Each year we raise funds from parade registrations, sponsorships, and donations from the community and businesses to pay expenses for the parade, and to support one or more local charities. The charities are chosen each year by our Royalty, and a check is presented at the end of the parade. Over the years, the Committee for Mardi Gras, Inc. has contributed thousands of dollars to our favorite charities.
For 2019, our Royalty has chosen to support the new Wheel Mobile project of the Community Creative Center in Fayetteville. The Community Creative Center is a non-profit studio and visual arts organization located in Walton Arts Center’s Nadine Baum Studios in the heart of Fayetteville’s arts and entertainment district. Their mission is “To awaken the extraordinary power of art to engage individuals and community through accessible arts education.”
The Wheel Mobile is a custom-designed Winnebago equipped with 9 potter’s wheels, art supplies and clean-up facilities developed to offer potter’s wheel classes and art workshops for adults and students of all ages. With its on-board generator and water supply, it can travel and deliver art services anywhere – schools, town squares, youth centers –requiring only a flat parking space. Wheel Mobile arts education programs support curriculum and enhance classroom learning. When the Wheel Mobile comes to campus, schools save time, energy and resources. The funds we donate this year will be earmarked as scholarship funds for students in our area.
Arty will be IN the parade on Saturday, AND will be parked next to the Community Creative Center (in Nadine Baum Studios) following the parade. Come enjoy the parade, and then go take a tour of this exciting new traveling art studio!
To learn more about the Wheel Mobile and the Community Creative Center, visit www.communitycreativecenter.org, or follow Arty on Instagram!