Board of Directors
Dr. Gwendolyn Bacote (Treasurer) - Gwendolyn Bacote holds a PhD in Divinity Studies from Living Epistle Bible College and also studied at Bethlehem Bible College and NC A&T University. For the past 35 years, she's been a singer with the L.B. Florence Ensemble. Her other artistic pursuits include jewelry making (Passion Designs by Gwen). Dr. Bacote has more than 16 combined years experience in banking and administration and currently is a substitute teacher for Guilford County Schools and a a Gospel Minister.
Julie Cresenzo (Secretary) graduated from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill in 1981 with a BFA in Art and Education. She was born and raised in Eden and returned in 1988 when she married another native of Rockingham County, Randy Cresenzo. Once their twin boys started school, she did too. In 2015, Julie retired after 20 years as an Art Educator at Leaksville-Spray Elementary. In addition to serving on the board of the Arts Council and advocating for the Arts in our schools, she continues to express her artistic nature through pottery. Julie believes that art is a transforming experience, both on a personal level and potentially for a community. She is proud to be a part of an organization whose goal is to facilitate that process.
Joe Dexter (President) is an award-winning journalist, photographer and voiceover artist with over ten years experience in radio, editing and print media. He holds a Bachelor’s in Electronic Journalism from Northern Michigan University and has previously held editor and reporter positions at RockinghamNow. he also spent several years as a News/Sports and Operations Director for WJPD-FM, WNGE-FM, WDMJ-AM and WIAN-AM in Marquette, Michigan. An avid podcaster and hobby photographer, Joe enjoys all forms of art -- especially spoken word and the music artform. In April, he hosted and help organize Rock-Aid, an online concert featuring local artists that helped raise $18,000 for local children in need. Joe is married to Andrea and resides in Reidsville with his two daughters, who are a bundle of joy. He can be reached by emailing josephledexter@gmail.com.
Delois Goode (Member) is an artist and the founder of Goode Over Flow Arts and Literature. The inspiration for her creativity began as a "little colored girl" growing up in the American South during the 1960s. Here, the myth of "separate but equal" conspired to silence her in school, at home, in the public spheres - and messages of segregation were constant on the cultural landscape, printed in black and white signs. As she matured from child to young woman, Delois discovered a way to express herself through the arts and writing poetry where she hid symbols that served a dual purpose and meaning. Her journey has deepened to include exploration of history and spirit, seeking a reason for existence. She discovered that the very first Artist in the world who created the heavens and the earth, and all that exist within, is the same Artist who painted her this color. This clarity brought meaning to all that happened to her - good or bad - beginning with the "little colored girl" who escaped her world by writing children stories, to the African-American woman who creates art from two worlds, to a person who writes poetry from her experiences to find and accept love. It is the process of creativity and transformation. Delois's projects have been featured in group exhibitions in galleries and fine arts and crafts shows. She has created logos and art projects for non-profits agencies, and a feature collection in a Yoga Studio. Her preferred medium is black Indian ink. Whenever an object of beauty comes within her view, she is compelled to draw her interpretation of its spirit, enhanced with African patters and fill it in with Indian Ink.
Amy Chan (Vice-President) has more than 18 years of experience in marketing, business development, and project management. She has a Bachelor’s from UNC-Chapel Hill and an MBA from the University of Illinois, Chicago. Currently, Amy is VP at London Fall Protection, a board member of Girls Leading Girls, and was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Vanuatu from 2008-2010. She has a passion for mentoring small businesses and contributing to Rockingham County. Amy is married to Brandon, an artist and muralist and they reside in Eden, NC.
Kenneth Moore (member) holds a Bachelor of Theology degree from Apex School of Theology, Durham, and a Masters of Divinity from Wake Forest University School of Divinity. Currently, Pastor Moore is studying at Boston University, Boston, MA, for the Doctor of Ministry in Transformational Leadership. Indeed, his leadership skills have enriched our county through his work on several nonprofit boards across Rockingham County. He is the Pastor for Sharon Missionary Baptist Church and resides with his family in Rockingham County.
Dr. Nancy White (member)is a native of Virginia Beach, Va., who moved to North Carolina in 1971 to attend UNC CH. Academically trained in fine arts at UNC Chapel Hill and Landscape Architecture at NC State, her professional life from 1975 – 1989 was running her own landscape design/ build contracting business in the Triangle area. Becoming interested and concerned about development impacts on water quality and streams, having witnessed it first hand, she sold her company and returned to school where she received her doctorate at NC State in Forestry/ Watershed processes in 1996. Nancy pursued her passion for protecting water and the environment and spent 20 years researching the effects of land use on water quality. She retired as the Founding and Executive Director of the UNC Coastal Studies Institute in Wanchese, NC. A lifelong artist, Nancy and her husband chose to retire in Stokes County and with their three Carolina dogs Scout, Wiley and Cosmo, they can enjoy making things, hiking and paddling and still be close to family in the Raleigh area.
Staff
Jenny Edwards, Executive Director, earned an M.A. in History from University of North Carolina at Wilmington where she concentrated in Environmental History. In addition to working with the RC Arts Council, she works with the Rockingham County Education Foundation. Her experience in the non-profit world includes: corporate relations manager for WHQR public radio; executive director of the SPCA of the Triad; and program officer with the NC Humanities Council. She is a founding member of the Old Time Scotch Collie Association, a national nonprofit dedicated to the conservation of Scotch Collie landrace. Her other commitments include: RC Parks and Recreation Committee, Piedmont Legacy Trails Committee, and Piedmont Outdoor Recreation Advisory Committee. Jenny lives with her family in Rockingham County, NC. She loves kayaking and hanging out with artists. Contact Jenny at director at director at rcarts dot org.
