NCCCR Instructor

Nels Arnold

Nels Arnold

 Coming from Atlanta, I have lived in the far reaches of Fairview, near the Henderson County border for 25 years. No neighbors in view, gardens of blueberries, raspberries and asparagus to tend and feast from and more mowing, pruning and weed pulling than is possible. With an MA in Education from Georgia State Un. I taught resource classes in Learning Disabilities, Behavior Disturbed and Gifted in Atlanta elementary schools. Coming to North Carolina in 1979 I initiated a 2 year resource facility for out-of-school students in Henderson county.

Around 1983 I entered the Ceramics program at UNCA, although I had been potting as a hobby for several years. In 1986 I became an Artist-in-Residence in the Arts Councils of Western NC, teaching 1-2 week residencies throughout the state. The one residency I still continue to do is West Jefferson high school in creative drama and clay in the art department.

My studio is in my home. Only recently I have stopped showing/selling my pottery at Fairs. I would like to experiment with selling on Ebay. I had a show in Touchstone Gallery in Hendersonville in 2004 and at present have a show at Seven Sisters on Cherry Street in Black Mountain, called "Fools Abound - Fooling Around" which will be up through November 20th.

As an actor with Asheville Playback Theatre for 10 years, I help take Playback into prisons, out-of-jail programs for women and rest homes. With ACT's Autumn Players I read as one of a poetry team in assisted living facilities.

Masque Making is my third teaching experience at NCCCR. Playback Theatre, winter 03, and Fall '04. In Spring '05 Kermit Brown and I offered "Plays about Seniors for Seniors". It is always a creative and nourishing experience to be among my peers as a student and a facilitator.

Courses taught:

  • Mask Making