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February Issue 2004
NC Highway Map Promotes 2004-05 Celebration of North Carolina Craft
North Carolina's new highway map celebrates more than highways it showcases the state's heritage of craft tradition, its artisans and the world-renowned works they create.
The 2004 state map, printed by the NC Department of Transportation, prominently features the 2004-05 Celebration of North Carolina Craft, as proclaimed by North Carolina's Governor Michael F. Easley.
The Celebration of North Carolina Craft highlights North Carolina's craft artists and products. The celebration is sponsored by the NC Craft Coalition, 19 craft organizations joining to promote North Carolina as a cultural tourism destination. The Craft Coalition is supported by the NC Arts Council.
Tar Heel crafts, which range from contemporary to traditional to new interpretations of traditional work, are known around the world for their quality. North Carolina's 2004 map gives an overview of the Celebration of North Carolina Craft and a glimpse of Tar Heel artisans and artworks. The map prominently features Seagrove potter Ben Owen III in his studio, as well as a pintailed decoy from the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum near Beaufort, a basket by Western North Carolina textile artist Billie Ruth Sudduth and a piece by Western North Carolina glass artists John Littleton and Kate Vogel.
The map features a new website, (www.discovercraftnc.org), which directs visitors to craft-based organizations (including museums, galleries, schools and art centers).
"Spotlighting North Carolina craft on the state map is another measure of the great value Tar Heels place on our craft tradition," said NC Department of Cultural Resources Secretary Libba Evans. "This map does more than brag, though. It can help you find your next shopping expedition, vacation or weekend getaway and help you get there."
The Celebration of North Carolina Craft includes the 75th anniversaries of Penland School of Crafts in Mitchell County and the Southern Highland Craft Guild on the Blue Ridge Parkway, as well as the 80th birthday of the John C. Campbell Folk School, the oldest folk school in the nation. Also being celebrated: the First Anniversary celebration of the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum on Harkers Island, the re-opening of Piedmont Craftsmen in Winston-Salem, and special exhibits at the Mint Museum of Craft + Design in Charlotte and other venues.
In addition to details about North Carolina highways, the map provides information about the department's environmental and safety efforts, distances from city to city, state attractions, as well as emergency contact numbers and resources for travel information and road conditions. And it highlights increasing investments in rail and public transportation, transportation initiatives and programs of interest to citizens and visitors alike.
To order a free copy of the state map, citizens may call the NCDOT Customer Service Office toll free at 1-877-DOT-4YOU from 8am-5pm. Monday through Friday or by visiting the department's website at (www.ncdot.org/public/publications).
In addition, the map will be available at North Carolina's Visitor Centers.
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