Second “HOME” Public Art Installation to be Revealed Oct. 29

SOUTHERN PINES, N.C. (October 20, 2026) – The Moore County Tourism Development Authority (TDA) will reveal the second of five “HOME” public art installations at Sandhills Community College in Pinehurst on Thursday, Oct. 29, at 10:30 a.m.

Created by Luke Huling, a ceramic figure sculptor and associate professor and coordinator at Sandhills Community College, the artwork spells the word “home” and will be mounted on the rear façade of the Bell Garden Visitor Center at Sandhills Horticultural Gardens.

The installation is part of a countywide initiative designed to bring the TDA's new “HOME” advertising campaign to life. The organization commissioned five artists to create works for Robbins, Pinehurst, Aberdeen, Carthage and Southern Pines. Three dedications are planned for this fall, with the remaining two scheduled for 2027.

Huling created his piece using North Carolina clay. Each letter features sculptures of plant and animal life native to the Sandhills region, including long-leaf pine logs and cones, anoles and red-cockaded woodpeckers.

“My specialty in the art world is sculpting humans and animals, so I think making this piece not only relates to my body of work, but also relates to the bigger picture of the home theme by showcasing the animals native to the Sandhills where we share our home,” said Huling. “I’m so grateful to be invited by the TDA to be a part of this meaningful campaign and their commitment to the arts in Moore County.”

“Throughout the entire process, Luke has been a pleasure to work with and his interpretation of ‘home’ really fits in well with the environment and vibe at the Sandhills Horticultural Gardens,” said Phil Werz, president and CEO of Visit Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen. “We have three additional public art displays left to reveal and we cannot wait to share them with the residents and visitors to Moore County.”

On Oct. 22, the first public art installation celebrating the TDA’s “HOME” campaign will be unveiled. Mac Metz, a metalworks sculptor from Starworks in Star will present his creation in downtown Robbins at 10:30 a.m. The other artists involved in the home public art campaign include Dan Dreyer, a professional painter who will create a mural in the town of Aberdeen. That installation is scheduled to be unveiled in November. He previously painted a mural in the town of Carthage. Grace Cathey is a renowned metalworks artist who is planning a piece made of 14-gauge mild steel to be placed near the Pik n Pig at Gilliam McConnell Airfield in Carthage. Lastly, internationally acclaimed sculptor Patrick Dougherty, known for his monumental works created from woven saplings, will create his “HOME” installation at Reservoir Park in Southern Pines.

Both the Robbins and Sandhills Horticultural Gardens dedications are open to the public.

Visit Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen

Visit Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen is the economic development agency responsible for travel and tourism promotion, product development, and visitor services for Moore County, NC. The organization devises strategies to enhance the county's tourism brand and offerings to accommodate the next generation of visitors, stimulating the local economy and improving the quality of life for residents and visitors alike. In 2025, Moore County ranked as North Carolina’s 10th largest tourism economy, generating $901 million in annual visitor spending, which supports the second largest employment sector in the county and saves county residents approximately $578 annually in state and local taxes.