April Happenings!

Thank you to all who attended our first St. Patrick’s Day Party at the Arts Center! Great crowd, wonderful stews, delightful music were the fare for the evening. Plans are to do this event again next year so keep us in mind for next St. Patrick’s Day.

The fun continues this Friday evening, 4:30-7:00pm, in the Arts Center with our Opening Reception for paintings by Joyce Garner of Louisville and sponsored by Traditional Bank. You may recognize Joyce’s work locally for she designed the new candy boxes for Ruth Hunt Candy.

In reality Joyce’s work is very large, very bright, and an absolute delight to see. We are fortunate in that Ruth Hunt Candy is donating one of her large paintings to be hung in the upcoming small performance café in the basement of the Arts Center. It is going to look great in this space.

Now, here is just a quick plug for our upcoming café. We are in the process of fund raising to complete the basement area that will consist of a small café/coffee shop where small performances such as unplugged music, one person acts, Poetry Slams, Open Mics, and much more will take place.

Not only will this space be utilized for a café, but it will serve as a Green Room during our performances in the Lewis Apperson White Performance Hall. In this room actors will wait for cues from the stage manager, watch the performances on a large monitor, and have access to well designed dressing rooms.

Also there will be a “messy art classroom” where projects of all types can take place. Such as: Mosaics, ceramics, painting of backdrops, etc. A great room that can be hosed down after the artwork is finished.

Finally, we need a commercial kitchen to finish off the small performance café. As many know, doing this type of kitchen is very expensive. However, it will be well utilized and finishes out the basement area.

Now, saying the “small performance Café” is a mouth full. We would be very willing to change that name if a generous donor were to step forth to help. I just wanted to plant a little seed in case someone realizes the potential for this space and would like to give us some financial support. For more information please call me at 859-498-6264 and I would love to give you a personal tour.

So, the weekend begins with this wonderful exhibit of paintings by Joyce Garner that is free. But, the arts experiences continue into Sunday afternoon when we are so excited about presenting author Frank X Walker.

Mr. Walker will be in the Lewis Apperson White Performance Hall at 4:00pm sharing his poetry, including his recent book entitled “Isaac Murphy: I Dedicate This Ride”. This book is about the life of Isaac Murphy who was the first African American Jockey skillfully told by Mr. Walker through the different voices of individuals who influenced his life.

Frank X Walker is nationally renowned as a writer and we are so fortunate to have him in our community. Please join us this Sunday at 4:00pm for this free event. Mr. Walker will also be signing books and answering questions about his works. A reception will follow.

On Thursday, April 14^th, the Kentucky Humanities Council, Montgomery County Education Foundation and Montgomery County Community Education will be presenting the final performance for this series of Chautauqua performers. George Rogers Clark is the featured character and will be portrayed by Mel Hankla.

A Revolutionary War Hero, 1752-1818, George Rogers Clark was a tall, talented Virginian who came to Kentucky as a surveyor. But it was as a military leader during the Revolutionary War that he made his mark. The settlers, Clark had brought along, moved from Corn Island to the Kentucky shore, founding the city of Louisville in late 1778.

The Performance begins at 7:00 and is free. The Chautauqua performances are great for any age so we encourage families to come and enjoy this piece of history and the opportunity to ask questions of Mr. Hankla. A reception will follow the performance for everyone.

Next event is a Salon on Friday - April 15^th. This will be a fun filled evening of Jazz music by 4 young men from Morehead State University under the direction of Dr. Roosevelt Escalante. Their sound has been compared to that of the “Four Freshmen” and “Manhattan Transfer” and will be held in the home of Mr. & Mrs. F.C. Bryan.

The Salon performances are always a hit and tickets sell out quickly. Be sure to purchase your ticket for $20 as soon as possible from the Gallery at the Arts Center and Ruth Hunt Candy. This will be an evening of great music, good food, and warm conversation. For more information please call: 859-498-6264.

Also, a quick reminder, that it is not too late to join the Sterling Singers adult chorus under the direction of Debbie Stegner. For more information please call: 498-6264.

Saturday, April 16^th, the Montgomery Co. Early Childhood Development Council will present “A Festival Of Reading” in the Arts Center. This event will feature our very own local author, Karlin Roberts. Ms. Roberts is author of “October Moon on Lizard Ridge” and will be reading from her book to preschool and daycare age students.

There will also be a crafts project and snacks provided for the morning. This event is free, but children must be accompanied by an adult. So come join the fun April 16^th from 10:00am – noon at the Arts Center.

Finally, on April 30^th and May 1^st we will be holding our Annual Regional Student Art Show in the Arts Center. Students K-12 from Montgomery County and all surrounding counties in our region are invited to participate.

All work must be original by the student and ready to hang with wire and frames or mounted on board if it is 2 dimensional. This year we are adding a new category, Sculpture will be accepted into the show.

Categories for the show are as follows: Landscape, Still Life, Portraiture (includes animals), Abstract, Computer, Photography, and Sculpture. Each student may submit up to 4 entries with a fee of $1 per entry.

You do not have to be in an art class in order to participate. The schedule is as follows: Saturday – April 30^th: 8:00-10:00am – Registration and drop off of artwork; Sunday – May 1^st: 1:00-2:00pm – Open to the public, 2:00pm – Awards Ceremony. Cash prizes and ribbons will be awarded.

So if you know of a student who loves to do visual art please have them take part in this event. It is a great way to meet other students who also love to do art. For more information please call: 859-498-6264 or email: artcouncil97@bellsouth.net and we can send you a registration form in advance. Or, we will see you Saturday, April 30^th at the Arts Center.

Plenty going on in the arts so please take time for your self to enjoy what our Arts Center has to offer. Many of our events are free and made possible by our membership drive, grants and sponsors. If you would like information on being a part of our Arts Council and the Gateway Regional Arts Center please call or email us anytime.

What's Happening at the Arts Center in March!

Beautiful Quilts will be on display in the Gallery this month in celebration of National Quilt Month. A “call for entries” was made by our Visual Arts committee looking for quilts of all types to be displayed this month.

We have contemporary and traditional quilts that represent in some way one of the 4 seasons of the year. Nationally renowned fiber artist Arturo Sandoval has selected the Best of Show and three honorable mentions that will be announced during the Gallery Talk and Opening Reception.

Please join us this Friday, March 4^th from 4:30-7:00pm for a first glimpse of these beautiful quilts, good food, and good conversation. This reception is free and is generously made possible by Whitaker Pharmacy and the Kentucky Arts Council.

But wait, there is more to take place that evening. Sasha Colette and the Magnolias will be performing during the reception and a free concert starting at 7:00pm. Sasha and the Magnolias are known for their Americana/Blues/Indie sound and this promises to be a concert you do not want to miss.

For more information please call the Gateway Regional Arts Center at 859-498-6264. We hope you to see Friday for an evening of Art, Music, and fun.

Saturday, March 5^th, we are excited about a Mini Quilt Workshop presented by Jennifer Reis of Morehead State University. Ms. Reis is a renowned fabric artist that has widely exhibited her work around the area and state.

The Mini Quilt Workshop will be presented from 1:00-5:00pm for adults. A fee of $45 includes materials and instruction and all you need to learn this intricate art form. It is not too late to register so call the Gallery at 498-6264 as soon as possible.

Monday, March 7^th, our 2 Blocks Off Broadway Theatre group is presenting a Reading Circle at the Arts Center. The last two have been great fun for everyone and they are inviting anyone who would like to read scripts (not memorize!) to join them. This is a free event and a great way to meet other folks interested in theatre in our community.

Tuesday, March 8^th, the Noteables Community Youth Chorus will be presenting their last concert of the season. These youth have flourished under the direction of Debbie Stegner and we are very proud of all they have accomplished.

Congratulations to Megan Jones, Mackenzie Green, and Kyla Copher for auditioning and their selection into the Allstate Kentucky Children’s Chorus. This is a prestigious chorus and a honor to have been made a member of this chorus.

Also, we wish to say congratulations to Debbie Stegner for being named the upcoming Kentucky Music Educators President Elect. This too is a big honor to be elected to this position.

Be sure to join us on the 8^th at 7:00pm to hear this wonderful chorus and applaud all their hard work. Donations will be accepted in lieu of tickets at the door.

Now its time for our adults who love to sing to have their chance to come together as members of the Sterling Singers Community Chorus. This year we are fortunate to have Debbie Stegner as the Choral Director for this group too.

This group does not hold auditions, but is open to anyone who enjoys singing and meeting other people who also enjoy music. First rehearsal is March 15^th at 7:00pm in the Arts Center. A monthly fee of $20 is assessed but may be waived if needed for individuals who want to participate. For more information please call: 859-498-6264.

Thursday, March 10th, at 7:00pm, the Montgomery County Education Foundation and the Gateway Regional Arts Center will be presenting their third in a series of Chautauqua performances. This month’s performance will feature L. Henry Dowell portraying Doctor Ephraim McDowell who performed the first ovarectomy surgery in Danville, KY, removing a 22-pound tumor from the abdomen of a 46-year old woman. It brought McDowell worldwide acclaim as the father of abdominal surgery.

This performance is free generously sponsored by the Montgomery County Medical Society. Please join us for this great opportunity to learn about Dr. McDowell and the impact his surgery has made on medicine today.

St. Patrick’s Day is March 17^th and the Arts Center is celebrating with a party from 5:30-8:00pm! Join us for an Irish Stew Cook Off, Celtic Music, Bag Pipe music, beverages and fun. Tickets are $20 and available at Ruth Hunt Candy, the Gallery and at the door.

If you would like to enter your favorite Irish Stew in the cook off please call 859-498-6264. Prize money will be awarded! Make sure your friends come and stack the votes with their dollars and join in the Irish fun. Hope to see everyone there for this is a great way to support the Arts and have a pot full of fun too!

To finish out our Irish theme for March we will be privileged to hear in concert again this year the Morehead state University Concert Choir. This wonderful chorus, under the direction of Dr. Greg Detwieler, will treat us with a performance that includes an Irish Mass.

This performance will take place at 7:00pm on March 29^th, in the Lewis Apperson White Performance Hall in the Arts Center. Tickets are available at the door for $10 adults, $5 students, and $15 for families of 3 or more. This is a great opportunity to hear an outstanding choir and beautiful music so mark your calendars and join us March 29^th.

Just a heads up, the Regional Student Art Show is scheduled to take place April 30^th and May 1^st. This art show is open to students in grades K-12 from all over the Gateway Area and cash prizes will be awarded. Be watching for more information available through schools, home schools and church schools. Or call the Gallery: 859-498-6264 for more information.

Check out our new website – www.gatewayartscenter.com. This is a great way to check on what’s coming up in workshops, events, performances, etc. See you at our upcoming events and thank you for supporting the Arts!

Join the Sterling Singers!

The Sterling Singers have just started their rehearsals and are having a great time singing favorite Broadway Tunes!

Debbie Stegner is directing and Terry Ensor accompanying this fun loving chorus that meets at 7:00pm on Tuesday evenings.

It is not too late to join! For more information call: 859-498-6264 or just show up at next Tuesday's rehearsal. A fee of $20/month is requested but may be waived if needed.

Come check it out and join the fun!

St. Patrick's Day Party at the Arts Center!

Come join the fun on Thursday, March 17th, for our St. Patrick's Day Party at the Arts Center!
Enjoy live Celtic music, and Irish Stew Cook Off (bring your bucks to stack the votes for your favorite Chef!), beer, Bailey's Irish Cream Cakes, and much more!

Some of the competing chefs include: Dr. & Mrs. George Zack, Jennifer Ratliff, John Crouch, Reid Evans, Gordon Duffus, Margaret Trusty, and Terri Pulley. Come cheer them on and make your favorite chef the winner!

The festivities take place from 5:30-8:00pm and cost is a wee $20 in advance or at the door. Tickets are available at Ruth Hunt Candy or the Arts Center.

Wear green if you care and see you there!!