Central Park Nc

Central park NC and its subsidiary--STARworksNC-- is the most amazing place. It's actually arts and culture married with manufacturing, creative design, and community economic development in rural North Carolina just down the road from the world famous Seagrove, NC pottery community. Creative people come from all over the world just to learn, design and make amazing glass, pottery, and ceramics. It's also a place where folks regularly have fun with music, beer, great food, and the opportunity to try their hands in the clay, etc. If you're looking to see the future of arts and culture married with job creation and economic generation--then come on down to North Carolina and visit with Dr. Nancy Gottovi, Executive Director, who loves to tell the story and make you a part of the Central Park NC/STARworks family. www.starworksnc.org

It is really exciting to see the renovations coming along! Many people in town have commented on the progress of "the old schoolhouse." Everyone is proud of our success(es), and will be even more so when the retail store opens and as our educational programming continues to grow. Great job STAFF!

I returned to Star after 40 years and currently live in my family home. I was thrilled to discover StarWorks and Central Park NC presence in the town. Many in the organization have taken an active role in the life of the town by doing volunteer work and serving on the town board. The different events offered by the organization have brought many new visitors to our town. The speakers at these events are wonderful. We are very fortunate to have the org. in our small town. Thanks CPNC

"The diamonds are in your backyard . " Rural areas are suffering economically across the nation. Building a new sustainable economy starts with utilizing your local resources responsibly to create new prosperity. Starworks is an attitude that turns threat to opportunity and creatively finds ways to use local resources to create new jobs that work in harmony with the environment. Knowledge makes the difference and Central Park North Carolina is the knowledge ecubator that is teaching a rural region of North Carolina how to find opportunity...the diamonds in their own backyard.

Nancy, the Executive Director of Central Park NC and I connected years ago with the common interest in rebuilding our local communities especailly around the loss of the textile industry in our state. The crown jewel of her work is Starworks and rebuilding an abandoned sock manufactoring facility in Star, NC to a exciting hub of creative art people and businesses that it is today. Having the opportunity to serve on her board has been an honor and a fantastic learning experience for me. I share and tell the Starworks story as a great example of rebuilding communities using the assets that are already there and not having to depend on the failed attempt of bringing the typical outside "white knight" business savior.

After the demise of the local textile industry, a new economy was just what our little town of Star needed. Central Park NC moved into our neighborhood and into one of the abandoned mills approximately ten years ago. Since that time, they have also moved into our hearts. The staff and board of directors have consistently kept their focus on the sustainability of natural and cultural resources. Because of their forward thinking, local residents have begun to think outside the box as well. The addition of STARworks brought new businesses, new friends, new creativity, new community events, new residents, new energy, etc. It has personally provided me with glass pumpkins, glass ornaments, education, fellowship, and fun. The business owners housed under the roof of STARworks give back to the community in so many ways. I am proud to be an annual supporter and a friend to one of Star's greatest assets.