Founded in 1978 and located in a beautiful, airy space in downtown Tryon, the Upstairs ArtSpace enters its 40^th year as a cornerstone of the Polk County community.  The Upstairs ArtSpace (UA) provides contemporary art exhibits and offers a strong schedule of programs designed to educate children and adults through tours, lectures, workshops, demonstrations, films and classes in local schools. The gallery is supported by public and private donations, sales of art, fundraising, and multiple grants including those from the North Carolina Arts Council and the Polk County Community Foundation (PCCF).

Most recently, the PCCF awarded the Upstairs ArtSpace a grant of $35,000 in support of the organization’s annual operating budget for 2018. $10,000 of this grant award will have to be matched by donations from the community during a campaign in 2018 in order for the gallery to receive it. The $10,000 matching dollars is a welcome and unique opportunity to inspire and thank the Upstairs ArtSpace supporters for their contributions and encourage the gallery’s 2018 fundraising efforts

The generous support from the PCCF endows keystone funding to keep the gallery thriving. Board Chair Mary Prioleau explains, “The Upstairs ArtSpace appreciates the Polk County Community Foundation’s understanding of arts being essential to a flourishing community. We are so fortunate that the PCCF has funded the gallery for 38 of our 40 years. It is through this ongoing support that our community can learn and experience contemporary art and craft.” The generosity of the Polk County Community Foundation has helped keep the doors to the non-profit arts organization open.

Stay tuned for announcements regarding the Upstairs ArtSpace’s 40^th year kickoff and an early spring fund drive. Updates will be posted via the organization’s Facebook page, newsletter and The Tryon Daily Bulletin.

Submitted by Tracey Daniels