May 29

May 29 Sandy Landis: A Legacy of Art and Community in Kinston

Sandy Landis has been a transformative figure in Kinston, North Carolina’s cultural landscape, serving as the Executive Director of the Community Council for the Arts (CCA) for 27 years. Her tenure has been defined by a deep commitment to integrating the arts into everyday life, strengthening education, and fostering economic revitalization through culture.

Under Landis’s leadership, the CCA became a cornerstone of Kinston’s downtown renaissance. She guided the organization’s move into the historic Sumerell-McCoy Produce Market building, a 30,000-square-foot space originally built around 1910. Through her efforts, the building was repurposed into a vibrant hub for creativity—home to galleries, studios, classrooms, and community programs that have engaged residents and visitors alike.

Landis spearheaded initiatives that connected the arts with community development, including her pivotal role in the establishment of the African American Music Trail and the Kinston Music Park. These projects celebrated the region’s rich cultural history while drawing tourism and attention to Kinston’s artistic heritage. She also championed programs like the Traditional Arts Programs for Students (T.A.P.S.), which brought working artists into local classrooms and reinforced the role of the arts in public education.

Recognizing the arts in all their forms, Landis emphasized the broader cultural impact of creativity, supporting everything from visual and performing arts to culinary and folk traditions. Under her stewardship, the CCA became a place where diverse expressions of culture found a home and where local talent was nurtured and celebrated.

Reflecting on her impact, longtime North Carolina Arts Council member Stephen Hill noted, “Sandy Landis has been a transformative figure in Kinston. Her visionary leadership at the Community Council for the Arts brought vibrancy, pride, and a cultural heartbeat to our city. She understood that art was not just something to observe, but something that could change lives and bring people together.”

Now, as Sandy Landis prepares to retire in the spring of 2025, the Community Council for the Arts and the broader Kinston community are preparing to honor her contributions and legacy.

Join us to wish Sandy Landis the best in her retirement. Come by Friday, May 30th, between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM to thank Sandy for her 27 years of service and give her the sendoff she deserves.

The celebration will be held at:
Community Council for the Arts
400 Queen Street
Kinston, NC
Light refreshments will be served.

Sandy Landis’s enduring legacy is etched into the fabric of Kinston—a town where the arts are not just an amenity, but a powerful force for community and connection. Her work has laid a foundation that will continue to support local artists and inspire cultural growth for years to come.

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