A groundswell of community support will allow the Toe River Arts Council gallery in Burnsville to remain open. Responding to the downturn in the economy, TRAC’s Board of Directors announced in April that the shop on West Main Street would be closed beginning in July. But since that time the organization, which was founded in 1976 to help with arts education and programming in Yancey and Mitchell Counties, has received strong support and even a reduction in rent from their landlord. Some ways that the community can continue its support for TRAC are by shopping at the organizations two locations, making donations or sponsoring events, volunteering to help with fundraising and even help run the shop. For more information about TRAC and its role in the community visit toeriverarts.org or call executive director Denise Cook at 828-682-2715 to offer your help.