The Public Art Commission recently selected Stefan “Steebo” Bonitz of Asheville to create “Old Time Music”, a piece to celebrate Waynesville’s history of music festivals and gatherings in the Downtown area. Mr. Bonitz works almost exclusively in found objects, in which previously used items are “reincarnated” into an object of art. His design for Waynesville will showcase his love of whimsy, with one figure being a 12-foot-tall washtub bass player, accompanied by a seated banjo player.

The piece will be installed in mid-September at the corner of Main and Miller Streets. The public will be invited to celebrate the unveiling at a ceremony to be held in the fall.

The Public Art Commission would like to thank those who have donated as of June 9, 2008:

Barn Raisers:   ($1000 plus)

Town of Waynesville

Haywood County Tourism Development Authority

Michael Gillespie, DDS                                                                             

Emerson Foundation (George and Karla Escaravage)                      

Champion Supply                                                                   

Lynn Sylvester, CPA                                                                          

Clark and Leatherwood                                                                                  

Yvonne and Ted Lappas                                                                                 

Mast General Store                                                                            

Edward Jones  (Jack Bishop and Jim Phillips)                                                            

Progress Energy

Peak Energy                                                                                       

Balladeer:  ($500 – 999)

Haywood Insurance Services                                                 

Home Trust Bank                                                                                           

Buck Dancers:  ($250 – 499)

Tim and Judy Phelan                          

Reece, Noland & McElrath (Steve Kaufman)                        

Voni D’Angio & Ron Huelster                                                                       

Sherell Johnson                                                                                                

Main Street Realty                                                                                           

Leroy and Gale Roberson         

Banjer Player:  ($100 – 249)

Kaaren Stoner & David Erickson                                                                     

Philan Medford                                                                                                 

Rolf Kaufman                                                                                        

Grace and Clayton Cathey                                                                                 

Judith Ross                                                                                                        

Stephen & Jan Ariko                                                                             

Willie & Jane Cole                                                                                           

Phil & Mib Medford                                                                             

Rex & Libba Feichter                                                                            

Peter & Lorna Sterling                                                                                      

Jeanette & John Carey                                                                           

New Meridian Technology                                                                   

United Community Bank                                                                         

Roger & Mary Hansen                                                                          

Ronald & Sharon Smith                                                                                     

Bass Fiddlers:  ($1 – 99)

Norretta & Bob Taylor                                                                                        

Claudia Ogden                                                                                        

Jennifer Walt                                                                                           

Stephen Lampl                                                                                         

Robin Tindall                                                                                          

Fred & Jane Baker                                                                                              

Ginger Hain                                                                                             

Lee Galloway & Nancy Thompson                                                         

Jamie Powell                                                                                          

Bob & Elizabeth Brannon                                                                       

Jim & Faye Wagoner