In the Roanoke Valley, cool waters and warm sunsets blend effortlessly on a canvas of rolling farmland, attracting and inspiring artists of all genres. Leading the way in nurturing and promoting the arts is the 300-member Halifax County Arts Council. Through classes, community events and educational initiatives, the HCAC offers something for all ages and interests. From yoga and music to drawing and stained glass, year-round classes can be found throughout the community and at the Halifax County Arts Council Gallery. Located on Roanoke Avenue in Roanoke Rapids, the facility provides ample meeting space for classes and other HCAC functions and showcases original work by some of the region’s most gifted artists. Fred Gasko, president of the Halifax County Arts Council, says the storefront provides an ideal outlet for serving and promoting the region’s growing arts community. “In the gallery, visitors can experience the works of local and area artisans, from paintings and photography to pottery and fine arts and crafts,” Fromal says. “The gallery also provides yet another quaint and beautiful shop to visit in the downtown area. Hopes are high that many more businesses will follow suit in restoring the charm and charisma of the downtown area as we move towards an exciting future with the revitalization project.” The Council’s signature community event – a “sip and see” honoring a different local artist each month – is also held in the gallery. In addition, the Council hosts a Holiday Homemade Christmas Bazaar at Roanoke Rapids’ Becker Village Mall the first Saturday of December. The popular event features dozens of artists and crafters from across North Carolina and Virginia. While the holiday bazaar serves as the Council’s largest fundraiser, the HCAC is funded primarily through grant money from the North Carolina Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts. The arrangement allows the HCAC to support local cultural arts projects such as its Cultural Arts Meeting Place, or CAMP. The weeklong day camp, held at Halifax Community College, includes a variety of cultural craft and fine art projects that have included Aboriginal masks, Chinese brush painting and Japanese printmaking. The popular summer program is just one way the Council strives to inspire and encourage up-and-coming artists. “We believe in the necessity of preserving our rich cultural heritage,” Fromal says. “In supporting the arts, we are able to not only preserve the past but build strong cultural foundations for the future.”