| find your foothills
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| about the foothills arts center
The Foothills Arts Council is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, federal tax ID 56-1186347.
The Foothills Arts Center (Foothills Arts Council) is an organization dedicated to enriching the creative lives of the citizens it serves through immersive arts and craft education and entertainment.
When the council was founded in 1975, it was tasked with "developing, promoting, and coordinating all forms of the arts in our extended community [of Surry, Wilkes, and Yadkin Counties]." In doing so, we serve approximately 25,000 residents across the three counties and further represent artists residing within the broad geographic confines of the Yadkin River Watershed in our craft gallery. We are located in Elkin, North Carolina, a small town found in the foothills of the spectacular Blue Ridge Mountains, nestled in the geographic heart of the Yadkin Valley.
Our organization commenced a new adventure when negotiations in 2019 led to a formalized purchase agreement in 2021, allowing us to relocate the Foothills Arts Council and begin restoring a landmark community building—the stately Roth YMCA—located at Chatham Mill on the east end of Elkin’s historic downtown district. Within that structure, we are currently developing a 45,000-square-foot school of visual and performing arts. We’re calling this beloved revitalization effort and regional arts initiative the Foothills Arts Center.
In addition to celebrating the vibrant art scene found in our region, we are also committed to preserving local history by supporting several affiliate music and craft groups, offering instruction in traditional and contemporary artistry, and devoting a portion of our center to the future Chatham Textile Museum to honor the founding legacy of our community.
Our affiliate members include the Elkin Roots Music Fest, Foothills Theatre, Reevestock Music Festival, and Surry Old Time Fiddlers Convention. Our local allies include Foothills Quilters, The Reeves Theatre and Cafe, and The Reeves Downtown School of Music, and the Yadkin Valley Fiber Center.
Our main campus at Chatham Mill is currently closed for improvements, so all educational programming and events are currently being held at satellite locations. We look forward to reopening the main campus to students and visitors in 2024.
We can’t wait to welcome you to our creative community!
| landmark love
“Old ideas can sometimes use new buildings. New ideas must use old buildings.” — Jane Jacobs, advocate for community-centered urban development
The historic Gilvin Roth YMCA building has been an impressive point of interest and hub of community activity since its formal dedication in May of 1942. The building was named in honor of the late Gilvin Theodore Roth (1854-1927), a military captain and engineer by profession, who later became the general superintendent and vice president of the Chatham Manufacturing Company.
Construction was made possible through community support and the substantial financial backing of Richard Thurmond Chatham (1896-1957), ranking commander and veteran of World Wars I and II, president of Chatham Manufacturing Company, and North Carolina representative in the US House of Representatives.
The building, a gift to the town of Elkin, was considered “modern and complete in every respect [containing] equipment on par with anything in the country.” The structure was the epitome of sophistication for the era, boasting a gymnasium with stage for performances and social gatherings, an outdoor swimming pool, a bowling alley, a nurses’ station, the public library, a kitchen, and spaces dedicated to meetings.
After public interest and use waned in the 1970’s, the property was leased to various companies and fell into a state of disrepair. Now, as the home of the Foothills Arts Center, restoration is well underway.
If you are interested in helping to preserve this beloved community landmark, please consider showing your support through membership, sponsorship, planned giving, volunteering, or fundraising.
(Sources: Images of America: Elkin, by Dr. S. Jason Couch; various newspaper articles including information from The Elkin Tribune.)
| image credit | The Elkin Tribune, 1942
| architectural blueprints
| exterior elevation rendering
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| about | foothills arts council
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| about | our affiliates and allies
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| about | historic chatham mill
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| about | town of elkin, north carolina
| our organization
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| studio artists
Dan Butner, Creature Creator
Tory Casey, Narrative Artist
Stacey Griswell, Oil Painter
Anne Gulley, Oil Painter
Leslie Fesperman, Weaver
Tonya Leach, Weaver
Jane Robb, Refashioned Garments
Vicky Whelan, Quilter
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| instructors
Drawing
Sydney Sieviec
Fibers
Leslie Fesperman
Metalsmithing
Danny Kerr
Painting
Dan Butner
Photography (developing)
Julian Charles
Quilting (developing)
Vicki Whelan
Refashioned Garments
Jane Robb
Violin Luthier
Joe Thrift
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| affiliates and allies
Affiliates
Elkin Roots Music Fest
Foothills Theatre
Reevestock Music Festival
Surry Old Time Fiddlers Convention
Yadkin Valley Fiber Center
Allies
Foothills Quilters
The Reeves Theater & Café
The Reeves Downtown School of Music
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| board of directors
Executive Committee
Marianne Luther, President
Beanie Taylor, Vice President
Mary Keller, Treasurer
Debra Garing, Secretary
Board Members
Jill Bellia
Mike Cheek
Leslie Fesperman
Joe Fisch
Laura Garing
Jacey Gorman
Susan Pasch
Susie Ridenour
Kimberly Seipel-Parks
Jennifer White
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| administration
Dan Butner, Executive Director
Sydney Sieviec, Assistant Director
| visit us
| physical address | 321 East Main Street, Elkin, North Carolina 28621
| mailing address | P.O. Box 24, Elkin, North Carolina 28621
| email address | info@foothillsarts.org
| telephone | 336.258.2430
| hours | Saturdays from 10 am – 2 pm, or by appointment