CRAFT CHEER.

• Author: Russell, Shawndra
• Position: STATEWIDE: West - Penland School of Crafts - Mia Hall to replace Jean McLaughlin

The 88-year-old Penland School of Crafts, nestled in picturesque Mitchell County, has played a key role in building North Carolina's $538 million craft industry. For the last two decades, director Jean McLaughlin has guided the school's growth to annual revenue of more than $6 million and a staff of 71 * But January will usher in the next chapter under new director Mia Hall, a woodworker and professor at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock since 2007. During McLaughlin's tenure, Penland's endowment grew from $2.1 million to $18 million, individual contributions rose 12-fold and the site earned a spot on the National Register of Historic Places.

Penland, which is 50 miles northeast of Asheville, offers workshops of up to eight weeks as well as artists' residencies and community programs. It has attracted more than 200 working artists who make the surrounding area their home. Gay Smith, a local potter and a member of Penland's board of trustees, says artists have settled near the school because it "benefits and supports our community so generously and in so many ways."

Penland derives its income from individual contributions, foundation and government grants, as well as tuition, rent, meals and sales in the gallery, coffeehouse and supply store, McLaughlin...