SWAN QUARTER – A public art project created by students and artists in Hyde County has been installed in the new Hyde County Courthouse.

Stained glass artist Alison Ellis, working with Mattamuskeet High School art teacher Donnie Blount and his art students, has created a work of art that now resides above the main entrance of the courthouse.

The piece, titled “The Road Less Traveled,” depicts a variety of activities that reflect life in Hyde County, both on the mainland and Ocracoke Island.

The work has been in process since 2010.

Ellis worked closely with the student-artists on the design, and feels that they did a great job in coming up with ideas that would mean a lot to the residents of the community.

“Even though the island students weren’t able to be involved, our folks were insistent that we include the island in the piece to make it representative of Hyde County,” said Ellis.

The piece was unveiled at the courthouse on Friday.

Attending the unveiling were County Manager Mazie Swindell-Smith, county commissioner Chairwoman Sharon P. Spencer, Hyde County Schools Superintendent Brock Womble, various county employees, and Mattamuskeet High School students and family members.

Joey Toler, executive director of the Beaufort County Arts Council, also attended the unveiling.

Toler, whose organization provided administrative support for the project, and who works closely with Hyde County arts leaders, said that the public art should provide a source of pride for Hyde County residents for many years to come.

“I hope this is only the beginning of similar projects for Hyde County” said Toler.

The public art project was made possible by a Regional Arts Partner Grant from the North Carolina Arts Council along with local support from Tideland EMC, East Carolina Bank, and Hyde County government.

The Beaufort County Arts Council administers Hyde County’s arts funding.