The Chatham Arts Council nurtures creative thinkers in Chatham County.
That’s the short version. But other folks do that, too. Here’s what makes us unique:
We’re the ones who put our arms around the artists and the kids of Chatham County.
Yep. We’ve focused in on doing two things and doing them really well:
- One: We invest in artists.
- Two: We educate kids through the arts.
We launched this new identity for the Chatham Arts Council in November 2014, a crazy exciting leap after a full two years of internal work and outreach in the community.
Chatham County is home to an astonishing number of artists and arts appreciators—and we’re looking forward to being the arts council this county deserves.
Join us, will you?
Because we value artists.
We value artists who paint, perform, draw, dance, act, cook, sculpt, write, sew, film, play, sing, and record.
We value professional artists, emerging artists, artists-in-secret, aspiring artists, and young artists-to-be.
You can check out We Invest in Artists and We Educate Kids through Arts to see more particulars about the whys behind our two focus areas.
Just as important as the Why is the How. And our Board and Staff are committed to doing this work in the following ways:
- Exemplary
- Impactful
- Inclusive
- Innovative
- Intentional
- Reliable
- Sustainable
- Unique
Hold us to that, okay?
Our Board
CHRIS CHIRON
creative . supportive . curious
Chris is a full-time arts patron and sometimes writer/performer, having worked with many theatre companies in the area. His meeting notes often take the shape of page-long doodles.
What do you do with your days?
Wrangle human resources policies and employee relations issues for the UNC System.
What is your earliest memorable arts experience?
My star-turning performance as the Chef in “Fried Onions and Marshmallows” in first grade.
What’s your favorite place in Chatham County?
The homes of my friends.
ELISABETH LEWIS CORLEY, TREASURER
poet . novelist . screenwriter . editor
Elisabeth has lived in Chatham County since 2003, and joined the Chatham Arts Council board in 2016. An award-winning actor, screenwriter, editor, director, poet, and producer of plays and films, she’s eager to contribute to an increasingly vital life of the arts in Chatham County.
What do you do with your days?
For decades I spent a lot of time working as a producer for theatre and short films for StreetSigns Center for Literature and Performance, and Harland’s Creek Productions. I’m trying now to devote most of my time to writing. When I can slip away (and sometimes when I shouldn’t), I ride horses, studying dressage.
What is your earliest memorable arts experience?
When I was four I wrote what I hoped was a poem.
What’s your favorite place in Chatham County?
I’m a homebody: Harland’s Creek – our home, our woods, the cabin.
LISA FEDELE
MARCIA ESPINOLA GRIMES
mother . leader . dreamer
Marcia is a mother and wife with years of experience in non-profit work. She’s from Chile, and Chatham County has been her home for 20 years and counting!
What do you do with your days?
I’m focusing on my kid’s education and activities. I also like to be involved in community activities and make a difference. For that reason, I’m a CAC board member at the moment.
What is your earliest memorable arts experience?
My grandparents taking me to arts museums and live music events when I was a little girl. Also, doing theatre in high school.
What’s your favorite place in Chatham County?
Our family farm.
LESLEY L. LANDIS, CHAIR
introvert . organizer . dreamer
Lesley has lived in Chatham County since 2002. She joined the Chatham Arts Council board in 2006. She believes that the arts are essential to bridging communities, developing community pride, and educating thoughtful, critical, and innovative thinkers.
What do you do with your days?
I’m a mostly-retired graphic designer. I walk my dog, work in my gardens, and try to learn something new every day.
What is your earliest memorable arts experience?
Learning to write the alphabet and attributing human characteristics to the letters based on their darkness, boldness, slant, and size.
What’s your favorite place in Chatham County?
My home and the woods that surround it.
GILDA McDANIEL
planner . collector . cat-herder
Gilda has lived in Chatham County since 1998, and she is our longest-serving Board member, having joined the Chatham Arts Council board in 2003. The arts figure prominently in Gilda’s life–she is a major force behind the Fearrington Village Folk Arts Show, a co-chair of Arts NC’s Arts Day, a judge at the 2024 Kentuck Festival of the Arts (Alabama), and an annual volunteer at Penland School of Craft.
What do you do with your days?
I’m the Special Events Manager for Fearrington Village.
What is your earliest memorable arts experience?
Listening to my father sing opera to the cats! Seriously, visiting many museums and attending musical events with parents as a small child and growing up.
What’s your favorite place in Chatham County?
Home.
SUE SZARY, SECRETARY
spinner. weaver . fiber art enabler
Originally from Chicago’s Southside, Sue and her family thrived in the Baltimore/DC area and continued on to a life in Connecticut academics; Sue as the “Den mother” to graduate painters and sculptors at the Yale University School of Art. She and her husband have been firmly planted in Chatham County’s Siler City since 2006 where they own a small grow-nothing farm as well as a retail/studio fiber related business and makers’ space in the heart of Siler City’s Arts District.
Sue is a returning Chatham Arts Board member and delights in everything!
What do you do with your days?
Mornings find me with a cup of coffee in one hand and a dog leash in the other wandering the hill up to the gate. After that, there’s just no tellin’.
What is your earliest memorable arts experience?
It’s either that darn nice fishing boat shoe box diorama with the (red plastic onion bag) net I built in, maybe 2nd grade, or sweeping sawdust in my dad’s woodshop. (Though that onion bag net was a stroke of juvenile genius.)
What’s your favorite place in Chatham County?
Tucked a chair into our East facing woods and created a secret hidey-hole. Just a magical place to stare off, think great thoughts, and absorb early morning rays.
Our Staff and Team
CHERYL CHAMBLEEE
Executive Director
AMANDA MORAN
Artists-in-Schools Director
DAVID O’DELL
Director of Community Giving
HEATHER O’SHAUGHNESSY
Arts for Vibrant Communities Manager
LYSANDRA WEBER
Communications Director
JODY CEDZIDLO
Contract Bookkeeper
When you narrow your focus to be the best you can be at two things, there are a lot of cool things you have to let go.
Here are some things you might be looking for, important things that other organizations or people can help you with a whole lot better than we can:
- Do you offer arts classes?
We don’t, but there are some awesome classes around the county—and just beyond our borders. You might start by searching for “teacher” in our Arts and Artists Directory. And you could also check with the good people at Central Carolina Community College, the NC Arts Incubator, and the ArtsCenter in Carrboro.
- Where can I find gallery representation?
Hm. That’s not our area of expertise, but lots of the fine folks at the Chatham Artists Guild and the NC Arts Incubator have gallery representation, so check in with them.
- I need space for my art—performance space or exhibition space or studio space. Where can I find it?
We don’t have a catalog of spaces right now, though that’s a fabulous idea for the future. You might check in with area businesses or the Chatham Artists Guild or the NC Arts Incubator about exhibition space. And the last two would likely have tips on studio space as well, especially space at the Incubator. For performance space, a little more creativity may be required.
The Chatham Arts Council’s federal tax identification number is 56-1621611.
We are a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, IRS section 170(b)(2)(iii) for both federal and state purposes.
Financial information about this organization and a copy of its Charitable Solicitation License are available from the State Solicitation Licensing Division at 919-814-5400.