Inspired by other local celebrity events, “Designing Duos” will feature a live auction of the art created by the designing duo teams. In addition, you’ll also have the opportunity to bid on our silent auction, which will have a little something for everyone: from services at local businesses to dining experiences and even a stay at the beach! The goal of the event is not only to raise funds to support local arts programming and education, but also to shine a spotlight on local artists and community leaders.
The Live Auction will start promptly at 7 o’clock and our Master of Ceremonies will be the one-and-only, Kevin Baxter. Kevin is the Vice Chancellor & Chief Campus Officer for NCSSM-Morganton.
The Silent Auction will start at 6 o’clock and continue throughout the evening
Nancy VanNoppen & Allen VanNoppen
Amy & Scott Brooks
Lara Hicks & Dalton Walters/Macy Rudisill
Julie Cioffoletti & Barb Hersey
Kara Jones & Melanie Mikusa
Tickets: $50 BAC Members $60 Non-Members
About the Duos:
Nancy VanNoppen & Allen VanNoppen
Nancy VanNoppen:
Nancy VanNoppen received her MFA in 2017 from Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) in Baltimore, MD and her BA in 2012 from Hollins University in Roanoke, VA. Currently, Nancy VanNoppen lives and works in Morganton, NC where she founded the pop-up art series, ART/RE/ART, in 2019 and is one of the Co-CEOs at VanNoppen Marketing.
Allen VanNoppen:
Currently Publisher and Founder, Morganton Media Group, dba The Paper. VanNoppen and his family are multigenerational residents of Morganton, NC, all of whom have a demonstrated record of business leadership, economic entrepreneurship and civic stewardship. Allen and his wife, Jean, are both business owners in downtown Morganton.
Amy & Scott Brooks
Amy Brooks:
Amy Brooks is a glass artist who works from her studio, Paradise Custom Glass, located at 123 W. Union St. in Morganton. She constructs custom stained glass windows for residential and business customers as well as decorative and functional fused glass pieces. She enjoys mixing media, such as wood and metal, with glass in her artwork. Amy’s work is displayed in businesses and private collections across the United States.
Scott Brooks:
After 30 years in the financial services industry in the New York/New Jersey area, Scott Brooks is embarking on a new career as a financial planner with Edward Jones in downtown Morganton. Since moving to Western North Carolina, he has discovered a passion for woodworking, sparked by a furniture-making class at Western Piedmont Community College. Scott was proud to have one of his end tables displayed at the Burke Arts Council's Spring show.
Lara Hicks & Dalton Walters/Macy Rudisill
Lara Hicks:
Lara grew up in the Oak Hill area of Morganton and after graduation from Freedom High School continued education at Johnson & Wales University in Charlotte NC. After spending about 8 years between school and teaching culinary classes to the refugee community in east charlotte, Lara moved back home and found herself making random meals and cakes for friends of the family. Not too long after moving home, Lara started an LLC and continued with private chef work through the present time and now holds the title for 3rd Best in Burke for caterer in 2023.
Dalton Walters:
Dalton is a native of Morganton. He is a graduate of Freedom High School and Appalachian State University's Walker College of Business-Brantley Risk and Insurance center with a Bachelor of Science degree in Risk Management and Insurance. He joined Mimosa Insurance Agency in May of 2008. In his free time, Dalton enjoys kayaking, aviation and classic cars.
Macy Rudisill:
She was raised in Morganton and graduated from Hickory High School and Appalachian State University's College of Fine and Applied Arts. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication, Creative Advertising, with a minor in Marketing & Sales through the Walker College of Business. In 2019, she became a fully licensed NC Real Estate Broker.
Julie Cioffoletti & Barb Hersey
Julie Cioffoletti:
Designing jewelry has been Julie’s artistic expression for most of her life. After an apprenticeship in her early 20s, she moved into a role of wax carver and designer in a production setting at a boutique jewelry shop in Connecticut. Upon relocating to WNC in the early 2000s, she decided to set up a home studio to practice her craft, enabling her to create original and custom pieces of wearable art.
Barb Hersey:
She was raised in Ohio, but, for more than half her life Barb has called North Carolina home. After moving from Vermont and raising a family in Raleigh, she found her Happy Place in Morganton. Barb says she has always been “crafty” and full of ideas!! She has dabbled in a variety of artistic ventures.
Kara Jones & Melanie Mikusa
Kara Jones:
Growing up in Asheville, NC meant exploring the outdoors her whole life. She lived near the Blue Ridge Parkway and spent most days mountain biking on trails and soaking in nature scenes. Her painting style layers watercolor, acrylic, and oil on wood and canvas to imitate texture in nature. Currently, she gets to combine graphic design as her career and painting as her passion!
Melanie Mikusa:
When she and her husband, Ed, made the decision to work at the North Carolina Outward Bound School almost 40 years ago, she could never have imagined the incredible adventure they embarked on. After 10 years at NCOBS, she and her family made Morganton their permanent home. Her time living and working in such a beautiful place has influenced her art. Having sewed her entire life, creating quilts is a natural extension and allows her to merge her love of nature and sewing.