Art Saturdays open house

The Morgan Arts Council (MAC) hosts an open house on Sunday, September 2 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Ice House in Berkeley Springs to introduce the public to its new Art Saturdays program. The eight professional artists who are teaching 35 weeks of individual classes for both adults and youth are demonstrating and discussing their planned activities. People may sign up for classes on Sunday; walk-ins during the year are also encouraged.

"Arts education has always be a major part of MAC's mission," said Pat Springer who is coordinating the Art Saturdays project. "Now that there are multiple classrooms in the Ice House, MAC is able to launch this ambitious plan for two art classes every Saturday from September 22 through June 28." Springer explained that each class is a singular arts experience. "Someone can take just one or any number of the classes offered." She points out this type of scheduling makes it convenient for both local residents and visitors. "Art Saturdays gives people a taste of what they can learn. We plan for it to lead to longer and more detailed classes in specific types of art."

The classes are organized in four tracks each for adults and for youth. Adult classes are offered in fabric arts, ceramics, book arts and acting. Youth classes are theater and a range of two and three dimensional visual arts projects from mask making to puppets to found art sculpture. "We also have some special classes planned outside the set tracks," said Springer.

On October 13 the class is wire jewelry techniques and on November 10 it is spinning. "Classes the two Saturdays before Christmas are devoted to making gifts, decorations and ornaments," said Springer.

The faculty for the eight different tracks were chosen from local professional artists and include Lynn Lavin, Jane Frenke, Michael Dennis and Tom Brooks teaching adult classes and Julia Christian, Margi Griffiths, Mary Ann Haines and Jane Ping teaching youth classes. "The open house encourages the public to come and meet the faculty," said Springer. "We are pleased with their caliber both as working artists and teachers."

Funding assistance for Art Saturdays is provided by the National Endowment for the Arts, WV Commission on the Arts and hotel/motel tax revenue from Morgan County and the town of Bath.

The Ice House is located on Independence and Mercer in downtown Berkeley Springs. For more information on Art Saturdays including a detailed description of each class and any special requirements call 304-258-2300.