What
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?
Why & How
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 Staff
CHERYL CHAMBLEE, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR (part-time)
creator . strategist . mama
Cheryl’s professional background includes working alongside arts administration hero Joyce A. Moffatt to build the Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Chicago, nine years as a major gifts fundraiser in the Triangle, writing and producing 10 original plays as co-founder of both hands theatre company, and coaching nonprofit arts and education leaders as founder of onebrokenteapot.com Cheryl joined the Chatham Arts Council as Executive Director in late 2012.
What are you doing when you’re not leading the Chatham Arts Council?
I have adventures with my daughter and husband, write and create performance, and coach creative and nonprofit leaders.
Any current obsessions?
Crafting amazing transitions for leaders, communities, and creatives—identifying what to hold on to, what to let go, how to tell the story, and how to implement the logistics. And this: parenting in a way that supports the natural curiosity and creativity of my child.
What is your earliest memorable arts experience?
Making a Three Wise Men craft with Q-Tips, construction paper, and cardboard with my own mama. Age three. And yes, we still have it.
What’s your favorite place in Chatham County?
Gotham Woods Farm — art + ag + friends.
SELBE BARTLETT, MANAGING DIRECTOR (part-time)
thinker . maker . strategist
Selbe has lived in Chatham County since 2004. She joined the Chatham Arts Council board in 2016. She’s eager to provide Chatham youth with arts experiences that build a love of the arts throughout their lives.
What do you do with your days?
I love, laugh, and work with my family and community and then work some more at AllScripts.
What is your earliest memorable arts experience?
When I was on the stage crew for a high school theater production, I was amazed at how talented everyone was.
What’s your favorite place in Chatham County?
Downtown Pittsboro. I absolutely love to walk around downtown. It is so relaxing to watch the small town wanderings of people enjoying their community.
JULIE MY AMANI, ACCOUNTING, EVENTS/ARTISTS-IN-SCHOOLS (part-time)
warrior-traveler . mother . constant
Julie moved to Chatham in 2006. She formerly worked at Shakori Hills, where she worked in many and varied roles, including Director of Operations. She’s also worked as a mosaic artist, office manager, festival organizer, teaching assistant, volunteer coordinator, data specialist, house cleaner, and barrista.
I like to travel, spend time with friends, and devote summertime to organizing the Hoppin’ John Fiddlers’ Convention and enjoying music.
Flower gardening, finishing the living room hearth. Providing wisdom, guidance and consistent love as a means of teaching awareness and compassion to my granddaughter.
What is your earliest memorable arts experience?
Dancing. With my mom in the living room, and in the tiny tots intro to my hometown ballet school’s production of Swan Lake.
I can’t decide if it’s my front porch, or the back one.
JENNI DETWILER, GRANTS TO ARTISTS FACILITATOR (part-time)
optimistic . kind . busy
What are you doing when you’re not working at the Chatham Arts Council?
Jenni works full-time on an education research project at UNC but would rather be camping or traveling to a new state.
Any current obsessions?
Trying new restaurants and being a muse to her partner for his radio show on WCOM (103.5 fm Tuesdays, 6-8pm).
What is your earliest memorable arts experience?
When I was a wee child, my mom took me to pottery classes at the Durham Arts Council. I loved that!
What’s your favorite place in Chatham County?
Other than my living room filled with family and friends, that would be the White Pines Nature Preserve.
RACHEL FLANAGAN, BLOG WRITER (part-time)
introvert . loyal . open
Rachel has worked as a professional writer for almost 25 years in a multitude of industries, including architecture, publishing, and accounting. Rachel left the corporate world in 2017 to start work as a personal trainer in her garage gym but continued to write about fitness in her blog and newsletter. She is honored to be a writer for the Chatham Arts Council and is thoroughly enjoying writing about artists rather than tax laws.
What are you doing when you’re not working at Chatham Arts Council?
When I’m not interviewing an artist or writing up their stories, you’ll likely find me in my garage gym either working out or training clients, out for a run, or playing cards with my two kids.
Any current obsessions?
My daughter and I love to watch competition shows on Netflix, like Sugar Rush, The Big Flower Fight, and Nailed It.
What is your earliest memorable arts experience?
I won a short story writing competition in elementary school where my story was turned into a skit by a troupe of professional actors.
What’s your favorite place in Chatham County?
McIntyre’s books in Fearrington Village. I am a sucker for a good bookstore.
CATHERINE C. HOBBS, COMMUNITY OUTREACH (part-time)
collaborator . cohort . creative
Catherine is a master at making connections. With one idea, she sees networks and corollaries, then parlays them into marketing or financial boons for the organization she is guiding. Catherine comes to the Chatham Arts Council with a strong background in sales and customer service, where she learned the art of asking the right questions to help ensure a personalized solution.
What are you doing when you’re not working at Chatham Arts Council?
Depends on the day.
Any current obsessions?
Simplification!
What is your earliest memorable arts experience?
Making a Shrinky Dinks Raggedy Anne-shaped luggage tag. It shrank so tiny you couldn’t read the contact information!
What’s your favorite place in Chatham County?
My favorite place in Chatham County is my front porch.
APRIL STARLING, MARKETING/PUBLIC RELATIONS (part-time)
writer . organizer . nurturer
April, a NC native, spent the last 18 years in NYC. She “grew up” professionally working for top PR agencies, then joined the non-profit world promoting special education. She’s thrilled to be back home, where she’s helping clients build their brands. April can be spotted chasing her daughters with her husband.
What are you doing when you’re not working at the Chatham Arts Council?
Connecting brands to communities for clients, volunteering, baking and working with my husband to crack the parenting nut!
Any current obsessions?
The Rebirth Brass Band! (and finding a way to squeeze three more hours into each day)
What is your earliest memorable arts experience?
Making a potato stamp, then promptly using it on my parents’ woodblock kitchen island. Yes, the stains are still there.
What’s your favorite place in Chatham County?
Phoenix Bakery (can’t stop eating their cookies!)
Our Board
GILDA McDANIEL, PRESIDENT
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. She is a major force behind the wonder that is ClydeFEST.
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.
HEATHER BUSTER
energetic . compassionate . eager to learn
Heather has lived in Chatham County since 2015 when her family moved here to own and operate the Rosemary House B&B and The Kindred Folk Art Gallery at the Rosemary. Heather joined the Chatham Arts Council board in 2019.
What do you do with your days?
I spend my days taking care of my family, walking the dog and trying to learn something new.
What is your earliest memorable arts experience?
Seeing Peter Pan live on stage at the Crown Uptown Theater in Wichita Kansas when I was 4 years-old.
What’s your favorite place in Chatham County?
There are too many to choose from but Oddco is definitely at the top of my list!
ELISABETH LEWIS CORLEY, TREASURER
poet . actor . screenwriter
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?
Lately I spend 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. 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.
KAREN HOWARD, SECRETARY
activist . mother . collaborator
Karen has lived in Chatham County since 2007, and joined the Chatham Arts Council board in 2013. With a professional background as an attorney, a mother of six—including a child with special needs, she is passionate about working for arts in education.
What do you do with your days?
Drive kids, cook, clean, and repeat. Service on the Chatham County Board of Commissioners.
What is your earliest memorable arts experience?
Seeing “Finian’s Rainbow” at the Dundas theatre in the Bahamas in 1971.
What’s your favorite place in Chatham County?
The bridge over the Haw River on 15-501 at sunrise.
LESLEY L. LANDIS, VICE PRESIDENT
organizer . introvert . 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 graphic designer at Lesley Landis Designs, walk my dog, work in my gardens, and serve on the Main Street Pittsboro board.
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.
And What We Don’t Do
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.
