who we are
T
he Union County Community Arts Council is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to lead, cultivate, and promote the arts as an essential component of community life and education. We believe that by creating and supporting opportunities for Union County residents to create, perform, or attend arts activities, we are enhancing the education and quality of life aspects of our community members.
Meet Those Behind Our Mission
Our Mission
The mission of the Union County Community Arts Council began in 1980 by four area businessmen; John Ashcraft, Jim Barnett, Koy Dawkins, and Ben Helms, for the purpose of creating an organization whose mission would enhance the quality of life in Union County. This mission continues today by serving the people of Union County, promoting the arts as an essential component of community life. The council’s roots included the Union County Playmakers and the first annual Blooming Arts Festival in downtown Monroe. Since incorporation, the Union County Community Arts Council has with worked with thousands of volunteers who continue to believe in the cultural arts programs and services to the council.
- increasing the participation in and the awareness and appreciation of the arts
- to serve as a cultural planner and resource agency for the citizens of Union County
- developing programming and services to meet the needs of our community
- providing financial assistance to non-profit arts organizations and individuals and encourage arts in Union County
Board Of Directors
Amy Jackson, President
Wingate University
P.O. Box 159
Wingate, NC 28174
(704) 233-8294 (office)
a.jackson@wingate.edu
Mike Lutes, President-Elect
Atrium Health Union
600 Hospital Drive
Monroe, NC 28112
(980) 993-4057 (office)
michael.lutes@atriumhealth.org
Derek Skinner, Secretary
Truist
512 N. Hayne Street
Monroe, NC 28112
(704) 289-7245 (office)
Michelle Lancaster, Treasurer
Union County, Assistant Manager
Union County Government Center
500 N. Main Street
(704) 283-3656 (office)
(704) 283-3793 (fax)
michelle.lancaster@unioncountync.gov
Ron Hinson, Past-President
Hinson Electric
rhinson@hinsonelectricinc.com
Ernest Collins
(704) 282-2051 (fax)
ecollinsadmail.com
Julie Helms
Helms Heating & Air
juliehelms@helmsheating.com
Michael Lanphier
Merrill Lynch, VP
13850 Ballantyne Corporate Place
Suite 100
Charlotte, NC 28277
(704) 341-5119 (office)
(704) 837-8461 (fax)
michael_lanphier@ml.com
Tracy Price
meersp@aol.com
Vicki Merritt
Central Academy of Technology & Arts
600 Brewer Drive
Monroe, NC 28112
(704) 296-3088 (office)
(704) 296-3090 (fax)
vicki.merritt@ucps.k12.nc.us
Matthew Stewart
Woodforest National Bank
(704) 969-2300 (office)
matthew.stewart@woodforest.com
Martha Wegner
Duke Energy
(704) 395-4355 (office)
martha.wegner@duke-energy.com
Ex-officio Board Of Directors
Carl Bishop
South Piedmont Community College
(704) 290-5281 (office)
cbishop@spcc.edu
Dr. Brad Breedlove
Union County Public Schools
(704) 296-1003 (office)
william.breedlove@ucps.k12.nc.us
Jenna Westbrook
Union Academy Foundation
675 N. ML King Jr. Blvd.
Monroe, NC 28110
jenna.westbrook@weareua.org
Brian Borne, Monroe City Manager
City of Monroe
P.O. Box 69
Monroe, NC 28111
bborne@monroenc.org