Archives for September 2016

Kids Out Loud

September 27, 2016 by Kate Scullen

Last week, local students at R.S. Payne Elementary took part in Kids Out Loud. The program is a songwriting program led by singers/songwriters Kathy Hussey and Paddy Braunstein, who teach children song structure, rhyme scheme, and collaboration. Over the course of five days, the children brainstorm, write a song, rehearse, and perform their songs in a school-wide concert. Thanks to our main sponsor, The Bank of the James, students at R.S. Payne Elementary got the opportunity to partake in this wonderful, inspiring program. Since they joined the Kids Out Loud program in 2012, Hussey and Braunstein have helped around 3,000 children collaborate with classmates to write a total of 100 songs. This past week, eight classes of students in third and fifth grades worked together to write original songs like “I Have a Secret,” “Leave Me Alone,” and “A Gem of a Friend.” This past week, Kathy Hussey noticed how well these students grasp metaphor. In “A Gem of a Friend,” students compare friendship to stones and jewels: “A valuable friendship can be hard to see / You have to dig down to where it’s unique / You’re the most beautiful jewel in the cave / To find you in there, I […]

Romeo & Juliet

September 21, 2016 by Kate Scullen

This Friday, the American Shakespeare Center (ASC) will be performing William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. As part of our community outreach program, we have invited local high school students to a private morning performance to enrich their learning experience. Executive Director of the Academy, Geoffrey Kershner , is excited to share the ASC’s performance with students. He says, “In solely reading Shakespeare’s work, there is a chance that students will detach from it; but experiencing the works in the way Shakespeare intended will enhance students’ connection to Shakespeare and literature as a whole.” The ASC is based in Staunton, Virginia, and we are thrilled to make this performance accessible to students who might not have the opportunity to see it otherwise. Heather McCormick, a teacher at E.C. Glass High School, introduces Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet every spring. In the past, McCormick has taken her students all the way to Staunton for the ASC’s performance. “Magic happens when the play is brought to life,” she says. “It is incredible for the students to witness professional actors perform Shakespeare’s work. It gives students a tangible way to experience it.” A total of 200 students from E.C. Glass will be attending Friday’s performance […]

Lettering Whimsy

September 19, 2016 by Kate Scullen

Like many others, I am often inspired by crafts posted on Pinterest and Etsy, especially those that involve creative and whimsical lettering. The Academy recently offered creative lettering workshops over the summer and many people who missed out expressed their wish that it would be offered again. If you did miss it you’re in luck because we have a new Intro to Creative Lettering workshop on Saturday, March 4th. The class is beneficial for beginners as well as more advanced lettering artists. The instructor, Laura Eagle Watts, is such a creative soul who is enthusiastic to help others unearth their creative potential. Supplies are provided for you to create your own artwork and to explore various techniques in creative lettering, including modern calligraphy, brush lettering, and whimsical lettering. You will even get to take home your very own calligraphy pen and practice sheets! Previous students agree that Watts creates a supportive environment. One such student reflected on the class, “I really loved how Laura encouraged everyone that practice is so important. I just couldn’t get it right while I was there, and she just encouraged everyone that it will come. I’ve got a small group of ladies planning to take […]

A Life Changing Summer

September 8, 2016 by Kate Scullen

Although our summer camps have come to an end, it’s nice to reflect on the thriving creativity that took place. For nine weeks, the Academy Center of the Arts hosted a diverse range of art camps, including theater, dance, DJ, improvisation, art, and pottery. The Academy Center was constantly brimming with creative youths, with a total of 556 students enrolled in 23 camps. This is a huge leap compared to last year’s enrollment of 299 students in 16 camps. For the first time, we collaborated with the YMCA’s Summer Learning Loss Prevention Program (SLLP), and it was an amazing success. One hundred and fifty students from Altavista, Amherst, Appomattox, and Lynchburg received free arts education at the Academy thanks to our scholarship fund. On entering the pottery studio for the first time, one of the YMCA campers looked around at the shelves full of clay pieces in awe and said, “This is gonna be the best day ever!” The Academy was full of this level of enthusiasm all summer. It is essential that children have the opportunity to explore the arts. Creative instruction helps children realize their tremendous potential. The arts inspire confidence, which often transfers to other areas of […]

NATIONAL JURIED PHOTO AWARDS

September 7, 2016 by Kate Scullen

The Annual National Juried Photo Exhibition at the Academy Center of the Arts opened on Friday, September 2. The juror, Glen McClure, professional photographer from Norfolk selected 34 artists from 7 states. Over $2500 in cash awards was presented to ten artists and the winners are as follows: Best in Show: $1000 John Lofaso – “Shadow Series #15” Sponsored in part by the Academy Center of the Arts 2nd Place Award: $500 Peter Toth – “Dugout in Fog” Sponsored by the Dr. Cary Roberts 3rd Place Award: $300 Kristen Victoria Harner – “20,000 Leagues of Solitude” Sponsored by the Academy Center of the Arts Juror’s Choice Award: $200 Alec Hosterman – “Weeds in the Snow” Sponsored by the Academy Center of the Arts Juror’s Choice Award: $150 Lisa Pitcher – “Big Lots Special” Sponsored by the Academy Center of the Arts Juror’s Choice Award: $150 Robert Miller – “Potter’s Hands” Sponsored by the Academy Center of the Arts Juror’s Choice Award: $100 Michele Sons – “Spirit of Light” Sponsored by Blackwell Press Juror’s Choice Award: $100 Tabitha Robinson […]