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2022 NC Main Street Champion
Dan became the director of the Foothills Arts Council in two thousand sixteen. For over forty years, the Council had showcased local artists, musicians, and performers through exhibits, festivals, art walks, and staged theatre productions. In two thousand twenty, the Foothills Arts Council purchased the former Roth YMCA along with eight acres of the deserted Chatham Mill complex. There they developed a new visual and performing arts center and traditional craft school. After launching their fiber arts and violinmaking departments, the COVID nineteen pandemic brought programming to a virtual halt. Foothills Arts Council quickly adapted by offering Livestream concerts. Dan stepped in to assist Main Street by hosting an alternative, safe and family friendly, outdoor Halloween trail. He works with the Main Street Board to plan and execute its annual Light Up Elkin events. Last year, the Foothills Arts Council hosted and enhanced the Light Up ceremony when the Main Street Board needed an alternate location, again helping downtown. Dan has also renovated several distressed, historic buildings, bringing the district new life and vitality. Elkin is proud to select Dan Butner as its two thousand twenty- two Main Street Champion.