N. C. State Fair...

One of my fondest memories, biggest challenges, and favorite people in a non-typical work environment is the 25 years I spent as the Superintendent of the Art Department of the North Carolina State Fair. I was on contract with the state to produce a state-wide art exhibition every fall in Raleigh at the State Fair. When I arrived, we took in about 300 snap shots and art pieces in a WWI warehouse building on the fairgrounds near the RR tracks. We gave out a small amount of prize monies in $10, $20, $30 increments. What a joy it was to become a part of this crazy family of administrators, full time workers, and part time helpers who came together once a year to put on this great family oriented party! Logistically, it was a nightmare. We used to take in, catalog, tag, wrap, store, judge, hang, label, ribbon, and open the show all in 6 days. We were up for 10 days and reversed the process in 1 day at close. Whew! Over time the department grew to take in nearly 2,600 pieces of art and award $23,000 in cash, college scholarships, and products. By that time, we were the featured show in the nicest building on the fairgrounds...the Governor Bob Scott Building where the big Jim Graham Commissioner of the Department of Agriculture would move his office for the length of the fair. He sat over us with a wall of glass windows looking down on us like God. It was a great challenge and great fun...and a LOT of work. But at the end we had wonderful judges coming from all over the US and wonderful museums in DC and up and down the east coast. And the artwork was better and better with each passing year...it was quite the show to be in. I have not been a part of the fair for a number of years now. But this year, I was asked back to Judge a category that was added... it is for a deserving portrait or figurative piece. The ribbon and award are called, "Luana Luconi Winner Faces of Carolina." what a nice, full circle feel that has... Thanks guys! http://www.ncstatefair.org/2009/