Al abama Ri ver Regi on Arts Cen ter
UPDATE
New Year's Resolutions
Vol. I /Issue 13
The River Region's Friendly Place for the Arts
Some say the definition of insanity is "doing the same thing over and expecting different results." If starting out the New Year with last year's lukewarm resolutions screaming in your ears sounds depressing, we would like to offer a new idea: forget about the resolutions and take action . The Alabama River Region Arts Center is just waiting to help you take action. Here are some ideas: 1. Help your child learn to use their hands for more than just texting. We offer reasonably priced Arts Clubs with something for everyone high schoolage and down. All Clubs meet on Thursdays from 4pm-5pm & 5pm-6pm. During both blocks we offer Guitar Club, for beginning and advanced acoustic guitar players; Clay (polymer, a.k.a. "sculpey") Club, where puppet-master Austin Thompson instructs small hands to create imaginary creatures; and Drawing/Painting Club, where artists as young as 7 years old are welcome to learn to see, draw and paint. 2. Learn to use that great digital camera Christmas gift...beyond "Auto"! Digital Photography for Beginners (note: we did not say "dummies") will meet on Wednesdays from 6pm-8pm. We will use a combination of studio set-ups and the digital projector to learn to work confidently! See "New Classes" page X for more information. 3. Get messy! Our Pottery Studio is up and running (yes, running water to clean up a mess!) and as you can see from the images in the masthead above, local artists are turning out beautiful confections in clay. Anna Thibodeaux will be offering moms & their young children a chance to get messy together doing art. Watch for more on "Mommy & Me Get Messy" classes. 4. Get stuck! Making a fabric doll or sewing your first quilt on a sewing machine sounds intimidating and painful, but under the watchful eyes of Fabric Doll Instructor/Wool Spinner Diana Hiott and award-winning quilter Dawn Sullivan, you can learn to sew without poking yourself too much. See page 4 for more information. Alabama River Region Arts Center
DEC. 2011
Inside This Issue New Year's Resolutions ...................... 1 News from the Center......................... 2 Board of Directors............................... 2 About Us............................................ 2 The Holiday Bug................................. 2 Out & About....................................... 3 Grant News.........................................3 Wetumpka Christmas on the Coosa..... 3 ARRAC Member Christmas Party........ 3 Classes & Workshops.......................... 4 Coming Events.................................... 5 Mugs Fest in January........................... 6 Volunteer Schedule............................. 6 Thanks to Our Sponsors...................... 7 Music Arts News................................. 8 River Region Sunday Special............... 8 Sit & Sew............................................ 8 Arts Clubs........................................... 8
Our Mission Statement:
The Alabama River Region Arts Center’s mission is to bring the People of the River Region together and enhance community life through a supportive environment where people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities can study, create and present art.
The Alabama River Region Arts Center is a 501 (c) 3 not-for-profit organization.
Providing high quality, affordable programs
TheARRAC
News from The Center
ARRAC Board of Directors
Eclectic High School Premieres "The Holiday Bug"
Officers Rick Bowman - Vice President Marilyn Winborn - Secretary
UPDATE/DEC. 2011
Members at Large Geoff McIntyre Austin Thompson Frank Sullivan - Executive Director
About Us
The Arts Center is a volunteer based, community supported organization that derives its funding from public
and private donations, contributions, grants, benefactors and the proceeds from memberships, Artist Space,
Rentals, Gallery Art Sales and special events.
Austin Thompson gives Eclectic Middle School students a peek behind the curtains, while he answers their many and varied questions after the Dec. 14th premiere of "The Holiday Bug."
What's big and day-glo orange and eats a house? The Holiday Bug, also known as the Humbug, was premiered to a packed house of Eclectic Middle School students on Wednesday, December 1 4. The production filled the stage at ECHS with props and puppets. Forty-five minutes later, the children were invited to ask questions about the production. The custom-made puppets were also brought out on stage for closer inspection. The story, written by Austin Thompson and Daniel Burke told the story of a frustrated sheep family whose house is invaded by a series of obnoxious characters threatening to destroy their Christmas. The kids loved the mayhem and special effects. The Holiday Bug, followed up the Eclectic performance with four weekend shows at the Wetumpka Performing Arts Center, adjacent to ARRAC. The ARRAC members stepped up to the plate and sold popcorn and beverages, as well as lighting the way with luminaries Friday night. The audience, which came in through the ARRAC gallery, enjoyed the seasonal lights decorating the halls. Thanks to all for their help in bringing puppetry arts to the River Region area, we look forward to more from ARRAC's own, Austin Thompson and his Crosstitch Production puppet troupe.
Daniel Burke, left, manned the sound booth, while brothers Austin, left, and Adrian Thompson, were puppeteers.
2
Alabama River Region Arts Center
Austin Thompson introduces Susan Gill, Elmore County Arts Specialist - Grades K-12, to his "pre-treated" Humbug puppet.
300 West Tallassee St Wetumpka, AL 36092
TheARRAC
Out & About Wetumpka Christmas on the Coosa
UPDATE/DEC. 2011 Grant News $1000 from Mildred Weedon Blount Educational and Charitable Foundation to the Arts Center Thanks to the Mildred Weedon Blount Educational and Charitable Foundation, Inc. for their grant to ARRAC of $1,000. We appreciate their support of the arts. All of our faithful member sponsors are listed on page 7. Please make sure to say a special thanks to the businesses and individuals who support ARRAC.
Before
Dawn Sullivan, warmly greeting Christmas on the Coosa attendees, was joined by Frank Sullivan to represent the Arts Center, while Austin Thompson and Matthew Van Gorkom, pictured right, roamed the street as mobile puppet stage entertainers.
ARRAC Members' Christmas Party The Arts Center: A beacon (& street light) in the dark
After the Update was emailed last month, plans were made for an ARRAC member soire. It was a quick event squeezed in between the morning and afternoon performance of The Holiday Bug. A good time was had by all and no one resembled the photo above. If you were unable to come on such short notice, we understand; but we did miss you! Hope you and yours had a Merry Christmas. 3
Alabama River Region Arts Center
ARRAC ordered a traditional light fixture for our broken lamp pole. We now light up the neighborhood (and our parking area)! Thanks to the After Elmore County Community Foundation's Clara Lull Robison Fund for Wetumpka Beautification for making this a reality. Our night class students appreciate it.
a 501(c) 3 not-for-profit organization
TheARRAC
Classes & Workshops
UPDATE/DEC. 2011
Head Drawing Workshop
Wed Jan 4, 11, 1 8, 25 1 0:00am – 12:00pm
Per day Cost: $30 + *$8 materials fee for paper. Beginning/Advanced Beginning. Open Studio format
Pottery for the Wheel
Sat Jan 7, 8 2:00pm – 5:00pm Sat Jan 1 4, 15, 28, 29 2:00pm – 5:00pm
Beginners learn the basics, Intermediate will build on knowledge of wheel work: centering, opening, pulling up, & trimming. Final class on glazing. $90 + mtls fee. Ages 1 4+
Intermediate Wheel Pottery Slab Clay
Sat Jan 7, 8 2:00pm – 5:00pm 2 classes
Bookbinding & Repair
Tue Jan 1 0, 24 (class repeats) 2:00pm – 4:00pm
Beginner to intermediate tudents will learn about clays, methods of constructing with clay, techniques for working with slab clay. Student pieces will be bisque fired and basic glazing techniques discussed. Glazing the pieces will be covered in the 2 hour Glaze class which follows the slab class. $55 Learn to make simple repairs without resorting to duct tape. Class will give the basics, but projects must be completed at home. Bring books you would like to repair. $30
Tue Jan 11, 25 (class repeats) 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Get off the "AUTO" button. Learn to use all the features on your camera. Pre-registration required. Contact instructor with camera model info. Studio set-ups and overhead projector by instructor. $30.
Beginning Digital Photography**
Beginning Machine Quilting Sun Jan 15 1 :00pm – 4:00pm
Buttons II
Number of Students: 4 6 8 10 12 Cost per Student: $45.00 $40.00 $36.00 $29.00 $24.00 Lab/ firing Fee: $1 4.50 $9.67 $7.25 $5.80 $4.83 Per Student cost: $59.50 $49.67 $43.25 $34.80 $28.83
Fabric Doll Workshop
Sun Jan 15, 22, 29 2:00pm – 4:00pm
This class will introduce you to sewing machine quilting. Students will start their quilt and have the knowledge and confidence to finish at home. $30 Build on knowledge from Buttons I. Create hand-made clay buttons to use on your next craft project. Learn about firing and glazes. Fees vary based upon number of students. See Fee Structure below.
Buttons II Fee Structure Lab fee is fixed at $58.00 and we are discounting the cost per student to make it more affordable.
(Due to a family emergency, this class is being rescheduled from the original date.)
Learn the basics to design and sew a one-of-a-kind cloth doll. $65
** Advance registration is required so that your camera model PDF manual may be incorporated into the materials. No cell phone photography training.
4
Alabama River Region Arts Center
TheARRAC
Coming Events
UPDATE/DEC. 2011
January/February Events & Classes Sun Jan 1 Wed Jan 4 Thu Jan 5 Sat Jan 7
2:00pm – 4:00pm 6:00pm – 8:00pm
CLOSED Head Drawing Workshop Arts Clubs: Guitar, Clay, Draw./Painting Blue Grass Jam/ Sit & Sew Pottery for the Wheel / Slab Clay Pottery for the Wheel / Slab Clay Bookbinding & Repair Head Drawing Workshop Beg. Digital Photography** Arts Clubs: Guitar, Clay, Draw./Painting Brainstorm Dinner Intermediate Wheel Pottery/Pottery Studio Beginning Machine Quilting Buttons II Intermediate Wheel Pottery/Pottery Studio Head Drawing Workshop Art Club Meeting Arts Clubs: Guitar, Clay, Draw./Painting M.U.G.S.* Fest Buttons II Bookbinding & Repair Head Drawing Workshop Beg. Digital Photography** Arts Clubs: Guitar, Clay, Draw./Painting Brainstorm Dinner Intermediate Wheel Pottery/Pottery Studio Buttons II Intermediate Wheel Pottery/Pottery Studio Arts Clubs: Guitar, Clay, Draw./Painting Blue Grass Jam/ Sit & Sew Pottery on the Wheel/Pottery Studio River Region Sunday Special Roots Music fundraiser for ARRAC Bookbinding & Repair** Beg. Digital Photography**
Sat Feb 11
6:30pm – 8:00pm 2:00pm – 5:00pm
Brainstorm Dinner Pottery on the Wheel/Pottery Studio
Sat Feb 1 8 Tue Feb 21 Wed Feb 22 Thu Feb 23
2:00pm – 5:00pm 2:00pm – 4:00pm 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Pottery on the Wheel/Pottery Studio Bookbinding & Repair** Beg. Digital Photography**
6:30pm – 8:00pm 2:00pm – 5:00pm
Brainstorm Dinner Pottery on the Wheel/Pottery Studio
Sun Jan 8 Tue Jan 1 0 Wed Jan 11 Thu Jan 12 Sat Jan 14 Sun Jan 15 Wed Jan 1 8 Thu Jan 19 Sat Jan 21 Sun Jan 22 Tue Jan 24 Wed Jan 25 Thu Jan 26 Sat Jan 28 Sun Jan 29 Thu Feb 2 Sat Feb 4 Sun Feb 5 Tue Feb 7 Wed Feb 8 Thu Feb 9 Thu Feb 1 6
Sat Feb 25
All day 1 0:00am – 12:00pm 4:00pm – 6:00pm 9:00am – 12:00pm 9:00am – 12:00pm 2:00pm – 5:00pm 2:00pm – 5:00pm 2:00pm – 4:00pm 1 0:00am – 12:00pm 6:00pm – 8:00pm 4:00pm – 6:00pm 6:30pm – 8:00pm 2:00pm – 5:00pm 1 :00pm – 4:00pm 2:00pm – 4:00pm 2:00pm – 5:00pm 1 0:00am – 12:00pm 2:30pm – 4:30pm 4:00pm – 6:00pm All day 2:00pm – 4:00pm 2:00pm – 4:00pm 1 0:00am – 12:00pm 6:00pm – 8:00pm 4:00pm – 6:00pm 6:30pm – 8:00pm 2:00pm – 5:00pm 2:00pm – 4:00pm 2:00pm – 5:00pm 4:00pm – 6:00pm 9:00am – 12:00pm 9:00am – 12:00pm 2:00pm – 5:00pm 2:00pm – 5:00pm
4:00pm – 6:00pm 4:00pm – 6:00pm
4:00pm – 6:00pm
Mommy & Me Get Messy
Art class for Mom & child Coming Soon. Contact the Arts Center and watch our web and Facebook page for more information.
Arts Clubs: Guitar, Clay, Draw./Painting Arts Clubs: Guitar, Clay, Draw./Painting
Arts Clubs: Guitar, Clay, Draw./Painting
* Making Up Good Stuff ** Advance registration and confirmation by instructor required. 5
Alabama River Region Arts Center
300 West Tallassee St Wetumpka, AL 36092
TheARRAC
Volunteer Calendar
UPDATE/DEC. 2011
Volunteer Schedule
Times shown on the calendar for special events outside the Gallery are Event Times - volunteers should be there at least 1 hour prior for setup and approx. 1 /2 hour after for cleanup. The Arts Center is in need of volunteers this month as we are hosting many Special Events at the Center. Please contact Sharon Ervin, Volunteer Coordinator, at 3756374sse@gmail.com or 51 4-3420 (home) or 279-3464 (work). Do your part for the ARTS in the River Region.
Thu Jan 5 Sat Jan 7 Sun Jan 8 Thu Jan 12 Sat Jan 1 4 Sun Jan 15 Thu Jan 1 9 Sat Jan 21 Sun Jan 22 Thu Jan 26 Sat Jan 28 Sun Jan 29
4:00pm – 6:00pm 9:00am – 4:00pm 12:00pm – 4:00pm 4:00pm – 6:00pm 9:00am – 4:00pm 12:00pm – 4:00pm 1 :30pm – 6:00pm 9:00am – 4:00pm 12:00pm – 4:00pm 4:00pm – 6:00pm 9:00am – 4:00pm 12:00pm – 4:00pm
AC - Dawn AC - Dawn AC - Theresa AC - Dawn AC - Marty AC - Frank AC - Dawn AC - All Vol. AC - Theresa AC - Dawn AC - Sharon AC - Vanessa
AC = Arts Center
MUGS Fest January 21 st
Although it may be cold and dreary this month, ARRAC will be warming things up with our MUGS* Fest! Think, Hot Cocoa/Coffee, Fun Filmfest, Demos, Hands-on & Artsy surprises for all ages! Bring your family! Saturday, January 21 at ARRAC! Follow us on Facebook for up to the minute details. *making up good stuff!
The Update is published monthly. Your comments, ideas, and story ideas are welcome. Marty McIntyre, Editor artsclub@arrac.org Alabama River Region Arts Center Mailing Address: PO Box 1172 Wetumpka, AL 36092 Alabama River Region Arts Center Gallery/Classroom s 300 West Tallassee St Wetumpka, AL 36092
6
Alabama River Region Arts Center
a 501(c) 3 not-for-profit organization
TheARRAC
Committed Members
UPDATE/DEC. 2011
Thanks to our Sponsors!
Without our faithful sponsors, we would not be where we are today. Thank you for sticking with us through this year. Your support (on all levels) means more than we can express. Without your encouragement the arts would be the poorer in the River Region. We look forward to a new year filled with many exciting plans and the awareness and gratitude for the dreams that have already come true. Creating and growing a community-supported and community-needs driven arts center is our passion. We are challenged this year, to reach out more to all community members, to encourage them in their pursuit of the arts; music, fine arts, crafts, pottery, performing, and puppetry. It is a big challenge. It is broad in scope. The need in this community is great. Times are tight for all and extra-curricular activities, like the arts, might be the first to be dropped. Let it not be so in 2012. If you or your business would like to help out and do more, please contact our Director, Frank Sullivan at director@arrac.org.
Your Business Can Make a Difference in the Arts I would like to make an additional donation of: $__________ Bronze $1 00 ___ Silver $250___ Gold $500___ Platinum $1 000___
Thanks to Our Member Sponsors Businesses BathBuilders LLC - www.bathbuildersllc.com Thank you Donald Mobley Platinum Benjamin and Luanne Russell Gold Mary and James Wolfe Bronze Mayor Jerry Willis Monte and Jan McKinney Jimmy and Yvonne Lee
Membership Benefits
• 1 0% discount on classes • 1 0% discount on Gallery purchases • 1 0% discount on custom frames at Zuelzke's • Juried Gallery access for artist to display their work.
2012 Memberships are due January 31
Forms are available online, see http://arrac.org/Documents/RevARRACmembership.pdf www.arrac.org
7
Alabama River Region Arts Center
Supporters
Frances Arnold James Parker Frank and Dawn Sullivan Adelia H. Turner
TheARRAC
Music Arts News
UPDATE/DEC. 2011
Bluegrass Jam Jan. 7th
Gets the New Year Started Just Right!
We guarantee great music. All skill levels are welcome. New violinist/fiddle-players welcome! Whether you have a new instrument you are just starting to pluck at or have a passion to sing...we look forward to having you join in the music-making. Join us from 9am - 12pm, Jan. 7th. at the ARRAC.
Sit & Sew
Coming! Feb. 5th
New Year's resolution: finish up one of the projects on your project stack.
Sunday, February 5th
Roots Music fundraiser for ARRAC
Come and resume work on one of your projects with fellow fabric and quilting fans in the Monet room. We'll meet from 9am – 12pm.
ARRAC Arts Clubs
Roots music fundraiser for ARRAC
Wetumpka Performing Arts Center 2:00 pm $3 a person
$20 month,
Thursdays starting at 4pm
contact artsclub@arrac.org or director@arrac.org for more information.
Guitar Club Resumes Thursday Jan. 5 Kids 9 and up, it is not too late to get signed up for Guitar Club. Join Jon Masters, Guitar Club leader and his class on Thursdays from 4pm - 5pm. Cost is $20 per month. We meet one time a week, and beginners are welcome. No instrument? No problem, we have instrucments available for use at the Arts Center during class. Contact artsclub@arrac.org for more information. Club registration is available day of Clubs, at 3:45 pm. Parents are welcome to stay or visit in the Arts Center Library. 8
Alabama River Region Arts Center
Kids Arts Clubs: • Clay • Drawing/Painting • Guitar
300 West Tallassee St Wetumpka, AL 36092