NCGrowth hosted a networking lunch and tour of STARworks in Star, NC on December 1st. Business and local government clients, community resource providers, state government representatives and NCGrowth Analysts hired from UNC-Pembroke, Duke, NC State, NC Central, and UNC-Chapel Hill attended.
STARworks is an arts-centered work community in a renovated hosiery mill and home to Wet Dog Glass (WDG), an equipment maker and consultant for craftspeople worldwide as well as former NCGrowth client. WDG’s owner, Eddie Bernard, welcomed the audience to the space and introduced Nancy Gottovi, Executive Director of Central Park NC, which manages STARWorks. Mary O’Brien, mayor of Star, NC, spoke about the unique assets that Star offers and the community’s plans for growth.
During the lunch, current NCGrowth projects were highlighted. Read more about each project.
After lunch, Eddie gave a tour of STARworks and spoke about its mission to increase the diversity of artistic experiences available by bringing nationally and internationally known artists for demonstrations, classes, lectures, and to make new works of art. The group toured STARworks Glass, STARworks Ceramics and STARworks Clay. STARworks Glass is a public access glass studio that offers rental space for glass artists, classes, and workshops for the general public, a resident artist and internship program, and high school and college glass curriculum. STARworks Ceramics uses native NC, wild clays to produce clay bodies that are manufactured with a filter press on site; they also sell pottery supplies and equipment. STARworks Clay Studio offers a residency program for ceramic artists. Their facilities allow for large workshop spaces placed side by side, supporting a collaborative and energetic educational environment. In addition to the residency program, STARworks Clay studio offers classes and workshops for adults.