Up & Coming Weekly

6 UCW SEPTEMBER 29 - OCTOBER 5, 2021 Best of Fayetteville FAYETTEVILLE CUMBERLAND CO. CUMBERLAND CO. FAYETTEVILLE CUMBERLAND CO. FAYETTEVILLE CUMBERLAND CO. Best Local Community Project/Best Art Gallery Public Art by The Arts Council 301 Hay St. 910-323-1776 or www.theartscouncil.com If art is the heart of a community, then The Arts Council of Fayetteville is the blood that keeps it pumping. The Arts Council supports individual creativity, cultural preservation, economic development and lifelong learning through the arts. A perennial favorite, The Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County has been an essential force in our community since its founding in 1973. It administers programs in partnership with a variety of regional agencies to stim- ulate community and economic development through the arts. The Arts Council is built on the premise that art connects people faster than anything else and is worth promoting. Nonprofit arts and culture comprise a $59.2 million-dollar industry in Cumberland County, which is consistently higher than the national average. The Arts Council has won national recognition and a $10,000 award from Ovation network and Spectrum as one of 12 organizations across the United States lauded for innovative programming and enriching communities. Community organizations and individual artists annually receive more than $600,000 in grants and support from The Arts Council. The Arts Council benefits from events like the Art Walk-Abouts and 4th Fridays continue to draw visitors downtown to enjoy street music and art as well as local restaurants and brew pubs. Under the direction of Bob Pinson, the presi- dent and CEO, the community can look forward to more great experiences with Fayetteville's favorite art gallery. Best Local Nonprofit Organization Vision Resource Center 2736 Cedar Creek Road 910-483-2719 or www.visionresourcecentercc.org The Vision Resource Center has been serving visually impaired and blind people in the Cape Fear region since 1936. As listed in VRC's mission statement, this means advocating for this population's needs, identifying and sharing infor- mation about community resources, and providing education, skill development and socialization opportunities. VRC began in 1936 as the Cumberland County Association of the Blind, work- ing with Cumberland County Social Services. It was one of the first four agencies of the United Way of Cumberland County. In 2000, VRC gained its current moni- ker. In 2007, it moved from its location on Robeson Street to set up shop at the Dorothy Gilmore Therapeutic Recreation Center on Purdue Drive. A few years ago, VRC was able to move into its very own location for the first time. VRC's new Center for the Blind is located on Cedar Creek Road. This was possible thanks to the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners and people in this community who believe in the VRC and support its mission. There are too many good things to say about VRC and too many life-enriching services it offers to write about here, so be sure to visit its website to learn more and to see how you can help. Best Local Fundraising Event Good Eyes for School Supplies Sponsored by Better Vision Optometric Center, PA 1671 Owen Drive 910-323-3698 or www.bettervision2020.com Better Vision is a family owned and operated business, where staff and patients feel they are part of the family. Dr. Chris Holland and Dr. Brittni Carver Schemper believe in giving back to the community. For the past five years, they have conducted a community outreach event providing free eye exams and glasses for those in need. Three years ago, they added an annual collection of school supplies in conjunction with the screenings. This year, the office collected enough supplies to fill 400 fully-stocked back- packs that were distributed to five different schools in the county. The support of their staff and their patients continues to make it a better event and one that local residents believe brings out the best in Fayetteville.

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