Community Foundation awards grants to STEAP and The Free Clinics
The Community Foundation of Henderson County has awarded $65,000 to two area organizations as part of its special 40th Anniversary Grants Program.
The awards were presented to STEAP (Story Telling Education and Arts Program) and The Free Clinics during Art on Main last year. Community Foundation of Henderson County sponsored the event.
“We are pleased to award two more 40th Anniversary Grants as part of our celebrations,” said Foundation President McCray V. Benson in a news release. “Showing our appreciation in the form of these grants and sponsorships is a meaningful way to honor the commitment of donors, volunteers, grantees, and the community.”
A grant in the amount of $30,000 was awarded to STEAP for the installation of public art in the Seventh Avenue Historical and Cultural District. The multi-part public art project aims to honor the community’s diverse stories, cultures, and contributions, engage the community in creating connection through art, and enhance the corridor for residents, businesses and visitors. Yarn bombing, murals painted on buildings and a piece of public art were a part of the project.
The CommUNITY Yarn Project is still on display, as Hendersonville joins other cities around the world in public yarn art, the release said. Six "CommuniTREES" and the caboose at the Depot on Maple Street have been decorated with the yarn art, which will be on display until the end of March or early April, the release said.
All the yarn art was made by locals of all ethnicities to celebrate the county's diverse community of colors, cultures, stories and heritage, the release said. One tree is a tribute to the Agudas Israel Synagogue's 100th anniversary. STEAP gave away over 200 yarn packs and taught many to knit.
Other trees are decorated with everything from knitted sheep to crocheted flowers and pompoms.
According to the STEAP news release, the Yarn Blooming project inspired Junior Girl Scout Troop 13093, Unity of the Blue Ridge, and the Foxwood Book club to make more than 100 blessing bags for locals that held winter scarves, sox, gloves and other other winter items for anyone in the area near the Rescue Mission.
This STEAP project also includes two public murals. Support for the project came from The Community Foundation of Henderson County, the Michaelian Home Store and the Hendersonville Tree Board.
For more information go to steap.net.
This article originally appeared on Hendersonville Times-News: Community Foundation awards grants to STEAP and The Free Clinics
