Clinton native Kara Donatelli is glad to be at home again. Having just been named the Sampson Arts Council’s newest director, she will now have the opportunity to renew relationships with some of her old friends, get to know some new ones and help continue efforts to bring the arts to life right here in her own back yard.

“I am glad to be back here,” said Donatelli, as she looks around the Sampson Arts Council’s central location, the Victor R. Small House on College Street.

Donatelli has immersed herself in the visual arts since she was in high school, and her love for this medium has continued even as a adult.

A graduate of Clinton High School, she remembers when she became hooked on art. She credits her art teacher at the time, Irena Rozanski, for putting that spark into her life.

“I had a great art teacher in high school,” said Donatelli.

The former Kara Coleman noted that her interest in art grew so much that she even entered a piece into a juried art show right there at Small House, the very place she now calls her professional home.

Although a lover of all arts, she found that visual art suited her well.

“I knew that this is the way I would go,” said Donatelli.

She even started her own business in high school where she personalized letters and other items.

“This was before personalizing items was popular,” stressed Donatelli.

When she graduated, she spread her wings and attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she majored in studio art.

Her appreciation for art has continued in her career. She was even an art teacher in the Midway district back in the 1990s. She has worked as an interior designer and a photographer as she continued to expand her expertise with art.

Donatelli’s art has not stopped with her. Her children have also been influenced by her love of art. In fact her daughter, Adrian, 8, has a piece that she entered into the Arts Council’s juried show which will be held Thursday. (See sidebar on the art show.)

Now, as the baton is passed to Donatelli to lead the Arts Council, she said that she does have some plans for expanding the arts in Sampson County.

“I want to relay the value of visual and performing arts to our community,” Donatelli commented.

She hopes to make the message clearly known to all that the arts community welcomes all to get involved.

“We want involvement and participation,” Donatelli attested.

Donatelli is also hoping to further enhance the relationship that the Arts Council has with the Sampson Community Theatre.

“I was really big into theater growing up, and I would like to get them involved with the Arts Council,” said Donatelli. She stated that she has fond memories of acting in shows such as Guys and Dolls, Sound of Music, Oliver, Annie and The Wizard of Oz.

She also has plans to continue some of the popular programs that began at the Victor R. Small House, including the Ghost Walk and the dinner theaters.

Katie Holland can be reached at 910-592-8137, ext. 136, or by e-mail at silife@heartlandpublications.com.