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2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002
The Greenbrier River Watershed Association and Art in the Park partner this summer in a large-scale community art project that merges the arts with environmental education. The rich natural history that unifies the Greenbrier River and underlying karst topography is the theme for a sculptural installation at Dorie Miller Park, Lewisburg, WV. The installation when completed (2006-07) will have a labyrinth inspired by the river, a children's play area based on karst topography, benches, educational signage and native plant beds. Everyone is invited to participate in all stages of this large-scale project as it unfolds over time.
The 2005 summer program will focus on design research. Come to one or all free of charge activities. First is a Hands-on Design Research Series Saturdays in February 5
Next we have a spring project at Hollowell Park. Community art classes will be held on April 7th, 8th, 11th, 12th and 13th from 3:30 to 5:00 PM and 6:00 to 8:00 PM, and on Saturday, April 9th from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM. We will study world cultures and the end result will be a painted mural on the baseball dugouts. The mural of a cheering crowd will represent heroes from here and around the world. Free of charge, open to all, classes will be held on Thursdays and Saturdays in April. Registration is optional.
Classes in Dorie Miller Park will be held in July on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6:30 to 8:30 PM at the pavilion. These classes are geared to a wide range of people, from 8 (& younger with an adult) to seniors and will use movement, poetry, story-telling, drawing and painting, all with an environmental education and design research application.
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In July 2004 Art in the Park held nine free of charge, open to all community art classes in which more than 200 people of wide-ranging ages and interests participated. This cooperative effort resulted in a mosaic mural on the north wall of the concession stand. Folks worked together, at dorie miller park, lewisburg, in a community art context, in all stages of this work of public art. The group generated ideas, chose themes&found visual symbols to illustrate them, executed individual pieces, and composed the whole in a collage format. Along with art and community-building goals, students explored environ-mental concepts and the mural represents our study of the Greenbrier River Water-shed. Art skills and opportunities for self-expression were offered in a setting that fostered inclusion, cooperation, and reflection. The kinds of intangible results open to participants in a community art project include a sense of accomplishment, heightened democratic practice skills, a bridging of community divisions, a sense of 'spiritual ownership' and richer art skills.
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This year, we extend a special big THANK YOU! to our summer teaching partners! Many talented folks offered to work with participants in Art in the Park classes in July 2004. It made for very rich activities and was a huge help, as participation swelled this season and some classes were attended by fifty or more participants. Several Americorp volunteers worked with kids at classes. Miss Ginny and students led movement activities on Tuesdays. Sylvia Beye helped as a storyteller.
Many thanks also to so many fabulous helping parent volunteers. When participants streamed in, in large numbers, parents saw a need and stepped in. Thanks to all those parents and special thanks to Mariah, Geraldine and Ellen.
More thanks to Art in the Park Board members and volunteers! Eleonore Sams threw a great event - the 3rd Annual International Block Party. Mark Carver, Director of Lewisburg Public Works, was helpful at every turn. Tenley Shewmake masterminded publicity. Our newest board member, Rosemary Winston, was integral to the project. Glenn Singer helped the Vol-unteers for Peace feel welcome. Ken Sherman took these wonderful photographs. The international program was run by Anne Canterbury.
The completed mural at the International Block Party
Art in the Park 2003 - Turtle SculptureIn July and August 2003, more than 150 people participated in ART in the PARK's community art summer project, led by Jessica Levine and Caroline Smith. This cooperative effort resulted in a fabulous climbing sculpture of a turtle in a sand box 'pond'. Together, 184 people worked with their hands, minds and hearts, creating community as they created this rich masonry-based sculpture/playground option, at Dorie Miller Park, Lewisburg. People of wide-ranging ages and interests participated in nine free, open to all workshop classes in July and August. 120 individuals attended one or more of the nine classes. Class attendees devoted over 400 hours of cooperative, creative energy to these classes. Another 70 people participated in ad-hoc work gatherings. Community members were enriched by working with nine international volunteers from Europe and Asia who came especially to Lewisburg to work with Art in the Park. All together, 184 participants devoted over 800 artful, cooperative hours to the project. People worked together, in a community art context, in all stages of this work of public art. The group generated ideas, chose themes, found visual symbols to illustrate themes, executed individual pieces, and composed the whole in a collage format. Art skills and opportunities for self-expression were offered in a setting that fostered inclusion, cooperation and reflection. The kinds of intangible results open to participants in a community art project include a sense of accomplishment, deepened creative capapcity, heightened democratic practice skills, a bridging of community divisions, a sense of 'spiritual ownership', and, of course, richer art skills. On August 7, at the International Block Party, the turtle sculpture was unveiled. More than 200 people attended and celebrated community despite a day of overpowering rain. Folks danced to Monteneros, a Latin dance band, attended a Latin dance workshop, ate great international foods, met and learned about the 'Volunteers for Peace' through their fine, hand made displays, and took part in hands-on art workshops. |
Fabulous video by Ji-Young (right, seen here with Sarah, left), one of last year's International Volunteers! |
In July 2002, against a lively backdrop of women's baseball games, sixty community members participated in a community art project, that resulted in a mosaic mural, '3 Heroes in 4 Seasons'. The participants chose the theme of local heroes for the mural, which depicts the four seasons and honors two local luminaries (Bimbo Coles and Gwen Clingman) and Dorie Miller, a World War II hero who served aboard the USS West Virginia. Together, people worked with their hands, minds, and hearts to create this rich mural and create community. People of wide-ranging ages (five and over) and interests participated in seven (+) free, open to all, workshop classes, in 35 hours of instructional time. All together, the participants devoted over 550 artful, cooperative hours to the project.
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People worked together, in a community art context, in all stages of this work of public art. The group generated ideas, chose themes, found visual symbols to illustrate themes, executed individual pieces, and composed the whole in a collage format. Art skills and opportunities for self-expression were offered in a setting that fostered inclusion, cooperation, and reflection. The kinds of intangible results that can occur for participants in a community art project include a sense of accomplishment, deepened creative capacity, heightened democratic practice skills, a bridging of community divisions, a sense of 'spiritual ownership', and, of course, richer art skills.
On August 1, 100 people attended an opening celebration for the mural project, concluding, that 'Art in the Park', first installment, was a big success. Thanks and much appreciation to the Lewisburg Parks Commission, as sponsor ands for providing the opportunity to share this vital creative work with our community. Appreciation goes to the City of Lewisburg as a sponsor for the project. Thanks to Wal-Mart, for a financial contribution and Neathawk Lumber, Tru-Valu Home Center, White Sulphur Glass, and 84 Lumber for materials donations. Big thanks to Ghost Town Swing and Glenn Singer for providing entertainment at the festive opening. Many individuals gave of their time and contributed financially to this valuable project and their effort is applauded by all involved in 'Art in the Park'.
Contact us at: ArtInThePark@dottywood.org
