The Mountaineer

March 26, 2025

A “Fire Up The Arts” fundraiser by Haywood County Arts Council has successfully raised funds for a working kiln and other pottery supplies for Pisgah High School art students.

Through generosity and support from the public, the Pisgah High School’s ceramics program now has a high-quality kiln, a professional-grade pottery wheel, durable bats for throwing clay, sturdy metal shelving for storage and a variety of glazes.

The initiative was a full-circle moment for Lauren Medford, the gallery manager at Haywood County Arts Council who was a student at Pisgah High School. She still remembers the day a guest speaker from Southwestern Community College came to her art class.

“During my senior year, I wasn’t sure what path I wanted to take after graduation,” said Medford. “That day, I rushed home to tell my mom, ‘That’s what I want to do.’”

Another canon event came when Medford received an art scholarship from WNC Quick Draw, an annual event featuring artists in action that raises money for art in the schools.

“It set me on a path that eventually led me to earn a master’s degree in studio art,” Medford said.

So when Medford heard that a local artist was selling her ceramic studio, she set out to secure it for Pisgah art students. On the first day of the fundraiser, a generous couple offered to match up to $3,500 toward the $7,000 goal.

Last last month, with the help of volunteers and students, the equipment was delivered to Pisgah High School.

“It was a full-circle moment for me,” said Medford. “Many of the donors were also volunteers and organizers of WNC Quick Draw, and the artist was thrilled that her studio equipment would be used for education. Once again, our community came together, this time to support Pisgah High School’s art students.”

The fundraising campaign is still open, and any additional donations will go directly to Pisgah High School to provide even more art supplies.