Forging the Future fundraiser to support infrastructure upgrades at Sculpture Center

The Western North Carolina Sculpture Center will host its first major fundraiser this spring as the organization looks to expand its studio capabilities and invest in future growth.

Forging the Future is scheduled for Saturday, March 28, from 3-6 p.m. at the Harper Room in downtown Lenoir. The event marks a milestone for the nonprofit, which maintains a 12-acre sculpture park on the historic Patterson School grounds and operates a 10,000-square-foot studio and gallery space.

Since its founding, the Western North Carolina Sculpture Center (WNCSC) has developed the former school property into a sculpture park featuring more than 100 works of art. Now, leaders are focusing on infrastructure improvements inside the studio facility.

Proceeds from the fundraiser will support installation of three-phase power, which will allow for the addition of a ceramics studio and operation of other studio equipment.

“Our goal has always been to make art accessible and to provide a space where the creative process is as visible as the finished product,” said Joseph Bigley, executive director of WNCSC. “This fundraiser is about more than just buildings; it’s about creating an inclusive environment where artists can work at scale, and the community can engage with art in a truly immersive way.”

EVENT DETAILS

The fundraiser will feature heavy hors d’oeuvres prepared by Java Jewels, beer from Appalachian Mountain Brewery, and a selection of wines. Live music will be provided by local bluegrass band The Neighbors.

Guests will also have the opportunity to participate in a silent auction featuring curated art pieces and gift baskets, along with door prizes and a raffle for a custom cast-iron house number sign.

Organizers say the event will offer attendees a chance to meet the artists, board members, and volunteers who support the Sculpture Center, as well as learn more about ongoing renovations to the studio facility. The center currently offers workshops in metal fabrication, blacksmithing, and iron casting.

Tickets are $75 for individuals and $125 for couples. Those unable to attend may contribute through a “Donate in Absence” option available on the event website.

“The Western North Carolina Sculpture Center is a gem of the Happy Valley,” said Board President Kyle Case. “By attending Forging the Future, our supporters are helping us build a permanent home for creativity that will serve the region for generations.”

More information, including ticket purchases and sponsorship opportunities, is available at www.wncsculpture.org/event-details-registration/forging-the-future.

The Western North Carolina Sculpture Center is a 501©(3) nonprofit dedicated to inspiring the creation and appreciation of sculpture. In addition to its free public sculpture park, the organization offers community workshops, artist residencies, and educational programs at its Lenoir campus.