Women in the News

Ashe County Arts Council Announces new executive director Joni Ray

WEST JEFFERSON — The Ashe County Arts Council announced that High Country native Joni Ray will be taking on the role of executive director for the organization. Ray, who will be coming from the neighboring Florence Thomas Art School, was slated to assume her new position starting in late September.

Having served as the Gallery Director at Florence Thomas Art School for seven years, Ray will bring a wealth of experience and knowledge of both of the arts and working with the public to her new position at the arts council.

“I was fortunate to have that job because we have at least 30 to 40 artists on consignment there. So, I was able to meet all kinds or artists in that position and about half of them were local, so I’ll carry that into my new job,” Ray said regarding her current position at Florence Thomas Art School. “Also, I got to work hands on with a lot of our board members and volunteers and that’s really made a lasting impression on me.” Wesley Barker, president of the Arts Council’s Board of Directors said, “We are excited to have Joni Ray join us as our next executive director. Joni brings a wealth of knowledge in arts programming across many mediums, possesses technology skills across many platforms and is an artist in her own right. Joni will bring a fresh perspective to our organization appealing to many demographics, while still holding onto the values that made the Ashe County Arts Council the solid, respected organization it is today. It’s being recognized across the state as one of the premier arts organizations.”

Ray attended the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, the Universidad Pablo de Olavide in Seville, Spain, and Appalachian State University, where she graduated Suma Cum Laude. “Serving the community through the arts is my personal calling and it’s going to be a great honor for me to do so at the Ashe County Arts Council,” Ray said. Pointing out the many established programs that the arts council has provided over the years, Ray hopes to expand upon the organization’s successes and reach out to other communities within Ashe County. “As an Ashe County native, I benefited from the programming offered by the Arts Council while growing up. It’s my goal to continue all the cultural opportunities Ashe County native Joni Ray was selected as the new executive director of the Ashe provided to the county by the Arts Council and I hope to broaden our reach over the County Arts Council. Photo submitted next coming years,” Ray said. “Though I’m a visual artist, I have a deep love and appreciation for live music and theater. I can’t wait to dive into all areas of arts programming for Ashe County.” - Andrew Cole

Shanahan opens second location of South Carolina-based bakery in Boone

BOONE — Boone just got a little sweeter with the opening of Cupcrazed Cakery, a bakery specializing in cupcakes.

As the business is operating out of the bottom floor of The Standard apartment complex, Cupcrazed Cakery opened on Saturday, Aug. 14 — the same day the apartment complex welcomed Appalachian State University students for the new school year.

Owner Wendy Shanahan said that “we have a crazy love of baking, everything we do is over the top.” Beyond cupcakes, Shanahan said that the bakery offers cookies, cakes, donuts, breakfast pastries and coffee with plans to expand to include frappes, different energy drinks and beer and wine. Cupcrazed will also make custom orders, “anything from a first birthday smash cake to a wedding cake,” Shanahan said.

The fun won’t only be for people, though. Shanahan said that she is planning on beginning a “Pupcrazed” line of doggie goods so that her business can serve the people and four-legged friends of Boone.

The original Cupcrazed store is in Fort Mill, S.C., where Shanahan has operated it for three years. She said that she and her family have had a cabin in Roan Mountain for many years and have fallen in love with the High Country. She added that she hopes to engage the wide demographics of students, residents and visitors who love to live in the High Country through her store.

The bakery features a large sitting area and an adjoining room for events. Shanahan said that Cupcrazed will use this event space to host cookie, cake and cupcake decorating classes, birthday parties, girls’ nights out and more.

“We want to find ways to make people happy while taking care and continuing to engage the community,” Shanahan said. By introducing breakfast pastries and coffee, Shanahan said she is aiming for Cupcrazed to have a welcoming, “hangout” space appealing for locals to spend time and enjoy the shop, whether it be doing homework or meeting with friends.

“I wouldn’t have been able to do this without our employees,” Shanahan said, noting the staff of locals and students she has who are excited to see how the business grows. Cupcrazed is located at 776 Blowing Rock Road and open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays. - Marisa Mecke

Cupcrazed has a wide variety of cupcakes, including a section devoted to cream cheese frosting. Photo by Marisa Mecke