Regional Artist Project Grant Winners Announced The Arts Councils of Alleghany, Ashe, Watauga and Wilkes Counties have announced the winners of the 2005-2006 Regional Artist Project of Northwest North Carolina Grants Program. The program provides financial support and recognition to committed, accomplished artists, enabling them to advance their work and careers. Receiving grants this year are Orna Bentor, visual artist, to purchase materials and supplies for new exhibit; Janet Brashear, visual artist, to purchase equipment for printmaking; John Crutchfield, visual artist, to purchase lighting equipment; Nathan Fields, visual artist, to purchase a kiln; Ryan Goff, visual artist, to purchase equipment for woodworking sculpture; Ric Kolseth, visual artist, to purchase a kiln for precious metal clay; Suzanne Svejcar, a visual artist, to attend a watercolor workshop; Adrian Trbovich, musician, to purchase equipment for banjo fusion-hip hop music; and Steve Williams, a visual artist, to purchase equipment for saggar firing. An orientation session and reception for the recipients will be held at the Ashe Arts Center in West Jefferson on Tuesday, Oct. 25th at 6:30 p.m. The public is welcome to attend. A multi-disciplinary panel from the four county region judged sixteen applications in visual arts, music, film and literature. There was $15,217 requested and $6900 was granted. This grant is partially funded by the North Carolina Arts Council, a state agency, in partnership with the Arts Councils of Alleghany, Ashe, Watauga, and Wilkes Counties. For more information, call your local arts council or 336-846-ARTS.