Journeyman Brit crafts new career in Chatham’s artist community

By Forrest Greenslade
Posted Friday, January 25, 2008

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Siler City, NC - When Andrew Dixon was growing up in the 60’s in Mirfield, West Yorkshire, an industrial area of northern England, he couldn’t have imagined a life as an artist in rural North Carolina. A birth defect caused Dixon to spend a great deal of time in hospital, reading and drawing.

“I learned to draw pretty well,” he remembers. “My mom always encouraged me to stay with it.” But in the British educational system, “blue collar” Dixon naturally progressed toward the manufacturing trades, and began apprenticeship as a tool- and mold-maker. In 1981, a job opportunity for his engineer father moved the Dixon family to the United States. Andrew completed his apprenticeship in Rhode Island, and then worked around the area as a journeyman in the trades.

Then, the outsourcing trend of the 1990s led to lay-offs for Dixon, and the promise of employment brought him to North Carolina. The job didn’t pan out, but the move presented a life-changing opportunity for Andrew Dixon. “I decided to finally exploit my abilities and love for art,” he says. “My parents had always encouraged me to pursue an arts education, and offered to help me with the finances.” Dixon did his research, and discovered a cost-effective arts program at Central Carolina Community College.

What sets the CCCC program apart from other professional arts and crafts programs is the inclusion of entrepreneurial instruction that will assist in the planning, operation, and marketing of a professional craft studio and gallery. “It just made sense to me to get an arts education that would help me earn a living,” Andrew asserts. He also won a FAFSA grant to help fund his quest for an associate’s degree.

“Andrew is a unique artist,” explains Kevin Eichner, Sculpture Professor in the CCCC program. “The skills with machinery that he honed as a journeyman tool-maker give his sculpture a special dimension.” “He is imaginative yet pragmatic.” Dixon is a special asset to our sculpture program. “Andrew is always there to help classmates with a malfunctioning machine or hand tool,” notes fellow student Colleen Kendrick.

Andrew Dixon is nearing completion of his associate’s degree, and his work is beginning to be noticed. “I just try to capture a personal universe in my abstract to surreal sculpture.” he explains. Examples of Dixon’s work are featured at the current CCCC Student Artist Gallery show and the Art Market of the North Carolina Arts Incubator, both in historic downtown Siler City. Pottery, sculpture paintings and a variety of works from established and emerging artists will be on display.

Directions: From Pittsboro, take 64 West to Siler City. Turn left at the Food Lion onto East Raleigh Street. Travel about one mile into the downtown. Events and galleries are located on North Chatham Avenue and Raleigh Street.

For more information, contact Forrest Greenslade at 919-545-9743.