It takes an art town to grow young artists
by Jeanne Mozier
The benefits of visiting a top-rated art town are obvious: gallery openings, concerts, theater productions and art shopping.
Growing up surrounded by artists and arts opportunities also influences the young people of the area. For several young people, living in Berkeley Springs has made their own choice of a future career much easier.
James Worley
“I’ve felt the immense benefit of living in a community where the arts are so strongly encouraged,” said James Worley, 18-year-old violinist and photographer. “I know many artists in every field imaginable and appreciate their encouragement to pursue a career in the arts.”
Worley was recently selected as one of two West Virginia student musicians to attend the prestigious National Symphony Orchestra Summer Music Institute.
He is also a star behind the lens. His photos have won first place awards in The Morgan Messenger’s Morgan County Photo Contest for the past two years.
The quality of his work was evident one afternoon in the Morgan Arts Council office when Worley was surrounded by pleased members of the Blue-Eyed Soul band sorting through promotional photos he had taken.
Though Worley foresees a career of international touring as a violinist, he has no plans to set aside photography.
“It would be nice to someday have an actual studio in Morgan County or another place like it,” he said, conceding that finding such a place will not be easy.
Yvette Boles
Other young artists point to the influence of the Morgan Arts Council (MAC), especially the theater program.
“If not for my participation with MAC, I would never have gotten involved in theater,” said Yvette Boles, a 19-year-old freshman at West Virginia Wesleyan. “I first began practicing theater in workshops offered by MAC and taught by J.W. Rone. I was in second grade.”
By fifth grade, she won her first role in “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.” More workshops and Ice House Theater Project roles followed, leading to awards at the Maryland State Theatre Festival as well as Shakespeare competitions at the Folger.
Theater is her future. “I plan to begin auditioning for professional jobs and when I graduate from college, I hope to be able to find employment as an actor,” Boles said.
John Patrick Arwood Slate
John Patrick Arwood Slate seemed to burst onto the stage as a high school junior in 2008 when he wowed the local community with his performance in the Ice House production of “Little Shop of Horrors.”
The audience response was a surprise for him. “I’ve been singing for as long as I can remember. I automatically assumed that everyone could,” he said.
Slate started taking voice lessons with Pat Springer in early 2007 following an appearance in the Ice House production of “The Secret Garden.” As the saying goes, “the rest is history.” That summer he attended a workshop at University of North Carolina School of the Arts where the 19-year-old has just completed his freshman year.
Slate has no doubts as to his career path. He knows he has a rare voice rangefrom baritone to tenor and hopes to capitalize on that.
“I want to work as a principal in a Rossini opera traveling to different opera houses throughout the world,” he said.
Katie Godman
Katie Godman, 19, is studying theater and voice at Shepherd College.
“Singing was something I always did,” Godman said. “Ever since I could talk, I would sing along to the radio or with my mom. When I was old enough, I joined our church choir.”
Like Slade, she cultivated her voice through lessons with Pat Springer, who has contributed greatly to the current crop of professional quality young artists.
Then came theater. “My brothers did ‘Annie’ at the Ice House. I saw how much fun they were having and wanted to be a part of it. They took me with them to audition, and here I am five years later, obsessed with being on stage,” Godman said.
Katie Zakrzewski
Katie Zakrzewski is still in high school but that hasn’t stopped her from accumulating an impressive resume.
According to her mother, Zakrzewski’s wins in talent and speech contests owe much to MAC. “She auditioned for the play ‘Annie’ the very day we moved to town , and was cast as one of the orphans,” said Janice Zakrzewski.
Through Ice House Theater activities, Zakrzewski has developed impressive stage presence which she displays in various ways, including serving as local spokesperson for Rachel’s Challenge Organization and as prosecuting attorney for the Morgan County Teen Court.
“Being a part of the Morgan County arts family has enriched her life and given her confidence in so many ways,” said her mother.
Summer classes
This summer, MAC will hold Ice House after-school classes and art camps at the Ice House in Berkeley Springs.
The schedule is: Performance Theater Camp, June 28-July 10; Animal Art Safari visual arts camp, July 19-23; and Summer Arts & Film Studio, July 19-23.
For more information, call 304-258-2300.
