The Rockingham County Arts Council is the focal point/umbrella organization for the arts and information about the arts in Rockingham County. Our mission is to nurture and enrich the cultural life of Rockingham County. We seek to encourage excellence in the arts and to make fine arts experiences available throughout our community.

Our offices and gallery are located in Wentworth, the county seat and heart of Rockingham County. For more than forty years, RCAC has touched the lives of our citizens through fine arts programs, grants and services designed to enhance the quality of life.

Grassroots Grants help to support quality arts programming for local arts organizations, schools, and community non-profit groups.

The Dan River Art Market & Gallery provides a venue to support and promote the work of area artists.

Community Arts Programming: each year, RCAC sponsors special arts events and programs.

The Arts Council is located in historic Wentworth, NC. We inhabit the Martin-Irving house, also known locally as the Waters House. Constructed in the 1850s, it was owned by three Rockingham County Attorneys: John H. Dillard, Thomas Ruffin, and Thomas Settle, Jr. Each of these men later served as North Carolina Supreme Court justices. Settle also became U.S. Minister to Peru.

In the late 1800s the house was used as a hotel, with the rear wing added around 1900. The Martin and Irving Families each owned the property during the first half of the 20th century. It is now the property of Rockingham County.

RCAC is governed by a volunteer board of directors and employs an executive director.

For more information please write us at: Rockingham County Arts Council, P.O. Box 83, Wentworth, NC 27375.

Email us at [email protected]

Call us at .

Map our location at Rockingham County Arts Council, 1122 NC Hwy 65, Wentworth, NC 27375

Executive Director: Kathryn Gauldin

Kathryn has worked in Arts Administration in Winston-Salem, Greensboro and High Point and enjoys supporting projects that involve community, education and the arts. Now living in Eden, Kathryn is a textile artist working with hand-weaving, surface design and printmaking.

Our Current Board of Directors:

Karen Pervier - President
I retired as the Relocation Director of Coldwell Banker Triad, but have spent most of my adult life as a quiltmaker and teacher of quilt making. I have been an active participant in several organizations focused on preserving the history of quiltmaking in North Carolina and furthering public awareness of the rich history of American quiltmaking.

Amelia Dallas- Vice-President
Rockingham County Native Married with one son, 2 grandsons North Carolina Real Estate Broker Former Rockingham County Commissioner Serving on following Boards: Rockingham County Partnership for Children March of Dimes Steering Committee Rockingham County Arts Council Rockingham County Department of Social Services Member of Rockingham County Competitiveness Assessment Planning Committee Member of Eden, Western Rockingham and Reidsville Chambers of Commerce Member of First Presbyterian Church, Eden

Beth Simmons - Treasurer
Beth Simmons is past-president of the Reidsville Chamber of Commerce. She is involved in community theater.

Dena Harris - Secretary
Dena Harris is an international author and writer. In addition to serving on the RCAC board, she is an active member of the Animal Protection Society of Rockingham County. She lives in Madison with her husband and two cats. Visit her at www.denaharris.com.

Bill Moore
Bill Moore-Graduate of UNC and worked 34 years in the textile industry retiring in 2000 from Pillowtex Corp. Bill has been a potter for 15 years working with high-fire stoneware and raku pottery. He is co-owner of Hawk Spirit Studio with his wife, Susan, who is a potter and glass artist. In addition to being an artist, Bill takes seriously a responsibility to be a supporter and patron of the arts.

Bret Hart
Bret has been a Rockingham County educator and arts activist for 13 years and is a small business owner- HipWorks Productions. In 2011, his Music@theMural brought almost 30 performers into downtown Eden, NC for free weekly performances. “I will use my experience and skill-set can help raise awareness of and grow the performing arts in Rockingham County.”

Mary Watkins
Mary is retired from Sun Rise Printing, currently operating under her son’s direction. She is interested in all forms of art and finds the arts to be a very important facet of her life. She plans to support the Arts Council in any way she can.

Elizabeth Lanier

Toni Webster

Cindy Adams

Bruce Mallatratt
Bruce Mallatratt, a resident of Eden, NC, and has been playing drums total of over 51 years. He has performed professionally with local, regional and internationally recognized artists for over 41 years. His 40 years of teaching experience includes private instruction, ensemble instruction and seminars. He is dedicated to the perpetuation of jazz music by means of events such as the Eden Jazz Fest and can be heard performing with his group, “Real Jazz”.

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Thanks to our supporters and your investment in the arts in Rockingham County!