Eric Vaughn Holowacz Archives

Archives Items Relating to the Life, Times, and Cultural Engineering Work of Eric Vaughn Holowacz of Wellington, New Zealand and Sedona, Arizona

February 01, 2002

From Carolina Morning News, 1 February 2002

Arts council director moving on
Holowacz to pursue graduate degree after six years in town.

By Lolita Huckaby


The man who brought pigs and cows to Beaufort, Eric Holowacz, executive director of the Arts Council of Beaufort County, is heading for greener pastures.

Holowacz, who has been with the council since 1996, informed the board of directors recently of his decision to leave Beaufort this summer to pursue a graduate degree. He's applied to Harvard's Kennedy School of Business with hopes of securing a graduate degree in public administration and policy through a one-year program designed for mid-career executives.

He became familiar with the Harvard program during the past year while participating in the S.C. Executives Institute, a course offered through the state's Budget and Control Board for administrators of nonprofit and corporate institutions.

"It's a great opportunity, one my family and I have to consider," Holwacz said Thursday.

Reflecting on his years in Beaufort, Holowacz listed the public art programs featuring the Chicago "Cows on Vacation" in 2000 and the Cincinnati "Big Pig Gig" in 2001 as only two of the highlights.

"I've been amazed with what we've been able to do with the support of the council and, of course, the community," he said.

Working with the University of South Carolina Beaufort, the council has cosponsored the chamber music Festival Series with director Charles Wadsworth.

The Festival Series isn't the only project on which the council and university have cooperated. The council administrative offices are housed in the university's Performing Arts Center on Carteret Street.

There's the Harlem Renaissance, a major fund-raiser in February and the yearlong Taste of the Arts events which also contribute to the council's operating budget.

Arts in the Parks, which now operates as a separate program bringing musical performances to the waterfront park in the spring and fall, was begun during Holowacz's administration as well as the local showing of the Southern Circuit film series. The film series did not take place last year but Holowacz is hopeful it will return in the near future.

The arts council is currently sponsoring the Art-O-Mat vending machines which provide outlets for small pieces of art through renovated cigarette vending machines. Machines are at The Firehouse Book Store in Beaufort and Art Ware on Hilton Head Island.

The nonprofit's paid membership has increased from 400 to 700 with an annual operating budget of $200,000, including grants and tax accommodations from the county and city.

Even though he's leaving, Holowacz has laid the groundwork for several projects he hopes will eventually take shape in Beaufort.

"There have been ongoing discussions about having a major art collection, possibly involving a partnership with the Guggenheim Museum," he said.

"I'd also love to come back one day and see a major art facility in this community, one that could serve as a center for all the cultural activities -- theater, a gallery, instructional space. The community is growing and it's only a matter of time," he said. "Now that would be a real feather in the arts council's hat."

One of his most rewarding activities has been the grants participation and one-on-one partnerships with artists throughout the community, Holowacz said.

"I take tremendous pride in working with, advising and helping to support anyone who has called us and asked for help," he said. "There is a great deal of talent in this community and I've always considered it a blessing to be able to help develop that talent.

"It's been very easy to make really good things happen here."