Arts Council announces new director
By Winkie Lee
Published in News on October 23, 2006 1:46 PM
Sarah Merritt has been named the new executive director of the Arts Council of Wayne County.
Mrs. Merritt is a Realtor with Realty World in Goldsboro and co-owner of Yellow Dog Antiques and Art on John Street.
She serves on the board of directors of the Downtown Goldsboro Development Corp. and is a member of St. Francis Episcopal Church.
Originally from Connecticut, she has lived in Wayne County for the past eight years, the last four in Goldsboro. She is married to Tech. Sgt. Jeffrey Merritt, who works as a 4th Fighter Wing Safety Officer at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base. They have four dogs: Sadie, Roxanne, Lulu and Sweetie.
Mrs. Merritt graduated from University of Maryland University College in 1998 with a bachelor's degree in art history.
Interested in art all her life, she is a painter who specializes in acrylics.
Mrs. Merritt applied for the position of executive director after talking with family and friends.
"I feel art has played a very important role in my life," she said. "I think it's important that art is accessible to the whole community -- not just the visual arts, the performing arts as well."
She will remain with Realty World through the end of November and officially begin the Arts Council job Dec. 1.
"I'm interested in exploring a lot of grant possibilities and partnering with other various organizations in the community for fund raising," she said.
Other goals will be set as she becomes more acquainted with the job.