05/22
A MESSAGE FROM ANDREW & SARAH MCWILSON
It is our belief that it’s the people who make a place special. And after our first visit to Windsor this summer, we knew we wanted to find a way to use this mural to bring people together. That would become our goal of this project, both with the process and the design. To us, there’s no greater version of people coming together, than forming a circle. Our circle centers around a parachute — a piece of fabric stretched and held tightly by humans around its edges. Connected and supported, working together for a common goal and having fun in the process. We brought this vision to life for the first time here in Windsor at our kick-off event October 8th. Photos taken that night were used to arrive at our final concept that would become our official guide for this larger-than-life mural. Thank you to all who came out to this kick-off event, and who have welcomed us warmly since.
The wall is now primed and doodled — thanks to help from the community. We had no idea doodling would receive such a response, and we have welcomed sharing the experience with each one of you who has come by to make your mark on the wall. These doodles are an important part of our process as they have become our grid to help us scale our design big!
On Saturday, November 5th, 12-3 p.m. we are hosting a community public painting day which will run concurrently with the Bertie County Tricentennial celebration. All are invited to help us bring the bottom portion of the mural to life as we begin blocking in the vibrant colors of our design. We will supply everything you need and no painting experience is required. All ages are welcome! Wear paint-friendly clothes.
DOODLE DAY - A PUBLIC PAINTING EVENT
The time has come for our first Doodle Day! You are cordially invited to come by the job site and have a hand in the mural. This first step is all about the process! These doodles are the first layer of painting and will set the stage for the mural to take shape. Your doodles will be a guide to help Andrew & Sarah bring their larger-than-life image up on the wall. Bring yourself and wear paint-friendly clothes just in case. All ages welcome. No painting experience required!
PHOTOS FROM OUR FIRST COMMUNITY PAINTING “DOODLE” DAY:
