from The Courier-Tribune
Chip Womick
Staff Writer
ASHEBORO — The state’s top cultural resources cheerleader will be on hand Monday to help launch a public effort to raise money to revitalize the top cultural resource in the city’s inventory — the Sunset Theatre.
Linda Carlisle, secretary of the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources, is scheduled to be the main speaker for the kickoff of a $1.2 million fund-raising campaign — called Asheboro’s Next Act — to refurbish the historic theater at 234 Sunset Ave. in downtown Asheboro. The event, which is open to the public, begins at 4 p.m.
The city purchased the 1930s-era movie house in 2005 and two buildings adjacent to it when they became available. The plan was to renovate and expand the theater to create a first-class performing arts center.
Former Asheboro mayor David Jarrell is co-chairing the capital campaign along with Bill and Ann Hoover.
“Everybody I’ve talked to,” Jarrell said, “is excited and enthusiastic and said, ‘Let’s move ahead.’”
Jarrell said anybody interested in preserving the old theater — or anyone who just wants to find out more about the plans — is welcomed to the kickoff. A reception, also open to the public, will be held at Circa Gallery at 150 Sunset Ave., following the program in the theater.
Carlisle was named cultural resources secretary — one of 10 Cabinet-level appointments — by N.C. Gov. Bev Perdue in January 2009. Born in Abingdon, Va., she and her parents moved to Greensboro when she was 2. She graduated from Randleman High School in 1968.
According to the website of the state’s department of cultural resources, Carlisle, a former corporate executive and entrepreneur, is “a persistent proponent of the arts as an economic development driver, downtown rejuvenator, and small-town catalyst.”
Those who attend the campaign kickoff will have the chance to see a video that tells a bit about the theater’s past, its place in the community, and a vision for its future.
Jarrell said before Carlisle talks about the role of the arts in a community, he will talk a little about fund-raising.
Planners hope to wrap up the drive by the end of May
Planners hope to wrap up the drive by the end of May
The theater campaign will offer naming opportunities for pledges ranging from $500 (for a seat) to $250,000 (for a new building wing).
“We’ll proceed with soliciting pledges over three years,” he said. “If somebody wanted to give over four or five years, we wouldn’t fuss about it.” Members of the campaign steering committee have pledged about $100,000 so far, Jarrell said.
“That’s a good start,” he said. “I still think we really need to get the community behind it. No gift is too small. No gift is too large.”