Al abama Ri ver Regi on Arts Cen ter

UPDATE

FEB. 2012
Vol. II /Issue 2

Last month's lead story in th e Update was called, Many Hands Masterpiece, describing the collaborative mural painting done at MUGS Fest. After this month's two fabulous music presentations hosted by the Alabama River Region Arts Center in the Wetumpka Performing Arts Center, we had to take it one step further. Many hands and voices refer, not only to the wide diversity of instruments we saw February 20th when the Ensemble LaVolta (see page 2, LaVolta) came to town from Switzerland, but also to the songs sung at our inaugural River Region Sunday Special held February 5th. In a little over two weeks' time, our ears heard everything from Swing Low, Sweet Chariot, to an eerie walk in the Amazon rain forest. Who would have thought one could get such a diversity of world cultures' and history delivered via music to Wetumpka? Our first River Region Sunday Special concert was themed on a Bluegrass genre, complete with an antique spinning wheel prop and genuine handmade quilts. Doug Back and Don Nolte opened it up with the D & D Dixie Duo, an incongruous, but wonderful, pairing of a banjo and a tuba. They played several bluegrass/ragtime selections. Home Remedy, a local bluegrass band comprised of Chuck Rice, Perry McCain, James Moores, and Tommy Johnson was next. Noble Roman dropped in to sing with Home Remedy. That set was followed by a newcomer to this type of D & D Dixie Duo featured Doug Back, on banjo and Doug Nolte, on tuba. performance; guitarist/singer Laurie Harris launched out her set with a stirring rendition of Wayfaring Stranger. Long on charm and talent, she accompanied Fibergrass on Folsom County Jail and would have brought a pleased smile to Johnny Cash's face. Fibergrass, comprised of Jerry McRay, Ed Watkins, Eddie Thomas, Robin Swanson, and Doug Back, closed out the afternoon with help from Lake Martin-area resident, Jimmy Huett.

Many Hands and Voices

Inside This Issue

The River Region's Friendly Place for the Arts

Many Hands & Voices......................1 News from the Center......................... 2 LaVolta Ensemble................................ 2 About Us............................................ 2 Board of Directors............................... 2 Classes & Workshops.......................... 3 Coming Events.................................... 4 Sit & Sew............................................ 4 Members Painting Workshop.............. 4 Volunteer Schedule............................. 5 Magnet for Growth.............................. 5 Make a Difference............................... 5 Bluegrass Jam & Clubs News............... 6 Jazz Fest.............................................. 6 Meet at ARRAC................................... 6 River Region Sunday Special............... 7

The Alabama River Region Arts Centers 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.

Our Mission Statement:

Continued on page 2.

Alabama River Region Arts Center

The Alabama River Region Arts Center is a 501 (c) 3 not-for-profit organization.

Providing high quality, affordable programs

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News from The Center

UPDATE/FEB. 2012

ARRAC Board of Directors

Officers Rick Bowman - Vice President Marilyn Winborn - Secretary Members at Large Geoff McIntyre Austin Thompson
Frank Sullivan - Executive Director

Many Hands and Voices cont. from pg. 1

It was a great turnout for our first concert in our Sunday Special series; Sunday afternoon concert fundraisers for the Alabama River Region Arts Center. The musicians donated their time and talent to presenting Bluegrass music in a great facility to the River Region community. The next concert, coming 4/29, is entitled Ways to Praise. It will be a wide variety of gospel music. Be watching for more details on the groups performing.

Ensemble LaVolta: with These 8 We Got a World of Sounds

About Us

The Arts Center is a volunteer based, community supported organization that derives its funding from public

Above: publicity photo of musicians: Philip Stmpfli, Yannick Gattlen, Lilli Beile, Valerie Schneider, Maxim Lavoie, Tobias Schmitz, Jrgen Hbscher, Silvan Stckli. At right, photos taken in WPA.

and private donations, contributions, grants, benefactors and the proceeds from memberships, Artist Space, events. Rentals, Gallery Art Sales and special

Alabama River Region Arts Center

Thanks to Doug Back; Sunday Special band member of D & D Dixie Duo & Fibergrass, and also a music instructor at Baldwin Magnet School, for bringing this group of talented musicians to the Wetumpka Performing Arts Center on Monday February 20th. The Alabama River Region Arts Center was proud to host them. LA VOLTA's ensemble of 7 young musicians ranging in age from 13 to 1 8 and their director, Jrgen Hbscher, marched into the theater playing pan pipes (see photo, above) and guitars. Based at the Musikschule Reinach in Basel, Switzerland, they have travelled the world. Throughout Jrgen Hbscher's 25 years of travels with the group he founded, a vast library of music and musical instruments have been accumulated. River Region music lovers reaped the benefits. The ensemble's collection of musical instruments included a variety of guitars of various sizes; historical instruments such as the lute, baroque guitar, and baroque mandolin; folk string instruments from throughout Europe, North America and Latin America; violins, flutes, and panpipes; and an assortment of over 30 percussion instruments, including train whistles and...brooms from ARRAC's broom closet! Director Hbscher explained that throughout the world, almost anything can and is used as an instrument. Many items they used might be found on a kitchen table. Also, he reminded us, thoughout the world people have learned to really "play well together," as evidenced by their demonstration of 8 people on 2 guitars, and 4 hands on a guitar. Thanks, LaVolta, for opening our eyes up to the world of sounds around us.
300 West Tallassee St Wetumpka, AL 36092

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Classes & Workshops

Acrylic Painting Workshop Club for Adults

UPDATE/FEB. 2012
Beginning/Advanced Beginning. Review of a few techniques in drawing and the use of acrylic paints. $20 month, Contact Arts Center for supply list. 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+ Beginner to intermediate students will learn about clays, methods of constructing with clay, techniques for working with slab/coil 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/coil forming 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 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. This class will introduce you to hand piecing. Material list will be given at registration. 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.

Thurs Mar. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 5:00pm 6:00pm

Pottery for the Wheel Intermediate Wheel Pottery Slab & Coil Clay

Contact the Arts Center for next scheduled classes

Contact the Arts Center for next scheduled classes

Bookbinding & Repair

Contact the Arts Center for next scheduled classes

Beginning Digital Photography**

Sat., Mar. 17th 12:00pm 2:00pm

Beginning Hand Piecing

Sun., Mar. 1 8th 1 :00pm 4:00pm

Buttons II

Contact the Arts Center for next scheduled class 2:00pm 4:00pm

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

Buttons II Fee Structure Lab fee is fixed at $58.00 and we are discounting the cost per student to make it more affordable.

Fabric Doll Workshop

Contact the Arts Center for next scheduled class

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.

Alabama River Region Arts Center

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March Events & Classes

Thu Mar 1

Coming Events

UPDATE/FEB. 2012

4:00pm 6:00pm Arts Clubs 6:30pm 8:00pm Brainstorm Dinner - ARRAC Fri Mar 2 1 :00pm 5:00pm Members' Only Paint: Camaraderie & Crits Sat Mar 3 9:00am 12:00pm Sit & Sew 9:00am 12:00pm Blue Grass Jam/ - ARRAC Thu Mar 8 4:00pm 6:00pm Arts Clubs Fri Mar 9 12:30pm 1 :30pm Give-Your-Back-A-Break core strengthening 1 :00pm 5:00pm Members' Only Paint: Camaraderie & Crits Thu Mar 15 4:00pm 6:00pm Arts Clubs 6:30pm 8:00pm Brainstorm Dinner - ARRAC Fri Mar 16 12:30pm 1 :30pm Give-Your-Back-A-Break core strengthening 1 :00pm 5:00pm Members' Only Paint: Camaraderie & Crits Sat Mar 17 12:00pm 2:00pm Digital Photography for Beginners Sun Mar 18 1 :00pm 4:00pm Beginning Hand Piecing Thu Mar 22 4:00pm 8:00pm Elmore Co. Elementary Art Show 4:00pm 6:00pm Arts Clubs 6:00pm 8:00pm Art Show Reception Fri Mar 23 12:30pm 1 :30pm Give-Your-Back-A-Break core strengthening 1 :00pm 5:00pm Members' Only Paint: Camaraderie & Crits 6:00pm 7:00pm Elmore Co. Elementary Art Show Sat Mar 24 9:00am 4:00pm Elmore Co. Elementary Art Show Sun Mar 25 12:00pm 4:00pm Elmore Co. Elementary Art Show Mon Mar 26-29 6:00pm 7:00pm Elmore Co. Elementary Art Show Thu Mar 29 6:00pm 7:00pm Elmore Co. Elementary Art Show 4:00pm 6:00pm Arts Clubs 6:30pm 8:00pm Brainstorm Dinner - ARRAC Fri Mar 30 12:30pm 1 :30pm Give-Your-Back-A-Break core strengthening 1 :00pm 5:00pm Members' Only Paint: Camaraderie & Crits 6:00pm 7:00pm Elmore Co. Elementary Art Show * Advance registration and confirmation by instructor required.

Members Only Painting Workshop: Camaraderie & Crits

Fridays Begins March 2 1 pm - 5pm Paint with friends. For ARRAC Members only: come bring your painting project to the Arts Center for camaraderie & (friendly) critique to challenge you. Why stay at home, (painting) alone in your room? (Thanks to Liza Minnelli for some singing there...). Drop in during these hours. We have a few easels...first come, first served! Bring your current project and supplies. Painting is more fun with friends. No, this isn't a Class, nor is it Follow the leader: step 1 ., step. 2., etc. This is like being back at Art School, only you have a nicer car! Come join us. If your ARRAC Membership has lapsed (Membership is 12 months) you can easily renew. Fees are reasonable: Students & Seniors (over age 55) $20 a year; Individual Memberships $35; Family Memberships $40.

Saturday, Mar. 3, 2012 9:00am - 12:00pm FREE- bring your machine or hand project to work on. Call 334-578-9485 for more information.
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Alabama River Region Arts Center
300 West Tallassee St Wetumpka, AL 36092

Sit N Sew

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Volunteer Calendar
Dawn Theresa NEED Rick Sharon Dawn Elmore Co. Art Show NEED NEED Theresa Marty Theresa Sharon Marty Frank Marty/Dawn Theresa Sharon

UPDATE/FEB. 2012

Volunteer Schedule
Sat Mar 3 Sun Mar 4 Sat Mar 1 0 Sun Mar 11 Sat Mar 17 Sun Mar 1 8 Wed Mar 21

Thu Mar 22 Fri Mar 23 Sat Mar 24 Sun Mar 25 Mon Mar 26 Tue Mar 27 Wed Mar 28 Thu Mar 29 Fri Mar 30 Sat Mar 31

9:00am 4:00pm 12:00pm 4:00pm 9:00am 4:00pm 12:00pm 4:00pm 9:00am 4:00pm 12:00pm 4:00pm Installation 9:00am 1 :00pm 9:00am 2:00pm 6:00pm 7:00pm 9:00am 4:00pm 12:00pm 4:00pm 6:00pm 7:00pm 6:00pm 7:00pm 6:00pm 7:00pm 6:00pm 7:00pm 6:00pm 7:00pm 9:00am 4:00pm

A Community-Supported Arts Center Becomes a Magnet for Growth

We believe that growing a community-supported and community-needs driven arts center benefits everyone in the community. A positive, diverse arts environment in a town functions as a culture magnet to maintain and to draw new businesses and families. A healthy collaborative arts community reflects on everyone in the River Region. What's your passion? Our new membership flyer (available online, or stop by the Arts Center) is easily filled out to specify your particular passion in the arts. The arts covers a broad range. Here at the Arts Center we see our mission as being that of an encourager and nurturer to help you develop your passion. When you develop your passion in the arts, it will spread and inspire others. We have many opportunities for you to get involved: write for the Update, enter information in our data bases, fix shelves, etc. There is always something to do on our to-do list. There is a role for everyone.

Stove Small refrigerator

Wish List

If you have either of these, in good working order, please contact the Arts Center at 334-578-9485, or director@arrac.org.

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

You Really Can Make a Difference in the Arts

I support the Arts in the River Region. I would like to make an additional donation of: $__________ Bronze $1 00 ___ Silver $250___ Gold $500___ Platinum $1 000___
Forms are available online, see http://arrac.org/Documents/RevARRACmembership.pdf www.arrac.org
a 501(c) 3 not-for-profit organization

Alabama River Region Arts Center

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Jam&Music News

UPDATE/FEB. 2012

Plan to Attend!

Bluegrass Jam March 3

It is a well-known fact: you can never have too many instruments or musicians. All skill levels are 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, Mar. 3rd. at the ARRAC.

SOUTHSIDE MIDDLE SCHOOL 901 E.B. Payne Sr. Drive, Tallassee AL 36078 Saturday: 5:00-8:00 pm Sunday: Sew Sit & 1 :30-5:30 pm

If your group is interested in using the Arts Center venue for your next meeting, please contact the Executive Director, Frank Sullivan, to make arrangements, or email director@arrac.org. We look forward to seeing your community group. Custom arts activities can also be arranged. Contact us for fees, etc.

Schedule your group's meeting at ARRAC

ARRAC Arts Clubs

$20 month,

Thursdays starting at 4pm

contact artsclub@arrac.org or director@arrac.org for more information.

Painting/Drawing, Guitar & Clay Clubs Thursday Mar. 1

Kids 8 and up, it is not too late to get signed up for Arts Clubs at ARRAC. Join puppetmaster/clay crafter Austin Thompson and learn how to create realistic animals and aliens (BYOSC* bring your own sculpey clay). Clay Club meets from 5:00pm - 6:00pm, and Jon Masters, Guitar Club leader and his class meet Thursdays from 4pm - 5pm; as does Marty McIntyre's Drawing/Painting Club (paints, paper supplied!). Cost is $20 per month. They meet one time a week, and beginners are welcome. No instrument? No problem, we have instruments 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.
300 West Tallassee St Wetumpka, AL 36092

Kids Arts Clubs: Clay Drawing/Painting Guitar

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Alabama River Region Arts Center

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W a y s t o Pr a i s e
River Region Sunday Special

UPDATE/FEB. 2012

Sunday Apr. 29th

2 4 pm

Gospel Roots Music

Alabama River Region Arts Center
www.arrac.org

$3 Donation

fundraiser for

Wetumpka Performing Arts Center

(adjacent to ARRAC) 300 W. Tallassee St (former Wetmpka Jr/Sr High School) Wetumpka, AL
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Alabama River Region Arts Center